what is going on here!!!!

 I've been away from the forum for a while-not on purpose, just busy.  So I'm on a small break and decide to pop in.  WOW!!!  What happened??  So many people having issues with the band-no you guys got me scared.  What exactly is causing all these issues??  No one really goes into detail.  Is it self inflicted?  Is it the band just revolting in ou bodies??  Is it because we were initially sick and then complications occurred??  Is it the terrible choices in food??  What gives???

I did get sick this year, lasted for a 2 weeks-and nothing, no issues. I've lost about 50 with 50 more to go, and haven't been "religious" with my food choices, but haven't gained thankfully.  I still feel ok with the band, and realize the slowing down of weight loss is entirely my fault; for not addressing the issues at hand.  Then all this talk of revision and other issues.  I'm not so sure having a piece of your body cut out of you is the answer, nor having your plumbing rerouted.  But that's an individual choice.  I read that the failed lap-band forum is growing, I checked it out, but decided not to join to read all the horror stories-only because they'll make me neurotic.  We all would love to hear more positive stories of success to help our own plight with weight loss and less of the horror stories, but I know they are necessary.  Just not sure the motive behind it.  Sour grapes that it didn't work?? Because of their own faliure? And they tend to make excuses for the band not working??  I've done that...or is it really the band not working like a organ transplant in rejection??

 Scary scary forum for me...

My most honest answer?  It's a combination of all of the above.

Some people are non-compliant.

Some people are not losing weight as successfully as they like because they have not addressed and resolved their issue with food. And, by the way, they will have that problem with ANY WLS.

Some people are just not at the right fill level yet and not losing as much as they'd like.

Some people are too tight and that can cause a host of issues.

And some people, sadly, just aren't the right fit for the band; for one reason or another, not of their own doing, the band doesn't work for them. Is it a physiological issue? Poor band placement by a surgeon? Who knows.

I will freely admit that I am not at the weight I would like to be. I had issues a couple of years ago that required me to have surgery (hiatal hernia which caused constant vomitting and then band slip) and I had my band replaced with the "new and improved one" at the same time. When I had my band emptied before and after that, I was eating the way a college kid drinks on spring break. My weight came up. (Remember that thing I just mentioned about addressing issues with food?) 

I've buckled back down and regained a lot of my focus, going to the gym as many days as I can (5x/wk when possible) and still have a few more pounds to get back into my comfort zone.

That being said, all my battles are of MY own making and I would have the same issues and troubles regardless of which surgery I had had. There are days when I am really unhappy with MYSELF, but I'm still - 8+ years out - happy with my decision to have the band.

Yes, yes our motivation is to scare the ****z out of you.  We had sour grapes and so we want to pass it on.  We ate ourselves to oblivion and did not follow any "good banster rules".  Our "failure" is of our own making.  We stooped over toilets and sinks, cups and bags and puked ourselves skinny and we did it all to experience the joy of having complications. We ultimately revised because we love, love, love  surgery, doctors, scars, the possiblity of death and just couldn't get enough of the groovy excitement.  Yeah, I get to have another surgery  and I can't wait to fail again and see if I could qualify for the next!!!!  Yippee,  surgery is my life!

Follow Nana - she the bestest bandster in the world.  She can show you all the right moves to never ever have anything go wrong with your band.  Stay with her because other surgeries only work for us goons for 2 to 3 years because remember we like to sit on our arses, not follow rules, and eat whatever we can stuff down, and puke it when we can't.

Get real.  Grow up!  Life is not perfect.  And yes, I am pissed off today with all the bull crap I've been reading.  It is so easy to blame ourselves, to blame others - because they are not doing it right and I am therefore I am free and we have nothing in common".  We are not so damned different from one another.  We all want success.  We did not set out for our Bands to fail us.

Go to a doc that believes in only the Bands and  does only all Bands.  Follow all the rules!  Get in the green zone as the illustration suggest and nothing will go wrong.

I really, really, get defensive when someone suggests that the problem is that the bandster doesn't follow all of the rules.  Really??  If I chew my small bites really well, drink all of my water, but wait the proper time after eating to drink, stick to small portions then my life with the band will be hunky dory??  Wow......I keep waiting for that day!! 

Instead, MOST of my days are more like:  Take small bites, chew very well, very moist meat does not want to go down......*sigh*.  Another wasted healthy meal I cooked.......and after 4 years of fighting with this constantly, I give up.   My restriction isn't too tight, I have less than 2 CC's in my 10CC band, and I physically get very hungry after an hour or two of eating.   When I do MY part, I would like for my tool do it's part!! 

I am in agreement with Ms. Goober......I don't think A LARGE NUMBER (not everyone) of people can withstand having a silicone ring wrapped snug around the stoma for long periods of time.  Our esophogus rebels. 

Oh Melly, it's almost your day!!!  1st month is all about survival - take your PPI, inject yourself with your lovenox (maybe your doc will do something different), drink your liquids, get your protein & vits in etc.  Holy cow, I can't believe I did that!  I am oh so glad I did.  I love my stomach sleeved - what a freedom.  It's real nice girlfriend.  I pray you will finally be free too!

xo,
Leila

  Thanks, Leila!!  I am so excited!!  I am looking forward to being FREE!!

OH, girl I know the feeling!!!  I love being free from the band!! It's awesome being able to eat again without constant throwing up!!!!!!

Zee you're awesome!

Don't hold back Zee! Tell us how your REALLY feel! ;-)

Btw.........Guess what? I can't believe my post is actually nicer than your post, lol. I'm the one that's supposed to be the mean one on here! Guess I'll have to practice up on my skills, lol.

~Follow Nana - she the bestest bandster in the world.  She can show you all the right moves to never ever have anything go wrong with your band.~

 . I truly enjoyed almost leaving my children motherless, it really was a big thrill too bad I can't do it again.