Band stats over 12 years and 1000s of people!
Wow -- I couldn't have said it better. I will however state that the band is not a quick weight loss solution, and even now as I read all the bantering emails (wow there are lot today) about what type of surgery is the "best", I know there is nothing good about quick weightloss, and that working towards my goal - going up and down, and changing my habits because I need to helps me feel like I am truely working my own program and decision. I did not want the other surgery's because I wanted to keep what god gave me and not manipulate it. But again that is ME! THanks everyone for your feedback -- Special thanks to Kate and Bette - always an inspiration to me! You do it good! Katie
I have a question for you. First in this day and age of the internet do you really think people don't check out other surgeries also to find out on their own what may be the best option for themselves? Most of us I believe start with someone we know who has had wls, then we go to our ins. to see what is covered, then we go to the Dr. to discuss options. Most people realize that Dr's are human and not perfect and can make their own decisions.
When I went for lapband I knew about the rny, sleeve, ds also. I went to my insurance to see if anything was covered as I couldn't afford to self pay. They said they covered rny and lapband that narrowed down my choices. It was hard enough for me to admit I couldn't do this without surgical intervention. I truly didn't want major surgery changing my insides so I chose the least invasive the lapband. Am I perfectly happy with the lapband no. But I do tell you that the last year has been horrible for me emotionally and the lap band has survived my emotional eating binges and kept me from regaining and I'm working on getting the mindset back to lose the rest.
By DS standards I may not be successful but by MY standards I have been majorly successfull if I never lose another pound and don't regain.
When I went for lapband I knew about the rny, sleeve, ds also. I went to my insurance to see if anything was covered as I couldn't afford to self pay. They said they covered rny and lapband that narrowed down my choices. It was hard enough for me to admit I couldn't do this without surgical intervention. I truly didn't want major surgery changing my insides so I chose the least invasive the lapband. Am I perfectly happy with the lapband no. But I do tell you that the last year has been horrible for me emotionally and the lap band has survived my emotional eating binges and kept me from regaining and I'm working on getting the mindset back to lose the rest.
By DS standards I may not be successful but by MY standards I have been majorly successfull if I never lose another pound and don't regain.
Cheryl
5' 5 1/2"
HW 319/DOS 288.8/NOW 213.6/ 105.4 lostSurgery 1/21/09
5' 5 1/2"
HW 319/DOS 288.8/NOW 213.6/ 105.4 lostSurgery 1/21/09
On February 22, 2011 at 5:29 AM Pacific Time, smilin_eyes_58 wrote:
I have a question for you. First in this day and age of the internet do you really think people don't check out other surgeries also to find out on their own what may be the best option for themselves? Most of us I believe start with someone we know who has had wls, then we go to our ins. to see what is covered, then we go to the Dr. to discuss options. Most people realize that Dr's are human and not perfect and can make their own decisions. When I went for lapband I knew about the rny, sleeve, ds also. I went to my insurance to see if anything was covered as I couldn't afford to self pay. They said they covered rny and lapband that narrowed down my choices. It was hard enough for me to admit I couldn't do this without surgical intervention. I truly didn't want major surgery changing my insides so I chose the least invasive the lapband. Am I perfectly happy with the lapband no. But I do tell you that the last year has been horrible for me emotionally and the lap band has survived my emotional eating binges and kept me from regaining and I'm working on getting the mindset back to lose the rest.
By DS standards I may not be successful but by MY standards I have been majorly successfull if I never lose another pound and don't regain.
~~I have a question for you. First in this day and age of the internet do you really think people don't check out other surgeries also to find out on their own what may be the best option for themselves~~
ALL THE TIME!
It's really sincerely serious, people see a TV ad for surgery and they run out and get it and come here and start their research post op.
Check out the sleeve boards, so many post that they didn't know the sleeve existed so they got the band. Now they are revising to sleeves. Check out the DS boards, many got bypass because they didn't know about DS. I'd venture a guess that more people DON'T know about all their options than people who do. Then they go to a band mill and of course only the band is going to be pushed. Doctors are going to work everyday for no reason, they are there to earn a living like everyone else. They aren't going to encourage you to get a surgery type they do not do.
Look at how many people get bands or bypass because they think that is all ins will cover. They have no idea they can appeal their ins for the surgery type they want.
So no, people don't research. Heck, they don't even know what their post op diet is while they are ON their post op diet and I'm referring to all surgery types here.
~~I truly didn't want major surgery changing my insides so I chose the least invasive the lapband.~~
But... least invasive does not mean safer long term. And in this case it is not safer long term. Sleeves are.
