LadyT150

Best of luck...
this appears to me to a long term solution and it takes the right combination of fills. AND attitude.
This is us changing our behavior.
Last month I passed my 11 year mark. I am very proud to have kept off 70 lbs .... it was 85-90 lbs and it is not now, since I am almost unfilled.... thought I knew.... hmmm
I need a fill to start the year right My dr just retired so I am switching... and I feel like a dinosaur looking for a band dr.
glad to see they are still effective for many... regardless of what you read!
happy start of a wonderful year!

I'm back. My initial surgery was in 2009 and well, the first time around I failed. I lost weight, I gained it back and never ever achieved that Happy Spot fill level. I avoided my surgeon and years, pounds, diabetes, and high blood pressure later I am back.
Im currently at 8years out. I bit the bullet and returned to my surgeon for a upper GI and fill. My band was positioned correctly with 8cc's of restriction. I was given the thumbs up by my doc and ready to continue my journey.
My doctor was wonderful, understanding and supportive. He was forgiving and understanding. HIs reaction gave me the strength and confidence that well HELL, Let's give this another try, I can do this. I could tell he had this chat before.
All it took was one cc... yes I said one cc to make the difference in my restriction. Where has that 1cc of saline been all my life? I simply gave up 1 cc too soon. I thought it was over for me. I gave up on my band and me.
Week 1 starting over, let the journey begin. Lesson learned. Don't ever give up on your surgeon, the band or yourself, there is always tomorrow and I welcome it. 2 lbs. down.... I'm on my way to weight loss or the sleeve, but I'm giving this procedure one last shot.

S.

I don't agree with their stance, either. The study they base this on was skewed; it was a very small group that was all from one area, and the devices are from so long ago that major improvements have been made in the materials used. On top of that, the surgeries they followed are from the very beginning of the lap-band approval time period, meaning that any doctor putting them in wouldn't have had a lot of experience. The need for removal can be from the surgeon placing the device improperly alone - so studying patients only from one area ups that chance.
In the end, lap-band patients are safer overall from major complications than sleeve or bypass patients. And over a 5-year span, their loss of excess weight is about the same. Sleeve and bypass patients lose faster than lap-band patients, but I don't see that as a bad thing. Slow and steady is a good thing - especially for your skin and bouncing back. Also for lifestyle change.
One of the things my doctor said to me was that if this doesn't work, then we look at other more drastic options later. If you go in with a splinter, they don't consider amputating the finger - they look at the smallest fix first. If the finger becomes infected beyond control, then you look at the larger, more drastic options. You don't jump ahead to something more dangerous and more permanent when you could do something safer and easier and get the same long-term results. That's my end game - permanent, long-term change. I'm willing to do it a bit at a time. I certainly didn't put all the weigh ton overnight. It seems foolish to try to take it off that way.
I don't begrudge anyone taking a chance on the more serious sleeve or bypass - to each his own. I just felt like stomach amputation was a bit extreme as a first step. I wanted something that could be a great tool - not something that I couldn't make choices with. I'm happy so far with my decision.

I have been doing a lot of research; it seems that their is a recent publication by The Journal of the American Medical Association ("JAMA") discouraging lap band surgery, but is in favor of the "sleeve".
I've read the article several times, but still didn't really agree with their stance.
My lap band DID slip in May 2016 and I had to have a "revision" surgery to put my lap band back in place. Honestly, I don't have any regrets about the surgery and I would certainly do it again.
Good luck to you "newbies" ***smiles***

I was also banded in 2007 and have had a wonderful love hate relationship with my band. I love it as a tool for meal restriction and keeping hunger in check. Hate it because it’s very difficult to overeat without doing harm.
I love It for having to take small bites and am almost always the last to finish. I hate it because if I try to eat big bites or fast then I suffer needlessly.
I have 1cc in a 4cc band. Any problems have come when I had more than 1cc.
I May or may not ever reach my goal but keeping off over 100 lb most of my journey has been entirely worth it.

I love my band as well. I have had it for many years and I can not imagine life without it. I am so healthy & much happier now and I am able to be apart of my children's life on a daily basis. I have had some ups and downs with my band over the years, but nothing that would cause me to have it removed. It has been a life saving tool for me.

I've been banded since 2007 and I only recently started visiting this site... Stupid on my part. I learned quite a few things here. I wish I had been on here when I first started out. While reading different posts to help me with my pouch dialation problems 2 weeks ago I noticed many people who have had their bands removed.
In the past I had port infection due to a Tummy Tuck, esophogeal hernia( which they originally thought was a band erosion) it was only when I was under anethstisia did my doctor see the problem and when I woke up I was totally ecstatic because I thought I would be waking up to having my band removed.it wasn't and I was grateful.
I read so many people saying how it was the worst mistake by getting banded, but I feel so lucky. It's worked so well and the problems I had were my likely self induced, you know not chewing properly, the dumb tummy tuck which wasn't necessary. Those problems could have been avoided. The thought of being without my band it frightening. This last problem of pouch dialation was a strong reality check. I have to remember how to eat and chew properly. Just because so many years have past I must not become complacent .
I was lucky to find so much info on these post at bariatric pal. I grateful for the posts I read and for future knowledge I can obtain just by reading other people's stories. I just wish I read more stories of people who have had great success with their band. I know I did and I love my band and can't image myself without it.

I have been banded for 10 years and I believe it is the safer alternative than any other surgery. I did not want my body rerouted or changed from what was normal. I know of a person who had the sleeve and was told that even with that surgery, over the years your stomach can stretch again. It all comes down to self-control and learning new eating habits.

