Hi New person here

 Iam_with_the_Band... even though this post isn't directed toward me, I'd like to thank you for saying it.  

 

There's absolutely no way for someone to understand just how bad it is when you're having band complications unless they're going through it themselves. It was traumatic, frightening, and lonely. And I think people tend to dismiss anything they haven't experienced themselves.  My situation was bad. About as bad as it can get. It changed me... and I hate to see it happen to anyone else.

One of my biggest regrets was when I was shooting off my mouth to someone back in 2003... they were saying that the band wasn't a good thing... and I defended it. Even while being in horrific pain, I defended it.

Before you go, let me say "hello" to you.

I had the band in 2003, have maintained at a 175 pound weight loss, and STILL would choose the band over any of the available options. No, the band wont work for everyone (and no WLS WILL!) but for ANYONE to rip your hopes to shreds while you are still recovering from surgery is mean and inexcusable. I will not apologize for those people, since they should do it themselves. I have no problem with people telling their negative experiences but there is a time and place for that, and your post was NOT it.

Please consider staying, and either ignore or simply block the people whose words you don't need to hear right now.

I PMd you.  Check your in box, thanks.

Welcome mrslmwalker,
So sorry you were greeted poorly. mrs.lmwalker, sadly many vets refuse to post here anymore as you can see. I wouldnt blame you for going else where either : (
I am 5 yrs post op, lost 135 pounds. I am sure you are better off attending face to face support group meetings through your doctors office. Feel free to checkout my profile, and there are some post here that you may find helpful and encouraging.

Blessings on your new exciting journey,
prek3

Congrats on your new surgery!...........If you are really needing POSITIVE support there are many on www.lapbandtalk.com,  this site has changed to ONLY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS, not sure why surgeons are directing newly banded people here nowadays.

I would freak out if I was newly banded, I thoroughly researched ALL POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS that the band can have, I made my decision and the lap band RISKS were the only risks I was willing to take, and I hope you as a newbie know this as well.

I agree those who follow rules are less likely to have complications with their bands and don't keep it too tight. But sometimes things happen with no fault of the patient, but those issues are rare.

Don't let the negatives rain on your success with the the band, it's ok to read negative information, but I would not want to be part of a forum where ALL POSTS ARE NEGATIVE and telling everyone that their bands will be removed, it's just not fair, and it's down right abusive.

Welcome, Mrs.

I wish you well with your new band. It is a wonderful tool. Is it for everyone? No! Does it work? Yes for most. For some not. Do I regret getting mine? Not for a second. I lost all of my weight. I love my new life.

Don't get discouraged with this sight. Use what you can and leave the rest. It doesn't hurt to know what can go wrong but you don't let others tell you that it will go wrong. Many here have had wonderful success, others not. Most of the time we are much more understanding and kind than what you have seen here today. Those who have had problems are welcome here and usually are very supportive. If someone is thinking of a band they will tell it like they have experienced it. So will those who have done well with their bands. Neither is wrong (I used to think some were), there truly are many good things about the band yet there are some things that are not. It is not an either or thing.

Another option you have is to post if you have questions, need to know more about living with the band, or want to share your successes. We especially love to here those. Jean M. posts a great "What are you eating" by posting your meals, etc. it helps keep you on track, gives you ideas for meals, and is very positive.

You already have your band, you don't have to justify it to anyone. Work your tool to the best of your ability and prepare to work hard. This is not an easy journey but it is rewarding.

Good luck, Sue

So sorry you were greeted like this. There are quite a few people on here who have bad experiences but most of them are decent enough not to greet a person who has just had surgery with a forecast of inevitable doom. That helps no-one, just frightens someone who is at the start of their journey and can't go back.

Clearly there are band problems for some but I am sure you did your research. As for me, at six years and eight months post-op, I still love my band and the new life it gave me. You do need to read the posts from people with problems so you know what to look out for so although th block button is a very useful device for blocking nastiness, don't block all those with bad experiences, we can all learn from them.

Kate

You couldn't give this woman ONE SINGLE DAY of post-op peace before telling her that the world is going to end? Pathetic. How would you have liked it if that had been done to you the day after your surgery?

Be as angry as you want about the BAND, its manufacturers, your surgeons, and the fact you regret your decision. Warn anyone you please against it BEFORE they have surgery. But please don't attack someone who made her decision and still recovering from surgery! There is nothing "positive" or "supportive" in that. It's mean.

And to mrslmwalker: to BLOCK someone, click on their name and on the top left side of their profile, click on BLOCK. You can always unblock, but at least you can give yourself a few minutes of peace.

In the meantime, here is a happy puppy to brighten your day.

I don't think it's appropriate to respond to a post op newbie with negative information.  Support, offering to be available if questions arise, empathy for the op if problems DO arise is appropriate.  There are separate threads that put the info out there.  If the op wants to see it, she will, and draw her own conclusions.  

Mrs...the other board is often more "pro-band".  You might find more support there as a new post op.  Kate, Prek, and others are great resources, as are many others, including me.  

There do seem to be more long term issues with banding than we saw several years ago, but that doesn't mean YOU will experience them.  Follow your post op plan exactly, go easy on fills (you can lose without fills), and work on the internal issues that brought you to this place.

if you post here with a question, title it specifically, you'll get more positive and supportive responses with " need suggestions for mushy stage meals" than "..Help!!!!!!:(", lol.   Remember, we are here to support and inform.  Best wishes!