To band or not to band

I love my band, it's been a wonderful 3 years for me, however, I would not recommend it to a newcomer. Maybe if I didn't read any forums, I would say go for it, but reading about the issues that people have had, I definitely can't. There are surgeries that are just as effective and are less likely to result in a revision.

I pray I am not one of the people who will need a revision, but looking at the odds, I feel like it is in my future at least in the next 10 years. I just had an upper GI this week, though, and everything is perfect at the moment, 3 years out.

I have never been nauseous and never had the shoulder pain, but I do get stuck. It took me a long time to figure out how to eat so that I don't, and I still make mistakes sometimes. I try to remain positive and tell myself that it is proof it is working, when I am throwing up phlegm... It's gross, but I can think of worse ways to lose weight!

Well, if you are even thinking this might not be right for you delay the surgery! I was so desperate to lose weight that although I was having second thoughts I had the surgery anyway. I am 17 months out. Most would say that I am a success. I lost 80 pounds by my 1 year mark. Throughout the last 17 months I have lost and kept off the 80 pounds and overall feel better. That being said, I have had so many painful days of becoming to tight for no reason. I didn't tell my family about the surgery but then had to explain to my 13 year old daughter about it because she thought I was bulimic. My body is just sensitive to the band and some days I can eat what I am suppose to and other days I can't swallow soup. At this point O think I will be asking for the band to be removed when summer comes again if I can make it that long. I can't miss any work and since medically I don't need it out it can wait. Am I sorry I had the surgery hmmm not exactly. Am I happy I had it not exactly. I am thankful that I lost 80 pounds but not really sure the pain I have suffered and the worry on my husbands face was worth it. At this point I an doing ok with 3 cc in my band but I am not losing any weight. My feelings over the band have changed like the tide over the past 17 months because I so desperately wanted it to work.