Bad news for the Lap BAnd?
On September 1, 2011 at 10:51 AM Pacific Time, Lynmarie S. wrote:
I would seriously recommend against it. While it has worked well for some, it has caused countless others issues - some severe.I'm having an endoscopy tomorrow because I have developed an ulcer and/or diverticulum in my esophagus. See, your body isn't meant to have that much food sitting above the restriction. Your esophagus isn't built that way.
And for the people who are going to flame me - I follwed every band rule. No soda in 5 years, small bites, chew until goo, stop eating when your nose runs (for me), not when you stop feeling hungry (NEVER stopped feeling hunger. Ever), exercise, etc. I did it right. But I started to regain in spite of it all. Then I got frustrated because I can't get good food down enough (ie protein, salad, etc) and this past year, I admit I gave up. 4 years of hell is long enough. I'm fat, my apnea is back, and I want it out. Hoping to get a DS shortly.
One thing I will share that my surgeon told me (he does all the surgeries) is that when trying to remove a band it can be VERY difficult. Your body grows adhesions and the band can also become attached to your stomach and even your liver.
If you are serious about weight loss, and serious about surgery, look into ALL of your options. Don't be fooled into the band because you think it's "safer". It isn't. BUT that doesn't mean it's not right for you.
What I'm saying is if you decide the band is the way because you want the restriction and are comfortable with the work it takes to make it successful, and comfortable with the thought you might need something else later, then look into it. However, I would recommend almost all the other surgeries before the band. I've talked to too many people and witnessed first hand with myself and my family members - the band is not a good choice for most.
Good luck with the DS. I know you'll do great with that!!! If your on Facebook, here is the link for the failed band group:
www.facebook.com/groups/199537600106847/
well i am fairly new here but i did a great deal of research before i had my surgery which was a little less than 3 months ago and i understood before going and having the surgery that it is ONLY a tool it takes work and dedication,and to listen to what your doctor tells you about your nutrition/exercise requirements so far i have had no problems and i hope i will continue to be successful with my decision to have lap band i am thrilled that at 5 days less than 3 months i have lost almost 45 lbs.
On September 1, 2011 at 3:12 PM Pacific Time, onmyway06062011 wrote:
well i am fairly new here but i did a great deal of research before i had my surgery which was a little less than 3 months ago and i understood before going and having the surgery that it is ONLY a tool it takes work and dedication,and to listen to what your doctor tells you about your nutrition/exercise requirements so far i have had no problems and i hope i will continue to be successful with my decision to have lap band i am thrilled that at 5 days less than 3 months i have lost almost 45 lbs.You have lost an incredible amount of weight in less than 3 months, and I couldn't be happier for you. However what I have an issue with is your statement that it is just a tool. SOME bandsters get a "tool". Others do NOT! They have nothing more to work with than before they had WLS. I am glad that you are one of the LUCKY ones...........but please don't state that the band is a "tool" when there are so many of us with a band............but NO tool!
maria f,
i am sorry you were upset by my use of the word tool but i do use my band as a tool i work hard at my new way of eating and exercise daily and when i decided on lapband that is what i was told that i needed to use it as a tool. i truly am sorry for the people on oh that the band has not helped but there are many people who feel that it has truly changed there lives(and i am one of them) as i said in my previous post i am fairly new at this and i just take it a day at a time. with any surgery there can be problems i am lucky i have not really had any to speak of i was only offering ny opinion on a good experience wih the band in hopes it would help someone with their decision i know this board was a great help for me both pre and post op i read the good and the bad and then made a decision that was right for me.
i am sorry you were upset by my use of the word tool but i do use my band as a tool i work hard at my new way of eating and exercise daily and when i decided on lapband that is what i was told that i needed to use it as a tool. i truly am sorry for the people on oh that the band has not helped but there are many people who feel that it has truly changed there lives(and i am one of them) as i said in my previous post i am fairly new at this and i just take it a day at a time. with any surgery there can be problems i am lucky i have not really had any to speak of i was only offering ny opinion on a good experience wih the band in hopes it would help someone with their decision i know this board was a great help for me both pre and post op i read the good and the bad and then made a decision that was right for me.
Congrats on your weight loss keep up the good work... Yea it is sad that some have had bad experiences with the band, but there are lots that would do it all over again.. Not everyone is going to agree. I do wish the ones that didn't have a great experience the best in what they do... and from all that I have read I believe it is a personal decision and leap of faith in any WLS to do in the first place. I can only hope that with what ever choice I make it will be the best for me!!! 
