I'm disgusted with all of you, the "successful banders"

I am a successful bandster and even if I were to lose my band due to complications I would think the same thing. Why? Because I have given it my best shot and the band has done it's part. Not all are so lucky. I reached my goal, comorbidities have been corrected, and I feel good about who I am. Now, here comes the other par; band complications can and do happen and they may be of no fault of the person "owning" that particular misbehaving band.

Some others I have seen do in my opinion do need to take responsibility for part of it. By that I mean those who have gotten too tight and let it continue for months and years. This is a known cause of complications. Would I call them failures? Nope. I believe, however that we are all responsible to keep track of what our bands are doing and get an unfill when needed. If we don't then perhaps we are at least partially at fault.

I can say that because recently I had to get a complete unfill due to having been too tight and getting stuck for too long.  Where my responsibility lies is that I let it sneak up on me and didn't pay attention until it was nearly too late. As an informed bandster I am responsible for that. I knew it wasn't right yet didn't think things through and pay attention until I could eat no solids or even some some soft foods. Duh! Haven't I warned others to watch it?

I am grateful that my UGI came back completely normal. On the other hand I will have to wait around 2 more months for a fill due to the fact that in allowing the tissue around the band remain irritated for some time I am still swollen in there. My surgeon told me point blank that it isn't the band that gets too tight on it's own. It is simply the tissue surrounding it that gets swollen. We can't ignore it then blame the band for creating complications.

Band complications certainly do happen to those who are doing everything right. That doesn't make them band failures. It does not give us "successful bandsters" cause to blame them. We have to know it could happen to us at anytime. I knew all of that going in. I knew the risks and what I had to do to minimize them. If I choose to ignore those "rules" and have complications I have no one to blame but me. If I gain weight (and I have) it isn't the band's fault if it is not compromised. I have to take responsibility for everything that goes into my mouth.

So, if someone has really been careful, tried their best and still has complications they deserve encouragement and kindness, not snarky remarks. If they have been careless and have complications I will not beat them up, but we all have to realize that person contributed to their problem. I am still responsible and need to be kind and encouraging. So, with that in mind I guess I have the right to expect that everyone on this forum act the same. I have no patience with those who won't give anyone the same thing they want (demand) or cut anyone any slack whether they be pro or con band. 

I am very tired of all the attacks. Both sides in this are wrong. How dare I gloat if you have a problem with your chosen surgery. How dare you attack and gloat when a bandster has a problem. I have a special name for someone like that and since I can't say it on OH I have chosen to spend less time here. Too bad, since I need the support and I would prefer to be encouraging. When I see someone ask about a problem they are having and see replies that only say things like you have the wrong surgery, it is crap, get it out, and you should have known they always fail, etc. It is no wonder people react.You need to get over yourselves. I love those who don't like the band but try to help others in spite of it. Thank you, bless you. To the rest, well, I guess it is time for me to zip it and I wish you would, too.

If the following scares you ( those that are following this thread ) GOOD !  

My unfilled band caused me problems for several months/years AND the darn thing was self tightening AND my ins co refused to remove it because of " Lack Of Medical Necessity " How am I to blame ?

I also had a PRE-OP endoscopy ( which was perfectly fine ) and the band still caused me esophageal dysmotility, which I am still suffering from and my damn band has been out for almost a year..
I've been at the urgent care three times, had two doctor appointments, a CT SCAN, more lab work, and more prescriptions all within the last three weeks, and I have other procedures being scheduled which have to be done under anesthesia.

It's a damn good thing I have excellent insurance !
If Jean and her surgeon neglected to read this * in the Allergan patient hand out that each patient is required to READ, UNDERSTAND & SIGN before their surgery then both could be considered equally to blame.

Jean has me blocked, but I read that she mentioned something about "Congenital " and her brother...This is not only a very important reason for pre-ops to make sure that they are properly evaluated PRIOR to surgery with an endoscopy, BUT that they get a copy of those results from the actual GI doctors notes in writing AND NOT the Lap Band surgeons
" report "

*ALERT- ALERT- ALERT- ALERT-ALERT- ALERT- ALERT- ALERT-
It is VITAL that those still choosing to go forward with their bands understand that even if you have a healthy esophagus, you are putting yourself at an EXTREMELY HIGH RISK for THROAT CANCER 10,12,15, years down the road from all of the reflux/heartburn/GERD issues in your esophgus that are COMMON with the Lap Band.

* WARNINGS
1. Laparoscopic or laparotomic placement of the
LAP-BAND AP® System is major surgery and death
can occur.

2. Failure to secure the band properly may result in its
subsequent displacement and necessitate a second
operation.

3. A large hiatal hernia may prevent accurate positioning
of the device. Placement of the band should be
considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the
severity of the hernia.

