Thinking about having Lap band

Let me start by saying I was successful with the band (I am 18 months postop). I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months. That being said, the band hasn't been the tool I hoped it would be. I was in a good place, otherwise known as a sweet spot, for a month or so here and there. The rest of the time I was either hungry or getting sick.
Right around the time I was reaching my weight loss goal I started having some trouble with the band- lots of "Pbing". I decided to have a large unfill. I was tired of getting sick, couldn't eat breakfast (just had a protien shake)and wanted to be able to eat some bread/pasta/rice.
Am I sorry I got the band? Well that's hard to say since I did loose the weight. I was self pay and I think the $14,500 I spent was a huge motivator to succeed. I guess I do wish I had given it one more try on my own, I hadn't "dieted" or excersised in years.
Well, that's my story. Hope it helps. It's a huge decision, take your time and do lots of research. Good luck!

Had I known then what I know now I NEVER would have gotten the band! It's a crap shoot. There are a few that do well with it long term. Most do NOT!

Please know that there are a LOT of ppl that NEVER reach restriction! Most Drs. do not tell pateints that BEFORE they get the band. Kind of an important factor, don't you think?! Especially since no restriction means to lose weight u will be hungry all the time and ONLY lose it through diet and/or exercise with no "tool"!

Please read over the revision forum and see how many bandsters are revising FROM the band to a much more effective WLS!!!

Good luck!

I know some of the other people have had problems, and I sympahize with that.  But *MY* lap-band experience has been glorious thus far.  Yes it is just a tool, not a quick-fix, but for me is has been the sharpest tool in the shed!

My band was placed in May 2009.  I lost all of my excess weight in 7 months, down to 31 lbs UNDER my goal of 150 lbs.  I have maintained that loss with ease for 18+ months now.  It has completely changed my outlook on eating and I now have the knowledge and tools to sustain long term weight loss success (which is clutch with any WLS you choose).

No, the band is not for everyone (no surgery is) and I suggest to everyone to properly research each surgery before you make a final decision.  Educate yourself and think twice, cut once.  I did exactly that and decided the band was the best fit for what I was trying to accomplish. 

Just wanted to let you know that not all band experiences are horror stories...there are many of us that love our bands and are very happy we made that decision.

Good luck!

 thanks

I'd say I'm on the fence. I do love my band a lot, as it has helped me in so many ways and I have gone from a size 20 to a size 2, but I've noticed that recently I am getting stuck/PBing much more than I ever have and I don't even have a fill; maybe it's just me not paying good enough attention to how much I am eating or something, I'm not sure.

VSG seems to be a promising surgery and I'd definitely consider it if you want something that lasts long term.

The band can work but I'd definitely weigh the pros and cons carefully.

" but I've noticed that recently I am getting stuck/PBing much more than I ever have and I don't even have a fill; maybe it's just me not paying good enough attention to how much I am eating or something, I'm not sure."

What is esophageal spasm?

Esophageal spasms are irregular, uncoordinated, and sometimes powerful contractions of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Normally, contractions of the esophagus are coordinated, moving the food through the esophagus and into the stomach.

There are two main types of esophageal spasm:

• Diffuse esophageal spasm. This type of spasm is an irregular, uncoordinated squeezing of the muscles of the esophagus. This can prevent food from reaching the stomach, leaving it stuck in the esophagus.
• THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND because many banded people think that their food is stuck due to not chewing well or they think they ate too fast.
•  
• Nutcracker esophagus. This type of spasm squeezes the esophagus in a coordinated way, the same way food is moved down the esophagus normally. But the squeezing is very strong. These contractions move food through the esophagus but can cause severe pain.
• Again, this is often explained away by band surgeons and banded patients as eating to fast and/or not chewing well enough.

You can have both types of esophageal spasm.

Thanks for the info! That may be it but I really think it's me not chewing/taking small bites. Since I've never had a fill I honestly never paid as much attention as I should have to chewing and such. Plus I've been dealing with some weird stomach flu since last Thursday, which is when all this started; hoping that is what's causing my band to tighten a bit. Either way thanks for the info, will definitely keep it in the back of my mind :) Hope you're healing well from your revision.

You're Welcome,

I always had problems getting stuck whenever I got sick too, as well as whenever my allergies acted up. I don't know if this would pertain to you, but if you are menstruating your band can irritate that too.

 I'm healing very well right now except for the port side swelling in the evenings and some anemia to deal with.
Get better soon and if you ever have any questions I'd be happy to help you in any way I can.

Thanks Pumpkin! I'm definitely thinking it's a mixture of things; allergies are a bit haywire as you mentioned + stomach flu or whatever it is have to be playing a part. I'm gonna focus on how much I'm shoveling (lol) into my mouth as well.

Keep healing and hopefully your swelling goes away! I want my port removed..I have the "low profile" port and it looks like a freaking golf ball is poking out. I call it my alien..but I hate it LOL.

I don't remember if they gave me the low profile port for my second band   I just assumed I had the high profile port because I always looked pregnant on my left side.  I thought with the low profile port that you couldn't see the port poking through

I'm eating all my food with baby spoons to make sure I don't shovel it all in. Have you tried using baby spoons ?. I don't use them out in public though I try to cut up 5 or 6 small baby spoon size bites at a time whenever I am eating out so that I won't eat too big of a bite.