Dissapointed with the Message Board-nothing seems to change

Thank you! This board really was so helpful to me. I think it played a big part of my success. I just don't remember as many negative things like now. It seems like it started getting nasty a year into it (the forum). It is too bad. I guess we need more positive posters, but wading through the negative is something we fight against daily so I'm not sure I'm up for it here. I hope you are doing well!

I have been more active on lapbandtalk.com than here.  I joined there before being banded (I think the same time I joined here) and found that OH was more informative for me as a pre-op.  Last October, I had to have my gallbladder removed and shortly after that my FIL passed away and we were in the Bay Area for most of Nov-April dealing with his estate, so I had little time to spend on the computer that didn't involve that.  Since returning home last month, I have found lapbandtalk.com to be a less hostile environment, more supportive and generally more positive.  Yes, there are folks on there that are having issues, and the community is just friendlier over all.
I miss seeing some of the people on here who helped me during the investigative part of my journey, but have found that they are available on other websites, so I still have those resources.
Being obese is a struggle every day and while I might not follow the "rules" at every turn, I feel my WLS was successful based on what I can do today vs what I could do pre-op.  I can walk 2 miles...I couldn't walk 1/4 mile without tremendous pain.  I can do things for myself and I am independent again.  I don't consider every aspect of an outing to make sure I won't get "trapped" in a situation or place.
I wish that some of the folks who have had misery and horrible experiences with their bands would convey their information in a less judgemental way and not condemn those of us who have had a relatively uneventful experience and choose to share it.  Predictions of future band failure doesn't help anyone....we have the band for better or worse and if it becomes necessary to remove it, will deal with it if and when that situation presents itself.
Just my .02 worth.
Steph

~ Predictions of future band failure doesn't help anyone....we have the band for better or worse and if it becomes necessary to remove it, will deal with it if and when that situation presents itself.~

but it's not always that simple. Jean found that out just recently. There are still people out there thinking that the band is the least invasive WLS and that it is "reversible". When Jean went to get her band removed she found out just how "least invasive" and "reversible" it is.

I'm glad that your band experience has been what you expected..................but that is NOT the case for many of us here. Predictions of future band failure DO help. Bandsters need to be prepared and not hide their head in the sand. Wasa, Nicci, Pumpkin and I have been trying to pay it forward and share what the band can REALLY be like. No one wanted to believe us and we have been blown off by band cheerleaders like Jean who dismissed us as "exagerating" or outright lying...............well considering Jeans recent band expereince and more importantly the federal subpoena of Allergan.....................it looks like these "predictions of future band failure" are a very realistic thing! I only wish someone has told ME these things BEFORE I got my band!

 Unfortunately, what we know today wasn't available when we were deciding which surgery to get.  It just doesn't help to tell someone their WLS choice WILL fail them eventually.  Many other surgeries don't deliver 100% on expectations.  We all do the best we can with the information we have today.  
Jean has had a rough time, for sure, but I'd bet that she would not go back to where she was per-band for anything. I've seen many stories of complications for all the WLS options.  There isn't ONE perfect choice.

My band isn't perfect, it's fickle, sometimes painful, but not nearly as painful as my back was at 290 lb.  I might make a different choice today, but hindsight is always 20/20...foresight isn't.

I get what you're saying, but I think it does help to tell them...............so it doesn't come as some big surprise. Prior to getting my band I called Allergan and discussed the possible banding with them. They flat out told me that it was a "life-time" implant. This is obviously NOT the case. And they now no longer tell ppl that. Would have been nice if they had been more honest then though, lol.

I think a lot of ppl now realize that it's not permanent, but I don't think they realize just how short term it generally is. I know I certainly would not have gotten it had I known. I feel that bandsters/prospective bandsters should be informed. I do however realize that there are many that already have the band that don't want to hear it though, but not hearing it won't stop it from  happening.

That being said though............I do hope yours last you a long time!

  Predictions of future band failure DO help

Not when it is directed at those who already have a band.

I guess that is really a matter of perspective. Personally, when I was starting to realize the band was NOT going to work for me...............the last thing I wanted to hear was the band cheerleaders with their:

give it one more try
back to basics
get on the band wagon
just follow the rules
you can do it!

What I needed was reality. I needed someone to care enough to be honest with me instead of giving me false hope. False hope only makes it harder when you realize that all those ppl that told you that you COULD do it..............that all you had to do was follow the RULES..................were FOS! Sure they HOPED it would work. But they did not know that. And for band cheerleaders to give all the bandsters those blanket statements is really very cruel. :-(

 What I needed was reality. I needed someone to care enough to be honest with me instead of giving me false hope. False hope only makes it harder when you realize that all those ppl that told you that you COULD do it..............that all you had to do was follow the RULES..................were FOS! Sure they HOPED it would work. But they did not know that. And for band cheerleaders to give all the bandsters those blanket statements is really very cruel. :-(

While I understand your perspective and your motivation (to help) I , having been told by you that my band WOULD fail me, didn't help.  At that point I needed to be encouraged to remain focused on regaining my mobility and get suggestions and ideas for meals, exercise, etc.  I get that your perspective was different, but if you want to be helpful it would be good to speak from a less "all or nothing" perspective.   Those of us who emphatically supported gastric banding were not being dishonest, but merely speaking what we knew to be true at the time.  

I'm sorry you have had a tough time of it....

Let’s be honest, BAND FAILURE is a reality. SO IS failure with: Bypass; DS; Sleeve; BIB; and all the other operations. We can all agree there is no 1 operation that is 100% successful.

As for the “federal government’s" probe on bands; they did the same things a few years ago with bypasses, and I bet one day they will look into all other operations. They want to make sure the “claims" are accurate, and the procedures are safe. I feel it’s unfair to say WHAT THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES will be without all the facts in.

Know while I may be wrong, the folks looking into the Allergan claim is the Department of Human and Health Department (notice it’s not the FDA), and they are looking at (and I quote) In January, House Democratic lawmakers called for hearings ON MEDICAL DEVICES including Lap-Band" … So while Lap-band is being looked at, so are OTHER MEDICAL DEVICES.

 As for the “give it one more try .. back to basics .. get on the band wagon .. just follow the rules .. you can do it!" … Let’s be honest again, sometimes folks FAIL the OPERATION because they aren’t doing what is expected. Other times the OPERATION FAILS the person.  How can one know which is which? Simple .. don’t take advice from a board member, and GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR AND/OR NUTRITIONIST!! Only THEY can give you the SOUND ADVICE you seek!! Remember we’re all different, and how can someone who not only doesn’t have a medical background, nor knows you personally, can make a “diagnoses" from a board posting. It’s like me stating, I’ve had a cough for a week. Could it be allergies; a cold; or something worst. NO one but a medical person can tell you for sure.!!

I am always waiting for the INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED FEDERAL MEDICAL REPORT which clearly denotes operation A is the best successful operation, and operation Z is the worst!!  Until then, people will debate which is better operation, biased on THEIR experiences.