Is The Band Really Failing You, Or Are You Failing The Band?

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Per usual, I am seeing a lot of posts that essentially say the Lap-Band has failed the poster. I see them go on and on how awful the band is because it didn't work for them, most often calling it a waste of money as well. I know the band doesn't work for everyone, but I also cases of the actual band failing are pretty rare. More often than not, it's not the band that is failing but the person failing the band.

The most common reasons I see people failing their band are:

-poor food choices

-not following up on fills until they have good restriction

-living over-filled for months and months

-not eating properly (i.e. chewing, speed, bite sizes)

-a lack of education and understanding of the band

Whoever said the band would be easy was nuts. It's not. In fact, it's a lot of work. Life with the Lap-Band is one learning experience after another. Not only do we have to make good food choices for a lifetime, but we must constantly relearn how to eat after every fill. I've been very successful with the band but that has come with a ton of work. I do my very best to make good food choices and I'm patient with my band. For instance, I was filled this past Monday and could barely eat all week. I was getting a bit miserable, but I also fully realized it was my job to figure out how to work with the band. It took some trial and error, a lot of sliming and even one PB, but I finally figured it out. I was eating slow enough and chewing well enough but despite the fact I already thought my bites were small, they weren't small enough. This is the size of the bite I now need to be able to eat without issue:

Yes, it's tiny. I took a pic of my finger next to the bite for comparison. But my point is, I had to change my behavior to accommodate the band it didn't change for me. It's my job to do the work for a lifetime.

We also should be going into this surgery well educated, yet so many go into it completely ignorant. Folks this is your body, your health, it is YOUR responsibility to learn all the facts and empower yourself through education before going into surgery. It constantly blows my mind how people can spend days researching a car, or maybe reading up on facts before buying a new PC, yet they go into surgery completely clueless. If you're reading this, you're obviously online, thus there is no excuse for not learning all you can about the Lap-Band before you have surgery. If you're reading this after surgery and are clueless, then start researching now because it's much better late than never. Even ask questions here on the forum and read past posts, do something to educate yourself. But do not go into this completely ignorant then wail "oh the band sucks and doesn't work". You have no one to blame but yourself.

So the next time you see a post bashing the band, read between the lines a bit. More often than not you'll find out the band did exactly what it was supposed to do and didn't fail- it's the person who failed the band.

[karewpah 173]

There is proof that does indicate that the band is not an effective WLS for everyone. We just need to keep that in mind and not paint everyone with the same brush of, the band didn't fail them...they failed the band. It is a very small % that the band isn't effective for.

[Sojourner 2,446]

There is proof that does indicate that the band is not an effective WLS for everyone. We just need to keep that in mind and not paint everyone with the same brush of, the band didn't fail them...they failed the band. It is a very small % that the band isn't effective for.

Anyone considering WLS owes it to themselves to thoroughly research their intervention options. It is evident that many who post on this forum have not received adequate education from a dietitian to know how to approach using the band as the tool that it was designed to be. And to be successful with the band, it DOES require long term commitment to change in lifestyle which should last a lifetime if success is to be maintained. And you realize this, based on your own success with the band.

I believe you missed the point of MIS73's post...she was only sharing some basic information of your responsibility to yourself if you want to be successful. If you choose the band, then you will need to do the work to be successful.

I agree that the band is not the solution for everyone; usually individuals who have a less difficult time with managing their appetites and have an awareness of internal "signals" about their eating seem to be better candidates for the band.

Why are you posting on a WLS site which is devoted to individuals who are on a weight loss journey using the band to assist them? You seem to be promoting negative thinking on a forum comprised of a community of supportive individuals who share their experiences and ideas to improve the quality of their lives.

We're positive people here, who both value and Celebrate everyone's individuality. And I believe you can agree that we stress that we are all individuals, and one's mileage with this journey will and does vary...

[honk 780]

Per usual' date=' I am seeing a lot of posts that essentially say the Lap-Band has failed the poster. I see them go on and on how awful the band is because it didn't work for them, most often calling it a waste of money as well. I know the band doesn't work for everyone, but I also cases of the actual band failing are pretty rare. More often than not, it's not the band that is failing but the person failing the band.

The most common reasons I see people failing their band are:

-poor food choices

-not following up on fills until they have good restriction

-living over-filled for months and months

-not eating properly (i.e. chewing, speed, bite sizes)

-a lack of education and understanding of the band

Whoever said the band would be easy was nuts. It's not. In fact, it's a lot of work. Life with the Lap-Band is one learning experience after another. Not only do we have to make good food choices for a lifetime, but we must constantly relearn how to eat after every fill. I've been very successful with the band but that has come with a ton of work. I do my very best to make good food choices and I'm patient with my band. For instance, I was filled this past Monday and could barely eat all week. I was getting a bit miserable, but I also fully realized it was my job to figure out how to work with the band. It took some trial and error, a lot of sliming and even one PB, but I finally figured it out. I was eating slow enough and chewing well enough but despite the fact I already thought my bites were small, they weren't small enough. This is the size of the bite I now need to be able to eat without issue:

Yes, it's tiny. I took a pic of my finger next to the bite for comparison. But my point is, I had to change my behavior to accommodate the band it didn't change for me. It's my job to do the work for a lifetime.

