if you don't like the lapband then why stay on lapband boards??

 I am not a band basher, although I could be.  I have seen friends on this board who have had few complications, if any, and live successfully with the band.

While I didn't get along with my band, I stick around to offer support or education to those going through a slip, or have any other issues that are caused by the band.  Posts like this make me feel me un-welcome to do even that.  I had my band for over 4 years and lived on this board every day......thought my insight could be of help at times, because I know how damn scary complications can be. 

Melly, I am glad you stuck around you have a lot to offer to this board. Hope all is going well with you.

Thank you, Cheyenne!  Things are going pretty well.  I am finally getting the hang of my sleeve. and it feels good!  ha ha  Have a great weekend!

Thank you Bette for such a wonderful response. I can't begin to explain, to folks who think we are bashing, how incredibly painful and depressing it is to go into a surgery that most folks including the docs tell you will be a success, only to find out 2 years out that it was nothing but a bad joke.
 
I knew I was going to be very limited as far as exercise and was already eating a less than 1000 calories a day diet of healthy foods and told my doc that. He and others at the support group said that was great because I already had 1/2 the work done, so with the band I should be very successful. Alas no, that was not the case I tried the very best I could but only ended up losing 20 lbs, in the first year and after that nothing. Then the reflux and heartburn started at around 2 years out. I can't believe how miserable a small piece plastic can make you! I couldn't eat without slimeing or vomitting so got 1 cc removed. That worked for a few more months and then it was tight again (with no fill) so got another 1 cc removed, now I was down to about 6 ccs and I was sure this would solve the problem. Nope withing a few months I was back slimeing again so I finally had it completely emptied. So I can finally eat healthy foods again and have actually lost a little weight but only from my own hard work.
 
I went into this surgery with all the hope in the world, busted my hump following all the rules, went to the support group and came here daily. Yet here I am 5 years out and living with the constant dread of when is my band going to erode into my stomach or slip or build up so much scar tissues that they can't remove it (if I ever get insurance coverage for bariatrics again). So please try to have some compassion for those of us who have had a horrible time with our bands and are only trying to warn others that this can also happen to them because we didn't do anything out of the ordinary to get the results we have had and it could just as easily happen to others. The band is non discriminatory, it can and will hurt some of the rest of you! We just want you to be aware of things that "can" happen.

I'm truely thrilled for people that have had great success. I'm friends with Bette, Kate, Jean and many others who have been very successful and I'm happy that they have had such great results. Just remember that as easily as it may look, it can take a very ugly turn too. I urge you to simply ignore any posts or responses you don't like, that's what I do.

Always loved Bette!  Classy lady! 

I was just reading over on lapbandtalk. There's a TON of misinformation. But there's a lot less "bashing" there. Of course, if you have a problem and post on that site only, you're pretty much screwed. I see a lot of people posting in the complications forum and getting really, seriously wrong information and advice.


I'm not a member there and don't care to be... but it's another option for those of you who prefer  the "everything will be fine" brand of support.  Then, if you have complications, you can always come back and try to find someone around here who might be willing to help.