"Banders" not welcome?

I've been perusing a lot of the boards, esp the main board, and I've noticed that just as much judgment happens as support when it comes to the types of surgeries chosen.  And maybe I'm being too sensitive, but it seems like the band takes the most crap.  I came here for support, not criticism, but honestly, I haven't been overly welcomed.  Has anyone else experienced this?

You will only find support here (at least in this forum)..I kinda felt the same way when I was in the other forums before my surgery. I love my band and all the people here are very supportive! Hang in there!!!

I want to clarify...see this is the problem with the written word as opposed to the spoken where you can hear tones in voices. I did not mean you would only get support here in the Realize Band forum. What I MEANT was you will get ONLY support here..no negativity. Does that clarify what I had intended to relay? Hopefully no one was offended by what they thought I meant. If so, I am truly sorry.

 Jodi....I am VERY SORRY that you experienced that on the other message boards.  I know that is not the feeling that the staff of Obesity Help want to happen to people on the message boards.   I too have read some of the terrible things said about "choice" surgeries and some "pushing" their surgeries like if you don't chose it....you will be sorry.    I had RNY almost 6 yrs. ago.   I do NOT push my surgery nor any other for that matter.     They ALL WORK if you work them as they are designed.    I think many bash lap band because if you don't do as you are suppose to you can get band slippage.    But trust me....all the WLS can have problems if they are not "used" properly.    What everyone needs to understand is they are all just tools to help aid us in losing weight.    Please don't let those people run you off.     I don't think may banders are on the main board.   If you will notice...most of the ones who run people off had DS.    Oooppps....I didn't say that.  LOL   Don't let anyone get you down.    You will do great and you have wonderful people here on this board.   Come here or the lap band board for your support.    Good luck you to and don't let anyone get you down !!!

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

 If you had gone through what I have gone through in the almost four years I have had this band, you, too would share the same outlook on the band.

Heed others advice.  There's a reason so many people have a hate-on for the band.

Best of luck to you.  :)

 
I agree with you completely. I know that most of the newbies seem to only want to hear the happy band stories..............but there just are not that many of them long term. Let's be serious.........how many do we know that have had the band 5 yrs.? Very few! And of those..............how many have not had band complications? I know of 1. VERY BAD STATS! :-(

Jodi,

Firstly, I echo many here who state (A) I am sorry other board members aren’t tolerant of your choice (B) and the poor perception the band has.

Secondly, in the almost 10 years of researching bariatric surgery, and over 3 being a band patient and being active in the bariatric community, I can tell you all these surgeries have very successful results, and they all also have very negative results and/or complications. There is no 1 surgery which is without failures and/or complications. If there was, then the bariatric community would switch to that procedure, and everyone would be successful. I’ve known people who have changed their bands to bypass/sleeves; I know bypass & sleeve patients who have either a band on-top of their operation; I’ve known bypass patients who switched to sleeve; I know bypass/sleeve/band patients who had DS, etc.

I feel, like in life, bad folks give the good folks a bad name. All the boards have their detractors,  but if you look closely you’ll find the supports outnumber them. We at “minority" here at the Realize section.  We’re probably one of the “newest" forums. With that said, I feel since we are the minority we’re also the most tolerant and understanding. It seems the folks here don’t really care what TOOL you chose, but the ultimate goal for ALL OF US is getting HEALTHY.

Know you will always have love; understanding and support here.

Good luck!!

 

Thank you Tom. You said that very well! (Wish I could have stated my feelings that well!)

I had the same reception in the main board after asking about another surgery.  They wanted to know why I was asking if I already had band surgery (meaning did I fail).  I said no I didn't fail I have done very well but I was asking a question for someone else.  Well I was promptly told that I was being gossipy and nosey...so on.  I am sure if I told them I was a band failure I would have gotten a different response.  I now very rarely go on the main board.  I find the kindest people on the Realize board and the Illinois board.  I love the Illinois board, as we go on every day and talk about anything and everything.  I have known these people for 3 years and I consider them close friends.  You might want to try your state board.

I think some people feel the need to scream their opinions...sometimes we should really listen too, but sometimes the way things are said aren't the most inviting either.

For me personally, I feel a need to tell/educate people about some of the issues that I have personally experienced and seems like more and more are... The band is "SOLD" as a completely reversible, removable, great procedure. I have very mixed feelings about this. I have a failed band that slips all the time now...been dealing with it over a year now. Trying to discuss getting a revision, but turns out that nope, my surgeon won't do the revision, and now seeking out another surgeon doesn't seem to be going quite as planned either. There is also lots of issues with the band leaving so much scar tissue that it might be very difficult to remove without leaving damage behind and also very difficult to revise....therefore to ME, that is not quite reversible & removable and it is being sold. I think once you go through this type of scenario, it makes you much more adament to tell your story and make sure people see all the things that are happening. When I got my band back in 2008, there weren't near the horror stories there are now...

Good luck to you... I hope you have none of the negatives and have much success with your band!