Recent Posts

Mell
on 1/22/16 7:13 am
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

Hi! I have had my band for 9 years now, I have had some complications but 2 babies later I have kept off over 100lbs with ups and downs of course.

 

Honestly I think some peoples bodies do not do well with foreign objects inside them, and for some people their bodies just fight like hell against it. There are some people who never learn their band and how finicky it can be, it really is trial and error, and I have tons of tricks that I use but that dont work for everyone.  For me it is about learning my body, learning how my body deals with the band under different situations from morning, to cold, to heat, to stress etc... It sucks I still fight it every day some days are better than others but overall I love my band and I am thankful for it. 

 

With that the worst part is you do not know how your body is going to react to it until it is in, and because of that it sucks!  I consider myself lucky and love my band, would I recommend it? Probably not, mostly because if you over eat and push your limits you will do permanent serious harm to your organs, really dangerous stuff. And honestly if we could control ourselves we would not have this battle at all right? And because there are other surgeries out there like the sleeve that basically give you the same thing but there are no objects inside you, and if you over eat (outside the healing process) you will stretch your sleeve, gain weight, but that is it.  YOu will not suffer with damage like some of the other people have, some that will never recover.

 

Good luck to you on your journey.

NYMom222
on 1/22/16 6:41 am
RNY on 07/23/14
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

From my surgoen: "With the band, 1/3 of the people do really well, 1/3 of the people lose a little weight but aren't satisfied, and 1/3 lose nothing." Ugh...I didn't like those odds.

That being said, even people who love it and are successful have a high chance of having a complication at some point and having to have it removed. A woman in my support group just had to have her's removed with emergency surgery and she had done very well with it and kept it off.

It is a scary prospect to have surgery. The fear of the unknown is real. I think leaving a foreign object in your body is scarier - your body knows how to heal from stitches and our bodies are very adaptive and learn to function with the new anatomy. I had my gall bladder removed years ago yet somehow my body adapted to life without it.

Good Luck. It is OK to not be ready.

Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014

Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16

#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets

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KattattaK
on 1/21/16 10:15 pm
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

PLEASE read my story in my profile. 

Tiki3211
on 1/21/16 11:33 am
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

I have had the sleeve surgery and absolutely love it.  I know of two people that had lap band surgery.  Both are having revisions, one after 8 year.  The one long term will have to have the RYN because the band has damaged her esophagus and her surgeon told her this was the only surgery he could do because of the damage.  I decided to go with the sleeve because I didn't want a foreign object inside my body and the risks were low.  I recommend the sleeve completely.

Steven354
on 1/21/16 4:31 am
Topic: RE: 4 Months Post Op Tummy Tuck - Cancun in 2 Weeks

     I had trunc lift after losing 130 pds. Make sure you use zinc creme on scars. Otherwise damage occurs including keloids.  Good luck

Faytona
on 1/20/16 11:42 pm - Gold Hill, OR
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

I had my Lap Band in June of 06. In March of 2015 I would have echoed the happy banders who have responded. I am now trying to get a revision as my band is causing much distress. I lost 132 pounds w/my band. Not many doctors are placing bands these days. Out of the 10 people who I have personally known who had a band only 2 of us were happy!

The banders I know who have revised to the sleeve are thrilled and don't have any issues. I hear all the time this is what the band was supposed to be.

I to was able eat and be satisfied......out of the blue my band slipped. No reason! Now I am just having issues and gaining weight, not overeating, stomach is bloated, pain, etc. If you talk to the doctors who have been banding they will all tell it is about 10 years and peoples bands  just fail!

I wish you luck in whatever your decision is!

Bobfeland
on 1/14/16 3:50 pm
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

I received the lapband in March of 2005. My port leaked so they were never able to stabalize the band.  The port was surgically removed and replaced and I went from330 to 214. My problem is that every time I get close to my target weight the band locks, I get sick, have the band emptied and promptly gain to 257 where I stay(which admittedly is much better than 330 or the 360-400 I would weigh if I hadn't done it****il I get the band filled and start over again.  I am at 217 now, the band prohibits even a swallow of water to go down.  I don't want to empty the band and start over. Any suggestions? Otherwise I am a happy camper! I was taking prescriptions for high blood pressure, pre diabetics, and others. Since the initial weight loss no prescriptions. So, except for the issues referred to above, I am absolutely delighted!

Bobfeland
on 1/14/16 2:48 pm
Topic: RE: So frustrated!!!

I had the lapband surgery 10 years ago.  I had my last fill in September and have steadily lost 35 pounds.  However, as alway before when I reach my target weight of 210 my band locks down. Nothing penetrates.  Usually what I do is get the band completely empty regain 50 pounds and then start over and here I am again. What can I do to get the band to release and accept the small bits of liquid for which I am so desperate? Any suggestions?

JenY718
on 1/12/16 5:01 am - NJ
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

I had lap band in 2005.  I had it removed in 2007 by emergency surgery as it was infected.  I had pus coming out of my port incision! I knew something was wrong for months but couldn't figure out what.  I am not looking into another surgery as I am tired of being overweight! I know only a handful of people who have been successful with the band.  I wish I would have had a revision when it was offered back in 2007 but I thought I could do it on my own! Good luck in whatever you decide.

sdpinkerton
on 1/10/16 1:17 pm
Topic: RE: Thinking about the band

I have been banded since 08 and not experienced any problems starting weight 285 current weight 175 Its been the best decision i have made for myself 

 

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