:help: I had my first appt and met with the nutritionist, surgeon and started my pre-op test probably 2 two 3 months out before banding. I have been looking around the site and have noticed some negative feedback in different areas. Tell me it isn’t so. May be on the fence now. More of the positives. Please.

Welcome to LBT. One of the things that makes this site such a valuable resource is that you hear all the experiences, good and bad.

The thing to remember is that actual true complications do happen but are rare. Also, there are varying experiences out there, and success often depends on following the "bandster rules". I'm losing slowly but I have only myself to blame. The band is indeed a tool and you'll hear that a lot on this site.

Read it all, then if you do decide to get banded, it will have been an informed choice. This is a great place for both information and support.

I don't regret for a minute getting banded.

All the best on your journey.

:welcomeB:

I am in the process of getting the band as well and I love this site. I really want to hear both the positive and the negatives. I am hopeful that my experience will be one w/o complications but knowing of the possible complications will educate me to be more prepared of what warning signs to look out for. Stick around for awhile and get a feel for the entire site. I think you will find it very informative.

Good Luck w/your decision!

I use to be on the fence too, until I came to this site. The other one I used alot of complaining and just a real downer. But here there is a good mix and for the people who are having question and troubles there is alot of positive feed back, support and help. I try and learn from the problems others are having. Like I know now after I get banded and get put on solids, I will chew and chew and chew. Because I don't want my food to get stuck. I would have learned that the hardway. There is a posting on here somewhere about the importants of following all the rules the DR gives you. I printed it out! From what I have seen banding is a postive thing. I don't know personaly yet, but I have not had one person tell me they wish they HADN'T done it. But ultimately you have to do what is best for you!! Good Luck!

as for me, I have no regrets...I love my band...I was banded on 4/6/07 and I have lost 46 lbs....I follow the rules and do as I was told to do....I work out every day, 30 minutes a day....I am not saying that something can't happen to your band or your port if you follow all the rules, because I have seen post where that has happened...people did as they were told and still something went wrong with the port or the band....it is just a risk you have to take or not take....I would do it again tomorrow...good luck with your decision..I hope that you make the one that will make you happy...

For me the band has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. About 2 weeks before surgery, I too was on the fence. You have to remember that people who have experienced problems with their band tend to come to these sites more than people who are not having problems. That may explain why it sometimes seems that you are reading more negative posts than positive. I just know for me that I had reached a place that no matter what I did, I could not lose more that 5 pounds because I was ALWAYS hungry. The band has taken that "lion" away from me and I have been very successful. I still have a long way to go, but I already feel SO much better.

Good luck on whatever decision you make...

Thanks to all for the feedback it has been insightful and has helped put me back on the Band Wagon.