2012

I won't lie, I worked my ass off to lose. But once I got to my goal weight, I actually stopped formally exercising and the weight kept dropping off. I eventually got to the stage where my BMI was under 21 and my dr was talking about unfilling me, so I actively ate to GAIN some weight. When I say it was effective, it was VERY effective for me. It took away my hunger almost completely.
Even now, when I get fills while waiting for my surgery, I can go from hungry to not hungry at all with the right fill level. It takes away cravings, keeps me full for hours and I can then go about living my life.
The band may not be successful for everyone as it was for me, but hell, what surgery gives you 100% gaurantees anyway? So you do your research, take a punt that it will work for you, and get on with it.
And you know what's NOT in the studies? I learnt more about food and hunger with my band than any othe time in my life. I gained initally when my band started leaking, and now I'm maintaining without the help of the band, and am in fact slowly losing. So it's given me more than it has ever taken. And that's MY opinion piece on it!

Hey Kim, it's looking okay over here in Kentucky and I'm doing good. Sorry to hear about your stuck episodes, sounds like you may need a little removed. I hit the green zone and hope to stay there for awhile, but I go to the doc in a week, so I watch closely this week to see how I'm doing. I'm also moving to Australia in about 2 months, so I'm going to question if I need to do anything special for that long of a plane ride, I hope not, but in case I need an unfill, I fortunately met someone on here to help me with a doc over there. Hope everyone else is doing good! I would love to lose 40 more, but not sure if that's really feasible . And have a great time in Florida and then Maui, that is awesome!

I don't know why people post this sh-t. Clearly, people come to this site for support and encouragement, not fear and negativity. I'm annoyed, but clearly we cannot control who posts what, where. I will take what I need, and leave the rest.

To be honest, any WLS is only as good as it will be to the individual. Broad studies may be conducted on the effectiveness of each, and opinions provided on which may be more effective, but a patient SHOULD look at all the pros and cons of each type of surgery and make an informed decision as to what's right for THEM at that point in time.
After I got my band in 2008, I went through huge sleeve envy when a colleague got her sleeve at the same time as me. But the band was incredibly effective for me and has been for years until I sprung a leak. Now I'm looking at band replacement because in the end, I would be silly NOT to go with a WLS surgery that helped me lose 130% of my excess weight and helped me keep it off easily for 3 years.
It may turn out to be the wrong decision in the future but right now, I believe it's the right decision for me. And I think that that's what everyone needs to weight up - what's right for you?
On a personal note, I'm excited to have the option to 'start from scratch' with a new band. I'm not sure what happens next with a sleeve where, like my colleague, she started gaining again after a few years...

People need to know the dangers of WLS, but they need to know the comparative dangers of ALL types of WLS, not just a skewed view. When I told my wife I wanted to be banded, it scared the **** out of her until she looked at the relative complication/mortality rates of the different types and pointed out that fewer people died by far from banding than the other two.

Weight gain is possible with ALL of the surgeries. The bypass has a 12-18 month honeymoon period, where the weight starts melting off. But after that, if the person doesn't "do the work", they can end up back where they started. And now with a rewired system, that doesn't function the way God intended.
I think with the band, if someone is truly motivated, and in it for the long haul, they will have long term success. As bandsters, our work starts the minute we wake up from surgery. There is no free ride with this, which for me, is just fine. At some point they all become work, and I'm totally fine starting my work right out of the gate.
Congrats on your great success with the band. THESE stories are the ones I come here for

So, the fact that other surgeries have a much higher complication/mortality rate has no bearing MsMaui? Oh look, here is a clinic that does all three types of surgeries as well http://www.trueresul...loss-surgeries. They claim that the sleeve has 3 times and GB has 4 times the complication rates of banding. That doesn't even deal with the much higher rate of people who die from those surgeries.
Let's be fair shall we and stop combing the Internet and posting just what the dangers of the band are. Before you scare someone into having 3/4 of their stomach cut away, and their intestines re-routed post the dangers of those surgeries as well.
I had a surgeon recommend the sleeve to me as well, know why? He was out of state and I couldn't find a Dr. who would do fills in Utah if he did the band. He didn't give a damn about what was best for me, he wanted the income from the surgery, ANY surgery.
Heck, my surgeon has over a 1000 bands by now, he won't do the sleeve or GB because he objects to making major modifications to a person's body such removing major portions of their stomach.

here is another (observation)
http://www.wlshelp.c..._medium=twitter
let me add,
i stand by my belief that the small risk of band surgery was WORTH saving my life...i also stand by the fact that ANY surgery can have complications...
msmaui, i find that until you had complications, the band actually helped you lose weight and you seem to forget that...sorry if that is rude but i find your constant harping of the band failures also rude......
yes you are able to post what you want, good and bad....and i respect that and i support you and your recent surgery....

