Problems with the band....

I have to confess that I have problems with my Realize Band...

1.  My clothes don't fit, they're too big
2. I don't want to eat fatty foods or drink beverages loaded with calories
3. I have all these medications and I don't have to take them!
4. I have seat belt extenders for 737 and 767 that I don't need anymore
5. I don't have to go see my doctor 6 times a year to track my high A1C, it's not high!

If you are reading this, post your band  "issues" here!

1. Size 4s are getting TOO big.

2. I can shop at the "skinny *****es" stores.

3. I have energy!

4. I love to exercise now.

5. I've learned how nutrition and eating really work.

6. I get so many compliments!

7. I eat food I like, just healthier. Tomorrow? Lemon creme pie loaded with 38g protein :)

8. I'm slowly learning how to chew and enjoy! Fork =/= spoon.

So many issues :(!

 

;)

Hi  I am a new member I am considering getting the lapband. The reading materials told me to talk to someone that I know that had it. Well I did that today and that person told me she wish she had not done it and that she did not recommend it because she only lost 35 lbs and she had the surgery in July 2010. I do not know of anyone personally to ask. I weigh 244lbs and I would like to get down to 150lbs and I was afraid to get the full gastric bypass. So I opted for the lap. It seems as though you had great success.

Tbyrd, I'm a fairly new member, banded in mid Jan.  What struck me when I read your post was our beginning weight and goal weights are almost the exact same.  Find more than one to talk to, and if you can find one who has your surgeon.  I'm thinking the surgeon really makes the diff.  Mine has done over 2,000 lapband procedures.  Plus as you've read it's not a quick fix, it's a tool.  It really helps limit the amount you can eat.  But the patient has to choose the right foods and go for fills when needed.  Do your research on your surgeon and the lapband procedure.  I still think it was the right choice for me, because I wanted the least invasive WLS, and not removing or rerouteing any of my systems.  Just starting to find some measure of success.

Thanks so much for the advice. I will do more research and speak with my Surgeon some more.  I hope to post soon with good news!!!

Hello

The Band does work for people that are willing to do the work that goes with it.  Like you've heard before it's a tool not a magic wand.  What the Band has forced me to do in order to lose weight is- pay attention to what I'm eating and exercise.  I am living healthier than I ever did in my life.  I know  that if weight loss came to easily for me I would have never made these changes in my life. 

My highest weight was 354 lbs now I'm 218 lbs
I have lost 54 inches
My BMI was 54 now it's 33

and they the Band doesn't work on high BMI...I guess I showed them

Oh that is awesome ! Congrats !! My BMI is 42 that is why I was considering this procedure as well as the fact that it was less riskier than the other. Thanks again for responding to my post. This makes me feel a little better. I am willing to do the work I was just a little comprehensive about everything, but this forum helps.

I was "willing to do the work that goes with it." And the band almost killed me. So, are you implying that it was MY fault that the band didn't work for me? Did I somehow do something to cause the diaphragmatic damage? Or maybe I should have tried harder to not let my stoma swell up to the epic proportions that it did, even when the band was completely unfilled? Did I just not have enough control over my physiology?

I'm so tired of people blaming the patient when in reality, the band is a subpar appliance and a bad long term weight loss surgery option.

OMG!!!  I'm on here posting all of the time and I didn't think I had to say there's an unlucky few that have problems with their band, through no fault of their own...I didn't think I would have to say this every single time I post.  I figured someone else would tell them about any complications they had.  I'm sorry I didn't mention it...  Of course there are those that have an intolerance to the band and can't live with the thing inside them.  Now are you intentionally trying to start an argument?  If you look at my posts from just yesterday I was saying how sad these complications are.  You are attacking me for no reason at all...I simply forgot about those with complications...Sorry!  

For everyone on the board-  for future reference I am not going to mention complications on every single post.  When I make a comment about trying hard and working hard and the band will work...I am not implying those with complications didn't try hard.  Obviously I meant those in the 80% that have no issues other than diet and exercise (Like myself)  But those that know me know I don't say things like that...

No, I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm trying to make people see that saying things like, "The band works for those who do the work..." is implying that people who have band failure DIDN'T do the "work." 

It hurts to hear this, especially when you know that you DID do all the work and it still failed. I'd just like people to be a little less insulting to those of us who did have their bands fail.

I didn't mean to attack you. My heart just hurts every time I hear someone tell a potential banding patient that it's all upon their shoulders whether the band works or not.