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.

I had surgery surgery back in Feb and by May had decided I wanted to switch surgeons for a number of reasons. The first doctor I talked to told me I would have to wait until I was a year post-op. The 2nd doctor I talked to agreed to take me on as a patient, but was a pretty good distance from where I live. The third doctor, my new doctor, also agreed but wanted to look at my band under fluoro when he did my first fill so he knew what he was dealing with being that he was not the one who did my surgery.

I dreaded switching because I had read so many horror stories, but the process was actually fairly simple. Best of Luck!

I am just now running into this same situation and I hope I can find a new doc. I really respected my old doc but he is no longer doing the band and wants his patients to see a new partner. If I have to change docs anyway I would rather see someone closer than he.

17 months post op......and i am def working my band for best results..

Me too

Pitfalls can occur to many of us. All we have to do is to try and succeed. The stated facts are wriiten, continue eating wrong foods, gain the weight, lose good health and lifestyle changes, then you die.

Try and jumpstart your life by eating porper foods and in smaller quanities. Follow your doctors/dietitian orders. The studies are out there for all to read. YES, it's hard work on our part, but YOU are the only one that can make it work.

Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

I'm doing well since switching surgeons last Tuesday.

They scheduled me for a fluoro first thing. It showed all was well with my band and also that I didn't have much restriction.

Then I saw a PA that took my vitals .

Then I saw a nutrionist, that talked to me and gave me her myfitnesspal user name so that she can follow me. I don't really like having to remember what I ate & logging in but I will start doing it because I have to be completely different than before cause that wasn't working for me.

Then I saw my new Dr. Who reviewed everything and decided to give me a fill. I have restriction now. I was a little worried at first because I could barely eat up until yesterday I was eating broth & Greek yogurt. I was able to eat about 3/4 cup of chili I made today but slowly to give each bite time to chew and go down.

I'm hoping that I'm at my sweet spot & that my band will loosen up just a bit.

I've lost 5 lbs since last Tuesday.

Overall, I'm happy . Woo hoo!!

food addiction is a sickness no different then alcoholism or drug addiction or being bulimic or anorexic! And I'm sure there are people who have the band that are suffering with food addictions. I was one of those with a food addiction but the lapband helped me be satisfied with good foods and small portions for a long time and I lost a lot of weight. Well I am up to 8cc of fill and I can say I cannot lose anymore weight and I have exercised and ate only Protein and veggies for months and months and everyday I fight because I am never full or satisfied. I wake up hungry and go to bed hungry so what do you say to someone who follows all the rules and struggles because the lapband has not helped to keep them full or satisfied. My doctor states I should be able to go 4 hours and not be hungry because the food goes in your stomach and stays in the area where the hormones tell the brain I'm full now I don't need anymore. Well those hormones are not working in me. I struggle everyday since I've had my band. Watching the clock for my next protein and veggie meal. Any thoughts on whether the band is not working, My doctor says I should not need a fill with 8cc's in there.

food addiction is a sickness no different then alcoholism or drug addiction or being bulimic or anorexic! And I'm sure there are people who have the band that are suffering with food addictions. I was one of those with a food addiction but the lapband helped me be satisfied with good foods and small portions for a long time and I lost a lot of weight. Well I am up to 8cc of fill and I can say I cannot lose anymore weight and I have exercised and ate only Protein and veggies for months and months and everyday I fight because I am never full or satisfied. I wake up hungry and go to bed hungry so what do you say to someone who follows all the rules and struggles because the lapband has not helped to keep them full or satisfied. My doctor states I should be able to go 4 hours and not be hungry because the food goes in your stomach and stays in the area where the hormones tell the brain I'm full now I don't need anymore. Well those hormones are not working in me. I struggle everyday since I've had my band. Watching the clock for my next protein and veggie meal. Any thoughts on whether the band is not working, My doctor says I should not need a fill with 8cc's in there.

I'm not a doctor so I can't say for sure if you're band is working or not. I do know that it shouldn't matter if you have 8cc in your band or not. If it's not too tight and your hunger clearly isn't controlled, you need another fill.

I would talk to your doctor. It sounds like your band isn't working because it's not filled enough for your anatomy.

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.

if you think that way the band is not a good choice for you. Thankfully we all have choices... I chose to eat small bites which are bigger the the size of grain and be a size 4/6... some others might choose to lose weight without help and that's great... I couldn't do that... I tried for years and years so the band was a perfect option for me and I'm willing to accept whatever sacrifice is necessary. 3 years out and I don't regret my decision and live a normal existence

if you think that way the band is not a good choice for you. Thankfully we all have choices... I chose to eat small bites which are bigger the the size of grain and be a size 4/6... some others might choose to lose weight without help and that's great... I couldn't do that... I tried for years and years so the band was a perfect option for me and I'm willing to accept whatever sacrifice is necessary. 3 years out and I don't regret my decision and live a normal existence

i eat nothing resembling a grain of rice like floridas.....

obviously another person who has no idea how the band works...or what it does or even is..

I'm going to get a fill on December 4th. Called the doctor and she's not happy about it but its my choice. I need this!