Tell me the pros and cons of lap band
I'm happy for your success, Tom. I really am. I'm glad it's worked for you.
I have a few things I'd like to touch upon, however. I went into surgery with the very best of intentions. I came out with damage that kept me from eating solid foods and caused ridiculous amounts of pain. I didn't have a "tool," I had a torture device. People who haven't had complications probably can't fathom the amount of pain those of us who did have complications have. I was also told it was "minimally invasive" but in reality, it turned out to be very, very invasive.
However, I was also dubbed a "successful" lapband patient because I lost over 100 pounds (which is the amount I needed to lose.) I couldn't eat solid foods for 2 years, had chronic pain, became malnourished, anemic and suicidal, but I lost the weight. And that was all that mattered to be put into the "successful" category.
It's not a matter of will or intent or "using the tool" correctly. Some of us just didn't have that option, I'm afraid. And it happens more often than is divulged. I've watched it since 2002.
I'm always very happy for those who have found success with the band and wish continued success. But when I see someone say that they should blame themselves, not the surgery, it's a bit of a slap in the face, honestly. Adding insult to injury, you know? A whole lot of us have complications that are way beyond our control and it isn't a matter of changes in diet, exercise or mental state.
I do wish you the best with continued good health.
I have a few things I'd like to touch upon, however. I went into surgery with the very best of intentions. I came out with damage that kept me from eating solid foods and caused ridiculous amounts of pain. I didn't have a "tool," I had a torture device. People who haven't had complications probably can't fathom the amount of pain those of us who did have complications have. I was also told it was "minimally invasive" but in reality, it turned out to be very, very invasive.
However, I was also dubbed a "successful" lapband patient because I lost over 100 pounds (which is the amount I needed to lose.) I couldn't eat solid foods for 2 years, had chronic pain, became malnourished, anemic and suicidal, but I lost the weight. And that was all that mattered to be put into the "successful" category.
It's not a matter of will or intent or "using the tool" correctly. Some of us just didn't have that option, I'm afraid. And it happens more often than is divulged. I've watched it since 2002.
I'm always very happy for those who have found success with the band and wish continued success. But when I see someone say that they should blame themselves, not the surgery, it's a bit of a slap in the face, honestly. Adding insult to injury, you know? A whole lot of us have complications that are way beyond our control and it isn't a matter of changes in diet, exercise or mental state.
I do wish you the best with continued good health.
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
Sorry for your health issues in regards to your Lapband. I did not see your post until now. Reading your post, it is obvious that you suffer from health issues related to medical complications due to the placement of your band. You are correct that in this type of situation, it is not your fault. I am not that harsh to believe that a medical failure is the person's fault. I wish you the best in finding a remedy and peace from this unfortunate situation.
That being said, I stand by my more general statement that failure of most bariatric surgeries (not just Lapband) is more of an issue of failure of the patient (to comply, to change, to live within the surgeries rules). I strongly believe that surgeons that approach WLS as a pure profit center without properly preparing the patient are doing the WLS community a disservice.
Patients do need to prepare for change. That change is necessary to lead them to success. It's like driving towards a cliff at 100 mph. If you don't change the direction, lower your speed and put on the breaks you are going over the wall. For the majority of patients, they are driving that car blindfolded and hoping for the best. They need to take the wheel and take charge.
So sorry again for the misinterpretation with my post. I want everyone to enjoy success with WLS. I also sympathize with those who have suffered fro the failure of WLS. Sure, most are patient induced, while other are not. Gosh, I feel bad being involved in this thread after being absent for so long.
Tom
That being said, I stand by my more general statement that failure of most bariatric surgeries (not just Lapband) is more of an issue of failure of the patient (to comply, to change, to live within the surgeries rules). I strongly believe that surgeons that approach WLS as a pure profit center without properly preparing the patient are doing the WLS community a disservice.
Patients do need to prepare for change. That change is necessary to lead them to success. It's like driving towards a cliff at 100 mph. If you don't change the direction, lower your speed and put on the breaks you are going over the wall. For the majority of patients, they are driving that car blindfolded and hoping for the best. They need to take the wheel and take charge.
