Another band bashing thread on the main forum...

Just cuz you put a "not bashing" discalimer at the beginning doesn't mean you ain't bashing guys.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4471623/An-experience d-surgeons-view-on-the-band-not-bashing/

It has all the usual folks who claim to have had it and don't post with whom and/or when. I like to see long term bandsters refute these or at least present their side, mostly because this is the forum that helps ppl make up their mind, not because I want to start a fight.

Well, there's a lot to bash about the band.

Mine nearly killed me. I have a hard time talking nicely about something that altered my life in such a negative way. And it's STILL causing extreme pain years after removal. 

I'm truly sorry to hear this. I just don't like it when ppl tell the world don't have it since I had a bad experience.

In all the time I've had mine I've hardly ever thrown up. Not sayin it's been trouble free but I think I avoided common pitfalls.

The lady who posted on the Main Board did have a band, had a bad experience with it and was sharing her experience.  It's important for people to know what can and does happen to many of us.

I'm happy for those of you who have had no complications, but maybe that's why you can't fully grasp how horrific it can be for those of us who do.  Mine was seriously dangerous and damaged me more than I can describe.  Sometimes hearing how others dealt with their situations feels like support to me. I don't believe you can support others without being truthful, personally.

There's nothing to be gained by complaining about those of us who are unhappy with our banding experiences, honestly. When you've gone through something so completely painful, it's only natural to want to help others avoid the same thing. The happy bandsters have to know not to take it personally, just like I don't take it personally when someone claims their success.  I don't begrudge anyone their band success and am actually happy to hear that some people do have positive experiences.

I love it when people tell the world about their experiences. I wish I had heard more of these stories prior to undergoing my band. Maybe then I would have taken off my rose-colored glasses and realized the band has the highest rate of post-op complications and the lowest rate of excess weight loss.

Oh well, what is done is done for me at this point and I am just so thankful to be a successful sleever, but if I can help a pre-op make the best decision possible (especially in this age of one WLS per lifetime), I am more than happy to do so!

Why don't you like it when people share their experiences? I don't dislike successful bandsters telling their stories even though that wasn't the case for me. I would think you could just be happy to have been successful with your band and offer up your story to show that it does work for some people. That way both sides can be portrayed.

Best,
Lindsey

So, it's not okay when people report negative personal experiences, but you want people to listen to your positive personal experience? No inconsistency there, no sir!

Great that the band has worked out for you, but years of experience are showing it has the highest rate of failure and complications. Period.

 
Yeah Freedom of Speach is just suppose to apply to the band cheerleaders, lol.

Didn't say that guys. Plenty of people report problems with their band on these forums such as I had a slip...I throw up all...So it's not for everyone.

But how "consistent" is it to say "I'm not bashing BUT don't get this stupid thing it's not fit for a human being! Run the other way"

Nor has it been pulled from the market or require eventual removal due to scar tissue

There's a difference.

 
You're correct. It's not for everyone. In fact it's not for MOST! 


~But how "consistent" is it to say "I'm not bashing BUT don't get this stupid thing it's not fit for a human being! Run the other way"~

First of all............that is NOT what they said now is it???

Second of all............"bashing" and being HONEST are not the same. You obviously do not want those of us with failed bands posting on here. Too bad! There are many more of us than there are of you, lol. Don't believe me? Take a look on this forum! Now I know what the come back line for that is. Heard it here a million times. "those that are happy with their band don't post on here anymore b/c they are too busy out there living their happy, skinny lives now!" Yeah well that is B.S. Let's not even take into consideration this forum. You tell me how many ppl that you know in person that got the band when you did that hasn't had complications! But that's pushing it a little. Let's be half way realistic here. How many do you know personally that far out that even still have a band, lol?

If I'm reading your "latest posts" correctly, you've said you developed gastritis two years after banding? And you had/have a dilated esophagus? And reflux?  Are you still having issues with these things? If so, and you're telling potential banding patients that you're happy with your lapband, I'd say you're not telling the whole truth.  I HOPE you're NOT having these issues, but when I read through your past posting history, it doesn't seem like an ideal situation. I also developed gastritis while banded. Throw some ulcers in there, a damaged diaphragm from the band pressing against it, and a hiatal hernia. It's not uncommon, unfortunately. And, now, looking at it logically, it only makes sense that a moving, living organ such as the stomach would get massively damaged and at the least, very irritated, by this silastic object being in constant contact with it. I don't know why I trusted that it was a good idea in the first place. Must have been desperation to be thin.

When I had lapband surgery back in 2002, there was little to no information. I just simply took the word of my doctor. Granted, he was the ****tiest doctor in the world, but if I had had just a little info to work with, I think I would have made a different decision. And I would have possibly saved myself from a lot of pain and suffering.

NOW there IS a ton of helpful information, if a person chooses to read it without rose colored glasses on. If a person reads of all the possible side effects and complications and decides to proceed, well, then good luck to them. BUT, how can a person make an informed decision for themselves if the less than rosy aspects aren't allowed to be brought to light?  They can't. It's as simple as that. It's imperative to know the less than desirable possible effects BEFORE entering into the operating room.  

I see people posting here all the time who have complications and no idea how to handle them. And that is a horrible thing to go through, speaking from experience. I remember asking several doctors, "why am I having this severe left shoulder pain?!" And no one could tell me anything. My doctor told me it was in "my head." It turns out to be one of the most common complications of banding... and yet, I see posts almost every week from people who have NO idea what's happening. That is why I still post AND tell the truth. 

I spent thousands of dollars on treatments and doctors and pain clinics to no avail. It feels like a responsibility to me to help other people avoid this, if I can. And yet, every month or so, someone comes on the board and complains that I'm "bashing" the band. It's like talking to a freaking brick wall.  It really sucks to have good intentions and be treated like **** so often.