My journey started when I felt unable to regulate my weight. I had tried various diets but nothing worked and my will power was terrible. I had heard all about gastric banding and felt it would be worth trying. I contacted a very reputable company and met with one of their staff in Glasgow, and she commented that I was suitable for banding and it would be done in their clinic in England. I was also told that if I chose one doctor in particular, there would be no scarring as he would do it lapriscopily. I liked the sound of that, so went ahead and booked it, putting down a large deposit.

I was given thing to do prior to the surgery and then travelled down to England for the procedure. I met the doctor shortly before going to surgery then I was taken to theatre. When I woke up I was immediately aware of a dressing high up on my abdomen. I was quite upset as I was told I would have no scar ..... When the doctor came to see me quite some time later, I questionned him about the scar and he said ...... Are you ready for this?????? "Oh dear. I didn't know because I didn't read your file before going to surgery." Well I nearly hit the roof. I was disgusted with the situation and just couldn't believe what had happened. So many other issues soured the whole procedure - the main one being that when I discussed my surgery with a local NHS surgeon, he confirmed I should never have been offered the surgery as I am a 'grazer' and nibble on things all day long and the band is not suitable for someone like me. I only wish I knew.

The band has been drained of Fluid so doesn't work and I am now saving up to have it removed.

I did contact the ombudsman and I was able to get a portion of my money back, but not enough. I had the surgery, went through all the pain, have a scan I shouldn't have had, and now have a band that doesn't work. I really wish someone had told me about this before I made a very bad decision.

I agree with what the others said... PLEASE hang in there... the band does work!!!

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

Hi Galaxy,

I just learned about this site today. I, too, had surgery two years ago and decided about six months ago that the band wasn't for me and I asked about having it removed. I was experiencing a lot of discomfort. After having some x-rays and having my fill reduced, it still wasn't working for me so today met again with the surgeon. He wants me to wait a month before making a final decision as he doesn't feel I got the support I should have had (dietician, support groups, etc.).

Like you, I am a grazer and it took me a long time to figure out that the band doesn't work well for people like us. Also, I have an emotional eating issue that affects what, when and why I eat. I made the decision to be banded based on very little research and didn't talk to anyone except for the successful bandsters who were hired by the clinic to sell their services. I don't blame the company or even the procedure as clearly it works well for many people. I'm disappointed as I didn't lose a pound since the day I was banded and will be paying for it over the next three years. Consider yourself lucky if you can get a portion of the fees you paid back. As for the scars, mine are small and will fade but nobody promised I wouldn't have some scarring. I wish you better luck with your weight loss journey.

It's all about how many calories consumed throughout the day, and calories burned off....

I have a good friend with the lap band for over 5 years now, whose protocol is to eat numerous small meals - Snacks, throughout the day...a nibbler who has put it into some structure...she never sits down to a full meal...but maybe has 5-6 very small meals throughout the day....her total calorie intake is very small, and she exercises everyday, plus works a full time job,

She has had the band longer than I have, and is 100% successful in her weight loss....

The band does work, but it has to get properly adjusted first...and that can take some time...months usually.

The more successful people are those who comply and change themselves to adapt to the demands the band requires....

And then there are those who choose not to change, and in order to keep their old habits/foods, they will come up with different excuses, rationalizations and theories as to why they don't want the band adjusted.....then complain later it does not work, or they have fallen off the wagon and need to get back on track.....when really they won't let the band do it's thing.

It's totally up to you...and no one else can do it for you...it's a free decision.

But the band can, and does work if one wants it to and is willing to make sacrifices, life changes, or they can hold on to the old way of doing things, and stay fat, and unhappy complain all the time.

i agree 100% with what B52 wrote here.....it is TRUTH and it is REALITY

**then there are those who choose not to change, and in order to keep their old habits/foods, they will come up with different excuses, rationalizations and theories as to why they don't want the band adjusted.....then complain later it does not work, or they have fallen off the wagon and need to get back on track.....when really they won't let the band do it's thing.**

The band is a tool! You have to use it as a tool! I was a emotional eater and ate when I was board. I'm still fighting it! I'm changing! You have to make a life change for the band to work. I had surgery the 11th of April and it's really hard and I go to the gym 3-5 times a week and try to stay active now that it's warmer out. It's a life change not a mirical cure.. It's a long hard road!

I had my lap band surgery several years ago..(approx. 5 ) and have not lost more than 20 pounds and I have regretted the surgery from the beginning. I did NOTING but throw up violently for the first couple of years... now, not as often because I hardly ever eat... (and YES, STILL NO weight loss) not sure how its even possible. I have finally gotten insurance about two weeks ago and met with a new surgeon to schedule surgery to have this removed. This was one of the WORST decisions in my life, to have the lap band put in..... I HATE waking up every single morning with this... it's not one food or another that I can just say I won't eat it because it makes me throw up.... because it's not the same food every time... one day I can eat it...the next I can't.. it"s INSANE... because of the lap band I have 2 hernias, lost my two back bottom teeth from throwing up so much, my abdomen hurts all the time and its pushed out and hard, plus I am sick in the stomach all the time... either because I am hungry and I can't eat..or I have eaten ...

I would MUCH RATHER weigh 245 pounds than keep this lap band in !!!!!

My new surgen was kind enough to remove all the Fluid yesterday to try to make me more comfortable until I can get my new insurance to approve the surgery and have it removed..... it has helped a lot already having the fluid out of the band.

He was talking to me about maybe having the sleeve put in its place... I said..nooooo thank you....

Not sure why this didn't work for me, all I know is ...it DIDN'T....