4. The band should not be sutured to the stomach. Suturing
the band directly to the stomach may result in erosion.
5. Patients’ emotional and psychological stability should
be evaluated prior to surgery. Gastric banding may be
determined by physician to be inappropriate for
select patients.

6. Patients should be advised that the LAP-BAND
AP® System is a long-term implant. Explant (removal)
and replacement surgery may be indicated at any time.
Medical management of adverse reactions may
include explantation. Revision surgery for explantation
and replacement may also be indicated to achieve
patient satisfaction.

7. Esophageal distension or dilatation has been reported
to result from stoma obstruction from over-restriction
by excessive band inflation. Patients should not expect
to lose weight as fast as gastric bypass patients, and
band inflation should proceed in small increments.
Deflation of the band is recommended if esophageal
dilatation develops.

8. Some types of esophageal dysmotility may result in
inadequate weight loss or in esophageal dilatation when
the band is inflated and may require removal of the
band. On the basis of each patient’s medical history
and symptoms, surgeons should determine whether
esophageal motility function studies are necessary. If
these studies indicate that the patient has esophageal
dysmotility, the increased risks associated with band
placement must be considered.

9. Patients with Barrett’s esophagus may have problems
associated with their esophageal pathology that could
compromise their post-surgical course. Use of the band
in these patients should be considered on the basis of
each patient’s medical history and severity of symptoms.
10. Patient self-adjustment of superficially placed access
ports has been reported. This can result in inappropriate
band tightness, infection and other complications.*

I am beyond pissed and insulted at your INSENSITIVE," misbehaving band." description.
Your surgeon is steering you down the wrong path because hard plastic objects like THE BAND will cause the soft tissue of your stomach to become inflamed when your stomach churns, and grinds to digest food the way nature intended it to be ( even an empty band will rub against this soft tissue ) , so therefore it IS the bands fault.

AND PLEASE STOP defining success solely by amount of weight lost. I have lost 92 lbs but I live in pain everyday because of the Lap Band. Success should be defined by other goals, such as health and QUALITY of life.

I think I have met almost every goal that I wrote down prior to my lap band surgery. One of my goals was for my husband to be able to lift me up in his arms...I didn't know it would happen when I was crying out in pain, but at least I met my goal right...

Well said!!  

I had my band for 7 months when I started having complications.  SEVEN MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After i had a complete unfill I still had random tightness and was still puking. 
I regained 30 lbs, diabetes returned, cholesteol went up again, among other things. 

I suffered for 1.5 years before finally revising to bypass and I am so glad I did it.  I can eat again without puking. 

I agree-there is wrongdoing from some folks on both sides of the issue-those who think it never works and those who think it never fails.  Great response!

I consider myself successful and I have NEVER put anyone down who has had band problems because tomorrow that could be me. Do I love the band, some days, some days no....so I think it is like that with all surgeries. It is a love hate relationship. I love that my band works but I hate that it will not let me eat as much as I want to eat.

We never know what tomorrow will being but please don't lump everyone in the same bucket.

Who's being childish?

OH members aren't the only ones who cause threads to be  pulled. OH moderators cruise the forums and pull posts that violate OH TOS.  By jumping to conclusions, indignantly accusing fellow members of reporting someone's post, and threatening us with Karma, you're telling us more about you than you are about us. And that sure gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling about you, Paula.

So you are Disgusted with all of us" Successful Banders"

When will you understand that band failure is real and that it can happen to you eventually? 

real tired of reading this **** How many time do you have to say it "We Know" It would be a lot easier if you practice what you preach
 
Please, those so called successful bandsters, have more compassion for us with the failed/complicated bands

I have always had compassion for people that have had band complications for what ever reason and would never blame any one for their band failing. But its  getting hard to have compassion for "Some" people who constantly tell people they have a crap band or their band will fail, or they should get it out when ever they post they have a problem. Most are on this forum for support. Remember that next time you post a reply to someones thread remember "Compassion" and how the might feel with your reply

 Amen Jodi!  If I had a dollar for everytime I read this, I'd be able to get my boobs redone.  

P.S.  My RNY failed, do you see me posting that and shoving it down everyone's throat?

 that's why I left so long ago.  I was sick from vasculitis and constantly reading so many *****y posts about how I'll die from the band.  *****es, I'm going to die from vasculitis.  Don't worry about my band!

sorry, but I'm still pissed at a few that really went too far with things.  Tell pre-ops everything they need to know.  IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN EDUCATED DECISION, but I made my decision (no choice due to vasculitis and it attacking my intestines and bowel) and it was just unnecessary stress for me.  I was HOPING things were a little more civil, but I I doubt it.  

I would have preferred to have the skinny genes in the family, but I can't get a revision to that.  

~I would have preferred to have the skinny genes in the family, but I can't get a revision to that.  ~

You know what they say: Choose your parents wisely! ;-)