Banding? Would you do it again?

 3.5 years.

20 fills/unfills

NO problems at all

went from 242 to 170 and have kept it off for YEARS....just had TT and breast reduction!!

Like my band BUT if I was doing it again - I would Sleeve.  I was self pay.

Sorry your having so many band problems Steph. If you are on Facebook you might want to Join the failed band group there:

www.facebook.com/groups/199537600106847/

The band has not been the tool I hoped it would be. I spent a lot of time either hungry or getting sick. I had weeks here and there when I was in a good spot. That being said, I did loose all my excess weight-107 pounds. I was self pay and the money I spend was a big motivator. Would I do it again, no. I wish I had given it one more try on my own, it had been years since I tried to loose weight. The high protien, low carb. low fat diet worked for me.

Your story is very similar to mine. I have had the band almost 2 years. NEVER reached restriction. Like you, I was self pay. And yes the money was a big motivator here as well!

In less than 15 months I had 16 fills and didn't reach restriction, so essentially I paid around $15,000 to put myself on a diet. The Lap-Band has been a complete waste of time and MONEY! Might as well have just flushed the money down the toilet. Thanks Allergan!

No complications so far.  2.5 years banded.  Have lost slightly over 200 lbs (217 this morning, lowest was 223.. I bounce around a little).

I'm more than satisfied, I'd do it again. 

As the others have stated, there is no perfect WLS, each have their advantages/disadvantages.  You have to figure out which surgery best fits you and your lifestyle and which disadvantages you can most easily live with.

Considering my experiences so far, I'd chose the band again.  However, I do understand that some folks have issues and think it's a poor choice.

Best of luck on your decision.  It took me much longer than a year to decide to do something about my weight.. almost too long.  

I'm torn, when i think about whether i'd do it again or not.  I'm 42 pounds lighter than i was a year ago, but i feel like 90% of that has been do to the exercise i'm getting.  What i eat doesn't seem to make a difference, and i've been stalled for weeks now.  Anything over 5 ccs in my band seems to cause misery - i'm currently bordering on too tight and considering getting my doc to do an unfill, again.  He took out 1.5ccs 2 months ago, then put .5cc back in last week.  I hate the pain of getting stuck - and i'm not talking about too big of bites, or inappropriate foods.  I've been trying to get down a container of yogurt for 45 minutes, and i'm only halfway through it, because it is uncomfortable to eat.

However, i can take the band out.  If i had had a more drastic surgery, i wouldn't have the option of going back.

Not to be morbid hun - YES, we can have our bands taken out BUT not without damage.  No simplicity with removal at all. My surgeon says think of your esophagus of now having stretch marks - they never go away.  Scar tissue builds around the band - it is just a natural process.  The band is pretty fricken drastic especially since it is BS that there will be finds of bands and bones.

Good luck with your band hun.

ALWAYS SAD TO HEAR STORIES OF DISAPOINTED BANDSTERS, MINE EVEN WITH A FEW ISSUES IS BY FAR THE BEST GIFT I HAVE EVER GOTTEN. IT GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK. WITH 300 POUNDS GONE, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN, ONLY MUCH SOONER THAN I DID! IT MAY HAVE NOT DONE IT FOR SOME BUT THERE ARE MANY LIKE MYSELF THAT HAVE HAD WONDERFUL SUCCESS AND  LOVING THE BAND. BEST OF LUCK IN THE CHOICE THAT YOU MAKE. YOU WILL HEAR GOOD AND BAD ABOUT ALL THE WLS TYPES SO BE PREPARED, DO YOUR RESEARCH AND THE ANSWER WILL BE ONE THAT ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE ON!!

 6 years out, lost 60 not 100 lbs, fluctuate a bit, but eventually get into a panic mode and lose those lbs. 1000% more control than pre-band, heartburn 90 % better, I would love to lose the rest, but am so grateful to be off that lose 30 lbs, then gain 50. I kept getter bigger. I have not lost the desire to pig out, unfortunately. I dream about it, I plan it, but then I don't do it because I respect myself too much, and don't want to return to the size I was. Then when I give in, my band reminds me, it is in control when I can't be. Wish I could become cross addicted to exercise.  

no.

in the words of my GI dr - the band should be banned.

you'll find this subject generates a split somewhat in responses.

i've seen more doctors since i've had the band than in my previous 38yrs combined.   getting to goal at the expense of my health wasn't what i signed up for.    having no comorbidities going into the process, required me to be self pay - i now have 4 comorbids & the band will be out by my 4th anniversary of surgery.

it's good your researching - best of luck.