Considering the band? Think twice!

Thanks for the post OP. I for one am here to learn, not to have my fragile self-confidence bolstered by nothing but positive feedback about a decision that I've made or am trying to make. If the other posters want to hear just the good stuff may I suggest they start their own forum and call it something like, "Forum for people who decided to have the Band and are so very happy and content with their decision that they don't want to hear anything as bothersome as facts or opinions that go against their decision."

Lol, I love that! They just might take you up on that, ya know. ;-)

I am glad that you found the article useful and I wish you the best of luck in whatever path you choose!

 
I do believe you are my new mostest favoritest poster!

I do agree of all the surgery types this surgery is the most difficult to see results.  This surgery you have to work harder for the same results as the other surgeries.  But in hind sight I know if I had another surgery where the weight came off easier, I know I wouldn't have tried so hard to change my eating habits and I also know I wouldn't have exercised as hard as I do now.  So knowing this about myself I am thinking maybe it was a good thing I got this surgery because I am eating healthier than I ever have before and I exercise 9+ hours a week.  I know I am healthier because of all of the changes I made and all of the effort I put forth.  I would go as far as saying I am healthier than Someone that had another surgery and lost all of their weight but they do no exercise on a regular basis.  I don't know I am starting to think my struggle has been a blessing in disguise.  I am not fooling myself into thinking that nothing could ever happen to my band but I am hoping that if something like that ever happens to me that all of my hard work will help me maintain.  

This band has been some journey for me.  A journey of frustration and regret, a journey of self discovery and self reliance, a journey of triumph over my weight...I am doing it I have lost 140 lbs...I do feel like I am doing 80% of the work but I don't care any more as long as I keep losing.  But I do warn people unless they are ready to work hard and follow the rules don't even bother with the Band.

 Thanks for this as well. I'm leaning toward the Band for most of the reasons you have outlined here. I don't want something to do all the work for me. I know the possibility is that I won't be able to depend on the surgery for the rest of my life. I know of several people who had bypass and gained back their weight. I want to learn how to do it on my own, so if something goes wrong and I have to have it removed I will not be helpless in the face of the obesity monster. I just feel I need the help getting to the place I want to be. I'm hopeful that the Band will provide that help.

 
Keep in mind that long term the band is not the safest surgery, the sleeve is.

Most do not keep their bands long term. :o(

A bigger problem is that ins co's are switching over to a 'one WLS per lifetime' rule and even if they didn't pay for the surgery, maybe you self paid... they don't care.  You had your one WLS for your lifetime.  That means you will more than likely be self pay for a revision.

After losing your WLS tool a huge mega 4% can maintain their weight loss.  Seriously research all your options.  If ins does not cover the sleeve and if that is what you decide you want, appeal.  Most are over turned at that point.

Rainy that is why I got the band . I wanted to learn how to eat, I wanted to learn how to slow down , I wanted to be able to start picking the right foods to eat over the bad foods and I am doing that .  I have my bad days but my bad days are alot better then what they was before .

My NUT and Nurse both think I have no restriction and I have no fluid in my band at all so basically they are telling me well you are doing this the hard way it would be easier to get fluid and have restriction.

I don't dwell on that word restriction or this so called sweet spot.  I got it so much into my head that one cup of food is enough is and I'm fine with that.  I can go a good 3-5 hrs without getting hungry 90% of the time.  

Of course if I sit here and obsessed about food all the time thinking oh my gosh when is my next meal, oh man do I wish I could eat this well dang  I will talk myself into being hungry anybody would .

for right now the band is enough to keep a reminder going if you eat to fast you might get sick, or if you over eat you might get sick.

I honestly dont know if I will or not because I dont have fluid in my band but why take the chance and find out ?   That is why the band is working for me .

I dont get this full feeling, or signs that I need to stop eating like alot of others get. The only thing I know is I'm allowed one cup of food and that is what I do and go along my merry way with the rest of the my day .  That is when will power and self control comes into play .

If you dont have will power and some self control during this surgery then most likely you are not going to do very well because the band does not do all the work for you . You have to do that .

There is things that can happen with the band and Iknow that . Boy , do I know that when you are self pay you find these things out because 20 grand is alot of money .  I will deal with it when and if it happens .

Thanks for posting CM. Glad you have lost so much weight!

I just wanted to thank you for posting this.  Congratulations on your success.  I agree with what you have said I feel that the hard work I will have to put in to make LapBand work for me will make me more successful in the long run.  I will learn the right way to eat, and see what I have been doing wrong all along and make sure that I do not make those same mistakes if I ever had to have the band removed. 

As a new bander, I thank you for your post.