To band or not to band?

[steph1084 4]

Hello!

I joined this because I have a meeting with a surgeon next week to consult on a lap band. I'm nervous and I don't know if I should do it or not. I have just had 2 kids back to back, my youngest is 6 months and my oldest 20 months. My weight is out of control and I am always hungry. I have literally been either pregnant or nursing for the 2 years and I am just used to eating more and I am miserable! I see mixed feelings on the band but I really want it!

My concerns are silly but I am freaked out about the port. Can you feel / see it? Also does food make you sick? I have more concerns but I just wanted to get an overall opinion or if anyone has any insight. I need a change in my life!

[KellarsMom 28]

I can feel my port. I can't lay on my side bc of the port. Certain clothes (jeans) push into my port area when sitting and I have a almost constant burning feeling. I am getting my band removed and sleeve surgery performed the 12th.

[KateP 359]

Please bear in mind that I am a very happy and very successful bandit now 9 years post-op. I do not regret my band, would do it all over again and if I ever have to have it removed, I would hope to have a replacement.

You shouldn't be sick unless you eat too fast. I can feel my port if Intouch it but, being a lot older than you, I have kept some fat round my middle which means it doesn't show. It has never hurt when I lie on it,

When I was banded in 2006, it was a miracle surgery. And for some people, who accept that they will still have to work hard, it is just that. It was and still is for me. But over the years it has become clear that serious complications necessitating further surgery are much more common than originally thought. Some of these are avoidable by careful eating and by not keeping the band tight; unfortunately others are beyond our control.

We used to be warned about band slips, leaks and about ( very rare) erosion into the stomach tissue but it turns out that a build up of scar tissue round the band (causing it to tighten) is quite common. It can be very difficult to get the right level of restriction and some people are tempted to keep it tight enough to physically limit food, in fact it was once thought this was how it should be. But this causes food to back up into the oesophagus and that risks problems such as oesophageal dysmotility which may be irreversible. It can also damage the vagus nerve.

Some doctors have stopped implanting bands as they found the removal rate was unacceptably high and it was too easy not to lose enough weight. Revision from band to sleeve is not uncommon!

EDITED TO REMOVE A CHUNK. This was a copy of a post I made on another site and this section referred to the other, very anti-band site. My apologies for including it.

The band makes it easier by dimming hunger, but it does nothing for head hunger and, contrary to popular opinion, it does not and should not physically stop us eating. If it does it is too tight!

Having said all that, I love my band, I know many successful long term bandits in real life. My own experience has been good and so has that of almost all those I actually know and have met. I know IRL around 50 banded people; all over four years out, many over 8 years. I admit I have lost touch with some but of all those I know about only two have lost their bands. One of these admits she abused her band deliberately, the other had a no -related medical condition. My own doctor tells me he has removed a very small number of bands. He didn't specify what that meant but, unlike US doctors he is salaried and has no financial incentive to perform band as opposed to other surgeries (which he also performs). He still believes banding is a good option.

No surgery is perfect. I know two sleeved people whose lives are now truly miserable because of their sleeves and one bypass patient who very nearly died because of her operation and two years later is still severely affected by it.

Edited May 30, 2015 by KateP

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Love my band!

[Sharpie 3,306]

I cannot even feel my port, barely have a scar where it is. I suppose it depends on your surgeon but even getting a fill for me has been easy peasy. if you can't sleep because your port hurts you need to get another surgeon or someone to fix it.

[goregalore 16]

I was able to feel my port and wearing certain belts would push on it and make it uncomfortable. I had my port flip and result in a couple extra surgeries until I finally had it removed for good. No more port pain. ????????

[gowalking 10,790]

My port sticks out like a golf ball under my skin but I'm proud of that bump. When I first got banded, I was so fat, you couldn't see or feel the port. It's visable now because I've lost so much weight. I might get the lower profile port in the future, but for now, I don't let it bother me.

[2muchfun 8,928]

I can see and feel my port but the only time it's a problem is if I'm leaning on something hard and it's up against my port. Otherwise, it's no problem. Don't think the band will make it so you're not hungry any more. It only works when you follow the rules and work hard.

If you're looking for a magic pill or surgery that eliminates all hunger, I don't think it exists yet. Some people find that gastric bypass takes away all their hunger but it's a big price to pay and you must be totally aware of what you're doing and make a total commitment. Might be hard with so many urchins running around?

tmf

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I love my band. I cant imagine what my life would be like if I was still overweight. The daily 5% inconvenience of being banded is still better than the daily 100% inconvenience of being obese. Yes , I can feel my port slightly, yes I have to choose foods wisely, chew well, and drink lots of Water. Yes I have to exercise 3-4 x a week. Yada yada yada..............but you know what else I get to do ? Have a strong , healthy body with energy to burn, shop for cute slim clothes, like what I see in the mirror, and do normal things without thinking twice about it. Again, I love my band !!

[KateP 359]

My apologies. The dangers of cut and paste. My answer was copied from one I posted on another board and I left in a chunk which was NOT applicable to this board. The board I originally posted on is extremely anti-band; this board is not. So my apologies to those who read it and to our Admin and sponsors. I have deleted the section.

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Most of us like the idea of NOT having our insides rerouted or part of our stomachs taken out , that & just being able to do things that we couldn't do before being banded like breathing easily , standing having energy or & some hygiene issues lol , I did lol because some of the stuff you may read about what us banders seriously couldn't do is SO true , so I hope I'm not posting this to late , I am going to post a couple pictures one is like almost 3 years & then the last 1 will be what I look like presently the very last one I am second from the left , so whatever wls YOU choose good luck on YOUR choice , for ME , I am glad & SO HAPPY I CHOSE TO be banded & like other people have said follow rules & information from YOUR Surgeon & YOU should be good, good luck.

[steph1084 4]

Thank you everyone for your input and encouragement. I am pretty sure I am ready to take this step!! Started the pre op diet and meet the surgeon in 2 days!! I'll keep you all posted!