It's been a while since I got on the list... so a quick re-introduction.

I was banded on July 25, 2008 at True Results here in Houston. These guys are one of those quicky banding. Since I am private pay, I was approved and had the surgery in about 2 weeks time. I went in for regular fills for the first year, and have been reasonably restricted since (even though I have lost touch with the clinic, and the surgeon quit practicing in Houston about a month after my surgery).

At my highest, I weighed 420. On the day of my surgery, I was 372.

Today, I weighed in at 251 and have been steady in the 250 area for nearly 3 years.

And while I am happy of the results, I have HATED THE BAND EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS.

I know it's unpopular. While I like that I can get around better, that I have been able to walk, snorkel, fly without being insulted, and in general, live a better life, I hate the pain, the inability to eat even simple, healthy things like salad. I hate the fact of risking having to run to the bathroom after I eat.

THe surgery cost me 12,000 out of pocket... except that's now up to about 40,000 since the surgery weakened me, causing a hernia which strangulated last week (and yes, I have the surgeon's word that the lap band was the cause). After the surgery and the removal of 6" of small intestine, I am now recovering.

I have gotten good results as far as weight... but I will suggest anything before surgery. It is a bad thing, and if anyone is thinking about it... think again. You might lose weight... but you might also hate it.

Fortunately you are in a minority. As Pink Dahlia said: "I'm so stinkin thrilled with my weight loss I don't care what I can't eat". I feel the same way. But you would rather weigh 400+ lbs than have the band? Yikes? I guess I value the quality of my life more than that.

tmf

Sorry you have had such a hard time. But you will probably live longer and you sound like you have been having some adventures. You have done great with your weightloss.

food is just not as important as we try to make it. We have to change our mindset eat to live instead of enjoying every bite we put in our mouths. It is a work in progress for me anyway.

I have had my band 3 years. Did you use Dr. Spivak? He was my Dr. and has since retired and moved.

Maybe getting some therapy would help you deal with some things. I wish you all the best. I think it helps when you have support of people going through the same daily things you are going through as far as with the band. I would be happy to talk to you anytime.

Cheri

I don't even remember the name of the surgeon now... It wasn't Spivak (I didn't even want him because of his big billboard presence... it was a bit disturbing for me... I was with one in the practice who didn't advertise as much).

I doubt I need therapy.

Let me be clear. Even though I hate the band, I am very happy with my life. I have been blessed, and I am quick to embrace the blessings of life.

But if I had it to do over again, I would have made a much more serious attempt to lose naturally and keep it off. I was one who had done it before, losing over 100 on slim fast, but then gaining it back. Again, had I had known then what I know now... I would have made better choices.

But again, I love my life. it's just the band I hate...

well apparently the band doesnt hate you. it saved your life.

I think i get you. Thanks to cancer and chemo i am now gluten and lactose intolerant and cant eat certain high fructan items - onions and garlic for example.

I feel SO much better off wheat, dairy and certain poroduce that i am willing to put up with a lot of inconvenience to remain on this low fodmp diet, just like i am willing to tolerate the day to day discomforts of a lapband! But i would rather not have to.

I'm sorry that the band life is not what you expected to be. I would encourage you to give it another try. I could see when we are at our lowest that the idea of the band is appealing and you feel like you would be willing to do anything to just be normal and healthy....but I guess with time, when you are some what normal and healthy, the honeymoon phase can wear off andfor some the realization that food will never mean the same to you as it did before can be a hard pill to swallow. I guess this is a lesson to those making the decision to remember... this isn't a short term committment....it truly is making a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. It isn't a decision that should be made lightly or in 2 weeks.

It sounds as if you haven't been under the care of a band surgeon in a long time. I would encourage you to seek one out and get a check up. Some of your issues may be resolved with a slight unfill. And since you seem to feel you have your eating issues under control and could do this without the band, this might give you a little more freedom to eat some of the things you are missing such as salads. Im not insensitive to you being self pay....I understand that it can be expensive to maintain the band....but you knew that going into it. That is something else self pay patients should consider.......even those whoes jobs are fragile....the band must be maintained!! Or serious issues could develop.

Anyway...I'm sorry for your buyers remorse I know it can be very flustrating and I hope that you will be able to maybe change your mindset and remember that excitement that you had when you first started this journey. Plug yourself back into this site and finish up the journey that you started.....The band is what you make of it. It can be a rope holding you back or a rescue devise pulling you to safety.

Good luck.

I totally get you. And yes I'll join you in the minority too. I hate having the band. For different reasons, I have no restriction. Never went looking for it (not that I haven't found it yet). I now worry about complications. I wish I had just tried harder pre surgery and never gotten this band. Though I am happier with my life than I've been since I was a kid.

im sorry you have to go through all this, you have alot of support here when you need it. Im reading your story and asking you this......................Do you hate the band because of some mild general problems you had before the hernia ? Or do you hate it because it caused the hernia ? You said you had pain, couldnt eat salads etc, and ran the risk of having to run to the bathroom after you ate. Is there a reason you did'nt contact another lap band Dr. about the pain ? Not eating certain foods was a trade off for the healthy weightloss that probably saved your life. ( yes, i understand, i miss broccoli too. ) The bathroom issue ? Um............. if you had'nt been banded it could of been a worse bathroom issue if you get my drift. What im sayin' is you might want to seperate you band feelings from your hernia feelings, and that might get you mentally in a better place so you can heal better. Having a strong, positive mindset can do wonders for healing. May your glass always be half full , and hope you feel better soon !

I'm sorry to hear that the band has been a mixed blessing for you. Some people just cannot tolerate the band or the experience of restriction, and despite many fills and unfills, never get to a happy place. It would be wonderful if we could predict that kind of outcome in advance of having surgery, but we can't.

I guess you have 3 choices now.

1. live with it as it is

2. have all the fill removed from your band

3. have your band removed

Talk about a love hate relationship. Wishing the best for you.

I'm sorry you're unhappy with your decision to be banded. Unfortunately, a perfect weight loss method does not yet exist, and each one possesses pro's and con's. You've received a lot of thoughtful responses, and Jean is right---you now have three choices. Best wishes to you and congratulations on your weight loss.