second thoughts

I was so excited about getting a lap band.  But reading all the post about how thing can go wrong with it, I am not so excited.  In fact I am more nervous.  I know I need to know all the facts and things that can go wrong.  I want to make this work.  Some positive encouragement would be nice to hear.  Is there a happy story out there for someone who has a lap band?

I hope my lap band story is not like a marriage in vegas.  I was in love at first and then sobered up and thought WTF have I gotten myself into. 

Please tell me a happily ever after story so I won't be so afraid of this choice I am making.

There are those who have had their bands long term and are thrilled with them. Check out Kate P. and Bette B. Yes, there are also those who hate theirs and those who loved theirs and lost it. You must first and foremost discuss your questions with your surgeon. If you decide to go for the band then it is best to ignore some of the negative talk for a time. You have already read it all and know what is being said. Don't beat yourself over the head with it. Should you decide, (you and your surgeon), to go with another proceedure you need to know all the negatives about it, too. Believe me when I tell you that the idea of a golden wls proceedure is a fairy tail. Those who would tell you otherwise are blowing smoke. It doesn't happen. That is why there isn't just one type of surgery. They fail. Period. People have great success or they fail. All of them. That is why wls is supposed to be a last ditch thing.

It is up to you to choose your tool, learn to use your tool to it's utmost, and to know what NOT to expect from your tool.

Good luck, Sue

I agree with Sue.  I am now about 9 months out (am I no longer a newbie?) and have had those ah-ha moments as well as "if I knew then what I knew now".  I had done good research, etc and made my decision..had peace with it, etc.  I have had really good results with the band.

Sue is right and I have seen/learned this from others...there is no magic surgery. People fail their WLS surgery, the surgery can fail them and then there is the whole "stuff happens".  Not one option is 100% all the time and certainly not for everyone.

I get now that it really is a tool.  I repeated that months before surgery but going through it is one of the ah-ha moments.  

I like my band. I know it may not be with me forever and I'll deal with it when/if that comes.  The one thing I don't like is all the doctor appts the first year.  Every 6 weeks going in for a fill (and one unfill).  It is an investment of time just in that. And they won't chase you for an appointment so if you're not motivated to keep losing you'll have problems with the required follow through.

I chose the band because I didn't want my stomach or intestines replumbed. I think now I would very seriously consider the verticle sleeve as it would also be a great tool for portion control (my main need) and I wouldn't be running back to the doctor's office so much.

I do workout about 5 days a week and even when I don't go to the gym I like to bike ride or go for a 4 mile walk. I love being active now and seek it out. It's been such a change for me to drop this weight and be a whole different person.

I still want to lose about 20-25 more pounds and I think its going to take me another 6 months to get there (I hope not) but we'll see.  If it does, it does. It isn't a race, it's a journey and I'm learning and living the whole way through.

Good luck with  your choice.  To Sue's point (again), if you're sure the band is your choice, maybe layoff the reading the negative posts.

Oh how I wish I did have a positive experience to share with you! Unfortunately that is NOT the case with many of us.

You will find some positive stories here...........but take note of how long they have been banded, How many surgeryies they have had as a result, And if they ever even reached goal. You will seldome see a bandster 5 years out! And if you do..............well..........you get the picture.

If you decide to get the band I wish you lots of luck!

 (laughs) I've had my band since 2003. And my "marriage in Vegas" since 1997. 

My LapBand and I have been best of friends since 2008!  I am almost 5 years out!  As you can see from my Ticker, I have done extremely well!  My LapBand was the best thing I ever did for myself!

I just made a commercial for my LapBand doctor's associate! 

You can truly call me a "LapBand Cheerleader!"

Make sure you have chosen the best surgeon for the job!  Ensure you have consistent and good followup1  I think a big problem is that there are some poor placements.  My surgeon has an excellent success rate and an extremely low rate of complications.

 I got my lapband in 2005 and just saw my surgeon on Tuesday for my annual checkup.  My weight is stable and I've never had any other procedures or surgeries.  

The negative stories are important because problems can and do happen but they are not the whole story.  There are lots of happy, successful 5+ vets who just don't come here to OH any more.

Do your research, ask your doctor any and everything and don't let strangers on the internet influence you 

if you want a band by all means get one.

something you should pay attention to & research is what problems exist UNDETECTED by any single diagnostic test.   check around the revision boards for those who went into revision surgery & it lasted longer or had to be delayed from a complication unknown.

when i got my port back, it was covered in black mold on the backside.   i can post that picture if you'd like....so, if someone says' they have NO problems, i shrug because they have no idea.   none whatsoever.

You bring up a very valid point! I don't know of how many marathon length surgeries I've heard of on removal/attempted revision. There is absolutely NO way of knowing how much damage the band has done UNTIL they actually get in there (for yet another band surgery!). :-(

sigh of relief.  I feel better.  I know there are other people out there who are happy with thier choice.