Has the Lap Band Really Worked for Anyone?

Worked for me!

It is also working for me.

Denise
 

It stopped working for me after 7 months.   revised to bypass and am very happy.

Don't lose heart!  "Buyers remorse" is very common when you are newly post op.  I have not had a perfect journey but I have lost and maintained over 100 lbs for almost 4 years. 
Here's the thing...you really have to change what you eat in order to get early weight loss success. (in my opinion).  While just eating less of the same things you ate before may work to some extent, do yourself a favor and take this opportunity to make some serious changes in the quality of food you put into your body.  For me, I chose to cut out the simple carbs, (white carbs like sugar, white bread, white rice, white potatos, etc.)  Then, I managed my portion size eating no more than  1/3-1 cup of food per meal (depending on what it was).  I lost all my weight in the first 9 months but I was very diligent in following the plan my surgeon set out for me.  Once I added sugar back into my life I stopped losing and today it continues to be my biggest challenge.  Avoid your trigger foods (you know what they are).  Especially in the beginning it's hard to handle moderation unless you have steel will, so I say cut it out completely, but again, that's just what worked for me.  You will get many opinions and a variety of stories on what works and what doesn't work.
Stuff happens with all of the surgeries.  As for me?  I'm happy with my choice.

Best~
Lisa O.

It did not work for me, and in fact, damaged me badly.

HOWEVER, don't borrow trouble. Keep on truckin'. The surgery is over and done with so you have to maintain a positive attitude.  IF you develop complications, speak up... someone else has surely gone through it and will help.

As for the "one surgery per lifetime" clause... you can appeal, but more insurance companies are implementing that, unfortunately. If you should need revision at some point, you might have to be self pay, so just keep that in mind for the future. Maybe sock away a couple bucks here and there, if you can, just in case.

Deactivating your membership here won't help you if problems should arise (and it's NOT a given that they will.) You need as much support as you can get. Like I said, just keep doing your best.

Take care. Stick around! 

I still consider myself new and felt the same way you are feeling. Hang in there and work that band! There are very good people here!

And, Nic, great advice!

I had a great experience even though I have complications...I've lost more than 60% of my EW and gone from a size 26 to size 16, no longer have to shop in plus sizes.that said, if I was making the decision today, I probably would choose VSG, since most of the folks I know that have band complications end up revising to sleeve or RNY... 

 Worked for me. Surgery December 2003.

 Thank you guys!  I am feeling much more positive now.  I will continue to be a member and search for the right boards and feedback!  Already 12 lbs down at a week out!  Feeling a little hungry but am not eating more than 2 oz 5x a day.  It is kind of hard sticking to the protein minimum but I am trying!

Well I will say this. I just posted about being 7 years out and have loved every minute of it. I would not change a thing. I have kept my weight off. Sure I go up and down about 10lbs but that is okay cause I know I can always get it off again. Good luck to you. Just take it one day at a time and you will get there. Everyone goes through the buyers remorse as they say...

Good Luck
Darlene