So sorry again for the misinterpretation with my post. I want everyone to enjoy success with WLS. I also sympathize with those who have suffered fro the failure of WLS. Sure, most are patient induced, while other are not. Gosh, I feel bad being involved in this thread after being absent for so long.
Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
(deactivated member)
on 10/18/11 9:29 am
on 10/18/11 9:29 am
I stand by my more general statement that failure of most bariatric surgeries (not just Lapband) is more of an issue of failure of the patient (to comply, to change, to live within the surgeries rules).
not that i agree with you & in fact i disagree vehemently - i do agree however that ALL 4 of the major WLS's have the capacity to fail.
sadly, in my opinion - it is only the lapband community that points blame onto the patient (fellow lapbanders) more than the other 3 combined.
SMDH
not that i agree with you & in fact i disagree vehemently - i do agree however that ALL 4 of the major WLS's have the capacity to fail.
sadly, in my opinion - it is only the lapband community that points blame onto the patient (fellow lapbanders) more than the other 3 combined.
SMDH
OK, I am sorry if I sounded defensive, Tom. I think it's because of the people who tend to blame the patient... and it happens more often than it should, so maybe I read your post in the wrong way. I can see you're a very nice person and I appreciate your thoughtfulness very much.
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
(deactivated member)
on 10/18/11 1:49 am
on 10/18/11 1:49 am
As time goes on I have to get unfills. The amount of additional scar tissue forming around my band means I spontaneously get stuck long after a fill. When I get those times of being too tight from the scar tissue I develop horrific reflux.
I wish I had read more peer reviewed studies prior to being banded, with my starting BMI of >60 there was no way I could be successful. Theres so many other things I could have done with $20K.
I wish I had read more peer reviewed studies prior to being banded, with my starting BMI of >60 there was no way I could be successful. Theres so many other things I could have done with $20K.
Fills - i haven't had one since about three months before I got to goal, so not far short of four years ago.
There is no easy wls.
There is no totally safe wls.
There is no wls which has guaranteed success.
All wls may have complications.
All wls is serious stuff! A major op and a changed lifestyle.
That said, the band suited me, suited my life style, was enough to help me sort out my eating problems. I have never been painfully stuck, I rarely bring food back. I can eat all foods. I rarely get hungry. My one complication was a leak which was repaired over a year ago.
Not everyone has this experience. For some reason, we in the UK seem happer with our bands in general than people on ths board.
Kate
There is no easy wls.
There is no totally safe wls.
There is no wls which has guaranteed success.
All wls may have complications.
All wls is serious stuff! A major op and a changed lifestyle.
That said, the band suited me, suited my life style, was enough to help me sort out my eating problems. I have never been painfully stuck, I rarely bring food back. I can eat all foods. I rarely get hungry. My one complication was a leak which was repaired over a year ago.
Not everyone has this experience. For some reason, we in the UK seem happer with our bands in general than people on ths board.
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Well said, Kate! I am not an expert here but I believe that I have read that the % of Lapband vs. RNY is totally reversed in Europe and the UK with banding being the preferred operation. Is that true? -- Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
Tom, I honestly don't know! All I know is that in Australia over 90% of wls is the band - and I can't beleve all Oz docs are just money grubbing fools, and all the bandsters I have personally met over here in the UK are healthy and happy. Mind you, all of those I met in the US are as well!
The UK board I go on is positive and upbeat. That does NOT mean problems are ignored or rubbished. People post with issues and are supported. But I do accept that many of the posters are relatively recent bandsters.
We do not have the volume of wls over here. Smaller population obviously but also a cultural difference in the approach to surgery.
Kate
The UK board I go on is positive and upbeat. That does NOT mean problems are ignored or rubbished. People post with issues and are supported. But I do accept that many of the posters are relatively recent bandsters.
We do not have the volume of wls over here. Smaller population obviously but also a cultural difference in the approach to surgery.
Kate
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
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