I started coming to this site in January. I am scheduled to be banded next week. I found so much support and positive encouragement. I also saw so many people who have done so well. Now for the past week, every new thread is negative; the band is broken, surgury needed, cant drink/shallow/eat, acid reflux, major complications....on and on.

I am not sure if it is all in my head or is there no one out there that is having a positive expirence? Is it that people only start a new thread when there is something wrong? Are there really that many people having MAJOR complications and is there an equal or greater number of those who are very happy with no complications?

Just needing to hear that there is some good in the band. I am still moving forward with my plan. I wnat to change my life. Perhaps I should just not read the site for right now.....

I think the problem is, those of us coasting along happily don't feel the urgency and need to post a thread. Plus, a lot of people seek out these message boards only for problems then disappear again once they get the responses they're looking for.

Btw, statistically speaking, only between 18-26% of people have complications. Of those, at least half of those complications are self created (drinking carbonated beverages, eating around the band, severe over-eating, etc)

For what it's worth, I LOVE my band. I've already lost 82 pounds in just under 4 months. I've never thrown up, I can eat anything I want, and I feel better than I have in many years.

Being banded is by far the best thing I've ever done for myself.

It teaches you to eat slow and everyone is diff, me I never seent eh big glory of it, my uncle lost 90 pounds never had a fill. Honestly if you can just stick to th diet and Excercise it will prolly work for you. My issue all teh "good" food got stuck and later I would eat bad stuff cause I was hungry. So I am gonna start with a lap band re fill and these shakes

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I believe the reason you hear more negative than positive is because the people who are successful are just plain busy getting on with their lives and those with problems post to either complain or for help and support. While I also believe there are some with legitimate issues I do think some of the issues are either from a lack of education or down right not following the rules of living with a band. Now before anyone jumps on me I did say I do believe there are some out there with legit issues but I see posts made daily about stuff that if people did Band Class 101 they would know better.

Sorry but if you're in puree stage of a diet and you're stuffing bread down your throat and it's getting stuck then well...you asked for it. You are either uneducated or ignorant.

I have only been banded a short time (4/16) and so far I would not change a thing.

Jim

I was banded in February (2/1) and the only problem I've had so far is that I've had no problems! I mean, sometimes it's hard to remember I have a band because I can eat all foods with no sticking, no PBing, and no acid reflux. I've never had any pain beyond the first couple of days of shoulder pain immediately after surgery. I try to follow my doctor's rules to keep myself out of trouble and it's definitely working. I feel great. I'm losing weight slowly but steadily (as long as I follow the rules. If I slip up, the loss stops). Even when I occasionally eat more than I should, it's nowhere in the same universe as how much I ate before the band. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And this is all even before I've reached what I would call "restriction."

I know there's been a lot of negativity lately, but a lot of people were shaken up by recent events. Also, the boards seem to be cyclical, from what I've seen... meaning everything will go along calmly and positively, then there will be a couple of weeks of all bad all the time. Then it calms down again. Try not to worry.

As I said, I've had zero problems in the 3 full months I've been banded. I would have the surgery again in a NY minute. Only you can decide if it's right for you, but please don't let a skewed sample like the boards influence your decision too much. Pick a good surgeon, follow the rules, keep a positive attitude, and you'll do great, I'm sure.

I agree with Mis73. People are more likely to come to the site and post when they are experiencing something, usually negative, to ask for advice.

If you're a week out of surgery, then I'm sure you've been through the entire prep process. You should know the positives and the negatives that come along with this procedure. Don't get me wrong, there have been a few posts on here regarding complications and even death that have scared the bejesus out of me.. but as you're told before surgery.. there is always a chance for problems to arise. Follow the rules, don't push the band healing process and listen to your body.

The band is a tool to assist you in losing weight. I have found myself extremely frustrated over the past 5 months with my band thinking it was going to do all the work.. i was wrong. I'm finally hitting the groove of feeling restriction and eating less. It took me 4 fills before I had good restriction. It takes time. It definitely requires you to "diet" more than say getting the sleeve or bypass.. you'll still feel hungry, but you're body will adjust.

Now that the weight is starting to come off, I'm feeling better. More mobile, energetic and starting to fit into my smaller clothes! woohoo. Stay positive and look forward to how great you're going to feel!

Go into the surgery with positive thoughts. You'll do just fine.

Banded 4/2 and not having any issues. Can't wait for my first fill!

I also make a choice to only focus on the good comments and positive results.

When I do this, it's easy for me to stay on track. No bread for me

I am 6 months post-op, I've lost 46 pounds and I have had very few complications. I throw up 4-5 times a week either because I eat too fast, don't chew enough or eat something (usually meat) that just doesn't agree with me. It is the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. One reminder for you, its a TOOL not a miracle. I have to map out what I eat, plan my Water and exercise. The only difference for me now is that I can't eat as much as I used too and I definitely can't eat certain foods. It's LIFE LONG commitment. I went to my regular doc 3 weeks ago, I've dropped my cholesterol 40 points and my triglycerides 100!!! She was THRILLED. The throwing up for me is a mild side effect to an opportunity to live a long, healthy life. Hope that is postive enough for you!! Good luck on your surgery...

