Any Regrets?

Yes, Inregret it!
If younwant to continue to diet then this is for you.
I see ppl that have had other surgeries that are thin. I wish I had "gone all the way" and gotten rny or the sleeve.
I am trying to revise.
When I had restriction I would throw up. One day I could eat chicken or beef the next I couldn't. The pain it causes is horrible. The embarrasment ismhorrible too. I never know what I could or couldn't eat from one daynto the next.I IMO. There is no consistency with the crap band.
Just being honest to spare you regret
This surgery has the lowest percent of weight loss out of any WLS.
I never would have said this a year out. I truly was like the majority on this board and raved about it.
I didn't want to diet the rest of my life. Getting the band I didn't think I would've had to. But when ppl say you have to follow the rules to make it work. ..........
All in all is what it all means is DIETING!

If this is a diet, then it's the best damn diet I've ever been on. I still enjoy the same meals with my family and friends. Still eating the same foods...variety of fish/chicken/beef/fresh veggies, etc just LESS of it. When we go out to eat, I can always count on having the leftovers for my lunch the next day. The only "diet" part for me is limiting the amount to one cup. Its been pretty easy (after the first month) because I'm definitely satisfied after one cup.

And I know I'm not the only bandster who feels this way. I'm far from the exception. I know its not for everyone and I do feel bad for you that it hasn't worked for you. I just don't know of any (weight loss) surgery where you don't have to diet in some sense.

No regrets. For me, it has allowed me to eat normally (i.e. like a slim, healthy person for the first time in my life. I eat anything I want, just not much of it.

I am well aware that it does not work for everyone! And we do have to work hard! But for me, it was my perfect surgery.

Kate

Welcome!!

I absolutely love my band it was the perfect surgery for ME!!  Like so many on here my biggest regret was not getting it done sooner.  I had my surgery when I was 29, but wished I had it done in my early 20's so my pregnancies were easier.  I have lost all my excess weight and I've been at goal for about 4 yrs.  No fills in 4 yrs but the aftercare in the beginning is extensive.  Goodluck on your WLS journey.  Oh and one more thing, if I had a higher BMI I would have probably had a different surgery.  My BMI was at 40 when I had my surgery.  Karianne

A high BMI doesn't prevent success with the band.  I'm a case in point.  However, even though I was at or over 60 BMI, I had no other co-morbidities.   Someone else might have other issues that would need resolving with a surgery proven to have quicker results.  Another however.. I lost at the rate of many RNY'ers my first year.

We're all different.  I read the statistics and averages and my reply?  I'm not a statistic.

No regrets here. None, nada, zip. The difference in my life is immeasurable. That being said, I was very well educated about what the band would and would not do, what the risks were, complications, and proper expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone who is self pay and I know it is not for everyone, nor does it work for everyone. It has been the right choice for me and that is what I know for sure. I was afraid, too. Just do your research and when you  make the wls choice that is right for you it will cause you to wonder why you waited and why you were afraid.

Good luck with whatever you choose, Sue

I have more regrets than there is room to write them all down. Let's just say for me the band was not all it was portrayed to be. Myself I would never urge anyone to get one!

Hi - good luck on whatever you decide to do.  For me I have no regrets at all.  I have not lost as much weight as I would have liked to but thats ok..I will one day I know.  The band has been perfect for me.  It has allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them.  It has been the "tool" I need it to be.  Like the other posters have said, I am not looking to be a supermodel.  I just want to be heathly and no longer in plus sizes. 

*****ie how much have u been able to lose this last year with the band? How long did it take u to reach your "sweet spot"?

I have lost 63 pounds so far.  I have had 3 fills and have 2.6 ccs in my band.  I have not had a fill since Dec and do not feel as if I need one.  I eat 3 to 4 oz at meals.  I am losing around 3 to 4 pounds a month on most months.  Oct, Nov and Dec I only lost 0 to 1 pounds.  I know that if I would get off my butt I could lose more...I am hoping the warm weather will cause me to do that.  :-)  This past summer I was losing 7 to 8 pounds and I was out running and walking almost 6 times a week.  This winter I have really slacked off and that was when the weight loss got slower for me.  I do not always make the best food choices and that would be another reason I am losing slower.  But everyday is a learning experience for me.  I know that if I did not have then band I would be gaining and not losing so for that reason alone I love the band.  I know that this is not a race and with time I will be at my goal.  I know that as time goes on I will continue to make better food choices and as time goes on the band will continue to limit my food intake.  Which for me was hard to do when I did not have the band.