Hi- My surgery is scheduled Sept 8th and I am really thinking about calling today to cancel it. I have thought about it for a few days and it just really hit me. I keep thinking about all the what if's and the possible complications and it really scares me.

Has anyone been banded for over 10 years? It seems like most people at sometime have to have the band removed for some reason. If you have the band removed what does that do to your stomach?

I have to make my decision very soon and I really need advice and encouragement. I have been on this liquid diet since the 25th and doing really good with it and have lost 7 pounds so far!

Thanks

Amanda

You're just having last minute jitters. We all have them. Unfortunately, most people only post problems they are having because they are looking for help. For every person who has a complication there are hundreds of people who have none. As for people who have been banded over 10 years you probably aren't going to find many. Lap band has only been approved in the US for 10 years.

Hi- My surgery is scheduled Sept 8th and I am really thinking about calling today to cancel it. I have thought about it for a few days and it just really hit me. I keep thinking about all the what if's and the possible complications and it really scares me.

Has anyone been banded for over 10 years? It seems like most people at sometime have to have the band removed for some reason. If you have the band removed what does that do to your stomach?

I have to make my decision very soon and I really need advice and encouragement. I have been on this liquid diet since the 25th and doing really good with it and have lost 7 pounds so far!

Thanks

Amanda

I know you don't want to hear anything negative at this point because I was there four years ago. I haven't lost any weight probably gained a pound or two. Frustrated and depressed because I still feel like the same failure I was when I had the surgery. Some people have success with this band but believe me if you are an emotional eater or like sweets it doesn't work. You have to get your head right first. The surgery won't do that for you. I also have an autoimmune disease called sjogrens and they still did the surgery. Six months afterwards I started gettting a skin problem. My hands looked like hambuger meat. It was on top of my feet and toes, elbows. I went to a couple of family doctors, two dermatologists, three rheumatologists.. After a year finally was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. Another autoimmune disease. Now taking Embrel and Methotextrate injections every week. It not only is a terrible skin disease but also disforms your joints like rheumatoid arthritis. I am not sure why and if it was just a coiencidence it came after my surgery but I have been researching the band and have read some people have come down with autoimmune diseases. I am in the planning of having this band removed. I am really afraid to have another major surgery to correct my mistake but I have to find out if the band is causing my problem. I am not telling you to not get the lapband I am just saying do alot of research. They have alot more information about lapbands years down the road. No matter what you do to lose weight it always comes down to two things. Diet and Exercise. You have to do this with or without the lapband. Let me know what you do and whatever you decide I wish you success with your weight problem.

Cheryl

Oh wow, i am so sorry for everything you have had to go through and that the band did not work for you. Are you having to take steriods, i know that they can make you gain weight.

you have to do what is best for you and i agree with you that people need to to alot of research for themselves before any surgery. i waited for 1 1/2 yrs before i decided to get the band. i had given myself that long to try and lose weight and i only lost 15 lbs in that time, so i went to another seminar with another surgeon and decided that is what was best for me. it is your decision not anyone else's.

wishing you the best and hope that things get better for you.

I know you don't want to hear anything negative at this point because I was there four years ago. I haven't lost any weight probably gained a pound or two. Frustrated and depressed because I still feel like the same failure I was when I had the surgery. Some people have success with this band but believe me if you are an emotional eater or like sweets it doesn't work. You have to get your head right first. The surgery won't do that for you. I also have an autoimmune disease called sjogrens and they still did the surgery. Six months afterwards I started gettting a skin problem. My hands looked like hambuger meat. It was on top of my feet and toes, elbows. I went to a couple of family doctors, two dermatologists, three rheumatologists.. After a year finally was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. Another autoimmune disease. Now taking Embrel and Methotextrate injections every week. It not only is a terrible skin disease but also disforms your joints like rheumatoid arthritis. I am not sure why and if it was just a coiencidence it came after my surgery but I have been researching the band and have read some people have come down with autoimmune diseases. I am in the planning of having this band removed. I am really afraid to have another major surgery to correct my mistake but I have to find out if the band is causing my problem. I am not telling you to not get the lapband I am just saying do alot of research. They have alot more information about lapbands years down the road. No matter what you do to lose weight it always comes down to two things. Diet and Exercise. You have to do this with or without the lapband. Let me know what you do and whatever you decide I wish you success with your weight problem.

Cheryl

I know 2 people who've been banded more than 10 years and they're doing fine. One was part of clinical trials, the other flew to Europe to get it done.

If you want to talk to the people yourself .. or type to them as needs be...

They both post on yahoo groups band support lists.

Cynthia on DFWbandsters and Jessie on SmartBandsters.

Hope this helps.

I am 8 days post banded. I had the same feelings at first up to the time I was in holding pre surgery. For me it was a lot of nerves. I have lost 14 lbs since surgery. And I know it is going to be up to me to get to my goal weight. I'm going to have to make the right food choices and exercise. But I do feel like I have more energy than I did before the band and confidence and excitement. I was told to relax and take it easy my first week. Today I'm going to take my dog for a walk which is the first time I've had the energy all summer and I'm excited about it.

I am one week banded and I waited a year before going through with the surgery. I like you did a lot of research and found that many people have complications with the band. I also know three people who have the band. One lady had her removed due to complications and the other lady can EAT ANYTHING even with five fills.

The man has lost 80 pounds in six months and loves his band.

I was very nervous knowing what I knew.... However, anything you do in life is a risk. If you read the rates on marriage most people are divorce... They don't work but people are still going to get married.....

Everyone is different and everyone body is different. One thing I can say is.... It does not fix the reason you over eat in the first place..... Those issues have to be addressed. Good Luck

Even if you don't get banded I will be your buddy and support you.

