Why I went with the BAND 8 years ago...and still would
By the summer of 2003, I knew I was ready for WLS.
I was in my mid-40s and on a fast track to the grave. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count: high BP, high cholesterol, apnea, diabetes . . . I was 376 pounds with a BMI of 54, taking 7 meds a day for those issues. I could barely walk due to severe edema in my legs and feet. I looked at my options. I knew what I wanted and what I DIDN'T want in a WLS procedure.
Based on MY needs, the band was the right choice. Based on YOUR needs and hopes, perhaps not. But it was right for ME. And it worked beyond my wildest expectations. Will it work for EVERYONE? No. And it would be foolish to expect that it, or any other surgery, will be right for everyone.
I know that "surgery wars" claim to be meant to inform preops of all their choices, and that is both intelligent and admirable. But when they degrade into name calling and insults, it serves no purpose but to make some people feel inferior, which we as obese people have really had enough of in our lives. And let's be honest here - when someone goes onto individual surgical forums with the sole purpose of "stirring the hornet's nest", it's not about information, it's about degradation and intimidation. Frankly, it's also egomaniacal and somewhat pathetic, but that's a discussion for another day.
The band may not be the "gold" or "platinum" standard in WLS, but right now it is the ONLY option available to people who do NOT want their gastrointestinal tract altered, cut, dissected, resected, shortened, removed, edited (whatever). The ONLY one, and that is a big, BIG dealbreaker for a LOT of people.
Prior to my surgery, I had decade-long digestive issues (which were, go figure! resolved after I had the band.) The last thing I wanted was any surgery what might exacerbate that, especially permanently. So RNY, sleeve and DS were all off the list.
Does that make me ill informed, less intelligent, a puppet to my surgeon's whims, lacking in reading comprehension? No. It makes me the OPPOSITE. It makes me someone who has clearly made the right decision about MY life, MY body and MY weight loss. And considering how much I've lost - more than some people who have opted for the more extensive, more aggressive surgeries - I've proven that people CAN be successful with the band!
The band will not, for any number of reasons, work for everyone. Sometimes lack of success CAN be the fault of the person (unresolved eating issues, usually) but most often, it is failure of the appliance itself or of the the surgeon who installed it. Yes, the band CAN fail through no fault of the person who has one!
Why was I one of the lucky ones? Damned if I know. I wish that everyone who has or has had a band could be fortunate to have unbridled success. I am just grateful beyond all explanation that it worked out for me.
Eight years out and I STILL would not have opted for any other procedure.
I was in my mid-40s and on a fast track to the grave. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count: high BP, high cholesterol, apnea, diabetes . . . I was 376 pounds with a BMI of 54, taking 7 meds a day for those issues. I could barely walk due to severe edema in my legs and feet. I looked at my options. I knew what I wanted and what I DIDN'T want in a WLS procedure.
Based on MY needs, the band was the right choice. Based on YOUR needs and hopes, perhaps not. But it was right for ME. And it worked beyond my wildest expectations. Will it work for EVERYONE? No. And it would be foolish to expect that it, or any other surgery, will be right for everyone.
I know that "surgery wars" claim to be meant to inform preops of all their choices, and that is both intelligent and admirable. But when they degrade into name calling and insults, it serves no purpose but to make some people feel inferior, which we as obese people have really had enough of in our lives. And let's be honest here - when someone goes onto individual surgical forums with the sole purpose of "stirring the hornet's nest", it's not about information, it's about degradation and intimidation. Frankly, it's also egomaniacal and somewhat pathetic, but that's a discussion for another day.
The band may not be the "gold" or "platinum" standard in WLS, but right now it is the ONLY option available to people who do NOT want their gastrointestinal tract altered, cut, dissected, resected, shortened, removed, edited (whatever). The ONLY one, and that is a big, BIG dealbreaker for a LOT of people.
Prior to my surgery, I had decade-long digestive issues (which were, go figure! resolved after I had the band.) The last thing I wanted was any surgery what might exacerbate that, especially permanently. So RNY, sleeve and DS were all off the list.
Does that make me ill informed, less intelligent, a puppet to my surgeon's whims, lacking in reading comprehension? No. It makes me the OPPOSITE. It makes me someone who has clearly made the right decision about MY life, MY body and MY weight loss. And considering how much I've lost - more than some people who have opted for the more extensive, more aggressive surgeries - I've proven that people CAN be successful with the band!
The band will not, for any number of reasons, work for everyone. Sometimes lack of success CAN be the fault of the person (unresolved eating issues, usually) but most often, it is failure of the appliance itself or of the the surgeon who installed it. Yes, the band CAN fail through no fault of the person who has one!
Why was I one of the lucky ones? Damned if I know. I wish that everyone who has or has had a band could be fortunate to have unbridled success. I am just grateful beyond all explanation that it worked out for me.
Eight years out and I STILL would not have opted for any other procedure.
Banded 10 years & maintaining my weight loss!! Any questions, message me.
NanaB.
on 11/30/11 11:29 pm
on 11/30/11 11:29 pm
EXCELLENT POST!
..........I agree with every word, although we've had fights, I 've supported you in the past, and vise versa, and disagreed on band bashing, but in the end, you are a true success story and I wish you many more uneventful years with your band!.
Are you overall Happy with your Band and want a postive environment to stay on track? Join us and become a member of our Happy Lap Band Group Keep it bookmarked! http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/Happy_Successful_Banders/
(deactivated member)
on 12/1/11 1:56 am - Califreakinfornia , CA
on 12/1/11 1:56 am - Califreakinfornia , CA
Hey, I already replied on your other post...
I love reading what you have to contribute and applaud your huge success. I can only hope to be nearly as successful as you. 
*~Gina~*HW 338 (10/2009), banded 07/22/10 298, removed 11/29/12, sleeved 2/27/13. (CW) 214 dr scale 3/19/13
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