I think people should really consider the message they give with their posts.. (the negative scary ones)

I'm a newbie, I won't consider myself a veteran until I at least reach my goal weight and maintain it a couple of years. And then only an expert on my own experience. I've spent the day needlessly concerned. After reading thread about (my band was my worst mistake ever) I had my third fill on monday felt fine. However had a strange feeling all day between my upper shoulder blades and tingle in my right hand. Knew it wasn't anywhere near my band but was really concerned it could be related- due to horror stories. I've suffered loose discs in my back for yrs and the instant the disc clicked back into place the pain/sensation went. We are here to support inform each other not fill one another with fears.

Had to say this..

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It really depends on the spirit of the post.

If someone comes on here saying "I had this problem, this is what happened, and this is why it happened" then it's useful information. They're telling us about their experience and something to keep in mind for possible problems. They also serve as fair warning to possible problems, be it band caused or patient caused.

If someone comes on here saying "The band is evil, it'll make you dead, don't do it!" then they are nothing more than a fear mongering troll with absolutely nothing to offer. It's these post I'd like to b*tch slap right off the internet.

Just my two cents.

I couldnt agree more about the spirit of the post. there has to be information included. the one in question for me wasn't particularly informative...I know anyone can say what they feel and have the right to an opinion but scaremongering is not nice

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It really depends on the spirit of the post.

If someone comes on here saying "I had this problem, this is what happened, and this is why it happened" then it's useful information. They're telling us about their experience and something to keep in mind for possible problems. They also serve as fair warning to possible problems, be it band caused or patient caused.

If someone comes on here saying "The band is evil, it'll make you dead, don't do it!" then they are nothing more than a fear mongering troll with absolutely nothing to offer. It's these post I'd like to b*tch slap right off the internet.

Just my two cents.

You said it in a nutshell, this is why OH band forum is now DEAD, because of evil band bashers, some I honestly remember kept their bands too tight, had to always "look for trashcans" to vomit, many admitted to vomiting 25 times per day? I honesty did not know it was possible to vomit that many times per day...

I've heard of some "healthcare" professionals and nurses filling their own bands....creating horrible infections in their ports...alcohols, drug addicts, I've even heard of some folks taking meths to induce their weight loss with their bands...you have NO clue of what is going on with that person...

This is why I am so cynical when it comes to band issues...I've heard so many horror stories of band abuse...it will make your head spin.

The thing is most people will support people that abused their bands, as long as they fess up as to why it happened, regardless of what type of complication someone has whether, it surgeons fault, patients neglect with aftercare, abusing the band, or whether it eroded, slipped, or whatever, most people will get support.

I think when people come in with a fly by night post and just say'...the band is a piece of crap and liked to killed me and everyone else that has one will suffer the same fate, with no explanation of "what happen" --- should always be avoided and in my opinion given absolutely -- NO SUPPORT.

I guess I have to respectfully disagree. I see the advantage of both positive and negative information. But I believe the quality of the reviews speak for themselves. I give about as much credence to unsupported positive reviews as negative ones. And to be honest? Lap band really has been a terrible choice for some people. It's good for me to hear about these stories so that I can think about the way I live, my risk factors, and make a judgment about likely I am to suffer a similar fate.

Something that's a little related... has anyone noticed that bariatric surgeons, in general, seem a little less candid and neutral than a lot of other doctors? I spoke with five different doctors in considering gastric procedures, and all of them were frankly, a little too optimistic. Not one told me I should reconsider surgery or highlighted any possible complications or negatives unless I directly asked about them first. And even then, they glossed over them, dismissing them fairly quickly, often intimating that they were the result of patient non-compliance or true flukes. They weren't as able to give me dispassionate clinical statistics regarding how many of their patients had kept off a significant amount of weight for five years, how many needed revisions, etc. I guess they're selling the dream. The before and after pic. But again, I feel like many bariatric surgeons walk too fine a line between plastic surgeons and other surgeons who offer mainly non-elective procedures and have no problems discussing potential risks in a very candid and thorough way.

I probably wouldn't have done lap band if it wasn't for these forums, and the ability to do my own, independent medical research so that I felt like I knew what I was getting, warts and all.

I think people should really consider the message they give with their posts.. (the negative scary ones)

I'm a newbie, I won't consider myself a veteran until I at least reach my goal weight and maintain it a couple of years. And then only an expert on my own experience. I've spent the day needlessly concerned. After reading thread about (my band was my worst mistake ever) I had my third fill on monday felt fine. However had a strange feeling all day between my upper shoulder blades and tingle in my right hand. Knew it wasn't anywhere near my band but was really concerned it could be related- due to horror stories. I've suffered loose discs in my back for yrs and the instant the disc clicked back into place the pain/sensation went. We are here to support inform each other not fill one another with fears.

