Strongly Regret Lap-Band

"My surgeon has convinced me to have the r-n-y anyway" That statement concerns me. A lot. Why would you give a decision that will affect the rest of your life into the hands of someone else? J

well...to tell you the truth here...I am just shocked at the animosity that developed from this post... I am so sorry you had such a bad experience with the lap band...and obviously it is not the right tool for you...for whatever reason..and there may be many...but that is for you to determine...and for others to just listen to and respect. I do think the way you ripped apart the band made us die-hard successful bandsters a little defensive... So we know that your experience and your opinion is valid and true for you and I want to respect that. Southern band girl always means the best, maybe she just said her opinion in a way that was not easy for you to hear...no one was at fault here...just a miscommunication.... I am one of those die-hard band people...have lost over 100 lbs since my highest weight and almost 90 since surgery, woith no complications...and it has changed my whole life... what that means is that the band is working for ME.... and I will be forever grateful. I am so sorry it is not working for you and I wish you luck in whatever choices you make. I just urge you to concider the language you use when discussing this issue. Own your experience and people will listen to you and commiserate with you much more... Rip to shreds what others have concidered the tool that has saved their lives can lead to anger and defensiveness.... I wish you all the best in all your choices and in your move toward health. Blessings, Marcia

Marcia, Beautifully said! I think you summed it all up with the word "choice". Hugs, B

I just wonder how she regained/couldn't lose while only being able to eat a small amount and hope she realizes that she can fail with any type of WLS? Julie -70 213/148/120

Vanessa, wow, I'm sorry you feel so badly towards the band! I just read your profile, and can't get past how MUCH you loved your band, and couldn't believe how great it was, and BOOM, in a three month period, you thought it was the worst thing on the face of the earth! All because you were obviously too tight! We could all see you were plainly too tight, if you would have had a small amount out, you would have been fine. You never got beyond mushies, and you hardly even got started on your journey. It seems to me YOU gave up on the band, not vice versa! It didn't have a chance to work WITH you! What in the world happened! It's almost like Jeckyl, and Hyde! Well, I hope if you decide to have the RNY, you realize from the gitgo how dangerous it is, just the mortality rate is enough to scare most! 1-200, as opposed to 1-2000 for the band. Why couldn't you have waited a month, and given your stomach time to reheal after being unfilled, and started over, you would have been fine, and wouldn't be going through all of this! Good luck, hon! Sharon 290/181/150

I think you have already decided that you don't want the band to work for you. At this point you don't seem to want to hassel with the band, or the follow ups with your surgeon. I wish that you would give the band one more chance. Get small fills and get to proper restriction. What do you have to loose? You already have the band...just get the proper fill amount for YOUR body. I know fills can be expensive, but maybe you can work something out with your surgeons office. Best of luck, Heather H

Hi Vanessa, First, please let me say you have a beautiful smile. Secondly, I'm sorry this hasn't been the experience you we're hoping for, but thirdly and most importantly...It is very possible to begin again with the lap-band and have it go your way. I hope you will believe that, despite the frustration you've been through. I question your sugeon. Please dont' take that as an insult towards you however. If your surgeon knew you had not yet made it past mushy foods and he gave you a fill at all....he was very wrong to do that. He compounded your troubles....actually he set you up for a bad band experience when he filled you twice more after that. As an experienced Lap-Band surgeon he KNOWS better. IF I we're you....this is what I would do. First, find another surgeon in your area that will take on your case. Make an apt. and explain your situation and firmly request they give you a swallow test so that they can see the band to ensure it's where it should be being you've vomited so much. If all is well with that, begin all over from the start. Go on the liquids to give your whole stomach a chance to just rest, then creamy soup and then mushy foods. Do not go on to anything solid until you've MASTERED the mushy foods with no pb'ing or sliming at all. Don't go for any type fill for at least six weeks from the mushy food stage and when you do go for a fill....make it a very tiny fill of no more than .3 of a cc. That's less than half a cc. I'm a very firm believer in slow, small fills. Unless your band has slipped, I truly do believe that all of this can be fixed for you and that you'll go forward and see it wasn't all for nothing. Please take care and feel free to write to me anytime you want. Best wishes Kay AKA: Miss Losin Lot's

My 16 yo daughter was considering lap band and the surgeon recommended against it for her based on: 1. she has history of GERD (heartburn and her esophagus is fragile) 2. less long term weight loss 3. Higher reoperation rate 4. Few long term studies for teenagers. So we decided against it.

Hi Vanessa! First let me say I am sorry this has not been easy for you! Seems like your experience was compounded by an inexperienced doc! I am pre-op for a RNY, but have talken care of many WLS patients and have several friends who've had WLS. So, my comments are not from personal experience, but professional (I'm a nurse). But I would like to know what your expectations were in the first place. If you expected to just get this band and be thin, you were wrong. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment. Before your lap band, did your doc have informational classes, a psych eval, a chance to talk with previous patients? All of those items are crucial before any WLS! Some people just are not good candidates for WLS, and a team of professionals specializing in WLS should have evaluated you, not just schedule a date for surgery. Also, were you following the diet as ordered? I've taken care of many RNY patients who can't believe they had stopped losing or gained back some weight. That is until they came to reality and realized all the junk they were eating. If you constantly eat small amounts, you'll stop losing (band or RNY). I have a friend who sucks down McDonald's milkshakes (to the tune of 800 calories each) because they go down so easy, and snacks on Hershey's kisses throughout the day. She only has 2 or 3 at a time, but she puts away a bag in one and a half days! She can't be honest with herself and say she's failing because she's noncompliant! I'm not saying you are noncompliant, but maybe that's something you need to look at. I read these posts twice and couldn't see where you said exactly what you were eating, and how often. Also, some people don't realize how many calories they are taking in through drinks, especially juice. One thing we ALL need to remember is that WLS, any kind, is a TOOL, not a CURE for obesity You are more than likely going to vomit with any of the WLS, at least until you're in the "routine" of things, and going for a RNY (or other WLS) isn't going to make it any easier for you. You really have to be prepared for big life style changes for WLS, physically and emotionally. People can say what they want, but we all didn't get morbidly obese at the hands of someone else! We all made those choices to overeat and not exercise (myself included), and than for many of us, things spiraled out of control, making WLS necessary. Sure genetics, etc played a part, but lets be honest about it and stop making excuses for ourselves. You don't get to 250, 300 or 400 pounds without some kind of eating issues! When someone chooses WLS, they need to commit to the life style changes as well, and realize it is for the rest of their life. Personally, I have had many eating "issues" and have found counseling VERY beneficial for me, I've already conquered several of my eating issues and now feel confident about my choice and long-term success. At the beginning, my greatest fear was noncompliance, because I know myself, there is a big potential for me to be noncompliant. Knowing that, I have surrounded myself with support and resources to help me succeed. Whatever you choice is, I wish you the best of luck and encourage you to take all the time and energy you need, because this is a very personal choice, for you and only you. YOU ARE WORTH IT! Bonnie

Applause. Beautifully said. j