We also should be going into this surgery well educated, yet so many go into it completely ignorant. Folks this is your body, your health, it is YOUR responsibility to learn all the facts and empower yourself through education before going into surgery. It constantly blows my mind how people can spend days researching a car, or maybe reading up on facts before buying a new PC, yet they go into surgery completely clueless. If you're reading this, you're obviously online, thus there is no excuse for not learning all you can about the Lap-Band before you have surgery. If you're reading this after surgery and are clueless, then start researching now because it's much better late than never. Even ask questions here on the forum and read past posts, do something to educate yourself. But do not go into this completely ignorant then wail "oh the band sucks and doesn't work". You have no one to blame but yourself.

So the next time you see a post bashing the band, read between the lines a bit. More often than not you'll find out the band did exactly what it was supposed to do and didn't fail- it's the person who failed the band.[/quote']

I think some doctors paint an overly rosie picture of what band life is like. Many people don't seem to have been told how long will take to get restriction. Or think that the band should stop them from eating unhealthy foods. Makes me wonder are these doctors just looking to sell their services and move on. However I do agree that as adults we need to do our own research.

[difa 114]

my surgeon didnt..he even stated that I should be happy with just 50lbs lost...which is half of what I want to lose...heh...I just have to prove him wrong.

[Betelnut 10]

Actually, I think that any device that only allows you to eat a bite that is the size of a grain of rice IS failing you. That is simply ridiculous and no way to live.

[hookieluv 11]

I myself like to hear both sides of the band . I don't want to fail my band as u say , which is even more pressure , and shame if I do. I want more then anything for my band and I to work together and lose wieght I'm tired of being a failure time and time again on frigin diets! So far I

4 weeks out and have lost 25 lbs . I know I can lose the wieght , I've lost 100kbs before but just to turn around Nd to gain it All back then some. nd that's my greatest fear of that happing again. I to am starving all the time and this is the hardest diet that I've ever tryed . I'm hoping for a fill so I won't feel hungry all the time. But as for failing my band of not? I believe is diff for everyone , and that just because the band isn't working for you Doesn't mean that u r failing your band , don't need to feel Ny more worse About our selves . So if it doesn't work then I gruel believe then it's not the right tool for you , and there us still hope , there is still other wieght lose options. nd please don't feel like your a failure , even tho it's hard not to. Must try to keep a possitive attitude . And statement that u fAiled ur band is not the right attitude. I myself really had lots of doubt that it would work for me, but so far so good, just hungry and we all know my well power isn't strong or I wouldn't be here. All I have to do is smell food and I gain wieght. Lol yeh by hearing Bout the ones that the band wasn't right for help give me a feeling of that if it doesn't work Then I still got hope , for bypass, and falling off the diet is more helpful then not hearing it. Believe it of not. We all have had major problems losing and keeping the wieght off. And I'm sure we all had feelings of being a fAilure . But anyone that the band wasnt right for , you didn't fail ur band. And ur band didn't fail you , it just wasn't the right tool for you. God knows if we could fallow a close diet for ever then, we wouldn't need the band or bypass. So thank you for your inputs good and bad it's all very helpful.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

As I stated at the very beginning, I fully realize the band doesn't work for some people. This is a fact, there are people who the band doesn't work for by no fault of their own. However, the majority of people who gripe and moan about gaining weight and the band not working it's because of their mistakes. Simple as that.

As for the person who posted about eating bites the size of a grain of rice. If you look at the pic, it's not the size of a grain of rice. However, yes it is small. Call me crazy but I'd rather be able to eat anything I want without PBing or sliming and still lose over 90 pounds than eating bigger bites, not losing, and not being able to eat what I want. If small bites is what it takes for me to achieve those things, I'm more than happy to take the tiny bites.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

i come to this forum for positive words.

for help. for answers. for support.

if it doesnt work for you or you hate it, then those

people should not be on this forum.

we are all adults with open minds who have dealt with

doctors and surgeons and made up our minds.

[Betelnut 10]

Carolinagirl--I'm not sure if you are addressing me? As you can see by my ticker, the band did work for me. I've lost almost 100 pounds although I have stayed steady at my current weight for a few years.

That said, I do think there are a lot of negatives to having a lapband and I don't think there is anything wrong with expressing those opinions. This is a forum to discuss lapband issues and concerns therefore both positive and negative comments are perfectly legitimate.

Good luck on your surgery!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

addressing no one..... just me thinking out loud. i am familiar with your posts bet, def not for you. sorry you felt that way hon.

[Betelnut 10]

Okay--all's good!

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

[NWgirl 574]

i come to this forum for positive words.

for help. for answers. for support.

if it doesnt work for you or you hate it, then those

people should not be on this forum.

we are all adults with open minds who have dealt with

doctors and surgeons and made up our minds.

I think that anyone has the right to be on the forum, regardless of their viewpoint. Just like everything in life, people should be able to express their grievances and get help if there's help to be gotten. I also think that people need to know it's not a quick fix and sometimes it's easy to see that by reading these negative Nancy posts.

unfortunately, there are people whose Dr's told them it was easy and did not prepare them for life with the band. I just wish people would thoroughly research the good, the bad, and the ugly before taking the plunge.

[difa 114]

there are people who have failed the sleeve and gastric bypass as well. There was one gal at my education class that is getting band over bypass.