completely confused!!

I think the insurance companies are hoping that we'll give up and then they won't have to pay for the surgery.

Worst thing about life with the band?  

Well, for me, it's constantly having to buy new clothes as I am still losing even at 2 years out.

Today I had someone tell me they needed to take me shopping as I'm still trying to wear clothes that are 3X's and I'm in a 14/16.   I was so embarrassed.. I went home got the credit card and went and bought 3 or 4 new dresses.  And a size 14 pair of jeans!!  I was just in size 16 a few weeks or a month ago.  

I'm not going to sugar coat it.. there are days when it is hard.  I miss some of the foods I used to eat on a regular basis.  Fried chicken, Fried catfish, etc.  It's not that I can't eat them now.. but I choose not to most of the time.

But think about it this way.. there's nothing worth having that isn't worth some effort.  If being smaller (I'm not going to say skinny, because I don't think I'll ever be skinny or thin) was easy.. everyone would be small.

Do research, talk to others who have had WLS.  Malabsorptive surgeries (RNY, DS) may have faster weight loss, but they also have other dangers that aren't often talked about.  Find Melting Mama's blog on the 'net and read about some of the issues she's had.  The sleeve is not malabsorptive, more of a restrictive surgery like the band.. but I worry that later on down the road that science will discover that there's a purpose for the part of the stomach that's been removed.  Maybe that's an irrational fear.. but it's mine.

The band was the right choice for ME.. but it's not right for everyone.

I have had my band 6 years now.  I lost all of my weight within one year.  I have kept it off 5 years.  Having the band was the most painless and easiest weight loss I have ever experienced.  As far as I am concerned for me it was the easy way out.  The best tip I can give you is follow your doctors instructions, they are the real experts.  Come to this forum for support.  Don't compare your weight loss to anyone else's, I was considered a slow loser .  Oh, it helps to have a positive attitude.        Good luck.

  Well, I have been banded since 2004
I started my band journey at 367 pounds in 2004!
Now I weight 230-235!
and I am stuck:S .. Its really getting hard! and overwhelming knowing that I have been so slow! I hate to say the forbidden word but sometimes I feel like I am a "failure"
I had 6 fillings so far and my doctor is about to run the 7th but he is not optimistic! he told me sometimes Lapband surgery doesnt help with some ppl that much.. I exercise 4-5 times a week! I dont hate my band Quiet frankly I have been having less than 1000 calories a day for god knows how long now! and I am still flactuating between the same 6 pounds!! even with running involved and everything I still dont see results!regaining with the lap band is *extremely* easy once you figure it out.I also couldn't eat chicken (always stuck)

Oh chicken and steak are nightmare ..The stuck feeling isnt good!! so the queston now! do u have a lot of weight to lose? are u willing to really work hard so hard on ur band!? it is a tool as said before but it is the least helpful tool! and again I love my band!! I am saying it from an angle of experience.
I am getting my revision to Vertical sleeve soon! and I dont like having to have another operation. So RESEARCH A LOT!!! and best of luck:)

Very happy you will be able to revise to a much more effective WLS! When I go to the revision forum there are always TONS of Lap-Banders on there that are wanting to revise, or have revised FROM the band! I just wish more pre-ops would take the time to look on that forum and see where so many lap banders end up!

Thanks dear.. although I hate to be a downer thats why I checked back to see if I spread negative feelings or something BUT I hate to see her come back here years later complaining about the band!! 
It was the best tool for me then! but It really doesnt work that long and I see the success stories are really slim! they either were close to their goal weight or just was soooooo hard working on their band! 
I salute them! and as said by doc. and others am considered a success story! but the thing is.. 
I cant really eat healthy food that much! I eat sashimi and fish fillet! and when u come to think about it thats a huge budget to keep up with it!
I cant eat much veggies and fruits! 
I use to lack on my social life.. if I go out I have to lean on sliders food! 
I NEVER EVER HAD A GOOD BREAKFAST FOR years!! it is always a bite of something just a bite!! 
here is my diet for now: 
Breakfast: " as we all know .. banded ppl like us are stuck the most in the morning"
1 cup of skimmed latte 
a bite "1 table spoon" of any of the following " scrambled eggs - bite of bread with cheese - bite of Salmon raw (sashimi) "

snack : either nothing or just another cup of skimmed latte

Lunch: NOTHING!! I save my allowance to eat for dinner!

Dinner: Sashimi (less than 4 oz) or 2 Sushi rolls! 

Snack: chocolate " I know I am guilty but it is less than 60 calories! I choose small bites of any kind! and some days I dont have it!

It is either that or I gain weight..
so PLEASE DO UR RESEARCH!! I still say! I love my band! it saved me from an early sudden death .. I HAD ZERO COMPLICATIONS WITH IT!! ... 

my consult doctor is the one who brought up a nice point about WHY U ARE GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT ON UR SLEEVE!
He told me .. as we get rid of the gherlin in ur body there is a hormonal balance that happens.. as much as the gherlin is not produced by large amounts in the stomach as before other 2 hormones starts to be produced which are the biggest help to higher ing ur metabolism rates!
With the band the gherlin is there and may be always produced in highly amount as u are never ever satisfied! except for feeling restriction.. so by the time.. what ever u do !! the gherlin block the production of the other hormones with good quantity to help your metabolism and thats why some or more ppl experience weight-loss plateaus or may be weight gain!
Hope I did well explaining what he said!! 
AND THATS WHY I AM HAVING MY SLEEVE!! and I will be hoping and praying the first 2 weeks pass so quick!! 

Kate said it best  so I will just add that only you and your surgeon should decide what WLS to get .Honestly each type of surgery has those who love it and those who hate it . Each has risks and a certain amt of failure for whatever reason. So with that said  you have to decide if you want to go malabsorption or restrictive and then research your options . It can be overwhelming at times to read posts on forums .I suggest talking to your surgeon about your options and making the best most informed decision for you!

Great article :   

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding In 2000  Consecutive Obese Patients: 12-Year Results

 http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/statmain.html

John, I am so glad you posted this. I had it saved and used to post it quite regularly but lost my link! I can now save it and use it again. Thanks!

One of the most interesting points is that this is (if i remember correctly) an Australian study. In Australia over 90% of wls is the band. I have never been able to understand why stats are better for band longevity and weight loss in countries other than the US.

The only things I can think of are that fewer people get wls of any kind outside the US and so perhaps they are the more determined ones!  A bit like DSers tend to be strong characters - they are the ones who probably ahd to fight to get their surgery and so are by definition determined people!

And a second thing is that there is less of a monetary element (I often read US people on here complaining that some docs do the band just to make money). This might mean that non-profit making docs are prepared to spend more time on education and follow-up. Don't know, just an idea!

Kate

 the band is not a miracle cure for weight loss.

neither are any of the procedures.

they are tools to help but there is no quick fix for the disease of obesity.

people gain weight back,, people lose weight, people love it and hate it....

it works if you work it and follow the program.

if it works for you, god bless! if not, there are other options....