I came to this site in hopes of support for the lap band. I read nothing but horrible things happening to people. I know there are people out there that are happy with their bands. Are they all so happy they have chosen not to come here anymore. Support is supposed to make you happy, yet I'm constantly unhappy about things that are happening to people that are banded. It's such an expense, I'm rethinking it seriously. I can't afford some of the things that are happening to people. My dr. insisted on this over bypass surgery because it was safer, but it seems to me to take lots more upkeep. My daughter had her bypass, a check-up, and never went back. She received some support info by mail and never even read it. She did it all by herself and with a support group that was truly supportive. I'm NOT in any way saying that gastric by-pass is an alternative for me because my dr. forbids it, but I wish my dr. read more of the stuff on here and perhaps she would not be encouraging me to get the band.

So much has happened on here and I'm sad for so many people.

Please bring the happy bandsters back

im only 10 days post op so i cant really say to much yet apart from so far i love my band and i hope it stays that way!!

Well, even with all my pissing and groaning lately, I"m still happy with my band.

Without my band I really believe I would be dead right about now.

I am happy. 11 months post-op.

jayme

VQ, that's dedication, I had to laugh at the way you put it, but it all boils down to the fact we want our band.

I am a newly banded one, but also a happy one!

tomorrowsdream, it's early days for the band in the US, it's obviously not got full mainstream medical acceptance and support. Here in Australia where it's been done for more than a decade, they'd look at you like you had 2 heads if you insisted you wanted a bypass instead. There's hardly any surgeons that even do the bypass, and its saved for very extreme cases.

Bottom line is the band is a gentler, safer way to ensure weight loss and it IS successful for most people long term. The statistical incidence of slippage and erosion is low but you hear about it more on sites like this because this is where people come to for support and nobody needs support more than when something unexpected happens to them.

The fact that the band can be removed when problems arise is one of it's biggest attractions. If you're malnourished and sick and lose all your hair after bypass and are miserable with your decision there's nothing you can do about it.

I am also very happy with my band. I had a little irritation/infection at two of my incision sites due to my boooobies rubbing them. They have healed well and I've not had anymore problems.

I have to say that I am happy with my decision to get the band. I did Jenny Craig for 2 years straight and only lost 29 pounds and I have had this for 2 1/2 months and I have lost 25! I know that this is a tool and I could lose it at any time or keep it the rest of my life but I have my self-esteem back and I take time to make myself feel good inside and out. My friends and family have noticed the change and it feels great!

I know how you feel about the negative stuff on this message board and sometimes it scares the hell out of me and gets my mind going so I have to take a break from it for a few days and not think about it and then check the boards again! And I try to stay away from all of the abbreviations too...those drive me nuts. I like to read straight through and not stop for a second to process NSV, PB, DH...etc...ugh!!! So I try not to use them for the new people!

I have read alot of happy stuff, sad stuff, scary stuff and funny stuff. But I still some back.

I have had my band just over 2 two months and I love my band. I have always felt that this was the way I was meant to go. I wouldn't have made any other choice. I am HAPPY! 50 Pounds down...to be continued!!! :-)

55 lbs down - 30 since surgery 10 weeks ago - Very Very Happy.

I'm almost 7 weeks post op now. I love my band, and though I would really like to lose a little faster, 23 hours and 59 minutes of the day I'm thankful (the other minute is when I step on the scale and either jump for joy or swear...my husband finds the whole morning ritual hilarious now ) But before my band I had stopped weighing, because I felt there was no hope of having the "jump for joy" moments.

Just like life, everything isn't smooth sailing. I've had a pretty smooth ride so far and I'm thankful. But I really like knowing that when the going gets rough, I have this group of friends to come to. I feel like I can tell them anything and I'll get things spelled out for me or the support i need. For instance, I've already had a week and half where I lost nothing. I came here and started moaning and groaning....did these ladies let me get by with that...heck no. They told me to get real....look at how far I've come and be realistic. They also told me to stay off the scale (still working on that one) But the point is...they cared enough to tell me lighten up and not stresss about it, and they were right, I started loosing again. I find it very telling to read a lap band board and then go read a Rny board. You will find problems both places....but the difference is the problems here for the most part can be treated. And even those that are going through tough times right now, and are having their bands removed are going to be returning to full health and can either reband later or try other options if they wish...because they still have all the options open to them.

So add me to the happy bandster list.

Melissa

I'm almost 3 and a half years out and I'm quite happy with my band although the closer I get to goal, the slower the weightloss is. I think that's normal.

It is true that sometimes you do get so happy that you start living life more and don't spend as much time on the computer.

I've been busy with my one year old son-the one we wouldn't have had (personal choice-no medical reason) unless I lost weight like I did. He's my number one reason for being happy with the band!

Also, for whatever reason, there aren't a bunch of longer-term post-ops here. So it is harder to see the big picture.

I am definately a very happy bandster, 103 lbs in 7 1/2 months. 103 lbs healthier, and couldn not have done it without my band. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I love my band and I would not be where I am right now 4 months out from surgery. Hopefully, still 50 pounds lighter when I get on the scale tonight. LOL I have all that comes with losing 50 pounds, feeling better, healthier, confidence and the security of knowing that my band is adjustable and or removable if necessary.

Good Luck!!!!

Thank you for giving us a place to gather positive comments. I almost cancelled my surgery after my first few visits to this site.

I am happy with my band, no complications.

I got up early so I can post this before I go to work because I know it will be lengthy. Please bear with me or skip down to the surgeon's advice paragraph.

I got the band because every family member from my great grandmother down is very fat and some morbidly obese. My oldest brother died from apnea, my 2 older brothers have diabetes and heart trougle. Two of my three sisters have diabetes, heart trouble and both gets dialisis.

I saw the writing on the wall at our last family reunion and it was not good. The day after the reunion, I went onto the internet to find a LIFE SAVING Solution. The band was the logical choice.

Sadly, my insurance company would not cover my surgery because I was not morbidly obese and did not have a weight related disease like diabetes, a heart condition, kidney failure, etc. I had a 33 BMI at the time and would have to gain a lot of weight and get a disease before they would cover me. They are morons and do not believe in prevention. They will even not cover birth control pills but will pay for the delivery of an unlimited number of babies.

It did not take long to get totally disgusted with my doctor's attitude and the insurance company's policies. I decided to go to Mexico where I got better care than I got in the USA when I had my back surgery. The clinic was clean, the hotel great, the staff very nice and helpful.

My surgeon said that complications come from:

1. Not sticking to a liquid diet the first two weeks.... juice, oatmeal, grits, Jello, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, blenderized Soups....

2. Not GRADUALLY adding soft foods the next four weeks... fish, soft fruit, cooked veggies (except corn, broccilli,) soft pastas, eggs, toast, crackers.

3. Not chewing well. All food must be almost liquified before swallowing.

4. Not crushing your pills. Get a pill crusher from the pharmacy.

5. Eating bread, dry products, nuts, rice, salads. Remember that bread and dry products will absorb Water and swell in your upper stomach and cause big problems.

I will never again be able to sit down and eat a 16 oz. steak dinner with a baked potatoe and texas toast. The good news is I do not want to. A few bites of each is sufficient.

I stopped living to eat and now eat to live.

By the way, everyone should be counting calories once they hit a plateau. You can still overeat if you eat high calorie junk food.