What I hate..,

I know a Nurse Practitioner who would actually say that FenPhen was a lifesaver / because she lost all her weight and has kept it off. It is all about perspective. Just as my two close friends who died from RNY. One died a horrible painful death, her husband, children and family would adamantly tell you and anyone else that RNY kills. But I am fairly certain there are others who post here on OH that will tell you RNY was a lifesaver.
I am sorry you and others have had life threatening experiences with Lapbands. It is truly all about the approach and how information is conveyed.

 susan, personally, I'm not sure I'd go with any of the surgies a few years later.  My friend that had rny the same day I had lapband almost died not too long ago due to it :(  they all scare the **** out of me now. She has to have it reversed. I have the band, it's not filled much, but I decided to say F the band, F my unhealthy lifestyle and F vasculitis.  I'm not eating better, moving more and praying daily (literally along with chanting) for strength to improve my life one day at a time.

I hate blanket statements as well! These are just a few of the ones that get thrown at those of us with FAILED BANDS:

It's just a tool
*NO. Some of you got a "tool". Many of us don't nothing!

You expected a magic wand/bullet
*NO. Most bandsters ONLY expected their bands to work they way it was advertised to work!

It works if you work it
*NO. If you have a band you are obligated to work with it. That is just common sense. However for MANY of us, we did what was required to "work it"..........but it did NO work for us!

We hear these blanket statements CONSTANTLY! Many band cheerleaders automatically ASSume that WE did someting wrong. That WE caused the failure. That WE are responsible for our bands FAILING! There is a post on OH right now by Nana where she accuse some of us of "abusing our tool". I think I can safely say that there are bandsters out there with failed bands that went above and beyond what many bandsters with "successful" bands did to work with our bands! For some of you, it came very easy b/c your bands worked as advertised. For many of us with failed bands, We tried 10 times as hard as many of you "successful" bandsters to "work with" our bands. The outcome: We got NOTHING. It's not all about what you put into it, b/c if you try to drill holes with a drill that has no drill bits..........it doesn't matter how long you try to "work with it"........it's never going to work!

Now don't get me wrong. I am bitter that my band does not work, but I am thrilled for those of you that were able to get bands that worked. But it would be nice if WE got a little compassion, and if WE were not constantly subjected to accusatory BLANKET STATEMENTS!

 Maria, seriously, those blanket statements are so 2010.  It's time to start coming here, stating facts and stop being so incredibly mean to people that have NOT been cruel to you. Of course give your experience, but come on.  Half the people you spar with are simply stating that thus far their band isn't killing them.  You get so angry and they're not blaming you one bit.  In 2010 you were attacked.  It's 2012 and I'm scouring posts to see where people are blaming you, for I would attack them back, but I have yet to see someone BLAME YOU for the band sucking in your life.  

 I don't like blanket statements any more than the next person!  Personally, I had RNY. I wanted the band but I have A LOT of allergies including latex and vinyl so my doc, myself and my family decided that RNY would be better for me.  I know people who had RNY that don't do nearly as well as some with the band or sleeve.  I think it all depends on the person and their situation.  I've come across rude bandsters as well as ds, RNY etc.  I don't think any one surgery has more or less rude people - I think its just a coincidence that certain personalities clash.  We ALL have a right to tell how well or not well we've done and to warn others of possible hazards.  Heck, if someone doesn't weigh a whole crapload I try to steer them away from WLS as a whole simply because I'm one of those who lost TOO much and realize it is a possibility.  I started out at 435 and my docs expected me to lose down to about 220...i'm now 175/180.  (thyroid issue, cant keep calories up!)  

Anywhoo - just backing you guys up here :) I'm not a bandster but have friends who are ^_^ it's all WLS in the end!

Hey girlie, we started this journey together and I just wanted to say that I am very proud of your success.  You have done an amazing job!! 

This board has changed quite a bit, and has become a bit of a ghost town.  I do check in almost daily still, I just want to be there for support if someone is going through a slip, etc. 

I hope you have continued success with your new life!   ya!!