5 yrs out-problems but worth it

Never felt attacked. I read other posts about people having issues and the horror stories sprout like weeds. I'd just like to see more comradarie amongst those who are willing to deal with band issues and get positive support from those who have the band and deal with it.

Boards all seem to have their own ethos. This board is, sadly, anti-band. I will probably get flak for this but it started about four ears ago when it did genuinely become obvious that there were more serious complications than people used to think. Unfortunately, while some posters who had had awful experience shared their experiences in a way which was generally designed to inform, a few became very nasty. One in particular used to answer posts from newly banded people telling them that they were inevitably going to have awful problems. If anyone was positive, she would tell them they were naive and that their turn would come. People were called stupid and moronic for choosing the band. 

people like me who agreed there were problems but also said that they were not inevitable started to get flak. I have been accused of being a liar, a fantasist, a danger to others! So we stopped posting! Just wasn't worth it. Attempts to support others simply drew the vitriol of some bitter people.

Let me reiterate as I get accused of saying things I haven't said! There are complications which are no fault of the person. These can be serious. It is understandable that some people are bitter, it is good that people seek to inform.

But in the other hand, I know a great many banded people in real life. Most are over five years post-op, others are further out than I am (almost 8 years). I have lost touch with a few but the vast majority are happy with their bands. Only two out of over 40 have had bands removed - one due to an unrelated medical problem, the other freely admits she used her band as a form of bulimia. I accept there may be problems with those I no longer see. 

I have lived with my band for eight years in May. I did have a leak repaired about four years ago but I love my band and have had no other problems except for twice getting a tiny defill which was not actually necessary but I felt better having it. I virtually never have PBs, I eat all foods. I have regained a bit of weight which I do need to deal with but I am still wearing US size 10/12.

Thank you. I am 5 years out and I'm still going down. Haven't really regained but bounced around 5-7lbs, but now back to losing lbs again.
I have a hiatal hernia and I'm sure it was my own fault but I'm far from perfect and will deal with it. I will get the sx to have it fixed, have the band tweeked up and go on. I know people who have had other wls and everyone has an issue or 2. It's the nature of WLS.
Again, thank you for your reply. This is the stuff that needs to be posted.

Thank you for that Kate

You have to remember that back when Nic and I got our bands we were NOT told that these were common issues, they were played down as very rare occurances and the majority of people would not have them. We were also told that the band would last for a lifetime. Well now we now that is not the truth, that is more the norm and as Kate said the way you wrote the post it sounded like all these things were an everyday occurance. If they are not and you deal with each as it appears then yes you may be able to keep the band longer.

Even the manufacturer says they are only good for 10 years and then should be removed. No, not all of us went ahead and ate like hogs and didn't exercise, many of us followed the rules to a T but it still did not work for us and for those of us who did have problems it was not worth the pain we went thru and we truly would rather have stayed fat than suffer thru something we weren't expecting. I wish you well and we aren't slamming you but the band that harmed us. We wouldn't have known what to look for if others hadn't warned us and that is all we were trying to do for you.

Thank you for your post. I had also hoped that I would be one that the band wouldn't affect negatively. I have simply made a decision for myself not to wait until worse things happen. But I do support all others in the decisions they make for themselves. Thank you for posting your true & honest experience :-)

That is a very positive post & I admire your endurance. Good luck with everything moving forward in the future! :-)