Christy

I was banded 2/3/12 and I would do it again. I follow the instructions the doc gave me and I am very happy.

ive had alot of complaints lately but im still fairly new and dont really know what to expect, i didnt have to do support groups or anything before getting approved,but ive been tryin to learn on my own thats y i post so much on here because if idk something there r ppl on here that do,i love this site... im excited for my first fill and excited to start seeing results. good luck

I think the problem is, those of us coasting along happily don't feel the urgency and need to post a thread. Plus, a lot of people seek out these message boards only for problems then disappear again once they get the responses they're looking for.

Btw, statistically speaking, only between 18-26% of people have complications. Of those, at least half of those complications are self created (drinking carbonated beverages, eating around the band, severe over-eating, etc)

For what it's worth, I LOVE my band. I've already lost 82 pounds in just under 4 months. I've never thrown up, I can eat anything I want, and I feel better than I have in many years.

Being banded is by far the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Casscitymom -

I totally agree and felt the same way. I do think sometimes people should education themselfs more before the band and read some information and follow the rules. It suprises me that people complain about major complications but will then say that they ate a piece of bread 3 days after surgery and cannot understand why they are having problems. Most of the complications seem to be from short term of long term non rule adherance. But I have decided that I am going to do the best I can, follow all the rules b/c it is my safety on the line, and beleive it will work for me. Thanks for the positive notes to me!

Casscitymom -

I totally agree and felt the same way. I do think sometimes people should education themselfs more before the band and read some information and follow the rules. It suprises me that people complain about major complications but will then say that they ate a piece of bread 3 days after surgery and cannot understand why they are having problems. Most of the complications seem to be from short term of long term non rule adherance. But I have decided that I am going to do the best I can, follow all the rules b/c it is my safety on the line, and beleive it will work for me. Thanks for the positive notes to me!

I couldn't agree with you more.

At the risk of making a couple people mad, it astounds me the number of people who go into this surgery without a clue what to expect or what to do (or not do). People are responsible for their own education and it blows my mind how many apparently go into being banded completely ignorant to the facts. I would never in a million years have any surgery, let alone bariatric surgery, blind to the facts. Yet that is exactly what many do.

Or as you said, they know what they're supposed to be doing (or not do) then do just the opposite anyway. A great example is the woman who shared a room with me at the hospital when I was banded. She was having a band replacement. Why? Because she drank soda regularly and prolapsed her band by doing so. She also gained back 40 pounds. This women knew what she should be doing yet chose not to so she ended up with major complications.

If people would just take responsibility for their own education before surgery, and listen to the instructions of their surgeon after, I guarantee the number of complications from Lap-Band would drop dramatically.

I couldn't agree with you more.

At the risk of making a couple people mad, it astounds me the number of people who go into this surgery without a clue what to expect or what to do (or not do). People are responsible for their own education and it blows my mind how many apparently go into being banded completely ignorant to the facts. I would never in a million years have any surgery, let alone bariatric surgery, blind to the facts. Yet that is exactly what many do.

Or as you said, they know what they're supposed to be doing (or not do) then do just the opposite anyway. A great example is the woman who shared a room with me at the hospital when I was banded. She was having a band replacement. Why? Because she drank soda regularly and prolapsed her band by doing so. She also gained back 40 pounds. This women knew what she should be doing yet chose not to so she ended up with major complications.

If people would just take responsibility for their own education before surgery, and listen to the instructions of their surgeon after, I guarantee the number of complications from Lap-Band would drop dramatically.

I agree again. I have read two books about it, watched many videos and asked alot of questions. It appears so much of the time that slips are caused by not fallowing the rules (not always). But it has helped me learn that the rules are that way for a reason and I do not want to cheat and gamble with my health and my family. I am taking a risk in this surgery but it is a risk for me to stay overweight. I am going to follow the rules so well and I have promised this to myself! I am excited and I also feel like I am heading in with my EYES WIDE OPEN!

THanks for your support.

Katy

I was banded on April 9, 2012. My experience has been 99% positive. I have had (like most others) some pain the day after surgery and some gas issues. Other than that, I have followed doctors and nutritionist's orders to a "T" and I have lost 28 pounds. I go in for my first fill on May 27th. I wish you nothing but the best

Good Luck Katy!

I'm getting my band in early June (most likely) and my wife was banded last fall and short of the productive burps and forgetting to focus on her chewing...she's doing great.

there has been alot of negative lately, but its goes in cycles, where sometimes there seems to be more than usual.

I agree that alot of problems can be avoided if you follow the rules. If you are supose to be on mushies, stay on mushies. chew your food till it is mush... dont drink while eating... theres such a thing as a little cheat and theres such a thing as being stupid about eating a whole hamburger or something along those lines 3 days after surgery.