six years today (reporting my experience - your mileage may vary)

 My surgeon placed the band incorrectly from the get-go (in spite of 2 surgeons from Inamed "guiding" him... this was back in 2003, when Inamed made the bands... before Allergan.)   It caused my stomach to twist into a Figure 8... and then I had corrective surgery with a different surgeon.  It didn't help, unfortunately. I was unable to eat solid foods due to the amount of swelling the band caused consistently. No amount of chewing would affect anything. If it was thicker than water, it wasn't going down. It really was the worst period of my life, no doubt.

I'm glad when I read about people who are genuinely having success, but my own experience with the band was so hellish that I can't relate to it at all.

I hear you loud and clear. What you went through was a whole lot more than awful.  

My honest feelings about the band are that it's not a perfect solution even when it's placed in there perfectly.  Because there are side effects.  With EVERYthing there are side effects but if they outweigh the good, then it's not a solution at all.  And everyone is different.  All that chewing is great for the jaws but some people are not great chewers.  Whether it's because they have bad teeth or no teeth in back, or they just don't have the patience.  Or the time.  Or they make a mistake and not chew forever.  

Obviously you had no positives other than (I"ll assume) you lost quite a lot of weight because you couldn't eat. But that's not a positive, really.    I had a period when I had too much fill, not a LOT of fill because Dr. Aranow is extremely judicious and conservative with them, but just enough that very little was staying down. For a couple of months I thought it had to be me, because it was such a ridiculously small amount and it was only my first post op fill and I've forgotten how much because I haven't done fills since all the saline was taken out.  I'm fine with the natural constriction of the band alone.  But my road is long, I'll tell you.  

What I do like is this is a reversable procedure, should the situation arise that I need to have the band removed.  I can be made whole again, which is important should a devastating disease or condition strike.  I'm not assuming one will, but in this life, one never knows.  So overall, I'm satisfied that this was the best solution for me at this age and this time in my life.

I'm happy for you though, that you found a solution that works for you.  And I'm glad that you are posting about your experiences too.  When I posted here a few years back, the board was very active and it was nearly religious, how GREAT the band was.  And there was little talk about the downsides I've tried to touch on here, like not being able to eat.  Period.. You're told you should never vomit.  But some of us vomit. Maybe not bile, thank heaven but it's not the end of the world when it happens, but the truth is, it's a miserable feeling and scary if it repeats because YOU CAN compromise your band.  

There are realities with this device and I'm glad I wasn't taken to task for discussing them, which I realized MIGHT happen, should I burst a near religious bubble.  This is a great thing, WLS, and there are so many different types for different types of people and their overall health and habits, but they all MUST be discussed honestly and candidates should have a realistic view of what they're opting in to, including those from a number of different people with different experiences.  I've had a great result.  Not as radical as I'd like, but I'm a pragmatist.  :)

 "That look" was well known to people who dined with me, I think they still wait for it even now, but thank God it's not something that happens with the VSG.

Not everyone loses their hunger with the VSG/DS, I did for the first six/eight months, but it has returned just not in that ravenous willing to eat whatever is around, starving all the time kind of way that it was pre-op.

 If I weren't so concerned about a second surgery, I think I'd opt for the VSG.  I'm not sure I'm a good candidate at my age anyway.  

All I need is another six/eight months, and I'd be at goal and then some!  But then I'd REALLY have to think about plastic surgery.  ...it's six and one half dozen....

I always joke and say that I am keeping my saggy butt b/c it claps for me when I run and that makes me feel like I have someone cheering me on LOL No plastics for me.

If the band is working for you, then work it! Are you on MFP or any of those sites, we have a pretty good group over there that keeps each other motivated to move and eat right, if you want to join us feel free, my screen name is Tripmom02 there too! 

I sure hope you are a good candidate at your age because I am trying to get the VSG after they take the band out.

Congratulations on your 6 year bandaversary.  I hope everything work the way you want.

 Cynthia, my story is a lot like yours 7 years out, lost a lot of weight, not all. No breakfast, still do shakes, I have trouble with fruit, and on occasion eating too fast when hungry. I am mostly happy with my plataeu. I would like to lose more, not sure if I don't try hard enough or I just can't. Love being the same size all the time, and when I gain a few, I panic and lose a few. Pre band I was miserable, had back pain and heartburn all the time, felt 90, but was 50. I was aleays exhausted. Now I enjoy life, back is fine, no heartburn, look younger than my age, and love to try new things.

Cynthia, thanks for telling a very realistic and very reasonable story of your life with the band.

Its especially moving to those of us who, like you,  made the best decision we could at the time of our surgery and who are living with the good, the bad and the ugly of the band. 

I hope all the potential bandsters read your post to develop some realistic ideas of what life with the band MIGHT be like.

Nicely done.

Happy Bandiversary!! You are doing great, thanks for posting. I will be at 4 years in Oct.!!
Isn't it funny how we change as time goes on, our thoughts etc.? I was a stickler for the rules year one, then went back to old habits on and off, so didn't lose a lot of weight after that, I would gain a little, lose it again. But now I am back to like being first banded. It is no way easy and I know that my band is helping through every section of my WL experience. Maybe someday there will something that is easier for WL, lets all keep our fingers crossed!
Continued success and way to go!