1st WLS Support group WOW

 Last night I went to my first WLS support group meeting. I am a preop wls pt I plan to have LapBand. There were no other Bandsters in the group and I was so disappointed. I was told by the bariatric coordinator that I need gastric bypass and I shouldnt even consider lapband bc it doesnt work and no one loses the weight with  LapBand!  WOW! I was so furious that I couldnt sleep last night. I wanted support and encouragement. I dont think I will ever go back. 

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience.

The group leader could have put it better but was just being somewhat honest. With your current BMI to get to a healthy BMI level is pretty unlikely unless you are a super duper dieter and athlete. There are very few of us with over 100 lbs to lose that lose and successfully keep off a significant amount of weight.

You might have to find your supposrt source someplace else than the group you attended last night.

Good luck to you.

So sorry you had a bad experience. Do not let that discourage you! Hope that you find some positive reinforcment. I can tell your coordinator that in fact some people do have success with the band and there are many to prove that on here. I am one. I have lost over 250 pounds and wearing a size 12 from a 30/32 so it is possible! There are some people that the band has failed and not worked out due to various reasons but that is no reason to be negative with you at a support group. best of luck in your journey and keep us updated :)

They probably don't go because the coordinator has done such a great job of making them feel welcome - I need a sarcasm font.

Anywho -  the band does work -  but just like any other WLS it's not a miracle cure.  I have lost 145 lbs.  You can figure out how to "beat" any type of WLS if you work at it hard enough.  I think the band is easier to beat because you have to keep in the maintance of  the fills.  Stop getting fills and eventally you're going to be eating more because you aren't keep that maintance and that weight is going to slip back on.  You can also figure out what things get through and what things don't and completely sabotage yourself.  It take the band and discipline -  which we all know if challenging at times!

You're also not going to lose 100 pounds in 6months.  Well you might -  but don't count on it.  It's hard when other surgeries will allow a person to do this and it's easy to get frustrated when the scale doesn't move.  It has taken me 18 months to lose 145 pounds and I had a baby in there (she helped me with the last 30 lbs )  I can go months without the scale moving and then all of a sudden drop 15 pounds in a couple weeks. 

Keep your spirit up and make the decision that is best for you.  There are all kinds of crazies that with bash any type of WLS except theirs.  in the end all you need is what works for you YOU.

She may need some work on her presentation skills but she is dead on right about the band not working well. After living with mine for 4 years and only a 20 lb loss I wish I had done any surgery other than the band. Oh it works for a very few people but for the majority it is a pretty frustrating experience. If I were you I would definately research all 4 WLS beside the band there is the RNY, the sleeve or VSG and the DS. Read about all 4 and then make a decision. The band is really just NOT what it is portrayed to be.

Well I can say I am happy with my band!!! I have lost 56 pound with no fills!!!! Next month it be one year for me!!! It is a slow process but I am not in a race!!! It help me to stay focus and see what work and what doesn't. If you look into something else look well!! I read all the boards and some of the problem some people are having is very scary!!!!!!!! Anyway find another group!! I go to a group and I am the only one with a band!!!! But you will never know it because the leader is there to support you!!! Anyway keep your head up keep looking

Thank's everyone for the comments. I appreciate them. I am having lapband surgery, and I am going to lose the weight. I have a good support system at home and I am looking for another local support group. I am active on youtube and a few other online WLS groups so I think everything will work out fine in the end. I know that Lapband is not Magic, but I also know that there are pros and cons with the other surgeries as well and I have to choose what I feel is the safest most effective option for me.

~I am active on youtube and a few other online WLS groups so I think everything will work out fine in the end.~

Yeah I thought everything would work out well in the ends as well. Didn't happen! :-(

If you want to get the band.............go for it. But keep in mind that MOST ppl do NOT do well with the band long term, and you may never reach restriction.

There is a reason that your bariatric coordinator said what she did about the band. She apparently is looking out for your best interest. Many Drs. are refusing to continue to do the band b/c of it's ineffectiveness and complications.

If you don't want to go to a support group b/c they tell u the truth about the band that just doesn't make sense. Why would you not want to know what the band is really like???

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. Please try to find another group. I had my lapband in 2006 and while I recently revised to RNY, because I had several complications I would never bad mouth the band. When I was banded I was on 3 different high blood pressure meds, and two diabetise meds. After a year I was no longer a diabetic and my blood pressure was better. When I went in for my RNY I was afraid I wouldn't be approved because my comorbities were gone. I did get approval but I'd be a hypocrit to say the band did nothing for me. Stick with your plan and good luck to you.

Just make sure you do your research and know the complications.  I had the lap band.  The lap band does work for some people.  Understand that there is sometimes complications that you can't control.  I went in to the lab band surgery knowing that there were complications but thought they are not going to happen to me because I am going to eat right and exercise.  I did all of those things and unfortunately had complications. 


all weight loss surgeries have complications.  Research, buy books about the lap band.  Jean has one that she has wrote, if you email her she will tell you how to get it directly from her.

IF you don't feel comfortable with the surgeons office, go to another one til you are comfortable. THe lap band is a lifetime commitment.