I'm happy with my lap band.  I wouldn't trade the experiences (good AND bad) for anything in the world!  Am I where I want to be?  No Way.  It's because I drink too much wine and eat too much ****  Perhaps I will get my act together soon.  It is not my lapbands fault.  It is mine.  I at least am honest about it.  I hope the original poster is aware that this will be one of the hardest of all of the suregeries....I don't claim to know what te other surgeries are like.....only taking from what I have witnessed.

I've seen many people (one of which is my own sister) that have struggled with RNY.  One classmate died from RNY.  They lose weight quickly and of all of the friends and aquaintances that I know that have had RNY, most have gained pretty much all of their weight back...and then some. 

My best friends sister had the sleeve in October and is struggling.  Bottom line.....ANY of these surgeries is a struggle...some worse than others.  I go to a weekly support group that consists of all different types of surgeries.  Each one has struggles that the others do not.  I love meeting the "newbies" because it gives the entire group a sense of renewed hope......ALL bariatrics.  lap bands, bypasses and sleeves.  WE ARE ALL THE SAME!!!

I recently had a complete unfill.  I was having terrible reflux.  since being unfilled, I have had no reflux.  I also have realized the reasons for my struggles.  They are the same as before my surgery.  My struggles are ME.  I might not be where I want to be but I am better off than I was before I had the surgery.  Perhaps all those that have had trouble are not being completely honest with themselves about why they are not having success.  I have come to terms with where I am at and hope to hell I can get my BRAIN where it needs to be to make this journey a success.

There is so much bashing on this website.  I do not visit other groups on OH and wish I didn't visit the lapband group for all of the complainers.  I think no matter what surgery some people have - they will find something to ***** about. 

I don't post often but geeze people....get a grip.

~I'm happy with my lap band.~

Lol. From what you just posted.............you're not doing any good with it! Good luck with that unfilled band sweetie! ;-)

~Perhaps all those that have had trouble are not being completely honest with themselves about why they are not having success.~

Well aren't we judgemental?! How kind of you to inform us we a bunch of LIARS! So the tens of thousands of people out there with failed bands are all lying?!?!?! HOW DARE YOU?! YOU HAVE SOME FREAKING NERVE ACCUSING US OF THAT!

~There is so much bashing on this website.~

Really? Really?! You think about what you just did! YOU JUST CAME ON HERE AND BASHED US! Funny how it's not bashing when YOU do it!

~I think no matter what surgery some people have - they will find something to ***** about.  ~

And no matter how happy someone claims to be that is not losing any significant amount of weight with the band...............they will find something to ***** about, lol.

lol.  you are awesome.  sorry to offend.

It apperas to me that you define success by amount of weight lost. I started at 256 and now weigh 164, my BMI went from 43.9 to 28.1, I went from being extremely obese to just over weight, I met my husband when I weighed 180 and I am thinner now then when we met, I wore a size 9 shoe and now where a 71/2 to 8, I wore a size 22 and can now where a 10-12.

Why would I be unhappy about all that ?


Maybe it's because I exchanged:

Weighing 256 lbs
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Severe sleep apnea
Painful heels.

FOR

Post lap band Fibromyalgia * Permanent nervous system damage
Esophageal Spasms
Achalasia -A rare disease of the muscle of the esophagus (swallowing tube). The term achalasia means "failure to relax" and refers to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle situated between the lower esophagus and the stomach) to open and let food pass into the stomach. As a result, patients with achalasia have difficulty in swallowing food.
GERD
High risk for Barrett's Esophagus-Having Barrett's esophagus slightly raises the risk for developing Esophageal Cancer.
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Sleep apnea

I'd like to ask you to please stop assuming that all of us with injuries caused by our bands are still MO. Since you mention that, " at least I'm being honest ", would you mind explaining
in detail how a compliant bandster would go about avoiding the following band failures to themselves, when Allergans site says the following can happen to even those who follow all the rules ?

Foreign-body reaction.
Infection
Chest pain
Abdominal pain
Port site pain ( burning and stinging )
Shoulder pain
Dehydration
Gastritis
Erosion/Perforation of the stomach
Slippage
Esophageal dysmotility ( may result in inadequate weight loss )
Esophageal distension
Esophageal dilatation
Soft tissue injury
Stoma obstruction
Hiatal hernia
Punctured tubing resulting in leaks
Leaking Access port
Flipped port
Malnutrition, Anemia or other related complications.

