Another band bashing thread on the main forum...

I agree with NM. I think it's important that the good and the bad about anything be shared.

I'm pretty sure that your Band doctor told you about all the possible risks of surgery, in general. You know, "you may have a bad reaction to the anesthesia, infection, even death". . .pretty standard stuff for any surgical procedure. 

I see people putting out the possible bad stuff about the Band (or any other product, really) to be of the same ilk.  Not necessarily bashing, but sharing. 

I say bravo to her! I wish I'd known what a joke the band really is!

I didn't really see this as band bashing, but someone relating their bad experience with the band.  She has as much right as someone who comes on saying how wonderful their band it.  People need to see both sides.

I've had my band for almost three years and have had only minor issues with the band.  I've had major issues with myself and realize the band was probably not the best surgery for me, but I still doubt I would have had any other type because they all scare me.  But having just lost half the weight I needed to lose when I started, I find that I now feel like I've just failed at one more attempt to lose my weight.  I thought the band would be my success story, but it's just another failure.  It's not the band's fault, but mine. I eat around the band too often because I'm still doing too much emotional eating.  I'm in therapy, but so far it's not really helping.  And now I'm loose because of a minor esophogial dialation and have gained some weight, but I'm afraid to have more fluid added because I don't want any more problems.  I've turned back to WW to lose the rest of my weight, and I feel I'm back to where I was before I got the band, although gratefully, I'm about 70 lbs lighter.  I don't want to lose my band so I'm being really cautious about adding fluid.

I studied the band for about two years before I had surgery, but it still isn't exactly what I expected.  Or maybe I should say my behavior with it was not what I expected.  Still, I'm happy I've got my band and hope to keep it as long as possible.

cat

Why do you care so much ? Are you afraid more people won't get the band if we share our real life band experiences ? Those of us who have been permanently injured by the lap band ( and there are MANY of us ) just want to help those that are in the same boat we were in and to spread the truth about the lap band so pre-ops can make an informed decision.

I have personally helped bandsters who were in real pain by sharing my experiences with them. I have shared with them what tests they need to be asking their doctors for and I have helped them in appealing their ins co. to get their bands out. You have no idea how many surgeons have abandoned their patients simply because their patients make their stats look bad by either not losing enough weight or by their extensive complications stemming from their lap bands.

People like you really **** me off, oh and just so you don't think I am only " claiming " to have a Lap Band... My first lap band was placed on 6/19.06 and my second one was placed in Dec of 2008 and after that one eroded it was removed on 5/25/11. BOTH bands were placed by Dr. Paya whom I adore and who is a fantasic surgeon.

P.S. I lost a lot of weight with my damn lap band and kept it off, but I paid a very steep price for it and if I had to do it all over again....I WOULDN'T !

Um yeah. That was me that posted the original post about my experience with the band. I lived with it for 3 years. It's true. No lie.

The surgeon had to cut my liver and stomach apart to do the sleeve operation. This was after I had "healed" for 3 months after having it removed.

The band causes permanent damage due to the scar tissue/ adhesions it causes on top of a whole slew of other problems that we have had. (see above poster).

This is why many surgeons are not doing bands anymore.
After 3,500 bands my sleeve surgeon stopped....hmmmm..wonder why.

 
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is imperative that those of us with failed bands post our experiences for those that are pre-op, so they will know what the band is really like!

I still can't believe that the poster had the nerve to insinuate that you lied about having a band! 

There's a reason there aren't many long term banders, and fewer without complications, singing the praises of the band here. It's because we're no longer banders, and if lucky, have revised to something better. 

People need to be open and honest about their experiences, and not bashed for sharing. 

 
~People need to be open and honest about their experiences, and not bashed for sharing. ~

This is so true! It's just been the last 6 months or so that this forum has started being less abusive to those of us with failed bands. You would not believe some of the accusations and comments I have recieved for speaking up about my band experience!!!

Many on this forum don't hesitate to jump in and start insulting bandsters b/c they speak up about their failed  band experiences. Always reminded me of those that blame a rape victim for being raped! The "blame the victim" mentality that I have often seen on this forum has always infuriated me.

 
Excuse me?! "all the folks who claim to have had it and don't post with whom and/or when"?!?!?! Your kidding right??? Let me ask you this...............why would someone lie about having the CRAP-BAND??? What's in it for them? What possible reason would they have to lie about having had a CRAP-BAND???

And further more.............why should we believe your "claim" that you have had yours as long as you have with no serious problems??? They have no way of knowing what you say is true.  Do I believe your claims? Yes. I have no reason to think you are lying. But you on the other hand..............have the nerve to insinuate that those posting on the main forum are lying about having had a band. Very tacky of you! Again...............what would they have to gain by lying about having had a CRAP-BAND???

And about your wanting to see "long term bandsters refute these or at least present their side"..............WHAT LONG TERM BANDSTERS??? How many bandsters do you know that have had a band 5 years??? How many of those few bandsters haven't had to have a 2nd surgery??? How many of those bandsters haven't had complications??? How many do you know that were banded the same time as you that haven't had theirs removed???

Furthermore............why do you say the poster was "bashing"? It is what it is. Telling the truth is not "bashing". I certainly wish there were not so many people too afraid to speak up about their band on OH before I got mine! Unfortunately so many on here were afraid to speak up about their band experience b/c of seeing how others that posted their negative band experiences were trashed and blamed for the band failures.

One thing you need to keep in mind.............you are one of the LUCKY ones! I am very glad you are, but you should count your blessings instead of accusing those of us with band issues of lying about even having the band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I said that because I've encountered so many posters who have no avatar and no other info. I have been a registered user of this site since 2002. And I wonder if you folks wouldn't  pile on and refute an "I love my band" post.

I don't consider myself lucky that I didn't have mine out. I have lost nearly all of my excess weight and have kept if off for eight years and I have just as much right to share my positive experience.