I don't know of anyone specifically that has failed with the lapband. They have all had success to different degrees. The people I do know and discuss it with - we all have our own way of trying to get the pounds off. Not to say one is better or worse than the other, just different.
I don't use my band for convenience sake. By that I mean, if I'm going on vacation, I don't get an unfill, or if I am going on vacation and need a fill - I get it anyway. It's not an excuse for me to delay getting proper restriction. I don't allow myself to get too tight. I have the ability to eat anything, and keeping my band loose allows me to do that and makes it my responsibility to make the proper food choices. I have adequate restriction to limit my hunger - the rest is up to me. I believe in exercise and strength training to help lose and maintain and tone. I follow my own particular surgeon's instructions - not what necessary someone else's physician says.
I also believe the food "addictions" in people - while having many similarities, can be very unique due to each individual's upbringing, societal influences, and ongoing relationship with food. I've come to the conclusion that even though I've achieved my goals, I will also have issues with food and will always struggle. The band however, does make it easier when my mindset isn't in the right place.
When people fail the band, I don't place all the blame on them. Just by reading many, many posts on this forum, I think there is a tremendous lack of proper education from their practitioners on what it takes to be successful, what problems they may encounter and what should be their priorities when living with the band. While many practices may tout the positive aspects of living with the lapband, they can significantly downplay the negatives and potential issues with having the band. It is a great disservice to their patients.
While all of us may not lose every pound that we wanted to - hopefully in the long run it makes our lives significantly healthier and better. I feel very fortunate that my journey has gone the way it was supposed to and I've not had any issues or problems with getting the proper restriction, limiting my food choices, or being fickle. I consider myself one of the lucky ones and I'm very grateful it worked for me.
