Lap Band Doesn't work?

So far I love my band!

I think that the  band requires much more 'user input' for success than any other WLS.

All of the surgeries can be wildly successful, and all of then can be unsuccessful.

I love my band --- was ready to fully participate, to see my surgeon for follow up regularly (every 3 weeks for several months, then every 6 weeks == etc.)

I was ready to connect to others with monthly support groups and email loops.
I was ready to diligently modify my eating habits -- to journal my food and change the way I eat.

I consider myself to be very successful ---- and all of those components have contributed.

(This is a cut and paste- posted in reply to the same Q yesterday and too lazy to write it all again)

People who succeed with the band love it.

People who succeed but not as well as they hoped like it well enough.

People for whom it didn't work hate it and advise against it!

All weight loss surgery has good and bad points; nothing is perfect; what suits one does not suit another.

Generally speaking, if you accept the band for what it is ( a tool which helps you eat less but does not stop you doing so, which dulls physical hunger but not head hunger), then you should lose weight. But it is not easy, it is not usually fast.

In case the above sounds negative, I love my band. it has changed my life. I didn't need drastic surgery and malabsorption; I just needed a bit of a helping hand. If for some reason my band had to be removed, I would get a new one.

There is a lot of people who get bands after RNY.. BOB - band over bypass..

It's not so much user error it just takes a lot of effort to lose weight with the band.. the band is in your stomach not your brain so it's easy to eat around your band if you find the desire too..

We still have FREE WILL when it comes to the band so you have to put forward the effort to make good choices every day...

As a almost 6yr user of the band, I'd have to advise that if you don't have the time to fix your head & the way you eat then don't get the band.

I also advise that you take the time before & after surgery to read Geneen Roth's "When Food is Love". Or many of her other books. They'll help you deal or maybe even fix the emotional aspects to how you got obese & how not to be there again & the band will/can help you loose the weight!

Good Luck!

 Thank you, Im going on amazon right now to order it.  I already know I eat for emotional reasons....does it just explain that or does it actually give solutions to stopping it.

 You are correct.  It doesn't work for everyone.  I was revised from Band to sleeve and am thrilled to death.  

Good Luck on your decision.

The Lap band works for those who work it. There is no magic involved, it only restricts the amount of food you eat. RNY does the same thing but it will make you ILL if you eat certain carbs, and sweets and in the first 18 months it will help absorb calories. Some people NEED more enforcement and punishment with illness to lose weight to stay on track, it's your choice. Good luck

 So then, if you find it difficult to stay away from sweets and cave in on your diet, the lap band may help me from indulging too much?

 I called and had let my surgeon know I chose the lap band over his recommendation of the Roux En Y.  I m having second thought.

I had initially wanted the bypass since it was suppose to stop you from eating sweets, but I found only 40% or so of people got dumping syndrome.  Long term studies show bone loss and osteoporosis.
I decided against the sleeve because I spoke with an Endocrinologist .  He warned that we just don't know enough  about the effects of cutting out hormones from the stomach and how it will affect the rest of the body.  

I've failed every diet due to lack of discipline in preparing lunches for week, and week will power that led me to indulge and destroy all diets I tried.

Is the lap band the right choice?  Or will I be doomed with all WLS, due to head hunger.

How do you fight head hunger.