I am thrilled to see that there are people being banded like me and are starting this new adventure. I was worried that everybody is jumping on the new bandwagon of doing outrageous things to their body to lose weight instead of just trying a non-invasive way like the band.

I have been banded for 12 years and I believe it is the safer alternative than any other surgery. I did not want my body rerouted or changed from what was normal. I know of a person who had the sleeve and was told that even with that surgery, over the years your stomach can stretch again. It all comes down to self-control and learning new eating habits.

It’s so nice to talk to people who actually have the lapband! I am part of forum with my surgeons group, but no one seems to have the band.

10/2014 was my band surgery...from 250 to 136.
So far so good....knock on wood 😉 I eat a ton of Protein, drink lots of Water and exercise everyday.
Some things took a while to learn, can usually not eat till afternoon. Gotta chew....a lot. And nothing to drink with my meal.
But all in all I wouldn't change anything

Will be 10 yrs St. Pat's Day. Lost 90 lbs. Never had a complication. Never abused it. Went to a teaching hospital w/very experienced surgeons. Have read all the studies over the last 10 yrs. Has the worst outcomes and the most complications for all the WL surg but the complications are more minor than the others and band is only 1 that is reversible. I had to learn a lot and be very persistent. Took me longer to lose. There's no guarantee that you won't need/want a revision with any of the WL surgeries - see the other forums and read about them. I have friends who have had bands, sleeves, and by-passes who have all regained everything and given up. But I have friends who have bands, sleeves, and by-passes who are doing fine. My best advice is to pick the one that sounds best you and then work that program. It's not easy - but I'll tell you this: 1 don't have high blood pressure anymore. My cholesterol is great. No pills. No medical problems anymore. Joints don't hurt anymore. Climb stairs. Had several cosmetic surgeries and love buying great vintage clothes. Love having so many people tell me how good I look. Walking on the edge of the ocean at 66 yrs. Just pick a WL surg and then dedicate yourself to it body and soul. Best wishes.

I found an ap the easiest. ive never used Baritastic, but myfitnesspal can save meals and allows you to copy over days or meals at a time. I found that a real time saver as i often repeat the same meals. 10,000 steps a day is what i did. You've got this!

Hi Mila,
I’m four years out today with no complications. And my GERD went away after s urgery.
Oh and I like MyFitnessPal for logging.

I'm very happy with my band, and my surgeon did all procedures, but based on my age and other factors he strongly suggested having the band, My insurance would have any of the weight loss procedures. There are three surgeons, and several APRNs handle the follow up visits. My wife had the sleeve, same surgeon,and she is expected to have follow visits and yearly blood work. My surgeon still does lap bands, based on the needs of that patient. If you go for low price, you may get what you pay for. There are Bariatric Centers of Excellence for a reason.
I seldom bother checking in or posting is because the forum has largely turned into a band bashing melee, and I suspect most other long time regulars have left for the reason. This was a great place when it catered only to lap banders. Now anyone with a lap band issue is assailed by VSG cultists.

I haven’t posted in the General LapBand forums in a long time but I’m very happy with my band. This March will be four years.

My level of restriction is perfect as far as I am concerned. But I do eat a lot of s alads instead of solid p rotein. If I ate more solid p rotein I would feel more restriction and probably lose weight again.

I’ve bounced about 15-18 pounds over the last two years up and down. I haven’t visited my surgeon’s office in 2-1/2 years. The nurse who did my fills left. I feel like if it ain’t broke, don’t tinker with it.

Anyway, life banded is wonderful. I also go to Overeaters Anonymous and I know I need both OA and my band to continue to be successful living my new lifestyle.

I’m so grateful for the banders here and for Alex.

Never too late to restart. Spend more time on your ability to make good choices and realize that you are not alone in your journey.

The surgeon that put in my lapband five years ago is now doing the sleeve. He was very strict on having his lapband patients come in monthly. He felt it lead to their success, and I agree with him. I’m not sure if he is only doing the sleeve now, but I know he does LOTS of them. As for me, I have a love/hate relationship with my band. But I have NO regrets!

I was banded 12/2011 and fell like I’m still learning still@30 from my initial goal

I was banded 12/2011 and fell like I’m still learning still@30 from my initial goal

I just posted about this same thing. I feel like my head hasn't learned what it should have.. I wonder if it ever will. Had my surgery 7 years ago..????
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So spacegirl37 how's it going? Did you get your fill?
I am in the same boat. Have had my band empty since June of last year and looking forward to getting back on track. I have gained weight and I'm feeling bloated and uncomfortable all over again. I'd like to lose this extra 36 pounds to start with...and of course 3 weeks ago I pulled all the ligaments in my foot and ankle and have been hobbling around with a walking cast!
I hope a small fill will help stimulate the band and help with the hungry feelings...I'd like to get back to some kind of satiated feeling.

Netrition is a lifesaver. You can sort for low carb and/or bariatric approved foods.
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I hope this forum works out....problem with LBT is that 98% of the people are still trying to loose weight....still learning their way....dealing with the basics..
Sometimes it's hard to communicate when you know, and they don't know, that the world is not flat...
I belong to another site altogether were everyone has been banded for quite some time,( they were all once members here but left) most at their goals....and we very rarely talk about the basics anymore...
Mostly about how everyone is enjoying their new lives!!
I hope that happens here...not all the negativity, struggles and unhappiness....
There is a life after lapband...like having total knee surgery..sooner or later you get healed, work (struggle) through the rehab, and eventually begin to live your normal life again...be it with something artificial placed by surgery.....

I don't know......you tell me.........
Don't mean to be SNARKY....... YES, I've had success and I am enjoying my new life........