Had to say this..

Sent from my GT-S5830 using LapBandTalk

You can still have referred pain that isn't anywhere near your band. I get this when I'm having trouble with my band. I believe it's caused by the esophagus or pouch pushing up against the diaphragm but I could be wrong. With the tingly hand and the clicking back into place it probably wasn't your band but don't discount shoulder pain as not being band related. Here's a link to an article about referred pain that will explain it better than I can: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain

I guess I have to respectfully disagree. I see the advantage of both positive and negative information. But I believe the quality of the reviews speak for themselves. I give about as much credence to unsupported positive reviews as negative ones. And to be honest? Lap band really has been a terrible choice for some people. It's good for me to hear about these stories so that I can think about the way I live, my risk factors, and make a judgment about likely I am to suffer a similar fate.

Something that's a little related... has anyone noticed that bariatric surgeons, in general, seem a little less candid and neutral than a lot of other doctors? I spoke with five different doctors in considering gastric procedures, and all of them were frankly, a little too optimistic. Not one told me I should reconsider surgery or highlighted any possible complications or negatives unless I directly asked about them first. And even then, they glossed over them, dismissing them fairly quickly, often intimating that they were the result of patient non-compliance or true flukes. They weren't as able to give me dispassionate clinical statistics regarding how many of their patients had kept off a significant amount of weight for five years, how many needed revisions, etc. I guess they're selling the dream. The before and after pic. But again, I feel like many bariatric surgeons walk too fine a line between plastic surgeons and other surgeons who offer mainly non-elective procedures and have no problems discussing potential risks in a very candid and thorough way.

I probably wouldn't have done lap band if it wasn't for these forums, and the ability to do my own, independent medical research so that I felt like I knew what I was getting, warts and all.

Being negative without substance has no value to any forum.

Anyone can say the band is a piece of crap, until their tongues wagg....But having a reason "why" the band is a piece of crap -- should be of value.

Thanks NaNa. I agree totally.. Also thanks guy.. I really appreciate sound advice and justified opinions.... I'll read about referred pain thanks

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Thanks NaNa. I agree totally.. Also thanks guy.. I really appreciate sound advice and justified opinions.... I'll read about referred pain thanks

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Just to point out, you can have referred pain and it can be something as simple as eating too much or just eating when you're tight. There's nothing about referred pain that points to an overall problem. Just something to know about.

This whole experience is baffling.. I feel clueless about most stuff. And because of horror stories about destroyed lives it frightens me I might be doing things wrong. My band fill lady is fab. The rest of after care is appauling

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I don't mind people sharing negative experiences. I like to hear it all, I believe it helps keep us informed. HOWEVER, what I don't like is people who post these experiences, and pretty much say because it happened to them it'll happen to everyone. I also don't like it when people don't specify what may have lead up to a complication...not saying that things can't go wrong on their own (I personally had to have a port replacement that was of no fault of my own)...but I have noticed that many times people were not living by the band rules, neglected to get follow up care, etc. It's important to share the good, and the bad, but let's make sure we're sharing everything accurately.

This whole experience is baffling.. I feel clueless about most stuff. And because of horror stories about destroyed lives it frightens me I might be doing things wrong. My band fill lady is fab. The rest of after care is appauling

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I would be having a nice talk with your doctor and tell him that you feel lost. Tell him you are not happy with your after care. That is the most important part of the whole band. You need a good support system at home and with your surgeon.

Thanks cheryl that might be easier said than done. Not seen my surgeon since day of my op... I get dietician phone calls occasionally. Since my surgery I've found out via web that aftercare with my team is dreadful.

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Something that's a little related... has anyone noticed that bariatric surgeons, in general, seem a little less candid and neutral than a lot of other doctors? I spoke with five different doctors in considering gastric procedures, and all of them were frankly, a little too optimistic. Not one told me I should reconsider surgery or highlighted any possible complications or negatives unless I directly asked about them first. And even then, they glossed over them, dismissing them fairly quickly, often intimating that they were the result of patient non-compliance or true flukes. They weren't as able to give me dispassionate clinical statistics regarding how many of their patients had kept off a significant amount of weight for five years, how many needed revisions, etc. I guess they're selling the dream.

I completely agree with you.

I used a very reputable surgeon with loads of experience....thought all the education I needed would follow. It hasn't really. I can't fault my fill nurse she is amazing 7 yrs banded and successful but only see her for five mins tops.. She even criticised the after care system.

I feel great sympathy for anyone whose life/experience has been negative. It would help if they said why they felt it had

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Anyone who tells another person what they can or cannot do is being negative, IMO....

The best people can do is share their own experiences, good and bad and let the accept or reject it....