My opening statement

I am not attending the EES/OAC WLS Blogger/Web Influencer event in NYC.

Congratulations Maria, but I'm confused, are you going or are you not going??  I'm not familiar with this group...what was the selection process??  Hope you have a wonderful time!

I was confused at first as well but I think NOT is a typo for NOW.  I believe she is attending it now and her opending statement was............

Oops! Thanks for pointing that typo out!

I have no idea what the selection process was. I just know I was one of about 25 WLS bloggers chosen to attend by EES.

Will have updates on my blog.

Although, I am doing well with my band now I have to agree that the failure rate is too high.  There are too many people that are unable to tolerate the band or just can't seem to get the right fill.  I was almost this person and believe me I thank God every day I didn't turn out to be another statistic.  

I think some of the blame should be on the surgeons and their education of the patients.  Although I think we are adults and should be researching this ourselves...I also think surgeons that don't explain the band and the work you have to put into it to make it successful are doing a disservice to their patients.  How many times I have seen posters on here wonder why they don't have restriction after one fill!!!  No one told them they might have wait for 3, 4, 5 fills or more before they have restriction.  I think there should be a lot more education on the part of the patient and next they have to honest with themselves.  Can they REALLY follow the band rules???  I couldn't at first.  I am success because I really work at it.  I think way too many expect it to be easier.  I know I did.     

It is sad when patients don't receive the info they need from their Dr./band mill. Even worse when some of those come out and lie right to the patients face about the band! :-(

Call me blonde, but I'm confused.  You are not attending the conference but you did/are making an opening statement?  I guess my greater confusion is how you manage to write a blog every day and have people know what you're talking about. 

In any event, in case you'd like to add the following info to your research, I attend a support group with approximately 55 WLS surgery patients, 16 of whom are lapbanders.  While we don't all hang out and go for coffee, I'd still say "I know them personally".  Here are the results of an impromptu survey I took at the last meeting:  4 of them have had their bands 5+ years, 2 have had theirs for more than 7 years and the rest of us are between 6 mos-5 years.  Of the group, 14 have had no major problems with their bands and 9 of them have gotten to goal, with the majority (including me) still working their bands and being extremely pleased with their overall weightloss.  One had a revision to RNY 18 months ago but has only lost an additional 10 lbs since then.  All but one said they'd "do it again", with another saying she'd get the VGS if she were to start over.

It's just plain weird that you personally know so many people who have failed with their band.  I seem to persinally know many who have been successful.  How would one explain that?  Scientifically, I mean.

You don't like the blog so feel free to NEVER read it! :-(

Glad you know so many "persinally" that have done well with the band. However...........you know as well as I do that ppl post on this forum every day with new band issues. Explain that.........scientifically!

It's just plain weird that you personally know so many people who have failed with their band.  I seem to persinally know many who have been successful.  How would one explain that?  Scientifically, I mean.

This phenomenon can be explained as the "I have my fingers stuck in my ears and I'm humming my Lap-Band Sucks Song so I can't hear you" syndrome.

Maria and others:

Yes, it is a high failure rate.  But in fairness, you better also be attacking the failure rates of RNY, DS, Gastric Sleeve, etc.  They are just as high, seemingly.

ETA:  Not to mention the risks of MAJOR SURGERY as opposed to a laproscopically implanted device.

Why would I "attack" them? They have a much higher rate of success!

Most other WLS's are done laproscopically as well!