REPOST: Why I chose the Band
I knew I was ready for WLS.
I was in my 40s and headed for congestive heart failure. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count. 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.
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 that I lost over 200 pounds - 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!
Informing preops of all their options is a great idea. It's HOW that idea is presented that is insulting. People who HAVE weighed their options - ALL of them - and made their decision should not be made to feel stupid because they chose a surgery that is not the one someone else approves of. As I said, we've all had a life full of put-downs, and the last thing any of us needs is to experience MORE of it, especially at the hands of those who should know better.
I was in my 40s and headed for congestive heart failure. I had more medical issues/comorbidities than I could count. 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.
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 that I lost over 200 pounds - 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!
Informing preops of all their options is a great idea. It's HOW that idea is presented that is insulting. People who HAVE weighed their options - ALL of them - and made their decision should not be made to feel stupid because they chose a surgery that is not the one someone else approves of. As I said, we've all had a life full of put-downs, and the last thing any of us needs is to experience MORE of it, especially at the hands of those who should know better.
Banded 10 years & maintaining my weight loss!! Any questions, message me.
I was battling whether or not to just delete OH..There were way too many negative things being said. I love my band..it works for ME. I DID a lot of research before deciding to go with the band. Thanks to your post, I decided to stay with OH but I refuse to read negative post. This is MY journey...not anybody else's!
On April 9, 2012 at 9:05 AM Pacific Time, nrhunt1972 wrote:
I was battling whether or not to just delete OH..There were way too many negative things being said. I love my band..it works for ME. I DID a lot of research before deciding to go with the band. Thanks to your post, I decided to stay with OH but I refuse to read negative post. This is MY journey...not anybody else's!
EVERYONE loves their band in the beginning. The love it b/c they think it will work, and sometimes it does short term. Rarely does it work long term. If there weren't hundrends or thousands of people out there that had negative band experiences then you wouldn't be seeing negative posts about the band, but unfortunately there are. Believe me, I would much rather be able to come on here and say I love my band, it works so great. Unfortunately..........that never happened.
Now it is your choice to read a post or not. A lot of people that argued with me about my negative posts now have joined the failed band group since they are now having band complications. So keep in mind that although you don't like seeing "negative" posts, they serve a purpose. There are tons of bandsters out there with failed bands that need support just as you do, and if they don't see the threads from those of us with band complications, then they tend to think they are alone and that these things are just happening to them. I hope that you are never in that position, but if you are........you will then appreciate the "negative" posts.
Good luck!
Tracey Bette has done amazing with her bands, but she is the exception rather than the rule. I would suggest going on the VSG, RNY and DS forums and asking about the band on there. There are plenty of FORMER bandsters on those forums that had to revise from the band, and they can give you an accurate account of how the band differers from their present WLS. If you don't do it, I guarantee you'll regret it! :-(
Bravo nrhunt1972!
It is your journey and if you're fortunate to have a good one, don't allow the negative to bring you down! I have been a very lucky LapBander and I hate to see the negative so often here on OH. I understand posting a complication or issue, but too often we read that EVERYONE is going to suffer complications AND EVERYONE will regain or lose their band. It is simply not EVERYONE!
I am glad you stayed!
It is your journey and if you're fortunate to have a good one, don't allow the negative to bring you down! I have been a very lucky LapBander and I hate to see the negative so often here on OH. I understand posting a complication or issue, but too often we read that EVERYONE is going to suffer complications AND EVERYONE will regain or lose their band. It is simply not EVERYONE!
I am glad you stayed!
12/09 and 6/11, 9 skin removal procedures with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico
Revised to the Sleeve after losing 271 lbs with the LapBand.
Well Said !!!
I'm alittle over a year out - and I LOVE my band - And I believe that I made the right choice for ME!!!!!
But you are right when you say that it is the way that it is delivered. It is so sad to see ADULTS go back and fourth over something just because they don't agree with someone else's decision.
Is the band working for me TODAY - yes it is - will it 5 years down the road.??? Who knows. I am just taking it one day at time just like the rest of us do in everyday life.
Denise
I'm alittle over a year out - and I LOVE my band - And I believe that I made the right choice for ME!!!!!
But you are right when you say that it is the way that it is delivered. It is so sad to see ADULTS go back and fourth over something just because they don't agree with someone else's decision.
Is the band working for me TODAY - yes it is - will it 5 years down the road.??? Who knows. I am just taking it one day at time just like the rest of us do in everyday life.
Denise
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