I have a question for Maria, and others in the ANTI-BAND camp

Just a few questions to the OP:

Who are you?

What surgery did you have and when?

What is your motivation in posting this thread??

I will be the first to say that some of Maria's posts almost made me leave a few weeks ago because I felt like everything was turning into a huge fight with Maria at the center. So here I am today....... I am really annoyed that the board has been pretty respectful the past few weeks and you felt the need to stir the pot. I come here to read about peoples experiences good or bad to be better informed no****ch cyber bullying from you or anyone else. I feel like Maria has been quiet the last few weeks and you are just looking for a fight.

I haven't lost 100% of the weight I need to lose, but I still feel like my band has been a total success. I lost 40 lbs. pre-op. I only had short term success with diets before. but knowing that I was getting a band kept me focused and determined. Since getting the band I've lost 28 lbs. I still have a 59 lbs to lose, and even if I don't lose another lb. I feel like I have been a success. Why? People tell my that I don't even look like the same person. I have so much more stamina and I am enjoying my life so much more. I weigh less than my husband. I weigh less the my drivers liscense say that I do. I enjoy going to the gym. I no longer feel like I'm always the fattest person in the room. I really enjoy shopping now which every girl should. If I really want a treat I can occasionally enjoy a desert and not worry about dumping and feeling sick. What more could I want?

And you've been doing great for...oh...seven months.  Wow.

  Oh crap, there's a DSr here! :)  I respect Maria's blatant honesty about her experience.  She is by far not alone and I have seen no other surgery on OH that has more regretters than the bandsters IMHO.  From my end I see a steady stream of you quietly popping onto the DS, RNY and VSG boards with questions.  They all feel like failures.  They wanna know why we do not feel like failures.
WHAT EVER YOUR SURGERY CHOICE IS, IF YOUR GOAL IS NOT SUCCESS (DEFINE THAT HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE) AND YES, THE WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT SOME RISK, THEN WHY BOTHER IN THE FIRST PLACE?


The #1 reason I chose my surgery was for it's rate of SUCCESS!!  I've failed every weight loss attempt I've ever ventured.  I am not anti-band.  I AM ANTI-FAILURE.  If I'm gonna go on a journey it had better AT THE LEAST take me to the vicinity of the destination I signed up for.

  I don't feel like I risked death.  I carefully researched my surgeon and was willing to travel to Duke University plus I knew was healthy enough to endure the procedure.

No matter what surgery one chooses, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

~GG

BTW, how is Brock doing??  Wish you could talk him into returning to OH

I wondered how long it was going to take for someone to catch on that it is Brock.  Congratulations Jolena.

By the way the band is CRAP!!!!!!!!!  Just my 2 cents from spending almost $30,000 between the band and the revision to sleeve.

Have a nice day and no matter what surgery you have it is all a lot of work.

No...I've never wanted to achieve success in any venture I've undertaken because...drum roll, please...I've always wanted to be just like you.

 

I would rather work hard to lose weight with a band than have my intestines removed or rearragned i have saw failures in all surgery types the key here is hard work !! we have to truly committ to lifestyle changes and stick to them it isnt a short term thing their isnt anything magical about it we have to change our lifestyles and stick to it!!! im not bashing those that have had gastric by pass or the sleeve im just saying its a personal choice but in the end its still going to take hard work and persistence to keep the weight off