Sad :-(

 
Like a lot of other bandsters (and former bandsters), my bandiversary is NOT a happy occasion for me. It is now 2 years since I got my band. I fell for the "least invasive" B.S. and the band advertising that stated that I would I would get full sooner, and stay full longer..........but that NEVER happened.

So I would like to take this time to address those of you out there that are pre-op...........Please...........Choose your WLS wisely!

There are several successful bandsters out there. But there are very few successful bandsters that have made it 5 years out. There are even fewer successful bandsters 5+ years out that haven't had complications.

My advise to those of you that are pre-op is to post on all the WLS forums: DS, VSG, RNY, Band. Ask the forum members that are several years out (b/c everyone loves their WLS initially) with their WLS how happy they are with theirs and if they would do the same WLS all over again. You will find many former bandsters that will answer on the other forums b/c they had to revise to a more effective surgery.

I will say though that as anti-band as I am that I am very much pro-WLS. There are much better options.

Even though the band has been a very devistating experience for me (and many others as well!), I will say that since being banded I have met some of the most wonderful WLS's (and a few not so nice, but we won't go into that, lol). I now have many new friends that I wouldn't have met otherwise, and I am very greatful for the many ppl I have met as a result of having WLS.

Maria,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 
Thanks L4H.

I fully agree with you, hate my band but have made some wonderful friends that I would never have met otherwise. So I guess to some extent it was worth it.

 
And I consider you a wonderful friend! You are a very sweet lady!!!

 I am sorry Maria. :( Thank you for putting yourself out there so people can know the other side of the story before they make their decision. 

Hi Maria, I am almost at 4 years and i have not had one issue with my band so far! KNOCK ON WOOD!  Im not sure what issues you are having but if your main one is that you are not feeling full and hungry all the time I will say that it took me 3 years and 8 months to FINALLY hit my sweet spot so its possible you are not filled enough.

Up until a few months ago I was hungry all the time and I went to my doctor almost every other month for  a fill and couldnt believe i was still hungry. I have a 10cc band and im at 9.8 with my fills! My doc says everyone is different and some people feel restriction at 5cc and others dont until they are up in the 9's. I was so frustrated but my last fill FINALLY worked for me. I can eat my breakfast and im not even really hungry come lunch time.  

Has your doctors done a upper GI? Mine says that if you over eat it creates like a "second stomach" above the band and that is a major reason when people say they are hungry all the time. Thank god i had one done and that wasnt my issue.

 Shelly thanks for posting. I am so shocked! I'm glad you put that out there b/c I don't think any of us would have gotten the band if we knew that it could possibly take 3 years and 8 months to get restriction/sweet spot/green zone!

Glad you finally have restriction!!!

With me being 2 yrs out and still being 50 lbs overweight, do you think I would have a hard time getting another surgery if I decided to? I'm sure I have sleep apnea.

 
I'm not sure, but I would definitely go to my Dr. and check on a revision!!!

Good luck!