I regret getting the band 2.5 Yrs later

I encourage all of you who are thinking about getting the band to re think and research it!
I have not lost much weight, even following the rules. I am either too tight or not tight enough. I now have GERD and heartburn.
It has caused me embarrassing experiences when I get stuck on food and have to vomit. Some days I can eat beef or chicken, others I can't. You just never know depending on the weather, hormones, etc.
I am currently looking into a revision to the sleeve where I will not have as many food intolerances and be up and down with restriction day to day.
The band cannot stay in you forever either. Think about that!
I may be being pessimistic but want to save others from the horrible experiences and wrong decision I have made.
The only thing I ever wanted was to be thin. The band has failed me.

So sorry to hear about your band issues. I am a newbie and I'm loving my band. When I have a situation, it is usually I, who have failed the band, not the other way around. I wish you the best of luck on your revision. Remember, no surgery is "perfect," but I hope it is the perfect choice for you!!

 Is it your intention to make her feel as if it's her fault that the band is failing her? That's the way it reads, although perhaps that isn't what you intended? 

What is she doing that she should be doing differently? Her band is either too tight or too loose. She's having problems eating solid foods. How should she rectify this, in your opinion?


I'm sick of tip-toeing around, trying to spare the feelings of newbies who want to blame the patient, not the band.    There are so many reasons the band fails and to make someone feel even worse about their situation is pretty crappy.   I've seen it several times on this board today.  It's the worst feeling to have your WLS fail you. It causes a complete loss of hope. It doesn't matter how much time has passed. It still hurts.

Good luck with your revision! Sorry to hear the band didn't work for you as hoped. Hopefully sleeve is the answer you need and you'll finally be able to enjoy being thin :)

Sorry you are having troubles.  I understand that some people do have issues with getting the fill level right for them, but that has not been my experience.

I truly hope that the sleeve will work for you.  I met someone recently who has had their sleeve about 8 months and they are doing well and are happy with their progress.  I wish the same (or better !) for you.

As someone else has said, there is no one perfect WLS.  I'm glad that there are differing ones since we as individuals don't all fit the same mold or model.

I don't know why people think the band can't stay in forever.. or why having another band is such a horrible thing (other than $$ problems.. which can be a huge thing).  Other prosthetics (knees, hips, pacemakers, etc.) sometimes need to be replaced and it's not the end of the world.  I know of a few people who have had their original bands for 10 or more years.

Anyhow.. sorry you feel so badly and hope your next choice works out better.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I just got my 2nd fill and I am loving my band right now. I have had a few episodes where I had to vomit. But it was due to me not eating the way I should have. Not every surgery works for everyone. Some do well with the band and some don't. Some do well with other WLS and some don't. There is no proceedure where everyone will have a good outcome. You just have to choose the option that is best for you. I wish you luck with the revision. I recently found a forum on the net completely dedicated to the sleeve. There is a lot of information there that will help you know what to expect before during and after revision. I'm sure there are others on there who have had revisions from the band to VSG also.

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/

Yes, I'm truly sorry that the band was not for you.  I wish you all the best with the sleeve.  Good luck with your new journey.  Everyone is different and unique.  The band is not a good fit for everyone and unfortuntaely, we don't find till later on. 

I'm a little over 3 years out and I have to say the band saved me.... I didn't go into my journey looking to be thin... I just wanted to be healthy enough to have a baby (or two, or three) and live long... and feel my age (25 when I started my journey instead of feeling like I was 60!)

Take care and wishing you all the best!
Jan

I feel you, Sweetheart.  My band wasn't for me either.  I managed to lose over 100 pounds while it was in my body but I'm convinced that I lost that weight because I was a diligent dieter.  My revisions (yes, plural) will be the best thing for me.

So sorry you had a bad time with the band -- I wish you luck on your revision.

I completely understand.  The band is definitely difficult and if I have any other problems, I will be doing the same!!  Good luck to you!!