REPOST: Why I chose the band
I knew I was ready for WLS.
I was in my 40s and headed for congestive heart failure. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count. I was 376 pounds with a BMI of 54, taking 7 meds a day for those issues. I could barely walk due to severe edema in my legs and feet. I looked at my options. I knew what I wanted and what I DIDN'T want in a WLS procedure.
Based on MY needs, the band was the right choice. Based on YOUR needs and hopes, perhaps not. But it was right for ME. And it worked beyond my wildest expectations.
I know that "surgery wars" claim to be meant to inform preops of all their choices, and that is both intelligent and admirable. But when they degrade into name calling and insults, it serves no purpose but to make some people feel inferior, which we as obese people have really had enough of in our lives. And let's be honest here - when someone goes onto individual surgical forums with the sole purpose of "stirring the hornet's nest", it's not about information, it's about degradation and intimidation. Frankly, it's also egomaniacal and somewhat pathetic, but that's a discussion for another day.
The band may not be the "gold" or "platinum" standard in WLS, but right now it is the ONLY option available to people who do NOT want their gastrointestinal tract altered, cut, dissected, resected, shortened, removed, edited (whatever). The ONLY one, and that is a big, BIG dealbreaker for a LOT of people.
Prior to my surgery, I had decade-long digestive issues (which were, go figure! resolved after I had the band.) The last thing I wanted was any surgery what might exacerbate that, especially permanently. So RNY, sleeve and DS were all off the list.
Does that make me ill informed, less intelligent, a puppet to my surgeon's whims, lacking in reading comprehension? No. It makes me the OPPOSITE. It makes me someone who has clearly made the right decision about MY life, MY body and MY weight loss. And considering that I lost over 200 pounds - more than some people who have opted for the more extensive, more aggressive surgeries - I've proven that people CAN be successful with the band!
Informing preops of all their options is a great idea. It's HOW that idea is presented that is insulting. People who HAVE weighed their options - ALL of them - and made their decision should not be made to feel stupid because they chose a surgery that is not the one someone else approves of. As I said, we've all had a life full of put-downs, and the last thing any of us needs is to experience MORE of it, especially at the hands of those who should know better.
I was in my 40s and headed for congestive heart failure. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count. I was 376 pounds with a BMI of 54, taking 7 meds a day for those issues. I could barely walk due to severe edema in my legs and feet. I looked at my options. I knew what I wanted and what I DIDN'T want in a WLS procedure.
Based on MY needs, the band was the right choice. Based on YOUR needs and hopes, perhaps not. But it was right for ME. And it worked beyond my wildest expectations.
I know that "surgery wars" claim to be meant to inform preops of all their choices, and that is both intelligent and admirable. But when they degrade into name calling and insults, it serves no purpose but to make some people feel inferior, which we as obese people have really had enough of in our lives. And let's be honest here - when someone goes onto individual surgical forums with the sole purpose of "stirring the hornet's nest", it's not about information, it's about degradation and intimidation. Frankly, it's also egomaniacal and somewhat pathetic, but that's a discussion for another day.
The band may not be the "gold" or "platinum" standard in WLS, but right now it is the ONLY option available to people who do NOT want their gastrointestinal tract altered, cut, dissected, resected, shortened, removed, edited (whatever). The ONLY one, and that is a big, BIG dealbreaker for a LOT of people.
Prior to my surgery, I had decade-long digestive issues (which were, go figure! resolved after I had the band.) The last thing I wanted was any surgery what might exacerbate that, especially permanently. So RNY, sleeve and DS were all off the list.
Does that make me ill informed, less intelligent, a puppet to my surgeon's whims, lacking in reading comprehension? No. It makes me the OPPOSITE. It makes me someone who has clearly made the right decision about MY life, MY body and MY weight loss. And considering that I lost over 200 pounds - more than some people who have opted for the more extensive, more aggressive surgeries - I've proven that people CAN be successful with the band!
Informing preops of all their options is a great idea. It's HOW that idea is presented that is insulting. People who HAVE weighed their options - ALL of them - and made their decision should not be made to feel stupid because they chose a surgery that is not the one someone else approves of. As I said, we've all had a life full of put-downs, and the last thing any of us needs is to experience MORE of it, especially at the hands of those who should know better.
Banded 10 years & maintaining my weight loss!! Any questions, message me.
Any concerns? Nope. I will deal with them if and when they arise.
And according to my surgeon, the band is meant to stay in there forever. If there SHOULD come a time when it reaches its "expiration date", I'll weigh my options.
And according to my surgeon, the band is meant to stay in there forever. If there SHOULD come a time when it reaches its "expiration date", I'll weigh my options.
Banded 10 years & maintaining my weight loss!! Any questions, message me.
I can relate with you and want to say that there are many many successful, articulate, educated people who have the band. You are truly an inspiration and always so encouraging and positive. I've been on these boards for a long time and you have always stood out to be such a great example of what success with the band can be.
I had much success for over 7 years and unfortunately got a leak they couldn't find the source of so the entire band needed to be replaced. I decided to have a revision. I will never forget the amazing successful journey I had with the band. I can only hope I have the same success with the bypass. I hope you have many years of success ahead!! Kari
I had much success for over 7 years and unfortunately got a leak they couldn't find the source of so the entire band needed to be replaced. I decided to have a revision. I will never forget the amazing successful journey I had with the band. I can only hope I have the same success with the bypass. I hope you have many years of success ahead!! Kari
HW-244, SW-234, CW-207
4/8/04 Lap-band-Goal weight for 5 yrs, Tummy Tuck 6/23/08
Lap-band Leak 4/2011, Revision to Gastric Bypass 4/5/12
Great post Bette. My thought exactly!
http://www.nealslapband.com/
Banded May, 9, 2006 by Dr. Cribbens. Abdominoplaty on 02/11/08
TT pics: http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=4974
Facebook: Neal Riggins (Wylie, Texas)
Twitter: @NealRiggins
This is probably the best post I've ever read on this forum. I was sick to death of reading the surgery wars almost daily on here. I'm so glad they've died down a bit. Whatever surgery someone chooses is such a life changing decision that nobody has the right to rip you apart for it. I don't feel that there is any wrong surgery, except for the one I had. Mine was a non-adjustable band before the adjustables came out. Everyone has their own reasons for their surgery choice and who are we to tell them they chose wrong. We're all here for the same reason, to lose weight and get healthy, so why can't we just support each other.
On April 9, 2012 at 4:11 PM Pacific Time, jodi9999 wrote:
This is probably the best post I've ever read on this forum. I was sick to death of reading the surgery wars almost daily on here. I'm so glad they've died down a bit. Whatever surgery someone chooses is such a life changing decision that nobody has the right to rip you apart for it. I don't feel that there is any wrong surgery, except for the one I had. Mine was a non-adjustable band before the adjustables came out. Everyone has their own reasons for their surgery choice and who are we to tell them they chose wrong. We're all here for the same reason, to lose weight and get healthy, so why can't we just support each other. The adjustable bands don't have much better stats than yours. What makes yours wrong and the others not wrong?
I don't rip anyone apart for having a band. I wouldn't do that. I do warn pre ops about stats and studies, but I have yet to rip someone apart for their surgery type.
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