One thing I realized prior to surgery was that there are more risks with me being overweight than there are with me having this surgery. If I remained 306 lbs, I would definitely become diabetic, have high blood pressure, continue to have joint problems, continue to have infertility problems, and continue to be unhappy. But, if I had this surgery, yes I may eventually get a slipped band, yes I may occasionally have a stuck issue... But it's a gamble. And I will deal with those things if they come. But it's a big IF. I would guess most people with the band don't have major complications. But most overweight do.

This October I will be banded for 5 years.

I realise that this is a mechanical device, and as a result, I keep in touch with my specialist, because they maintain my band.

If I were to have a problem like a leak, well it's up to them to fix it, and sometimes it's done with a acrylic that is shot into your port to plug the leak. You don't always have to get opened up. That's why it's Maintenance.

I am in this for the long run ! Why would I want it taken out say in 10 yrs. ? You hit your goal, then maybe a slight unfill so you don't continue to lose past your goal. Instead,,, you just maintain your weight....

Hope that helps, Shirley.

They you all so much for the encouragement. I have researched this for about 8 years. I began my journey in January and going into it I have never been 100% sure that this is what I wanted to do. It was more of something that I felt that I HAD to do not only for me but for my family too. I have a wonderful husband and 3 boys that are my world. I have missed out on so much with them that I couldnt do because of my weight. I know I HAVE to lose weight NOW! But on Friday this really hit me hard and I just don't think I can do it yet, everytime I think about it I have an anxiety attack and I can't sleep at night, it's been awful. I know either way if I have the surgery or not I still need to change my eating habits and I have to exercise. All the what if's scare me and my surgeon is 2 hours away so if something happened I would have to travel 2 hours to him. I have a surgeon in my town but doesnt accept my *** insurance so I am thinking about waiting til next year and changing to PPO so I can see him if I decide to do this.

They you all so much for the encouragement. I have researched this for about 8 years. I began my journey in January and going into it I have never been 100% sure that this is what I wanted to do. It was more of something that I felt that I HAD to do not only for me but for my family too. I have a wonderful husband and 3 boys that are my world. I have missed out on so much with them that I couldnt do because of my weight. I know I HAVE to lose weight NOW! But on Friday this really hit me hard and I just don't think I can do it yet, everytime I think about it I have an anxiety attack and I can't sleep at night, it's been awful. I know either way if I have the surgery or not I still need to change my eating habits and I have to exercise. All the what if's scare me and my surgeon is 2 hours away so if something happened I would have to travel 2 hours to him. I have a surgeon in my town but doesnt accept my *** insurance so I am thinking about waiting til next year and changing to PPO so I can see him if I decide to do this.

Good for you, making the decision that is right for you. From all that you have said, I would agree, you are not ready.

I would also venture a guess that the fear that keeps you from having the surgery is identical to the fear that keeps you obese. A real "catch 22". Someone above mentioned that the band cannot help the emotional eater. I beg to differ. I am totally an emotional eater, I rarely feel physically hungry, but the band has changed my life in the best possible way. For the emotional part I see an obesity specialist therapist. The band strongly reminds me when I absentmindedly try to eat my fears/emotions away. During this next year you might consider seeing a therapist about your weight issues. You may find that you don't need the surgery at all and that you can lose the weight on your own. That was not the case for me, the therapy gives me tools to manage my emotional eating but my head still goes crazy sometimes -- so glad I have my band.

Also, it appears that I may have Hoshimoto's thyroiditis -- I will find out for sure on Friday. It is an autoimmune disease. It is not curable but it is treatable. Still, I am so glad I have my band, imagine the anxiety I am feeling not knowing for sure whether I have this disease ... having the band helps me not to overeat (try as I might while I await the blood test and biopsy on Friday.

Not fitting Hollywood's image of what a woman should look like (i.e., size 2, or even 0) is not a bad thing, in fact it is good because the vast majority of women are a "normal" size. Heck, my bones are bigger than a size 2. LOL But to be obese is neither normal or healthy; and there's a reason why we overeat. For some it helps to find out why and work to change it.

I hope you can find the best solution for you. I wish you the best.

~Fran

Guess What??? I changed my mind I am going to have the surgery!! I feel like a complete crazy woman but I was just terrified thinking about all the what if's. BUT what if I don't have any complications at all?? That would be awesome. So my surgery is still Sept 8th and I feel so much better about my decision. I'm just worried about the actual surgery part now. I'm looking for all the prayer worries to pray for me and and anyone else having a hard time with this also. Thank you all so much

God Bless,

Amanda

I have no regrets at all, and I am watching the weight come off...

So I can't complain.

Good Health to you, Shirley (WISE DECESSION)

Guess What??? I changed my mind I am going to have the surgery!! I feel like a complete crazy woman but I was just terrified thinking about all the what if's. BUT what if I don't have any complications at all?? That would be awesome. So my surgery is still Sept 8th and I feel so much better about my decision. I'm just worried about the actual surgery part now. I'm looking for all the prayer worries to pray for me and and anyone else having a hard time with this also. Thank you all so much

God Bless,

Amanda

Hi Amanda, reading all these posts and then this one, I literally got chills down my arms. I also had so much anxiety before surgery and thought I was a crazy person. I also agree with the person who posted about the band helping with emotional eating. Although I haven't had any fills yet (get my first one sept 12) I believe the band will help with this because it will assist in my abilities to realize that I am not hungry nor can I eat so much as I used to. I also have been developing other things to keep me busy and working with the therapist. I also know one person who has had the surgery for over 10 years and she is doing wonderful.