After reading post after post of people's problems with the band, especially Geezer Sue's posts about the real story behind the band, I've decided to try to lose this weight, once again, on my own. An RNY or DS is definitely out of the question -- won't even consider them.

I'm not disgarding the lapband as an option -- I'm just shelving it for the time being. It just seems that there are so many daily problems and possible long-term complications, and I just don't see any info on folks who have really had this band long-term anywhere.

This is a wonderful forum, but maybe I over researched. That's just my Type A personality. In any case, I need to make one last attempt to do this journey without surgery.

I'll continue to check in and will let everyone if I decide to go with the surgery.

Thanks.

Regards... Debi

Good Luck to you, I hope you succeed. One thing you need to remember though is a lot of the people with the band are happy, with no problems and that is why they aren't on here. This is a support group, and you will read problems etc.

Hi Debi,

I wish you success with your attempt to continue to lose weight on your own. I have been banded 3 years and 3 months and even with some of the complications I have had, I would NEVER have lost the weight I did lose without the band. I have regained some, but mostly due to lack of restriction. I am back on track again and I have lost some more weight. Even with the band empty, I had some restriction that I would not have had without the band.

Babs in TX

334/190 ish

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

good luck Deb. Keep in mind that Geezer Sue's story is her story, just as mine is mine, Babs' is ... well, you get the point. All are the real story.

You might want to look up JQPublic on this board. He's one of our "success stories." He's lost a large amount of weight, and hasn't been banded. I knwo we have a couple of "never banded" bandsters who've been successfull in their weightloss journey.

And please do keep in mind that folks that don't have trouble tend to not seek help for the problems they are not having.

I think that there is something to the poster who pointed out that there are many out there who have been banded and have had no complications and are enjoying their new lives. I was banded 2 years ago and this is the first time I have even sought out a lap band support group website. The only reason why I did was because I had to have a complete unfill and I don't really know what that means, long-term, and I figured someone here would surely know.

Good luck, I really wish you the best. This struggle is painful, but it can be overcome.

After reading post after post of people's problems with the band, especially Geezer Sue's posts about the real story behind the band, I've decided to try to lose this weight, once again, on my own. An RNY or DS is definitely out of the question -- won't even consider them.

I'm not disgarding the lapband as an option -- I'm just shelving it for the time being. It just seems that there are so many daily problems and possible long-term complications, and I just don't see any info on folks who have really had this band long-term anywhere.

This is a wonderful forum, but maybe I over researched. That's just my Type A personality. In any case, I need to make one last attempt to do this journey without surgery.

I'll continue to check in and will let everyone if I decide to go with the surgery.

Thanks.

Regards... Debi

Best of luck! I really agree that if you feel like you need to give it another try before surgery, you are doing the right thing. If it suceeds, cool! If not, banding is always there if you want it. You don't want to go through the surgery and always wonder if it was right for you.

I will aslo agree with those who said that long-term bandsters who are doing just fine aren't as likely to be on groups like this. DH was banded 2 years ago, and he's very happy with his band. Biggest problem he has is a PB now and then when he eats something wrong the wrong way. Too fast, too big of bites, that sort of thing.

Hi Debi,

I wish you all the luck in your weight loss. You have to be emotionally ready for WLS. I say, when and if you're ever ready, you will know. WLS should be your last resort. If you feel you want to continue to try losing on your own, GO FOR IT.

Keep us posted on your success.

Best Regards,