Why the Lap Band?

This question was asked to me recently and this was my response:

1. I was looking for a tool to guide me forever in my battle against obesity.

2. I was looking for a tool, NOT a temporary crutch just to help me drop weight and then stop working when I need it most, just like NOW at 6 years post op it is still here with me in full force.

3. I was looking for a tool to enhance my overall health and well being, by helping me make better dietary decisions, eating healthy, and assisting me with dropping weight when I exercised. I remember before I got my band I use to walk or go to the gym and I could never stick to my diet and all that exercising would be for nothing because I did not have the will power to stay on track and instead of losing I would actually end up gaining more weight..all that misery for me is history, MY BAND KEEPS ME ON TRACK EVEN WHEN I FALL OFF the wagon, it leads me when I want to go astray.

4. I was seeking a weight loss tool that would force me to lose weight healthy by eating right and doing some form of exercise because in the end THIS WOULD AFFECT MY HEALTH and not take a boat load of medications, and as today, I am not on ANY medication, the only thing I take at 6 years post op is 1 multi vitamin and 1 calcium, and sometimes I chew a pepcid but that is all that goes into my mouth at 6 years post op, medicine wise.

5. I was seeking a tool that gave me a normal way of eating, I could not envision myself being restricted from a wide variety of foods forever, so the band was the only surgery for ME that gave me normalcy, I still eat all the foods I ate post op, the only difference is I can only eat about 1 cup at a time even at 6 years post op.

6. When I posted about that I've had MANY fills including unfills, in my 6 years of banding, although many of those fills were due to me losing massive amounts of weight that required getting filled every 4/6 weeks, and some of those fills/unfill were due to me having an unrelated surgery, which I got my band totally emptied, and the refill process included tweaking of fills/unfills because I am responsible with my band and don't want to damage it, I got all the needed/unfills that was required for me to be successful and complication free and my band suzie has stood the test of time even with all those fills my port is not damaged.

7. I am not the cheerleader for the band, nor am I a basher, this tool gave me my life back, complication free, has it been without issues or problems? NO, but NO surgery is, in fact the only issues that I've experienced thus far with my band has been simple, and very easy to fix, getting saline removed for me was as simple as driving to my surgeon's office and having them to remove saline (which takes about 1 minute).

8. I knew that I was getting a foreign implant in my body, so I KNEW and realized that the first few months would be tougher since I dedicated the first few months to healing and learning about my band and nutrition, my band honestly did NOT start working for me until I was about 6 months post op, I had *some* restriction right after surgery, but it was not tight restriction, but the swelling from surgery gave me the restriction I needed to help me in my weight loss efforts, and I when I made an agreement with my surgeon to CHANGE MY LIFESTYLE, by following band rules, exercising and not abusing my tool, I meant it.

9. I did not get weight loss surgery for a quick fix, I wanted a surgery that would give me the most "natural" weight loss possible meaning I had to sweat for EVERY POUND LOST and as a result I am currently reaping the benefits, of having good health (knock on wood, so far) and I had no skin issues and a stable weight loss.

10. Is the band the perfect solution for every weight loss candidate? NO, but it was perfect for ME and my health, I was pretty healthy being obese, and I just did not want to risk my great health and get a more invasive surgery that may cause long term vitamin deficiencies issues, the only way I would take that risk is if my life was in danger from obesity and I did not have nothing to lose health wise.

Am I skinny at 6 years post op? NO, that was not my goal, although I've been as low as some size 8s, I got weight loss surgery to get healthy and be able to shop in normal stores , and lead a healthy normal life and I am doing just that. We all have different goals and aspirations for weight loss surgery, I've met mine.

Edited to add: and last but not least MOST IMPORTANTLY, I got the band because it is adjustable and easy to remove, if complications arise, or revise, who knows, one day surgeons may come up with a great weight loss surgery that is safer and more effective than the band, (I think there is technology in the makings right now) but currently I don't see any surgery safer for me at this point, so I am happy I still have options, if needed at 6 years, in the event something ever happens to my band.

And some even ask why are you so much for the band, I am for any surgery that will give me my life back complication free and these results:

Thank you that was very inspiring.  God Bless You.  I'm in the process of getting the band so that helped me.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Lap Band. I have been approved for the Lap Band or gastric bypass proceedure. I'm doing my research on both and appreciate hearing first person bariatric surgery experiences both good and bad. All information is appreciated.