Strongly Regret Lap-Band

Hi Vanessa, I am so sorry to hear about your disappointment with the band. Of course, no surgery is right for everyone and it sounds like your aftercare was very poor. Have you posted this on the lap band forum? It is important for people to hear all the facts. I wish you only the best in the future!

That's rough. Have they done a barium swallow and determined if your placement is correct? Finding correct restriction can be difficult .. and being too tight can be miserable. Best of luck with this.

Sorry, that was me.

Vanessa, Sorry to hear you have been struggling with your band; however, I do feel your situation isn't the norm. I'd suggest you doing ALOT of research on RNY before you jump right into it. You stated that your body builds up scar tissue easily and quickly. Well, with the RNY your intestines/stomach are cut and keep in mind wherever you are cut scar tissue does form i/e intestinal blockage (big red flag!!). In your case, I'd seriously think about this and take this into serious consideration. Because once they cut your digestive tract...there's no turning back. I wish you well and maybe get a second opinion on your band. Kind of sounds like your band/port isn't placed correct or your port has flipped. Who knows but seriously...think about your scaring..it's nothing to be taken lightly. Best wishes, Lili

I am a week out and doing great. I researched for three years. And talked to three different docs. Sorry that you have had so many problems. I just could not come to terms with the mortality rate of RNY and the "messing around with" my insides. Good luck!!! Cole 359/345/170ish

Dear Michelle, I am a SELF-PAY patient. My fills and unfills are $300.00 a piece. I am a single mother with two boys at home. These fills/unfills are expensive to me. Furthermore, I was NEVER able to consume 1 cup of anything (even creamed potatoes) at one sitting. That would have been quite an accomplishment. And lastly after researching WLS since 1999, the last thing I need is for you to have the nerve to insult me by accusing me of not gaining the proper pre-op information. If the information is not there to obtain, such as the fact that some people cannot get past 2nd stage foods, then how are you suppose to take that information into consideration? I think you are very rude. Vanessa

Dear Michelle, You are the most insulting member I have ever talked to here on any forum. I have done NOTHING except relate my story. You KNOW that in some fiber of your being you are experiencing the same things that I have vocalized here and right now you are gaining so you don't want to face that. You would rather live in the world of denial. Well if you do gain all your weight back then maybe you will see that Lap-Band does not work for everyone. However I WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH YOUR BAND, MICHELLE!!! My doctor told ME when to get my fills. He has a schedule he likes to go by. If you would take time to notice I have not said one bad thing about my surgeon. I think this doctor is doing all he can do and he, like you, really believes in the effectiveness of the Lap-Band system. The long-term data tells the story. Michelle, there is no reason for you to be so cruel to someone who should be welcomed with their story as long as the contents are not slandering. I am also a very honest, open person and I will tell whomever wants to know. You should also be aware that I am now getting a lot of questions e-mailed to me privately. Some people sharing things they would NEVER vocalize on these boards. There's my .15 cents worth. Vanessa

Hi southerband girl, I don't mean to get in between you and Vanessa's squirl, BUT, I think that you are a little bit to harsh. I know exactly what you mean when you say... "i dont think insulted you. i spoke frankly and anyone who knows me knows thats just the way i am". I can relate to you when you say that because I am the same way...BUT... you have to take into consideration that every human soul is different, and not everybody has the ability to do the same or as much research as you did or anyone esle. Vanessa may not have had the time or even the proper resources to find out long term effects. Back in "2003" the procedure WAS relatively new to the USA, and there really wasn't real life testimonials (actual) facts that the band COULD have some side effects. You can do all the research in the world, and STILL not know your outcome. We as human beings take risks and chances, that's what makes us who we are, and just like you took that risk of being banded, you NEVER know what can happend to you. As for you saying..... "if you can self pay for a $20,000 lapband but cant afford $300 for fills that are ESSENTIAL to make the band work THEN YOU SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN BANDED IN THE FIRST PLACE! mainly because what if you had had a complication...how could you have paid for that"?... I don't think it's your place to say that to someone who is seeking help and support from other people who have shared similar experiences. You don't know her financial situation, things change. It would be just like if you bought a brand new car, and yes you did all the research in the world about it and you determined that was the car for you and you wanted that car so bad and you saved up for it. THEN all of a sudden the car that got so many good reviews BY the makers not the actual owners, starts to give you real problems, and what you origionally budgeted yourself for, know it's gettign out of control with sudden bills, and expenses.... SO ... my point is never be quick to insult someone else's desicion because it can come back and bite you in the A@#!!! And then when you want that emotional support someone turns it around on you, and says you shouldv'e NEVER did that, when in FACT at the time you thought for sure that what was what you wanted. I don't mean to offend you either by saying this to you either, I'm just tryn to get you to be more open minded and sensitive to other people's feelings and choices. Well, let me say congratulations on your weightloss !! Lez

I gotta respond to one thing you said. I got my Band in July of '03 after researching it for well over a year. There was *plenty* of information out there to be had, clincial, testimonial and anecdotal, laying out the good, the bad and the ugly. It was up to ME to find it and decipher it as it pertained to MY situation, and I did. If I could, why couldn't anyone? jeanie

i was banded in 2003 and researched starting early 2001 and there was tons out there - new to US however not new elsewhere. no one should get wls as self-_ays [darn key_oard] if they can't afford aftercare that all wls need. the band needs good aftercare to work and that has been the case since it was invented. if so_eone gets it thinking they don't need to do aftercare they are not well researched. Nancy 394/275/180