I was banded in January of 2014 by True Results.  I dont feel like my aftercare has been what I needed.  I get so confused with being on one website and doing the 48 hour pouch test and if you still have restriction on chicken your pouch is OK.  I go to my Dr and they do the barium thingy that shows my pouch is swollen and they tell me food isnt getting to  my stomach that is why Im so hungry still all the time.  Do a week liquids and week solids and swelling when down.  Im am so so confused as to when it is swollen and when not.  I really just gave up going to the dr. after every visit and they kept telling me I had to do more and more exercise.  I get it I need to exercise but if Im going to have to exercise myself to death I wouldn't have needed the darn band.  I am at the point that I feel like I made a mistake with the band and should have gotten the sleeve.  I lost 65 of the 100 I needed to loose but have gained 30 pounds back cause I have almost given up.  I started with True Results so how do  you just up and choose who to go with?  I have great insurance and they paid for all of my surgery except my 500 deductible so I am lucky.  I did have to pay a 25 copay for every visit I was having to make for 2 years.  Just frustrated at this point.

The band has slow weight loss and high long term complication rates.  It is not until you start getting fills that the weight loss picks up a little, but not like 20 or 30lbs in a month.  Most of the  people who lose a lot in the first month either have a large amount of weight to lose, have had the sleeve, bypass, or DS.

I'm surprised surgeons are still placing the band. 

I have been banded since 2008 and I am still happy with mine. I recently had my gallbladder removed and the doctor could not believe that I still have my band. It is great to see some people who have been banded for a while still on here. I support you!

True.

It is actually 60% of bands are removed in the first 2-6 years.  The stats are higher after that.

I had my band in 2006, had two babies after and did it both ways.  I definitely gained more weight when I did not have any fluid than when I did.  The thing to remember is that you should toss all your "norms" out the window.  Not sure if you are like me but I am very aware of what I can eat, when I can eat, and overall how my band reacts to timing and different foods so I dont get sick very often.  

When I was pregnant I could eat more (muscle are relaxed, part of pregnancy) then after I gave birth with all the stress on the body my restriction was more intense. 

I took a normal prenatal my doctor gave me once and the other time I got one over the counter.  I try to get a smaller one, I had to take 3 but it was worth it. 

I lost the weight after but it took work to get my mind back in the game.  

Good luck!!