Previously Midwesterngirl
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
EAH
on 2/22/11 4:00 pm, edited 2/22/11 4:01 pm - CA
on 2/22/11 4:00 pm, edited 2/22/11 4:01 pm - CA
On February 22, 2011 at 12:30 AM Pacific Time, thepouchedpotato wrote:
I think being morbidly obese and having unresolved metabolic comorbidities is more of a health hazard than malabsorbtion. I was over 400 pounds. I had diabetes, GERD, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, and I could barely walk. Do you think the lap band would be a viable option for such a patient.
Lord I HOPE SO, as it is the only option I have. I have all the conditions you mentioned above and then some. My surgeon (Cirangle) will not even consider the RNY for me with my severe anemia problems (Venofer infusions every week for almost a year now) as well as Crones disease and malabsorbing Magnesium (have had 2 four hour mag infusions in the last week) Vit D deficiency ( can't get it above 30 and taking 5000 iu a day for over a year) and a diagnoses of Barretts Esophagus, which automatically rules out VSG, which is my surgeons specialty.
When I asked him about the DS he almost choked.
Not a freaking chance of getting the DS with my personal issues.
So :
No RNY
No VSG
No way in hell DS
That leaves me with Lap band. Only.
DS'ers don't realize that when they post their tirades on how people who do not get the DS are stupid , it really makes those of us with NO OTHER OPTIONS feel like ****
Be glad you were able to get the surgery of your choice and realize that there may be more to the other persons story than you know.
And Dammit, respect their decision!
Lord I HOPE SO, as it is the only option I have. I have all the conditions you mentioned above and then some. My surgeon (Cirangle) will not even consider the RNY for me with my severe anemia problems (Venofer infusions every week for almost a year now) as well as Crones disease and malabsorbing Magnesium (have had 2 four hour mag infusions in the last week) Vit D deficiency ( can't get it above 30 and taking 5000 iu a day for over a year) and a diagnoses of Barretts Esophagus, which automatically rules out VSG, which is my surgeons specialty.
When I asked him about the DS he almost choked.
Not a freaking chance of getting the DS with my personal issues.
So :
No RNY
No VSG
No way in hell DS
That leaves me with Lap band. Only.
DS'ers don't realize that when they post their tirades on how people who do not get the DS are stupid , it really makes those of us with NO OTHER OPTIONS feel like ****
Be glad you were able to get the surgery of your choice and realize that there may be more to the other persons story than you know.
And Dammit, respect their decision!
I had diabetes, GERD, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, and I could barely walk.
I also had all of the above and all except the last have been fully resolved. I need a full knee replacement and have SI joint dysfunction which still causes me problems, but I can walk a mile now vs a block at 290 lbs.
There are many on the lap band and Realize forum who have lost as much as you with their bands...not saying that was a better choice, but choosing the band over another type of surgery doesn't mean a person is doomed to failure or complications as so many like to suggest or just come out and say.
I have been told I was stupid for choosing my band or that I did not do my research...WRONG on both counts. I have made a lot more difficult decisions in my life than this one and I can read all the "studies" just like anyone else and see where sometimes they are out-dated, skewed to a particular outcome or just editorial opinion.
Thank you Kate for posting this...I have seen these same stats before, but you will never see one of our "favorite" band bashers post them, because they don't support THEIR position(read opinion).
I also had all of the above and all except the last have been fully resolved. I need a full knee replacement and have SI joint dysfunction which still causes me problems, but I can walk a mile now vs a block at 290 lbs.
There are many on the lap band and Realize forum who have lost as much as you with their bands...not saying that was a better choice, but choosing the band over another type of surgery doesn't mean a person is doomed to failure or complications as so many like to suggest or just come out and say.
I have been told I was stupid for choosing my band or that I did not do my research...WRONG on both counts. I have made a lot more difficult decisions in my life than this one and I can read all the "studies" just like anyone else and see where sometimes they are out-dated, skewed to a particular outcome or just editorial opinion.
Thank you Kate for posting this...I have seen these same stats before, but you will never see one of our "favorite" band bashers post them, because they don't support THEIR position(read opinion).
6-7-13 band removed. No revision. Facebook Failed Lapbands and Realize Bands group and WLS-Support for Regain and Revision Group
Most Active
Recent Topics
OH - why aren't my posts being approved? Did I do something wrong?
FluffyPuff · 2 replies · 954 views
FluffyPuff · 2 replies · 954 views
OH2023 National Conference: Early Bird Tickets On Sale For A Limited Time! SAVE $30!
Member Services · 0 replies · 801 views
Member Services · 0 replies · 801 views
