I regret getting the band 2.5 Yrs later

So sorry to hear of your bad experience and I wish you well with your revision(s).  The band doesn't work for everybody and you are one of the unlucky ones for whom it didn't.
Let us know how you do!
Steph

I understand completely!  I went into banding surgery thinking it was going to help me get healthier and instead, I got chronic pain issues and abject misery.

People will try to make you think that's it's somehow your fault because they're scared of it happening to them.  It's the band's fault.  It's a bad weight loss surgery option. That's my opinion and nothing will ever change that. I went through Hell with my band.  I came very close to death because of the complications from it. It's not something I would wish upon anyone, ever.

I am looking into sleeve revision as well. I wish you the best of luck.

 I totally understand.  But thanks to all of the information from others that have had revisions I no longer have the miserable band.

Dr Aceves removed and sleeved in about 1.5 hours.  Self paid in the US for my band and in Mexico for my sleeve.

Sometimes it isn't just the band that is the problem.  Fills and unfills, more fills and unfills.  Not being able to eat with good restriction.  It made me think and act like I had an eating disorder.  

The difference in just drinking water with the sleeve is a miracle for me.

Good Luck to all no matter what surgery type or revision you have.

Best wishes with your revision to a sleeve, Soulsister.  If the band doesn't work for you then you deserve a shot at success with the sleeve or any revision that you and your surgeon think is appropriate.  I hope everything goes perfectly for you!

I am so sorry you've had so much trouble with the band and hope the sleeve will work better for you. 

I am almost 2 1/2 years out and I will admit my views have changed - not about how I feel about the band, but my goals.  When I got the band my goal was to lose 150 lbs.  Well, two years out and I've lost about 80.  I'm happy with that loss, all in all, but I really thought I'd be at goal by now. These days I find myself saying if I could just get under 200 I'd be happy.  I know I can still reach my original goal, but I'm not sure how important that is to me anymore.  I don't really care about being thin, I just don't want to be morbidly obese anymore.  I do wonder if I'd had a different kind of surgery if my WL goals would have stayed firm or if I've just come to realize that I'm just never going to do all the work it takes with the band to get to that goal.  In my case, I realize that's my fault, not the bands.

Even when the band works, it's alot of work.  And when it doesn't work, as in your case of others I've read about, it's just impossible.  I'm always telling people I don't "love" my band but I am "in like" with it.   Still, I don't ever want to lose it because I know I will gain all my weight back and I am not willing to undergo anymore WLS.  This is it for me. 

You are correct that people need to research and research any WLS before they have it.  There is no one size fits all WLS.  People both succeed and fail at every kind of surgery.  We all just do the best we can and hope it works out.

Again, I hope you have the revision and it works out better for you.  Take care.

cat

I would pretty much "ditto" what cat wrote. I've lost 120#s...still need to lose the same 45 for the last 1.5 yrs., and would love to, but I'm not gonna be devastated if I don't. I feel "normal". And I "like" my band too, not "love" it. And I don't want to do anymore surgery. I also realize my weight would come back without my band.
Good luck, hope you do awesome with your sleeve!
Sherie

Sorry to hear that the band has been a bad experience for you.

I hope that you can get the revision you are seeking.

I understand regretting a surgical decision -- I had my brachioplasty and breast lift in November --- if I had it to do over again, I would not have had the breast lift --- what is done is done, though, so I am living with the results.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you regret your breast lift? 

As far as the breast lift goes, the surgical results are what was promised -- they are higher and perkier than ever ---


I am just not a 'breast girl' and my husband is not a 'breast guy' --- I think that I could get the same results with a good bra -- have saved the 4,300.00 and not had the discomfort.
I am 4 months post-op from the lift and I still have alot of discomfort sleeping (side sleeper and the incisions go 1/2 way around my body --- I am pleased to have the 'bra bulge' gone, but it is still a bit painful.

I can't wear any of  my normal bras because the bands sit right on the incisions.
So, I am left (for now) wearing front-closing sports bras, or enduring signigicant discomfort to wear a regular bra.

Nothing earth-shattering --- I just did not expect to feel this way for this long.
And honestly, I went to the PS to get the Brachipoplasty -- have wanted my bat-wings gone forever.

I made the Breast Lift decision at the last minute --- almost as an afterthought of  "well, while I am under, why don't you lift the girls".


It has really made me re-assess and I have decided that I am not going to have any additional PS --- I was saving for a tummy tuck and/or a lower body lift -- and have decided to make peace with what I have.

The risk of elective surgery is just too high for me --- I do not want to sway others from having surgery to enhance their bodies -- each to his/her own ---- just for me, the risk/benefit analysis has been done and I am done.

I am just about three months since surgery and today I am feeling the same way.  The first month went well and I was starting to feel comfortable eating small amounts and chewing well.  Then I got my first fill of 3 cc and it has been bad since then.  Last week, I could not even drink water without a lot of pain and stuck feeling, slimming and eventually vomiting.  I saw the surgeon and he took out 1 cc on Wednesday, two days ago.  At first it felt better, but now I am feeling stuck again.  He didn't suggest all liquids for a few days and said come back in a few weeks if not better.  it is not better, but I can't drive 100 miles every few days to get it adjusted and in two weeks my post op care will end and I will have to pay for everything done.  I am pretty unhappy with my choice right now.