Band users--would you do it again?

I would not do it again.  I had my surgery in 2007, lost about 70 pounds before the problems started.  I had to be completely unfilled, then work my way back up with tiny fills, then unfilled again as it would get tighter and tighter until I could not drink water.  I am now unfilled and doing Weigh****chers online after I have gained back all but about 10 pounds.  It is so frustrating to think of what I have been through to get this band only to find that I cannot use it for it's intended purpose.  I will either have it taken out or maybe switch to the sleeve.  For now WW online is working well and the pounds are slowly coming off.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 No question - this is the best thing I have ever done for myself! Everything is different, and I really love my new life!

 Heidi

No way would I ever be banded if I knew then what I know now.  I spent over 2 years having fills/unfills, throwing up on soup and being in pain.  Yes, I lost over 100 pounds but that was because solid food wouldn't stay down most of the time.  After 2 slips, a dilated esophagus and a sleeve revision 3 months ago, I finally feel normal.

My sister said to me the other day how good I look, not because I'm almost down to goal but because I finally look HEALTHY after 3 years.  That says it all to me.

NEGATIVE!!! I would not have the band procedure.

Yes, I have lost 50 pounds in the YEARS I have had the band but I have about 45 more to go. I have plateaued for the last year and a half since my gallbladder ruptured. The band has not worked well since the gallbladder burst. I am now having esophagus dilation issues. Some nights I wake up in the middle of the night gurgling and I had not eaten or had anything to drink in hours before bed.

My doctor is currently trying to work on getting my insurance to cover a revision from the band to the sleeve. Matter of fact, he had BEEN wanting me to revise for the last year but I kept trying to work with the band. Why? Because I felt like a failure.

If the sleeve was offered back then, I would have gone with the sleeve.