Yesterday I posted some links with helpful information for those seeking revision published by a very well respected revision surgeon along with his comments about Lapband. So often we who have complications are told its our fault, the band doesn't fail, you overrate, ate too fast, didn't chew enough, ate the wrong foods, didn't call the doctor soon enough, etc. Dr Kesheshian's opinion of the band gives those who have complications some relief that the band can fail, cause lifelong complications and its not our fault.

This forum should be a safe place to discuss complications, free of criticism, judgement and bullying. If you are having no complications, by all means, read the posts, but please abstain from telling anyone they shouldn't post negative threads. I'm in need of some support too. I'm also trying to help others like me reach out for help with their band troubles. They're not going to do that if every time someone posts on here, everyone joins in, attempting to discredit them.

Right now, I'm scared, anxious and trying everything possible to keep my band. I don't want to lose the tool that helped me lose 90 lb, but I also cannot in good conscience recommend it to someone investigating WLS. My story isn't unique. Motility issues are more and more common in long term band patients. Most of the people I know who encouraged me to get my band have had complications and have had their bands removed/revised. It's scary when it happens to you, especially when you didn't cause the problems by noncompliance. I hope none of you ever experiences this misery...

I apologize if I offended you. I was concerned about you having an unnecessary surgery, that's all. I'm 63, I hate to see a young person with the problems I have... The complications forum is the right place for me to post my issues, relevant information and frustration. There's no need to read my posts or comment if you disagree, but I'm stating the experience of myself and others who are having an awful time. It's really disheartening to constantly be criticized. I'm truly near the end of my rope.

thank you for telling me to read all this. I am 1/2 year younger than you and when things go wrong, I like to know. Thank you. I just hope they can help you and soon.

You need to realize two things:

1. What forum you post a topic in is irrelevant. It comes up on the right side of the page and people respond. No one bothers to look at what category it's under.

2. This is a forum. People are going to respond and there is no guarantee you're going to like their responses. When you post something that you know is going stir the pot then either be prepared to deal with the backlash or get a blog where you can post without dealing with responses.

I wish nothing but the best for you and my heart goes out to you with your issues, but your personal issues have nothing to do with making posts that many of us feel the need to defend because they're either not painting a full picture or just plain incorrect. If you want to make a post about what you're dealing with personally you'll get nothing but support and compassion I'm sure. But don't make the mistake of trying to mix those personal issues in with topics that are sure to trigger defensive responses. Keep them separate for your own sake.

Sorry Missy, but I'm not responsible for making you feel like doing anything. If you fail to check which forum you're on, that's not my bad. I'm only responsible for my own actions and I stand by them.

BTW...the person that was called my alt ID is no one I know and is not me. This rings a bit true to Nana Price's post where the first response to her thread was someone in an ape suit calling her ignorant. She hasn't been back, no wonder.

I'm proud of who I am and have no need to hide behind a facade ID.

Sorry Missy, but I'm not responsible for making you feel like doing anything. If you fail to check which forum you're on, that's not my bad. I'm only responsible for my own actions and I stand by them.

Agreed, and by the same token we're not responsible if you don't like our responses. It goes both ways.

All the responses to this forum are very interesting. But I do have a question. What was the purpose of having the lap band? Mine was to save my life, and it has prolonged it. Now though, after three years, never having any problems with it that I knew of until two weeks ago. I have no signs, no symptoms to this day, absolutely nothing, since I came out of surgery when they put it in. But the doc says it has to come out after doing an endoscopy. Now my life is depending on getting all my weight off and maintaining until I die. For some, who can go on without anything, I admire you. I'm not that fortunate. Three years ago when this band was put in, the cardiologist basically said I had about five years without it. Now they actually don't know as my health has improved so much. So there seems to be life threatening complications or just complications with all these surgeries, but we all elected to have it done for some reason. So my band has failed, life happens. But my main concern is why I had it in the first place. I wanted to live a little longer than five years and I still want that. So next will be bypass, maybe it won't develop any complication for four years, but that is four more years I get to live what is now a fairly normal life without the health issues I had four years ago, My opinion is that we have to do what is best for us not putting down one surgery or the other. None guaranteed that there won't be complication. We are the ones who have to elect what complications would we be able to live with it one develops. Just my thoughts.

I look forward to reading ALL posts on this forum, good and bad, positive and negative, providing they are true and factual....

That is what this and any forum is about...people sharing their own stories and experiences....what they know to be from day to day living with WLS.....

What the content of any post is does not bother me, As a matter of fact the posts containing information about complications interest me the most...I want to know these things to possibly help me avoid the same in the future....

What does bother me is when people get offended and take issue with someone simply because they don't like what they have to say....no matter how true and real it may be....

These are the same people who have to give their opinions on issuses even though they themselves have never any experience with, yet they make themselves out to be experts.....

People need to know everything they can about something that can have such a large impact on their lives....whether they like hearing it or not....it does not make it any less a reality....that's just life.....

Ignoring something (denial) does not make it go away and be any less true.

People need to realize when they say something, it can be influencing other peoples lives, especially those new to this WLS, so it is best to speak the truth, and simply share what their life experiences are.....

The complications forum is the right place for me to post my issues' date=' relevant information and frustration. There's no need to read my posts or comment if you disagree, but I'm stating the experience of myself and others who are having an awful time. It's really disheartening to constantly be criticized. I'm truly near the end of my rope.[/quote']

The complications forum is the right place for me to post my issues' date=' relevant information and frustration. There's no need to read my posts or comment if you disagree, but I'm stating the experience of myself and others who are having an awful time. It's really disheartening to constantly be criticized. I'm truly near the end of my rope.[/quote']

I don't think anybody is trying to criticized you. There is a difference between criticizing and correcting. If people feel that a post has misinformation, they are going to respond. There is also a difference between personal experiences vs factual information. Everyone's personal experience with the band is different and no one can criticize that. But people will correct misinformation. I am soooo sorry for your difficult experience. I pray that there is no permanent damage. Please keep us posted.

Best Regards

Lose 100, the criticism is telling me that my approach is wrong or I need to title my posts so people will know which forum they're reading, silly stuff like that.

I respect everyone's experience, good, bad or otherwise. Anyone who is finding their banded life to be what they expected and aren't having problems, I applaud you. My brother is one of those, banded 4 years this month and down from 325 to 185. He has no issues at all. We both followed the rules...I have problems, he doesn't. I'm thrilled for him and the rest of my fellow bandsters that are doing well.

I just want to save someone else the pain, anxiety and permanent damage I have. Recognizing danger signs early is essential.