Sweety you do know that muscle weighs more then fat right? Do you ever measure yourself? Because one time I tried exercising 5-6 days a week for 2 months, I didn't "lose" anything either. But I did noticed my legs, butt, hips, stomach were a lot slimmer. I should have measured myself. But not seeing a scale victory discouraged me and then I found out I was pregnant. So I stopped. But I think if I had of continued it would have worked out, I would have seen a weight loss. The more muscle we have the more fat we burn, but the more we have the less we see the scale going down, since it weighs more. I hope everything works out for you.

Vanessa, All I can say is wow! You seem to have a huge grudge. I've seen many of people go from band to DS/RNY, and never have come across someone so angry towards the band. I also have a family member struggling with an RNY and weight regain 8 yrs. out, a family member going from VSG/VBG to DS. They never down any surgery they had because it was a learning experience, and they're happy for evey pound they lost. It's a shame that you can't just say. They band didn't work for me...but now I'm getting a new surgery, and hoping for the best. The first thing they tell you Vanessa with any surgery is to be REALISTIC, and not to get you hopes up to high. That's with anyyyy surgery. I'm sure there are people out there regreting the band, DS, RNY, ect. but still you have to worry about yourself, and if it didn't work HEY IT DIDN'T WORK! There are other options out there, and I wish you the best!! I suggest you talk to someone about your anger with your "failed WLS", get over it, and look forward to your new surgery and life. Best of luck! To the original poster it's 6 weeks out girl!! I remember posters coming on the band forum saying I only lost 20 lbs. in 6 weeks! Then 5 months out they're down 60 lbs, and happy! Give it timmmee! I also wish you the best! STILL! With all of the countries with banded patients, and people here in the U.S who are kicking butt with the band I don't think Inamed will be losing FDA approval anytime soon. I hope not!! LOL Best of luck to all!!

Hey Vanessa, interesting you should mention your opinion that the LapBand should not be legal. I was really surprised to hear from all three surgeons I consulted with about the DS (the first of which was a bait and switch attempt to sell me an RNY ) the exact same thing. None of them will do the procedure because they think it's useless and potentially dangerous.

WAY TOO LONG...I APOLOGIZE!!! Stephanie, First, Nancy is NOT the LapBand Queen...I am. LOL (Nancy has been deemed and honorary LapBand Doctor, I believe...by another LapBand doctor.) Then, Nancy and I almost ALWAYS disagree on LapBand stuff. (After the--pardon the expression--"honeymoon period," mine caused me nothing but trouble. It was eventually removed--at my insurance company's expense because it WAS causing medical problems--and I was revised to the DS surgery.) Finally--on that topic, anyway--Nancy (and I) were/are somewhat compulsive about the research into wls. After doing it for several years, we can sometimes respond to questions in a way that comes across as kind of "know-it-all-ish," when I'm sure that we are both delightful human beings IRL. Maybe we shouldn't answer so often...especially when we are kind of frustrated that others didn't do the same OCD kind of research we did...but, speaking for myself, when I have the info at hand, I sometimes jump in anyway. (I'm not talking about reasonable and prudent research...in my case, I'm talking about hours and hours per day of reading journals and boards...OCD kind of research.) That said...I agree with you that there is an element of false advertising involved in the entire band-marketing program. But there is also a lot of selective listening and wishful thinking going on in the seminar audiences. I'm considered Debbie Downer because I point out that the average excess weight loss with the band (AND THE RNY) is somewhere around 62%. I didn't WANT a 62% ewl...I wanted more and convinced myself that *I* was going to beat those odds. I don't think I'm alone in that approach. They consistently point out that the weight loss is slower than RnY...the Inamed literature says that while they ewl averages about a pound a week, many people lose much slower than that. (I'm a the pound-a-week place with my DS and it is excruciating, so I "get" the frustration.) They SHOULD say something like, "The average person in this audience weighs 300 pounds and should weigh closer to 150. Chances are VERY good that, two years post-op, that person will weigh somewhere around 210. Some will weigh less than that...but for each person who weighs LESS than 210, there will be someone who weighs MORE than 210...two years from now." That's what the small print in their stuff and all the literature says, but that would sell fewer LapBands. For me, the LapBand was mostly a diet with a choke chain. It worked well for several months, and then I started having reflux and other issues, which evolved into a partially non-functioning esophagus. (They downplay that stuff, too.) The longer I hang out (online) with banded people, the more folks I find who are having their bands removed or living with no fill at all because of reflux or erosion or slippage or esophageal problems. Some of them are people who have done VERY well with the band and have even been featured in band advertising. One day it's heaven, the next day, it's hell. Now, there ARE people who have been banded for years and have had NO problems..and some of them got to and maintained a BMI of under 25 (putting them in the "normal" range.) But there are a lot of people who have been struggling and whose stories go untold...except for loudmouths like me. Look, you HAVE the band...you might as well give it your all for a reasonable period of time. You may be one of those slow starters whose restriction kicks in a few weeks after a fill. You may find yourself doing quite well after the inital disappointment that it wasn't advertised to be quite as slow as it is (for some people.) But, I lost a ton of weight the first month and then it turned out not to be my best choice...so early success is not a predictor of long term success. Sorry this is so long. Sue 8 months post-DS... -110 from highest weight, -83 from pre-banding weight, -90 from pre-DS weight. (Because banded, I regained all lost weight , plus about seven pounds)

Hey Stephanie! Wow! This is sheer luck that I found your post and this part of the web site. That was a lot to read... first. I am glad to see that there has been so much ongoing response and interest in your posting. You obviously have touched on a LOT of nerves! GOOD FOR YOU! I am pre-op and visited a surgeon yesterday and I didn't hear 1 word about that initial healing phase business. I learned a ton from all of this conversation from your posting! My surgeon basically has put it to me to make the choice on which surgery to do and for me the need for rapid weight loss is essential due to a health problem that is requiring it. If not, I may lose my vision and quite honestly, my sanity. I still have lots of research to do but I feel like I have gained a lot in the 30 minutes that I have read and reread all of this. I just wanted to thank you for sharing. Please keep us posted. I'd even love to have you email me later if you want to keep in touch. Good luck. Anne