Autoimmune diseases/connective tissue disorders (i.e.,
systemic lupus erythematosus, sclero-derma) have
been reported following long-term implantation of
other silicone implants.

 " Getting Stuck or First Bite Syndrome " is a very serious esophageal disorder and anyone who continues to perpetuate this dangerous and life altering propaganda is doing a huge disservice to not only those that are in the research phase of their WLS journey, but to those that still haven't accepted the truth of what " Getting Stuck and/or First Bite Syndrome " is really doing to their bodies.

Achalasia,Esophageal Spasm,Nutcracker Esophagus, & Esophageal manometry...

Unfortunately and commonly referred to as: 
" Getting Stuck or First Bite Syndrome "

What is esophageal spasm?

Esophageal spasms are irregular, uncoordinated, and sometimes powerful contractions of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Normally, contractions of the esophagus are coordinated, moving the food through the esophagus and into the stomach.

There are two main types of esophageal spasm:

• Diffuse esophageal spasm. This type of spasm is an irregular, uncoordinated squeezing of the muscles of the esophagus. This can prevent food from reaching the stomach, leaving it stuck in the esophagus.
• THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND because many banded people think that their food is stuck due to not chewing well or they think they ate too fast.
•  
• Nutcracker esophagus. This type of spasm squeezes the esophagus in a coordinated way, the same way food is moved down the esophagus normally. But the squeezing is very strong. These contractions move food through the esophagus but can cause severe pain.
• Again, this is often explained away by band surgeons and banded patients as eating to fast and/or not chewing well enough.

You can have both types of esophageal spasm.

What is achalasia?

www.medicinenet.com/achalasia/article.htm#tocb

interesting.  thanks for the lesson and your comments.

You asked me to explain my comment about being honest.....

I still think that my issues are caused by me and me alone.  Am I unhappy with the number on the scale?  absolutely.  I am unhappy that I eat the wrong things.  that I do not chew properly.  that I do not excercise.  that I drink too much.  all these are my issues.  not because of my lap band. 

I am still happy with my choice to have the band (couldn't get by-pass - my rheumatologist wouldn't sign off on it.  didn't want by-pass anyway).  I've maintained about a 60 pound loss.  I have about 75 to go until I'll be happy with myself.   I hope I get there one day.  

Happy Easter.  I'm hoping today starts my new journey. 

I sincerely wish you success and I'm not sure if you are aware of this groups existence, but just in case you're not. I wanted to post the link here for you. I know it says it's for bypass surgery, but it really pertains to all surgery types.

HAPPY EASTER

www.obesityhelp.com/group/crossingtotransferaddictions/

About

Welcome to CROSSING TO TRANSFER ADDICTIONS. This group discusses the issue of transfer addictions (also known as cross addictions) after weight loss surgery. There are millions of people who have undergone gastric bypass who are now dealing with issues of addiction transfer.

For a number of people, giving up overeating leads to adoption of a new compulsion. Addiction transfer occurs when someone is unable or unwilling to rely on one compulsion (for us, it was food) and so switches to a new compulsion (alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, shopping, internet, porn, etc) due to not having dealt with the underlying issue behind the compulsion.

***Please feel free (and safe) to discuss any and all issues you have regarding Transfer Addiction.

WE WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER WITHOUT JUDGEMENT!***

Thanks.  I will definitely check it out. 

I'm almost 6 months out and have lost about 45 lbs.  So far, I've had a good experience, but I will warn you it's probably going to be harder than you think.  It requires following the guidelines as closely as possible. 

If you eat too fast, or if you don't chew your food thoroughly, you'll probably throw up or have a stuck episode.  If you have enough of those issues , you'll harm your esophagus (maybe permanently).

You'll have to go in every 4-6 weeks for at least the first year for adjustments and/or to monitor your progress to make sure you are doing well and if you are having any issues. 

And of course, there are foods that you will no longer be able to eat because your band will eject them (for me:  bread, chicken breast, cheese, hard boiled eggs). 

And be aware of slider foods!  They are real, and they can prevent you from losing weight!  These are foods that are not restricted by your band like: milkshakes, certain cookies, chocolate, salads (think dressing), potatoes (mashed and loaded baked), alcohol, and of course any sugary beverage, to name a few. 

If you are committed and are willing to modify your diet, you will most likely have a positive experience.

Good luck with your journey!!

Sure!  Glad you are having second thoughts though - it means you may be open to other options.   Research some more!

What are your stats?


I wish you the very best no matter what you decide.