Hi all,
I am new to the forum, this is my first post, and I just had to chime in.
I had the band implanted back in 2007 and it has done nothing to help me lose weight (well, I did manage to lose 30 lbs but gained it back plus more).
I thought I was a complete failure until I found this and another message board. My surgeon has absolutely no bedside manner and would berate me for being 'fat' each time I saw him and 'eating too much'. Thankfully I found another surgeon who is helping me with my fills right now, he has a band himself and understands what it's like to have one.
Who knew that I was not alone in puking all the time? That the feeling of food being stuck in my throat was called dysphagia (spelling?). That it is not uncommon for people to get tons of fills/unfills but never find that 'sweet spot'. That banding causes bulimia. I wish I knew all of this before I decided to pay $14K for the band.
I am starting to feel more empowered because of threads like this, and feel stronger in my Quest for a revision to either RNY or a sleeve (have not decided yet).
Thank you SO MUCH everybody for opening up and sharing your stories. If only I knew then what I know now....
Robby