This is 65 pounds down, 45 more to go! Banded 11/12/12

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The article you stated was just opinion. Not a study and not fact. Opinion.
I'm sorry but opinions are useless. It's facts that matter.
This is an actual study and fact: "Gastric banding is safe and effective for managing obesity long-term, according to a study of patients 10 to 15 years after their surgeries."
Weight Stays Off Long After Lap Band Surgery

At least if there are serious complications, the procedure can be reversed; lap band removed & you're on your way. Can't say that once 75% of your stomach is removed, or your digestive system has been rewired.
My surgeon is not a huge fan of the band, either. I don't know that many bariatric surgeons are. But even with all of its potential ongoing problems, it's STILL less risky than the other options. I remain hopeful.....

yep it can be unfilled or removed if needed. that is a big reason why some of us choose the band.

If something went wrong with your stomach or esophagus then yes the band could cause more problems.
But the beauty of the band is the fact it can be removed. If you say developed stomach cancer after the Sleeve you'd be screwed because you can't get that missing portion of your stomach back.

326lbs to 170lbs.
Sorry, not the greatest pics.

Starting Weight = 235lbs
Current Weight = 212lbs
Weight Lost = 23lbs
Surgery Date: Feb 6, 2013

NUT did a presentation just yesterday and bananas were brought up and she said that most people have the misconception that bananas are bad, but they are good for you. A serving size is usually just 1/2 a banana and people usually end up eating the entire banana, which means a lot more calories and why people have this misconception. Personally, I can only handle a 1/2 of a banana, not an entire one, but before surgery, I'd eat them like there was no tomorrow without any problem. Also, like Missy said, track it in your diary and you have control over if it's a "bad" or "good" fruit.< /p>

Thank you Missy, I agree with you, but do still kind of feel the same way as Ashleigh. Since I've lost 85 lbs, I get a lot of attention, even from people I never talk to at work and when they ask, I just tell them I eat high Protein, low carb, and track every little morsel that goes in my mouth and that I'm walking for exercise. But in the back of my mind, I know my little friend around my stomach is helping me too. Yesterday was insane though,I finally wore pants and a shirt that fit and everyone, and I mean lots of people, were calling me skinny, I just wish my head would catch up and sometimes I really don't like all of the attention, I know they are being nice to me, but I'm not one that likes to be the center of attention; although, I left a very happy person from work yesterday, so maybe I do like it a little after all, lol.

The band doesn't simply stop working unless it's slipped or somehow come undone. It can't change your metabolism either. In fact, the band isn't even what makes you lose weight. Consuming less calories than you burn is what results in weight loss. The band is there to keep you satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. You have to remember all WLS are just tools. The work will forever be yours regardless.
My best advice is to start tracking calories and measuring your food. This way you can be certain you're staying within your daily calorie allowance and sticking to band sized portions.
I would also follow up with both your surgeon and nutritionist.
Remember, it doesn't matter which WLS you choose, the work will always be yours to do.
Best wishes.

Before and after, down 92lbs as of this past Sunday:

Wow, great job, I am so happy for you! You are truly an inspiration and help us out on LBT with your advice . Get well soon and share your pics.

Just remember that misery loves company and that people will always post the negative and not necessarily the positive, so don't overwhelm yourself with the negatives/complications. I'm not bragging, but saying this out of support, but I have had zero complications and I am 8 months in and 92 lbs down and had both a hiatal hernia fixed and lap band done on the same day. Follow the rules and chew, chew, chew. Yes there is a learning curve, but you will get through this. Good luck tomorrow!

Thank you and a happy Easter to you too! Have a great day!

Just remember that misery loves company and that people will always post the negative and not necessarily the positive, so don't overwhelm yourself with the negatives/complications. I'm not bragging, but saying this out of support, but I have had zero complications and I am 8 months in and 92 lbs down and had both a hiatal hernia fixed and lap band done on the same day. Follow the rules and chew, chew, chew. Yes there is a learning curve, but you will get through this. Good luck tomorrow!

The airplane is pressurized so you should feel no affect on the band while flying. Skiing at high altitude may be different story. Take ti slow and you will be fine. I have never felt tight on any flight including 8 hour ones!