looking to here from long term banders

I can only voice my own experience and my own personal opinion.  Stay away from the band.....period.  I had mine put in in 2002, regretted it.  Hated throwing up foam, feeling pain when protein got stuck even after i chewed it to mush.  Even had fills put in, fills taken out.  Lost some weight, but it didn't stay off for long. 

Eventually started looking into a revision into the DS.  While doing the research on this surgery, i started experiencing fevers and some abdominal pain.  Had an edoscopy done, the band had erroded into my stomach and a fistual by the port site.  Port was infected, infection traveled on the line.  I was in the hospital for 5 days after the removal of the band, repair of my stomach and the port site cut out, cleaned out, packed and left open to heal.  I couldn't have the revision done until my stomach healed.  Oh, and I also had two ulcers as well. 

Good luck on your research and whatever surgery you decide to go with.

Best wishes.

Donna

I have been banded since 2006 and I want this piece of **** out of me. ( 2nd band)
My daughter has been banded since 2006 and wants that piece of **** out of her.( 2nd band)

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH ALL 4 BANDS.

I had my band in April of 2007.  I managed to lose 125 pounds with it.  Did the band actually help me? Or was it my determination to low cal, low fat and low carb diet at the same time the band was in me? 

I lean toward the latter.  The band can be easily maneuvered around.  If you are having a rough day and want to emotionally eat a quart of ice cream; that band will not stop you for a second.  Rough day at the office?  A box of Oreo's and keep on chomping.  That band did crap for me.  It was my determination.

After 3 years, I came to the conclusion that the band did nothing but make me vomit for no good reason.   I revised. 

Is the band the least invasive? Yes.  But you're putting a foreign object into your body - Use your brain for a sec: How long do you think your body is going to allow that thing in there before it rejects it, erodes it, or slips it?  

I forgot where I read it but the majority of bands will need to be reinstalled within 10 years of the first surgery.  I don't want to go in for an oil change even if it is every 10 years.

I've said this before and I'll say it again; Going to the band forum and asking if you should get a band is like walking into St. Patricks Cathedral and asking if you should become Catholic.  They are going to recruit you.  Period.

The superstar bandsters like Bette are a rarity.  Bette's amazing; I've always thought that of her.  But she's extremely rare. 

Band = Diet and exercise.   Why go through surgery if you're going to diet and exercise it off?  I came to that conclusion and felt like a dope.

Only thing I ask is that you educate yourself on all FOUR surgeries.  And do not limit yourself by your location. If you have to leave the state to get the surgery you want, pack up a bag and go.

Best of luck to you!!