Another band bashing thread on the main forum...

 
~I said that because I've encountered so many posters who have no avatar and no other info.

So?! What difference does that make??? So now ppl should be required to have an avi otherwise they are not legit??? What sense does that make?!

You've been a registered user since 2002. So?! Most bandsters on here have not been on that long............b/c MOST bandsters do NOT make it that long! BE HONEST! You know that there is probably not another bandster out there that you have known that is still around from when you got your band band hasn't had a complication!

You don't consider yourself lucky??? Well let me tell you this: YOU ARE DAMN LUCKY! Most of us were NOT! Do NOT be so judgemental!

And yes............you do have every right to tell your happy band experience. This site is for ALL WLS'ers! Including those with failed bands.............and the few that have made it long term that have not had a band failure. Pre-ops that come here need to hear ALL the stories. But they need to hear HONEST stories. So don't candy coat it! Tell your possitive story............but do NOT try to insinuate that those that tel their negative (A.K.A. "band bashing"/A.K.A. HONEST) experience is lying about having had a band!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

" I said that because I've encountered so many posters who have no avatar and no other info. "

No, what you said was,

"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."

"And I wonder if you folks wouldn't  pile on and refute an "I love my band" post."

Here is your answer to that.

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4458951/A-truly-positive- experience/#36882165

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4453844/new-scale-victory /#36831659

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4452752/I-hate-my-band/#3 6830587

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/4453396/3-years-out/#3683 0779


For several months now the lap band forum has been working very hard in reaching a common goal, that goal being equal support regardless of your band success or band failure.

Now I gotta admit...reading your post last night put me in a pissy mood. I definitely could have replied back to you in a more supportive fashion, but I'm only human and was already in a craptastic mood when I came upon your thread.

We need to work together in supporting one another regardless of our individual outcomes. I am very happy that you have been so successful with your band, and I hope you will come to understand that when you see me posting about my lap band experience, that it is not a personal attack on you or your surgery choice.

Lisa

i notice you haven't been around supporting other bandsters since march of '09, glad your back & enjoying your band.

this was a **** stirring post & thus you don't see many vets on the main board helping you out much.

vets such as jean & kate have put out very positive and interesting posts the last 2 wks - you should participate with those sharing their wonderful experience with the band.   but no, instead you want to bring a post from the main board here to garner support to refute a personal experience.

you brought negativity here & those "usual folks" are the ones offering more support to all those who post on this forum - can't say the same for you.

Apparently you have been away from the boards for a few years, it's not the same happy board it use to be and many long term bandsters no longer post here, so be aware that you will be attacked if you are defending the band.

Good to see that you still have your band over the years, many believe long term bandsters don't exist anymore, we don't post often because we are healthy and happy and enjoying our lives, and don't have time to commit to being on the boards all the time.

I think there is a big difference in sharing complications and even dislike for the band, that's everyone prerogative, the band is not perfect, it does not work for everyone, neither does RNY, DS or the Sleeve, that being said, just because one surgeon says the band is not going to last forever, you will have many pro band surgeons will disagree with him. Of course the band will not last on a patient for 1 year if the surgeon does not place it properly, or if the patient keeps it too tight, not allow it to heal post op to cause slippage or erosion.

I am going on 7 years and I hope to go to my grave with my band, it still works at helping me maintain my weight and I have no ill health issues, so who cares what others think about the longevtity of the band, especially if your band is working for you. I hope to go to my grave with my band, and if it last for 30 more years, and if for some reason I have to get it removed when I am 70 + years old, most people can't eat much anyway when they get old, and who cares about being plump at 75+..lol.

I really appreciate everyone's view point.  I am glad that there is a more open and honest discussion regarding experiences.  I began with this site in Sept 06.  I have to admit there have been a couple of times I have not logged on for almost a year because the attacks on posters who voiced negative opinions of the band or who were experiencing severe problems with their bands were so vivaciously attacked.  I read alot of posts and I never comment. I might get on weekly for a year and post 1 thing or not at all.  I have only started commenting because I need advice from other bandsters who have slipped.

Having said that I want to share the two times I quit logging on for long periods and why:

I remember the first time I stopped logging on; a lady was accused of being a former member who had deactivated due to posting attacks.  The posts about the new lady possibly being the original lady set off an onslaught of accusations that the administrators were threatening deactivation of membership and erasing posts. The new lady kept telling them how much they were upsetting her and she was sorry they didnt get along with other lady and that she was only here for help.  The last thread I read was she was going to stop using the website.

The second time, I was so disgusted, I stayed mad for a couple of days.  A poor woman had a band issue that required removal and she was attacked over and over.  Her friend posted a different topic to address this and let everyone know how these posts were devestating the other lady.  It was yet another issue where posts were removed and threats by administrators to relieve people of membership.

So, please keep respectfully posting your questions, comments and experiences whether good, indifferent or negative.  Let us grow together, we will not only help ourselves and others; but, may impact WLS in the future. Please note I respect everyone's personal WLS choice. It is individual and private and again I appreciate each one of you sharing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope you have a blessed evening.

I began with this site in Sept 06.  I have to admit there have been a couple of times I have not logged on for almost a year because the attacks on posters who voiced negative opinions of the band or who were experiencing severe problems with their bands were so vivaciously attacked.

*bump*

i think this comment needs to be repeated, specifically for those new to the band or researching & viewing this forum as negative.

back in the day - those who had issues or concerns were chased away by a nurse hack & a handful of others.   it was NOT a place to discuss problems without out right blame and shame.   many never came back - others found groups & forums here @ OH to support them.   

oddly - those super star lapbanders no longer post, wonder if their work-n-progress met a roadblock???

I remember the "RN" from back in 2002. She was a piece of work. I remember begging for help because of the severe left shoulder pain and the inability to eat... and she told me that I wasn't "following the rules." According to her, I must be doing everything wrong. Shades of a certain "model bandster" here on this very board... blame the patient... when, in reality, I had a band that was positioned incorrectly and was killing me.  But, according to HER, I should just follow the "rules" and I'd be as "successful" as she was.  It made me feel like **** because I had a "doctor" who was telling me that the horrific pain was "in my head." And then I started encountering MANY people who were having the same horrible consequences from the band. AND I found a good doctor who told me that no, it wasn't in my head, it was the band causing the problems.  I don't want anyone to ever feel as alone and frightened as I did during that period.  

I left OH for quite some time because of her and others like her. I'd never let that happen today.


 

Great post, I agree with redbabe, this needs to be read by many.

Thanks, Crystal, for sharing your experience.

Lindsey