Hi Everyone,

Knowing what you know now....

If you had it to do all over again, would you still have the surgery?

Thanks!

Way, yes. weigh less! Heck, yes!:biggrin:

Yes, yes and yes!!!

To be honest...I don't know. I'm almost 11 months past surgery and I haven't lost any more at this point than I'd already lost by 4 months postop. For the past 6 months I've been dealing with all of the problems of being overfilled (without realizing it) and then unfilled. I felt myself fortunate to keep from gaining back everything I lost in the first 4 months but it has been a bit frustrating to just maintain.

I would have to say that my band has yet to do its job. Perhaps I'll feel different when I find that sweet spot between being able to eat more than I should at one sitting and being so full I can't eat the things I need to (Protein and vegies). I thought I did on this last fill and passed up a fill last Tuesday. Now I'm wishing I had gone in. Oh well.

I didn't expect the band to be this high maintenance. Then again, even if I hadn't done the band, I would still not have done the bypass so, since I guess I'm still ahead of where I was at this time last year, perhaps.

.

It's a big YES for me. I would have never taken off over 100 pounds without the band. It has worked out very well for me.

Yes!!! Its the best thing I did for myself!!!

To be honest...I don't know. I'm almost 11 months past surgery and I haven't lost any more at this point than I'd already lost by 4 months postop. For the past 6 months I've been dealing with all of the problems of being overfilled (without realizing it) and then unfilled. I felt myself fortunate to keep from gaining back everything I lost in the first 4 months but it has been a bit frustrating to just maintain.

I would have to say that my band has yet to do its job. Perhaps I'll feel different when I find that sweet spot between being able to eat more than I should at one sitting and being so full I can't eat the things I need to (Protein and vegies). I thought I did on this last fill and passed up a fill last Tuesday. Now I'm wishing I had gone in. Oh well.

I didn't expect the band to be this high maintenance. Then again, even if I hadn't done the band, I would still not have done the bypass so, since I guess I'm still ahead of where I was at this time last year, perhaps.

Just curious, how is it that you did not lose weight from being too tight for so long? Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. I imagine if you get things going in the right direction after such a long stall that you will be in the "happy with your decision" category :biggrin: I hope you get there soon!

No question I would do it again. The band is a learning curve but once you get the right restriction and learn to change bad habits your body really starts to change and it's the most wonderful thing. If I had to have the surgery once a year for the rest of my life I would do it.

Yes and I wish I had known about it years ago.

YES YES YES!!! There would be no doubt in my mind. I'm so happy with it at this point. Went to the Dr for my first 8 week check on Wednesday, didn't need a fill and he was very pleased with my progress too.

46 pounds gone that I will never see again!!!

Absolutely, resoundingly, categorically, undeniably YES.:biggrin:

I am over 4 years out. I made it to goal weight, in about a year and a half. Then had some health issues, non band related, due to a traumatic health diagnosis on my DD, and was put on steroids. That combined with the unfill for my own surgery....I let myself forget it all, and regained almost 40 pounds!

I have got some of it off, but I am healthy. I take ZERO prescription medications anymore. My joints don't ache. Blood pressure, blood sugar, all is good. I no longer wear a size 22/24---I wear 10's. If I get back to the single digit sizes Great, if not....I feel wonderful here.

I eat normally, I do not feel ostracized and unable to eat certain foods. And I love the knowledge it is adjustable to what I need when.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have recommended it over and over again!

Edited September 24, 201015 yr by Kat817
correction

Definitely! I've had no complications whatsoever; no regrets; nothing.

I would love to know why - from the "maybe's" or "no's".........

As with anything, it is great for some, not for others.

My SIL and I were banded the same day by the same Dr. and have have totally different experiences! Totally!

She lost fast, went to goal, before I did by a long shot! Then she got too tight, and began throwing everything up, our Dr. is 6 hours away, so it is not a quick trip to be checked. Well in my opinion she handled it poorly....and has since begun letting her DD who has experiences with ports, fill her and unfill her at home. She vomits every day, she is gaining weight back rapidly---and has seriously compromised her health. She said this morning on the phone, she told her pharmacist, she would never recommend it, and wishes she had never done it, and would NOT do it again.

BUT.....the band did not fail her....She failed her band. She is not doing things in any way right. But she would and may have for all I know voted NO.

It does not cure hunger for everyone, many but not all. It did mine instantly, she says she is always hungry. Same Dr. different results.

She likes the Pasta and potatoes and such, and has trouble eating them, so is disappointed more often than not with her diet.

I prefer other foods, so it worked better for me.

I too wish those with other experiences would voice them, but often they get bashed if they are not happy bandsters. It is NOT for everyone. It WON'T work 100% of the time. It is NOT a guarantee you will not regain weight. It CAN be eaten around, and you continue to gain even with a band.

Until your head is in the game, it is a hard thing to lose even with the band. But when it all comes together, and you are ready, and the band is there to help----it is an awesome combination!!! And it works for lots of us!!!

As with anything, it is great for some, not for others.

My SIL and I were banded the same day by the same Dr. and have have totally different experiences! Totally!

She lost fast, went to goal, before I did by a long shot! Then she got too tight, and began throwing everything up, our Dr. is 6 hours away, so it is not a quick trip to be checked. Well in my opinion she handled it poorly....and has since begun letting her DD who has experiences with ports, fill her and unfill her at home. She vomits every day, she is gaining weight back rapidly---and has seriously compromised her health. She said this morning on the phone, she told her pharmacist, she would never recommend it, and wishes she had never done it, and would NOT do it again.

BUT.....the band did not fail her....She failed her band. She is not doing things in any way right. But she would and may have for all I know voted NO.

It does not cure hunger for everyone, many but not all. It did mine instantly, she says she is always hungry. Same Dr. different results.

She likes the Pasta and potatoes and such, and has trouble eating them, so is disappointed more often than not with her diet.

I prefer other foods, so it worked better for me.

I too wish those with other experiences would voice them, but often they get bashed if they are not happy bandsters. It is NOT for everyone. It WON'T work 100% of the time. It is NOT a guarantee you will not regain weight. It CAN be eaten around, and you continue to gain even with a band.

Until your head is in the game, it is a hard thing to lose even with the band. But when it all comes together, and you are ready, and the band is there to help----it is an awesome combination!!! And it works for lots of us!!!

Well said! Thanks for sharing your and your sister's experience.