Sticking my neck out.... Happy bandsters, please support me!

 No reactive hypoglycemia, no dumping, no diarrhea or "sharts".

so I can't blame the band yesterday?

damn, too much Metamucil!

I know I'm a newbie, but I just get tired of the hyperbole. When someone is asking about pluses and minuses (IE., actually looking into the different surgeries like they are told to do) there are those that are so mad at their bad experience, or their ultra crappy physician, that they say all bands are evil and have no value.

Anyone can see that's B.S., but the drop-in person questioning their choices gets poisoned to a type of therapy that could help them. Or the only surgery they can afford. So they walk away saying there's no hope, or they have an unnecessarily invasive surgery.

I welcome the people that have made it their mission to make sure the seekers come into this thing with eyes wide open, but there has to be some one calling them on their over-the-top accusations against a fine medical proceeeeedure.

 LOL - blame it all you want, but we will see right through you! 

docd   ..... proceeeedure? You just might be taking the p**s of a recent post here!!!!!!!!  Guess that proves you aren't a real doc.!   A sense of humour makes life much more pleasant!

Kate

I'm still not sure he IS a "real doc." 

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Because their claiming to be a doctor, while not only being pointless, is much more useful to the rest of us here, than your comment of doubt, which happens to be what all but 2 people here are thinking as well. I don't know why I came back to this board.

Warning, This is long I remember when I got my teeth veneered. I endured ugly lined teeth my whole life, and always had a toothless smile in pictures bc of them. I was told the life expectancy was 10 to 15 years. I thought why bother, but as I was getting care at a dental school, they did everything on this unsuspecting gineau (sp) pig. It is 25 years later, one out of 4 veneers was re-done, another filed at the corner for a chip. I learned my passion for knawing on chicken bones is in the past. And I always show my perfect front teeth when I smile.

So my introduction to the lap band started when a local surgeon started doing them. I inquired about working for him. He said he was looking for nurses to be role models, and would do us for free. I was so insulted he thought l needed a lap band. Sure I was over 100 lbs overweigh, had daily back pain, heartburn, and could no longer exercise without feeling like I was going to pass out. So it got me thinking, the hospital would not allow freebies, and I started my research. Luckily the first seminar I went to was Dr Cywes who is a spectacular surgeon and a great human being. I still can't be a perfect bandster, but I am still trying.

This is not a magic bullet. Does the musician stop practicing? As a nurse, It is part of my profession to keep on learning. Why would the band be any different? I don't have back pain or heartburn, but I still have an unhealthy relationship with food. If you hire a crappy painter, you get a crappy paint job. If you don't maintain your car, and listen to the suble problems, your car breaks down. Weight is such an emotional roller coaster, don't expect the band to do all the work, never need adjustments or TLC. And hire the best surgeon, even if you have to travel a bit. I love my band.

Does the musician stop practicing?

EXAAAAACTLY!

One major - and disturbing - problem with band surgery that you don't see with any other procedure is the surgeons who advertise the Lap-Band as if you were going to have your car's oil changed. IN AND OUT IN HALF AN HOUR OR IT'S FREE!!!!!

Okay, I exaggerate, but we all know what I'm talking about. Weight loss surgery isn't something that should be cavalierly advertised on highway billboards. 
  People get to thinking it's not big deal, that they can just get a band shoved into them and ride off into the sunset. And what's truly sad is that far too many band surgeons treat their patients as it that was the case.

I agree Bette, I think when we got the lap band years ago...it was a truly a procedure for the obese...nowadays, people are getting the band and only have 20 pounds to lose, surgeons are advertising it as a "cosmetic tool" and people are taking it for granted until it almost kills them. Many people DO NOT follow up with their surgeon and get too tight and have to be forced to get it removed in an emergency situation.

The FDA is putting a stop to advertising the band on billboards, you only see that in California where people will do anything to get thin. I can't believe people are stupid enough to allow a surgeon to operate on them that advertises on billboards, but it is still happening.

I think the lap band has been "ghetto fied"