scottdelta

Yes the band has many negatives, you need to do your research, best information comes from those of us that have had the band, some that had the operation back in 2000, these patients that have lived and experienced different operations are the source of true knowledge, not that "it should not" or "I have never heard" these are mostly from unexperanced patients. Like a friend said to me, now you know why when you first started looking at WL options, there was only the "Newbies" and a few old Di hards in the forums because people like us (myself and my Mike) with loads of experience are shouted down in these forums, and well it's just not worth me trying to explain to those that have made up their mind on a particular operation to go to the extent of questioning other WLS. As I said, I am only here for a very short time, to give stories that I have LIVED to tell stories of those WLS patients that have had 5 - 10 years experience, not many through these forums. If any one has a question, that they need an honest answer to, please ask, if you are here to challenge me, your challenge will go in answered. Scott

Consider this, if you are like me in my 50's you need to think about your health at 60, as a band has to be changed around every 10 years, this means another operation you will need in your 60's, I had a band and now I have a sleeve, I did this because I do not want to have another operation in my 60's, I do not know personally any band patients that have had the band out and maintained weight, just something at 50 you should consider.

It's now been 6 years that I started my weight loss "Journey" mmmmm not sure I want to classify it as a "Journey"! Think I would prefer "learning curve" I'll keep the work Journey for more fun type events. Good news is, I used to be 155Kg's now I am steady at 100 - 105. It's like all forums, you study and read as much as you can, once you get through to the other side, you never return to these forums, and while I am sitting here eating my breakfast at Port Macquarie (I don't live here, just passing through) I thought I would put my self out there. I will give a a brief outline and if you have questions please ask. I am currently 52 YO healthy married Australian male (born in USA) my wife and son have also had survey, pretty much before me, all lost weight to a happy health level, especially my wife who is now 65Kg, in her 50's and well sexy as! All 3 surgeries were different and had different outcomes including a big scare with my, then 19 YO son, now 23. Banding, sleeve and bypass, we as a family, experienced them all! Most weight loss is naturally a by pass, then sleeve them banding, I had a band for 2 years and it worked for weight loss, just very hard to live with, I now have had a sleeve for 4 years and for me, that was the answer, those of you planning a band will not want to hear that I know, but honestly for me it was the only answer. If any one wants details of any of my family's experiences, let me know and I will be happy to reply. Excuse any type'o's I'm on an iPhone! Scott

So all mixed remarks, all I can say is time will tell, and I all can do to help is tell my story, as I said before, most bandsters do not want to hear what I have to say, and that's OK, if you are looking at a band, all I say is a sleeve is the same thing but permanent, easy to live with and you only need to do it once, no worry about band erodes, band slipping band fluid adjustments, no eating at a certain rate, no prob with filling your old stomach by eating slow it goes on and on, the band is a "band aid" save some cash, do it right or at least read and consider the better options, I don't need links about bands or any thing else, I'm not here to argue, I am here to share my story. Good luck to you all and do your research, the ONLY way to get good info is talk to WLD patients especially those that did it years ago!!

Yes it is amazing how many patients eventually revise to a sleeve or a gastric bypass, the band seems to be a quick grab for cash costing around 8K, in actual theatre and equipment cost is less than 3K, 10 of those is 30K and that would be a weekly work for WL Dr in NSW

My Son had a sleeve, he had terrible complications developing an abscess, that lead to more surgery, he documented his complications and posted them on YouTube under "Curtis Layton" he looks back now, and says he would do it all again in a heart beat! He is now around 80 - 85 Kg's and looking fine!

My wife had a band in 2003, she had a strangulated stomach in 05 and had it removed under emergency surgery, blood supply got cut off to the stomach. she nearly died, weight came straight back on in 3 months, in 2007 she had a gastric bypass (there were no other options as her stomach was scared from the band and a sleeve was not an option either), she had a few issues in the first 2 - 4 months, in the past 6 years no problems.

8 years! Walk away!! now!! Quick, life is TOOOOOO short enjoy it while you can. Congrats on the weight loss, if you can do that, you can do anything.

Ladies, I am a man and believe me my wife losing weight was the best thing ever, I encouraged her, and supported her in every aspect, she is now a 52 year old hotty and I am proud to walk next to her, any bloke that does not stand by their woman while she is improving her health is a bloody idiot, and not worth the effort. If a bloke starts to wander off, fair enough, if he post an add on a match making forum, you should wander off and find someone that will love and support you like you should be, and that’s all I got to say about that.