WOW my FEELINGS is ....

Pictures speaks more than a thousands words. I will post pictures on my progress!! What didn't work for you will work for some one else. I will never tell or suggest someone made a wrong decision, base on my bad experiences. I don't know the future to say it will happen to you. Not sure if I will stay on this board any more I SEE THIS BOARD IS FOR ANY WLS EXCEPT THE BAND!!!! I wish every success no matter what WLS you get, it's up to you how you going to make it work for you. HAPPY WEIGHT LOSS!!! 

I think it's pretty telling that every other surgery is cheered on, while the band is reviled. To me, that says that the band might not be a wise choice. 

I haven't met a single happy bander in real life. My support group is filled with revision patients who have serious health issues from the band. This also said, to me, that the band is a bad choice. 

And I don't think that these people failed the band, I truly believe that the band failed them. 

I do, sincerely, hope that you are an exception to the rule. But I also wish that you'd do more research and I hope your surgeon isn't pushing the band since it's a quick and easy surgery for him to perform. 

There are without doubt many more complications  - some minor, some very serious -  than were dreamed of when I was banded in 2006. Some are self-inflicted, some are despite the individual taking every care.

My own personal experience of people I know in real life is positive. I know a lot of very successful long term banded people. I am talking about around 35-45 people ( I have lost touch with some hence the range), most over five years out. 

But the experience of many on this site has been very different. I don't know them personally but there is no reason at all to doubt their stories. Some people simply have found the band did not give enough help to them, others have had physical problems which were totally beyond their control. And, yes, some abused or did not work with their band.

i love my band and do not have one second's regret. But you do need to be aware that the complications not only exist but are not unusual.

 Gee, this is the first time I've ever heard those words.     You mean to say that complications only happen to other people? Thank goodness, huh? 

 I hate to see yet another failed and damaged banding patient, but I'm starting to lose my sense of humanity and compassion after all these years of witnessing the same thing over and over and over. I used to actually care. 

I'm not saying complications only happen to other people. I HAVE FAITH THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY WITH THE BAND!!! If not I will cross that bridge at that time.

Believe me people are telling you because they actually care.  My sis who had no surgery was set on getting a band even after my experience.  I voiced how I felt.  So far she has done nothing and I will no longer have these discussion with her - what she does is up to her just like the choices I made.

In 2005, Banding it was a good idea - everyone was still riding the wave of adjustable gastric banding.  But today in 2014, honestly it is a very poor idea.  Would I support you - absolutely, positively!  We all suffer from food/body/weight issues - you are my friend in this struggle, NEVER my enemy!  I truly, truly do NOT believe anyone here wants to hurt you infact we all want to see you do well.  We all want to see you lose ALL your excess weight.  It is just that the odds really are stacked against you.  You know your weight and intake.

I've got to tell you though there are forums other than here that are pro-Band (most pple are pretty early out and many in complete denial).  If that is the route you plan to follow you should go there for support.  We are an old place with lots of personal experience with the band - we are going to tell it like it is.  But again there are other places that will candy coat. 

I'd be curious about your age.  It is best to think twice and cut once.  If I were you, I'd go straight for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch.  You're weight is very severe.  To put a band aid on a gushing wound would be quite sad especially if you don't have time to waste and desire a full life.

All Best,

Leila

Good Luck with whatever you choose.  

Do me a favor before you leave...go to page 417 of  this forum.  Many of the same people who are advising you against the band, posting about our NSVs, asking questions, that was US, supporting each other, looking forward to a healthier life.

We were YOU....we didn't want to hear the negative, the complications, the lifetime damage.  By all means, do your research on YouTube, this forum, Facebook, etc.  I suggest you also listen to what the folks told you on your previous threads.  To make an informed consent to surgery, you must be able to hear it all, or I'm very sorry, you are going to be very surprised when you have a hiccup.  As I told you before, Kate is the only person on here who still has her original band.  Look at page 415,416,417....read the posts.  Most, if not all had complications and have removed or revised.

We aren't here to scare you, but help you...since you asked.  When you ask a question, that's what you get; stuff you want to hear, a lot you don't want to hear and everything in between...

Like I said, I disagree with your decision, but I respect it.  I support YOU, not your choice of surgery.  

WOW!! YOU WITH THROUGH A LOT I understand what you and everyone else trying to prevent me from going down the same road.THANK YOU ALL I'm still thinking about what you been through. I go see my Dr. next month, last year he said he don't know how many fills I would need. He did SAY maybe the SLEEVE will be better for me, I was going by what he said that's why in the beginning it was the sleeve.  My psychologist suggest the lap band.This is a big step for me my mind is all over the place with WLS. Two of my friends  have the band  my sister  went from bypass to the band. They are doing good losing weight but I know my sister did vomit a lot. My Dr. And I have a lot of talking to do. Thanks again   

Yes, and others have been through much more.  We're your Advocate, not your Adversary.  I was such a pro band person, ask Nic and Zee...

I have nothing to gain from sticking my neck out and telling you it's not your best option.  No skin in this game other than what I feel is a moral obligation to dissuade those considering a band.  I encouraged people to get banded, wish is could take it back. I cannot revise.  A virgin sleeve is very different from a revised sleeve.

Research DS too...it's a sleeve with a type of bypass.  The great thing about sleeves is a revision to DS is possible.  At your BMI, you might need the bypass component to get your BMI

I was a band cheerleader, too. I went on TV, for cryin' out loud. People used to come up to me and say, "Oh, I saw you on TV and it made me want to get a band, too."  

I wish I could check on all of those people. I've been talking about the stupid band for over 10 years now. I'm not sure why it is that I even bother anymore. I never get anything but grief.