swrktp

It does work for many people. I know a few.
The problem as I see it is that if there are complications people tend to blame the patient or their eating issues. The honest truth is for some people it just is NOT a good fit no matter if they follow the rules or not. It has been hard to deal with the attitude that if you don't lose or your having complications that the person not the band is to blame. But I do see alot of that attitude on this site and with the WLS community. For me is is just alot of medical complications that I am trying to navigate around to figure out how I can work WITH my band. I have a good friend that had to have her band out becuase she was allergic to the silicon. And I sometimes wonder if my body just wants it out and it out and is trying to tell me that. If I ever get it out I would just revise to the sleeve. I am not eligible for the RNY per my doctor. The malabsorption would be a problem for me. At the time I was banded the sleeve was not an option just band or RNY.
I will say that I got banded with about 8 people and that two lost 100 pounds. Those two have since gained about 25-30 back two years out. Not bad if you ask me I would be happy. Not perfect but better than me. Two gained all their weight back and a bit more. (our doctor won't give you fills in the beginning unless you lose alot of weight first and in between fills). They never really lost and thus could not get fills in the band and never got back on track. Since they were not losing they were embarrased to see the doctor an get yelled at. After getting yelled at a couple times they didn't go back. Two people lost 80 pounds. One got pregnant and gained it all day and than some. She lost her medical insurance and so no more fills now. The other got a divorce and asked for her fill to be totally removed as stress was making her PB all the time and she was losing to fast. She gained about half the weight back. The rest of us lost about 25-30 pounds and are at a standstill. One person I know lost 76 of the 150 she wanted to lose but is at a standstill for the last three years. The success stories are wonderful to hear but not the norm in my group.
But here is the thing. For me even losing 25 makes me feel so much better. And when the fill is gone I gain period. So I know I use the band as a tool because I struggle MORE without it. I know it work at least for maintenance now. And it has helped my health so I would do it again. I am just afraid of fills because my body overreacts to fills. I need to lose another 75 pounds to make my goal. I have NOT given up. I figure my body tries to make a statement with every fill that it wants the darn thing OUT!!
. I am just trying to figure out how to use my band in a way my body won't fight. But I won't be surprized if I have to get it taken out at some point.
RNY you just have to be careful. I have had a couple friends almost die of malnutrition issues with the RNY issues. But others did fine. You just have to be on top of your health and know when to get to a doctor if something is wrong. Waiting or thinking it would work out and not going to ER has caused a few people some issues. So the labs are a good thing.
For me more than 50% of the time I have been banded I have had no fill at all. I am sure that is a large part of my not losing as fast. WIth no fill you are basically on your own like pre band and back to willpower. I could even tell I had a band.
It is a process.........................