Thanks for everyone letting me know the goods and the bads....
Jennifer
Thanks for everyone letting me know the goods and the bads....Jennifer
On September 2, 2011 at 6:27 AM Pacific Time, onmyway06062011 wrote:
maria f,i am sorry you were upset by my use of the word tool but i do use my band as a tool i work hard at my new way of eating and exercise daily and when i decided on lapband that is what i was told that i needed to use it as a tool. i truly am sorry for the people on oh that the band has not helped but there are many people who feel that it has truly changed there lives(and i am one of them) as i said in my previous post i am fairly new at this and i just take it a day at a time. with any surgery there can be problems i am lucky i have not really had any to speak of i was only offering ny opinion on a good experience wih the band in hopes it would help someone with their decision i know this board was a great help for me both pre and post op i read the good and the bad and then made a decision that was right for me.
Yes you have had a good experience so far. I just wish the same was true for all bandsters. I hope the band continues to work for you!!! Congrats on your success.
Ms. Cal Culator
on 9/3/11 2:08 am - Tuvalu
on 9/3/11 2:08 am - Tuvalu
On September 2, 2011 at 6:27 AM Pacific Time, onmyway06062011 wrote:
maria f,i am sorry you were upset by my use of the word tool but i do use my band as a tool i work hard at my new way of eating and exercise daily and when i decided on lapband that is what i was told that i needed to use it as a tool. i truly am sorry for the people on oh that the band has not helped but there are many people who feel that it has truly changed there lives(and i am one of them) as i said in my previous post i am fairly new at this and i just take it a day at a time. with any surgery there can be problems i am lucky i have not really had any to speak of i was only offering ny opinion on a good experience wih the band in hopes it would help someone with their decision i know this board was a great help for me both pre and post op i read the good and the bad and then made a decision that was right for me.
So..."a tool?" I hear that all the time.
A shovel is a tool. It's a little easier to dig a hole with a shovel than it is with your bare hands. But you're still the one doing all the work. And you're still the one who works his/her ass off.
The band, for me, was like a BROKEN tool. Worthless. And it was damaging my interior.
I got it out and opted for s SURGERY that would do all the work...I was TIRED.
Please do yourself the biggest favor of your life and avoid the band. I'm fortunate that the problems I've had are minimal compared to some but still it has been a total waste of my time and huge effort! First of all I've never gotten a decent restriction level so always either too tight or too loose. Then after 2-3 years it started tightening for absolutely no reason until I finally got tired of $225 everytime I got unfilled, so I had it totally unfilled. Ahhhh what a relief no more reflux, I could actually eat solid food again. Even my surgeons office is discouraging people from getting the band because it is so inefficient and causes so many problems. Wish they had known that before I got mine. The worst part is that even the manufacturers won't accept any responsibility in the problems with the band. They just say it is our fault, yeah we all want reflux, erosions and in some cases near death. All I can say is run far far away from the band.
On September 1, 2011 at 4:13 PM Pacific Time, Hislady wrote:
Please do yourself the biggest favor of your life and avoid the band. I'm fortunate that the problems I've had are minimal compared to some but still it has been a total waste of my time and huge effort! First of all I've never gotten a decent restriction level so always either too tight or too loose. Then after 2-3 years it started tightening for absolutely no reason until I finally got tired of $225 everytime I got unfilled, so I had it totally unfilled. Ahhhh what a relief no more reflux, I could actually eat solid food again. Even my surgeons office is discouraging people from getting the band because it is so inefficient and causes so many problems. Wish they had known that before I got mine. The worst part is that even the manufacturers won't accept any responsibility in the problems with the band. They just say it is our fault, yeah we all want reflux, erosions and in some cases near death. All I can say is run far far away from the band.~The worst part is that even the manufacturers won't accept any responsibility in the problems with the band. They just say it is our fault, yeah we all want reflux, erosions and in some cases near death. All I can say is run far far away from the band.~
Hislady you are so right. We put our trust in the band for it to work as the manufacturers described it would. That actually seems to be an assesment of how it works for a minority of the bandsters.
I have personally spoken to both Realize and Lap-band directly and they do NOT stand behind their product! I even addressed the issue of all the failed bands at the EES WLS Blogger and Web Influencer event they sponsored in NYC at the opening of the event. They completely blew it off and would not address it!!! Guess that shows how much they care about all of us stuck with their FAILED BANDS! :-(
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