Not so happy but not sad....

I haven't been on this site in a few months....I stopped for alot of reasons. Today I'm sharing my own experience having the been will be 2 yrs come 12/15. I stopped losing weight and when I did I started paying to see a nutritionist. I watch everything I eat and stopped getting fills cause the band always showed it ugly side of food getting stuck. I have always done what Im suppose to do and theres nothing wrong with me. I have been tested, its just the band doesn't do well with alot of people and I would never recommend it to a soul. I pray that I can leave it in and never have what other people have had to go threw getting a sleeve. I would never get anything else put inside if I had to get this removed..for those of your who have been totally happy and successful I'm glad for. My personal opinion is they should stop using this method of surgery. I have made some friends here and use to love conversing daily. I have moved on with my band having very little in it or maybe nothing in it and just continue to stay on a healthy diet plan....

Hugs! I know what your going through. So do a lot of us. Though the band may work for some short term, I see very dismal long term outcomes with it. Thanks for Paying It Forward and sharing your band expereince!

I too am not happy with my band I have 8 1/2 ccs in a 10 band..  Some day food goes down fine other days food gets stuck and I have to throw up.  I had the lap band surgery 18 months ago and I've only lost 30 lbs.  I've been walking 2 miles everyday for the last month and using weights, but I think I've only lost like 2 lbs.  I get so depressed, If I had to do it over again I would have had the gastric bypass.  Guess I'm just stuck with this thing....  good luck to you..

i hope that you two find happiness and results some day.  i have had great success with my bad,  however, it didnt come easy.  lots of exercise, lots of liquids, lots of stuck episodes... it was not an easy, or quick fix.  it was a helping hand in a lifestyle change.  god bless both of you! best of luckon your journeys

You shouldn't have to live with a crapband.  Look into revision!

 I have to tell you my band removal was a cinch, I was back to myself within a day or two (as was my revision to the Sleeve, which was the best thing I ever did for myself). I just figured I would throw that out there since you seem to really be panicked by the idea of removal. 

Sorry you are going though this, if you ever want to talk to someone who has been though a removal feel free to PM me. HUGS. 

Had to jump in. Lots of exercise, lots of stuck episodes, lots of dieting - none of those things are signs of a successful band. You had the band for 3 years and are still 230 lbs. I'm not saying this to be mean, I'm glad you are happy with your band and I hope it continues to be a positive thing in your life.

But we, as consumers, have to stop laying down and saying "I'm stuck all the time, I diet like a madman and exercise like I'm training for a medal- this band is GREAT".

No it's not.

It means YOU are great. You have made positive life changes and maintained them. That is ALL you, not the band. Be proud of that, you earned every pound you lost.

But many people do not have even the results you have had in spite of all that. The band has failed all of us. Yes even the successful ones (flame away, I can take it!).

Having my band out was the best thing I've done. It damaged my insides like it is damaging all of yours. Yes, that's right, all of yours. See what holds the band in place really are adhesions and scar tissue. That's desirable to hold the band. But not desirable in your body.

I worked hard, just like you. Followed the rules, all the rules. My doctor always called me his "perfect little bandster". I was super compliant. But in 5 years, I only lost 43 lbs. and I gained it all back and then some.

I was finally revised to a DS 5 mos ago. And with no dieting and small amounts of exercise, I weigh 175lbs and wear a size 12. And I'm nowhere done losing yet, I'm barely 5 mos out. There is no question I will hit my goal weight. And keep the weight off. No question. None.

I'm not saying I recommend the DS, not sure that I do. But what I'm saying is that you have people with moderate success or full on failure with this band that work their ARSES off to get there. And then you have those same people who, with little effort, get to goal weight with another surgery.

There are too many other choices to endorse this damaging device any longer.

Excellent post, Chicarita. Straightforward and honest, to the point... and I couldn't agree with you more than I do.

Hi Spuddzy,

Good luck to you, Sweet Lady.

Band removal was the least difficult of the whole experience for me. It was SUCH a relief getting it taken out, I can't even fully describe it. So, if you ever need the band removed, please know that the removal is generally not so bad... especially if you haven't had multiple surgeries that cause adhesions to form. 

Take care.

And Spuddzy,

No lie, I woke up after a complicated DS surgery where they also removed the band and before I even opened my eyes, I knew it was out because my stomach felt better.

Keep that in perspective, I just had 75% of my stomach CUT OFF and it felt BETTER than when the band was on. Not that I felt my band hurting. I hadn't noticed. But I sure noticed when it stopped.

Removal isn't a scary thing most of the time. Look into it if it's right for you. And best of luck to you regardless of what you decide.