Seeking lap band stories

Does anyone have any good banding stories?  I am going in for my consult Dec.l 30 and I am still trying to decide what surgery to have.  I wanted the band because it was less evasive and I didn't think the idea of chopping up my body parts was for me.  I'm afraid of the RNY because I have heard horror stories about dumping.  Any advise would be so greatly appreciated.
 

personally - i don't have a good story for you, i suggest the band board.

ps - there are 2 other surgery types in addition to rny & the band.

I am a band success story. I have lost 99% of my excess body weight (still cant get those last few lbs off for my 100% grrrr) However my results are not typical. Band ads need to start putting that *results not typical* at the bottom like the diet commercials used to have to do.

I am 7.5 yrs post op. It is always in the back of my mind that this won't last forever, seems like band complications are not a matter of if but when.

I had my credit destroyed by my ex and I have worked very hard to build it back up, last time I looked I brought it up 180 points in two years. Go me! My first thought? OK great at least I can now finance a VSG or DS when the band goes bad on me. See there is a negative to my weight loss, I would no longer qualify for a revision bc my weight is just a smidge above normal (once again I still cant get those last few lbs off for my 100% grrrr)

I would not recommend a band and I had my surgery type removed from showing on posts bc I don't want to provide any motivation to anyone to get the band.

Also my weight loss has mostly been lifestyle changes to all of the basics of WLS, low carb, high protein, exercise, etc) I would say the band helps a little bc I can't eat big bulky carbs like pizza.

Another thing with me is that that I have always been health conscious with a healthy diet. However I was put on my first diet at 8 (slim fast) after all I was like 7 lbs heavier than classmates, That led to years of dieting, guilt for doing kid things like having a piece of birthday cake at a birthday party (I was 9, I should have had guilt free cake) and then it led to years of disordered eating, crazy diets, obsession over my weight, and all of this eventually destroyed my metabolism. I was never a compulsive overeater, but the destruction of metabolism by years of diet craziness truly resulted in me only losing weight if I was around 800 calories a day, and weight gain if I took in about1300 calories. it remains the same today.

You can cheat the band with ice ream, milk shakes, delicious cream of anything soup, sweets (go down very easy) etc. I just choose not to cheat the band. I am pretty militant and that has helped my success, but if you truly have an overeating problem or sweet tooth it is very likely you could fall into that trap.

Go to the band board where you will find band cheerleaders as well as people posting about their complications, look at the revisions board as well as the failed band board. The band "seems" less invasive, some of the stories will show that it was the most invasive thing someone could do to their body. Read N.M.'s story.

Good luck and if you have any specific questions feel free to pm me.

I don't have anything good to say about the band.

I revised from the band to the sleeve about 4 years ago.  Best thing I ever did.  The band is totally unpredictable.  You could never imagine how your body will react until you get banded and then it is too late.

Heather has written an excellent, balanced response to you.  She is successful because she does everything right and her body has not rejected the band.  For most of us, it is impossible to follow the strict rules because the band makes it nearly impossible for most people to eat the recommended diet. 

You can defeat any WLS.  All of them require adjustments to your eating habits.  Sweets and junk food won't work well with any WLS.

Do lots of research.  Don't settle for any surgery that you have misgivings about.

I had a lap band, but I don't have a good story for you. I suffered the typical banding stats and had to have it removed at just under 3 years. I had poor weight loss (as in hardly any by the time I had my revision) and my quality of life with the band was pretty poor. Basically, the typical results.

I revised to the sleeve and have now reached a normal BMI in 12 months. I love my sleeve. Eating is much more normal with the sleeve and I haven't vomited since having my VSG (vomiting was a frequent occurrence with the band).

Anyway, check out the band board, the revision board, and the failed lap band group. Also do some research on published studies regarding the outcomes of the band. It won't paint a pretty picture.

Check out all the surgery types. You deserve to be a healthy weight without killing yourself to get there. Find a surgery that will stack the deck in your favor. Give yourself the best odds with a lifestyle you can live with.

Best,
Lindsey

My advice, for what it's worth, RUN!  Don't waste your time and money.  Make sure that you research ALL FOUR surgeries before choosing your surgeon--DS, VSG, RNY and then the band.  If you have not research ALL your options, you are not ready to choose your surgery.  Think twice, cut once.  Spend time on all four forums, go to dsfacts.com and spend time on the revision board.  There are a lot of band revisions.  Take your time, this is a big decision!

I am also a success band story.
Banded in Dec. 2010, I initially had a painful post op. experience.
After several days, I was feeling much better.
I first questioned whether or not I did the right thing for myself.
I cried. I was so upset. What had I done to myself?
Then, I began to drink my protein shakes, and start on soft mushy foods.
My nutritionist guided me along the way and my family encouraged me to keep doing what I need to do.
I went for my first fill and began to eat slowly and chew my food.
I was getting more energy and began walking a mile a day. I worked my way up to 2 miles a day consistently and get out at least 4 days a week.
My surgeon is wonderful and my nutritionist the best.
I know that the band is a tool to help me.
I know it is not a miracle cure but a huge part in helping me with my binge eating.
I can no longer eat whatever I want or whenever I want. I will throw up. So I've learned to listen to my body and take it easy.
Down 67 lbs since last Dec. and have 33 more to go to reach goal.

I hope my story helps!
Suzanne***

SW 267
CW 198
GW 165
% body fat at start 51%
Now 43.3%
Down 3 sizes.....thank you g-d!!!

I also had a very smooth first year. I lost about 65 lbs in the first year. My complications didn't start until later.

To the OP, in reading these stories, I would consider the length of time people have been banded. Have they been banded 1 year? 5? 8-10? The trend may be telling.

Best,
Lindsey

OK- here goes my story. I was banded 2 years ago, lost all my excess weight (107 pounds) in about 10 months. That being said, the band was not the tool I hoped it would be. I was either hungry or getting sick. Never in a sweet spot for more than a few weeks here and there. I would get a very small fill and go from being hungry to being sick even on protien shakes. I was self pay, so that was a huge motivator to be successful. I now choose to keep my band very loose. I am struggling with a bit of weight gain, about 15-20 pounds. It's crossed my mind to get some fills, but I don't want to waste my time and money, figuring I will get the same results I did before. Good luck in your decision.

5 years 7 months post-op,  below goal for over 4 years. 

Oddly there appears to be a geographic difference in success rates.  In Australia, over 90% of wls is gastric banding and  has been for many years. I don't have stats for the UK ( where I am) but I have personally met  face to face 22 British bandsters and 8 US ones. Of those, the vast majority are well over three years out, five are over five years out - and only one has had to have a band removed (and she abused her band by choosing to keep it very tight and relying on bringing food back to allow her to eat what she wanted).  All those over a year out are at or sufficiently close to their goal weight.

Lots of stats get quoted as to slips  etc. My own doctor has a re-op rate of under 10% and a removal rate of under 2%. There are undoubtedly some people who have complications which are in no way their own fault.

All wls has pros and cons. Do al your research and then choose the one which firs your life style and with whihc you feel comfortable.

Kate