If people ask you if they should get lap band what do you tell them?

 I tell them my success and failures with it.  I then direct them to these boards to see all the stories.  I usually talk them out of it due to the fact that I know so many that have had it and haven't lost much weight.  I also try and talk them out of RNY, DS and VSG if I think they can do it on their own.  If I  know they have food addictions I usually tell them to look into VSG more than anything (which someone I know took my advice and opted on VSG last week...he has my disease and gained over 200 pounds).  He's recovering well.  He was going to go with the band, but I said he had too much to lose, no bowel or intestinal issues like I have, so look into VSG.  The Mayo Clinic agreed (where he had the surgery).

If I had a crystal ball back in 2009 and a choice of surgeries (I did not have a choice due to health) I'm not sure what surgery I would have gone with.  I was a true food addict at that point.  I am getting better now that I'm down on prednisone, but every day is a struggle.  

What would you tell an obese person if they asked your honest opinion about the band?  (we know your answer, Maria LOL)  Just kidding.  Just don't go nuts on me, ok?  I really can't take it.  

I never recommend the band to other people, or any other weight loss surgery. There are many variables on picking a surgery if someone needs to go that route.

The bypass was initially geared towards very SICK and obese people that did not have nothing to lose health wise and by losing weight quickly in most cases would lengthen their life. NOW many people who don't fit that criteria are getting bypass for other reasons and as result suffer from illnesses or repeated hospitalizations that they did not sign up for.....

Now as far as the lap band, I would NOT recommend the band to other people because the band can be tricky, also it can get costly with fills/unfills and this is a life long process, sometimes we need fills to lose the weight and sometimes we get irritated and too tight and need to immediately remove saline to keep our bands healthy...and if someone does not have good aftercare and a surgeon or money for the upkeep of the band ...IT CAN CAUSE COMPLICATIONS...WHICH I BELIEVE THIS VERY REASON HAS CAUSED THE LAP BAND COMPLICATION RATE TO SPIKE .

That SAID...I KNOW MYSELF AND THE BAND IS A GOOD FIT FOR ME...because I am a proactive person, I am a busy professional and I needed a weight loss surgery that was simple and quick and did not require too much downtime and had a low risk of serious complications, also I needed a life long tool to help me...and help me with my portions....the lap band is NOT A SURGERY THAT WILL DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU...some people have been sadly misled ...the band is just a simple tool to help with hunger and reduce your portions to about 1 cup of solid food...NOT STOP US FROM EATING...you can't get the band tighten too much or too tight this will cause horrible complications...but other than that the lap band has been a great choice me for me so far.

I would tell them to research research research, visit support groups for all different wls, and different docs. I would tell them how my body reacts to the band and how it gets tight when it wants to. How if I have ANY Major stress at work or home I can't eat and am in pain. I would tell them how great it feels to be down 80 pounds and shop in any store I want too. If I had it to do again, I am not sure I would.

 I tell them to weigh all their WLS options very carefully, evaluate the pros and cons of each one, and to make a decision based on their needs, desires and health. I will sat that while the band worked for ME, it is not right for everyone, and every option needs to be considered.

PS: I have a post I repost often about the band, "Why I chose the band." Maybe I should repost it.

Hello! I am about to have lap band surgery and I am concerned about what it will be like long term. I am worried about slippage and erosion. I saw that you were banded in 2003 and 13 years out if you had any complications. I'm also wondering about your activities and see if there is anything you're restricted from doing. Everyone has talked about how great my surgeon is and he's only had one slippage and it was a quick fix, and he's done literally thousands. I was concerned about long term and you're the only I've seen that's lost the most and had your band the longest. I would greatly appreciate it if you responded back and gave me some tips and advice. Also, would you do it again? Thanks so much for your time!

I tell people every WLS has it's pros and cons and to do their research.

I do tell them I love my band and would do it again, even with all the new data out there.  I also tell them they have to be honest (at least with themselves) about what lifestyle changes they are or are not willing to make.  If you get a band and immediately set out to see how you can "get around it" you won't be successful (and that's true for all weight loss attempts, surgery or no).  The band definitely requires more aftercare and more diligence/dieting, especially in the early stages.

It depends on how much weight they have to lose, whether they're interested in a malabsoption component, etc.

I tell them to run away from the crapband and to go for other WLS such as RNY,sleeve or DS and to do research!! 

I say, "Ooooh Hai... how are ya? Dontcha know."  (Because I'm in Wisconsin.)   I sound like Margie from the movie, "Fargo" sometimes. Minnesooooota, Wiscooooonsin... we're the same, accent-wise, kinda. Eh.  (Just kidding! I hope.)




Luckily, everyone seems to know how I feel about my banding experience and they don't ask me. Well, I take that back. My DAD said he was getting fat and thought he'd get a lapband... but he was getting my goat. I told him I'd give him a lapband upside the head.

To the people who DON'T know me and ask about lapbanding, I explain the common complications. I try not to get too overwrought about it because I'm not a soap opera actress. Or at least, in "real life" I'm pretty calm about it. I find myself being more insistent online... because inflection and tone get lost. You gotta put it out there in black and white.

 I LOVE the Minny's accents!!  Fargo is by far one of my favorite movies (I know...I'm a freakin' dark comedy weirdo)

And here I would have thought you would at the front door of the ER room cheering on soon-to-be banders LOL LOL

It's only funny because you survived your ordeal.  I tell people about what you've been through when they ask about the band.

I don't advise anyone to have any WLS ever, never did.  WLS  is the last card to play and it has to be a wise one.  When I got banded I had researched over 2 years and never believed I would ever have any WLS.  After fighting obesity my entire life and not giving up, I had a bad dance accident requiring knee recontruction 2 times (I was a super active chubby girl).  I was in pain every single day and even more so if I attempted to work out - it seemed I never could recover.  I got caught in a vicious cycle - depression because I could not be what I was not matter how it seemed I tried.  I had nothing left - my quality of life seemed poor to me when I made the choice.  So the Lap Band did get me out of the rut I was in and give me a chance at life so I do not regret that decision.  I too would not have choose to have my stomach sleeved at that time because in my mind I would have thought it too radical.

Now today, having experienced what I have  I wouldn't hesitate choosing to be sleeved again.  It is a fantastic voyage.  I am so normal and I am not saying that to push being sleeved.  The thing is I was always willing to do the work - I just needed a little help.  I want to exercise, I want to eat what is right for my body.  I never looked for a free ride and I do struggle even with the sleeve but it is different because though I can eat a lot I am not bottomless.  This may change but I am not hungry ever - it is weird.  My beautiful mom passed last week and finally I lost my appetite (I never lost my appetite in my life - I love food, I'm crazy about food).  So you can be free of hunger yet still have an appetite.  When I lost my appetite I was scared because I had absolutely no motivation to eat at all - I tried though just for nutrition.

Long story short I would never advise anyone to have WLS - it is not a simple fix and people should do extensive research and be willing to do the lifetime work it requires to obtain and maintain weight-loss and good mental health. If someone had the Band in mind I would certainly make sure I put the facts in their faces.  I truly do not believe the band is a long term solution even with the best effort and intentions - if they know this and still want to get banded would certainly be in their corner and support them completely.

All Best