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Any success stories?



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Haven't been on this site in a long time. I'm restarting my journey. But I hate to say that reading so many posts that are negative and problematic, I get worried.

Where are the success stories? I see a lot of band to sleeve conversions and how people have coped. But what about those with success stories with their bands? I was banded in 2011. Had a few issues here and there, but nothing a deflate and refill couldn't fix.

Hoping to hear some positive stories.

thanks~

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My success story is having it removed. I had so much scar tissue built up that the removal took over 3 and a half hours!!! My revision, which should have only taken 3-4 hours total, took over 6. I had no symptoms other than having issues with certain foods, my endoscope was good, no erosion, no slippage, nothing on the swallow test or other imaging, yet my band was encased in scar tissue so badly it took the doctor 3 times longer than normal to remove. Even when everything seems fine with the band, there would be major issues at play. I also was banded in 2011. Just had revision surgery to RYN on the 21st of March. So glad I did! Everyone is going to be different, but with the number of issues constantly rising, the fact that major suppliers and manufacturers of the band are stopping production... it sort of tells its own story.

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@Enchilada72!! Hi. I just joined this site now. I feel the same way. So much negative.

I was banded in 2008.

The past two weeks I’ve been getting everything checked out on it.

Everything is still in place.

I had 1 cc of Fluid removed today. Was having some minor esophagus problems.

So, I am re-starting my journey too!

I think if we follow everything correctly, we should be able to do this! Feel free to reach out to me here, FB, text, phone. I understand how you feel! Hugs

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Haven't been on this site in a long time. I'm restarting my journey. But I hate to say that reading so many posts that are negative and problematic, I get worried.

Where are the success stories? I see a lot of band to sleeve conversions and how people have coped. But what about those with success stories with their bands? I was banded in 2011. Had a few issues here and there, but nothing a deflate and refill couldn't fix.

Hoping to hear some positive stories.

thanks~

Some of us old bandsters are here...

Just more in the minority obviously.

I’m like many on here, THANKFUL for my band.

Yes up and downs....yes. Fills and unfills....yes food sometimes not cooperative ... mostly ok

I’m over 11 years (this year will make 12). Kept off 80 lbs. going for those elusive last 10 .... again.

I must mention I’m sad that my

“Mentor” Alex, starter of lap band chat. ..has converted after 15 years... I’m always listening to others stories as nothing is guaranteed, except change.

Well, many of us are here and fairly successful.... just fewer...

best to all that try!!!

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I started at 485 lbs 2007. Banded November. Current weight 345 lbs. Getting Port/Tube leak repaired Monday 4/9. Like anything maintenance required. I had no slippage or erosion issues some have experienced. So successful, yes.


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I was banded in 2007 . I started at 212 and lost 14 lbs before the surgery. My doctors goal weight for me was 150 lbs in a year. But I was lucky and I made it to 118-121 lbs. that was my stable weight until I had my second daughter. Then my weight went down after I had my baby. I went down to my normal weight. I love my band and even tho I had a few problems I love it

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Haven't been on this site in a long time. I'm restarting my journey. But I hate to say that reading so many posts that are negative and problematic, I get worried.
Where are the success stories? I see a lot of band to sleeve conversions and how people have coped. But what about those with success stories with their bands? I was banded in 2011. Had a few issues here and there, but nothing a deflate and refill couldn't fix.
Hoping to hear some positive stories.
thanks~

Thanks for posting I needed to see some light at the end of the tunnel.


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I think I am a success story. I got down to my ideal weight within the first year of getting my band in 2008 and kept the weight off for 8 years. I retired 3 years ago and unfortunately too many calzones and strombolie's put me up about 35 pounds which I am trying to get off. The good news, some good days and some bad days on getting stuck but had blood work done last week and for the young age of 65, it came back excellent. No diabetes, no cholesterol problem and do not need to live on prilosec. I believe that the band saved me from the downward spiral of all the problems of obesity. If I get back down to my ideal weight, I will be very pleased with myself.

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I was banded 10/16/14, and I was 250lbs....

To me my story is a success....but I have to work at it every day. Exercise, what I eat, drink, ect. and it is rare that my band acts the same every day. It's like an unpredictable child...lol. never quite know when it will act up, but do your best to steer clear of the things I know will throw it into a temper tantrum....

But being over 100lbs lighter, and healthier....I can say I would do it again in a heartbeat....

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      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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