A truly positive experience!

Whilst not denying band problems, of all varying magnitudes, I have always said that of the 14 banded people I have personally met, all bar one have been successful - and the problems of that one were almost certainly not caused by the band. All of that group are well over two years out, most over four, several over 5 years, one over 7 (Bette!!).

Well yesterday, I went to an informal meeting with 15 banded people. We met in a pub over lunch, none of us had met previously. We ranged from two months out to almost 6 years out. And we all, every one of us, love our bands. None of us is being constantly sick, none of us has heartburn, indigestion, pain. All of us can eat sensibly.

So of the 29 banded people I have now met face to face, just one has had problems - I do accept that some of my most recent acquaintances are not very far out!

I know that my friends on here who have had problems will know that I am not denying their experiences. I am just putting forward a very positive experience of my own.

Kate

Wishing all of you continued success Kate

Pumpkin, pls see my reply below.

That is great, actually. I have to wonder if there is something they're doing differently over by you! 

I'm glad you had a positive experience yesterday.

N.M. Pls see my post below

That is great to hear that you got together for lunch with some other bandsters! I remember you saying previously that WLS or bands are kept fairly hush, hush over there.

Lindsey

BuckeyeGirl, pls see my post below.

All those who say this board is negative.

Please note, as I write this, there are three replies. All from people who have had major band issues but who are taking the time to congratulate me and feel good for me.

Lovely ladies.

Kate

Kate,

Thank you for the nice words!

I do understand that people don't like to hear the "negative" aspects of banding. I mean, I can wholly understand because I didn't like to hear it, either, when I had the band. But, I found that it's much better to know about the bad stuff than to ignore it. While I didn't necessarily ignore my complications, I really hated having to face them. And I think that probably didn't help me, physically, at all.  I was in extreme denial, in spite of the daily pain. We're all just looking for the way to healthy,comfortable weight... and when something threatens this, it's very scary. So, I do understand why people get unnerved when those of us who had not so great (and really, really horrible) experiences speak about them.

Often, I need to talk about it because it was such a traumatic experience. It may have been years ago, but my experience was such an awful one, that it still lingers, in spite of the time passed. Thank you for understanding this.

(I'm so wordy. Too much coffee today, maybe? )  

Thank you Kate for all your support, we all appreciate it so much.