Would you do it again??? (have the surgery...)

[kll724 3,055]

As with anything, it is great for some, not for others.

My SIL and I were banded the same day by the same Dr. and have have totally different experiences! Totally!

She lost fast, went to goal, before I did by a long shot! Then she got too tight, and began throwing everything up, our Dr. is 6 hours away, so it is not a quick trip to be checked. Well in my opinion she handled it poorly....and has since begun letting her DD who has experiences with ports, fill her and unfill her at home. She vomits every day, she is gaining weight back rapidly---and has seriously compromised her health. She said this morning on the phone, she told her pharmacist, she would never recommend it, and wishes she had never done it, and would NOT do it again.

BUT.....the band did not fail her....She failed her band. She is not doing things in any way right. But she would and may have for all I know voted NO.

It does not cure hunger for everyone, many but not all. It did mine instantly, she says she is always hungry. Same Dr. different results.

She likes the Pasta and potatoes and such, and has trouble eating them, so is disappointed more often than not with her diet.

I prefer other foods, so it worked better for me.

I too wish those with other experiences would voice them, but often they get bashed if they are not happy bandsters. It is NOT for everyone. It WON'T work 100% of the time. It is NOT a guarantee you will not regain weight. It CAN be eaten around, and you continue to gain even with a band.

Until your head is in the game, it is a hard thing to lose even with the band. But when it all comes together, and you are ready, and the band is there to help----it is an awesome combination!!! And it works for lots of us!!!

Well said! Thanks for sharing your and your sister's experience.

[ElfiePoo 109]

I'm one of the ones who voted 'no'...my reason was posted above.

.

[conservachick 0]

absolutely yes!!!!!

without this procedure, I would still be hiding my house just getting bigger and bigger and my kids would be witnessing the destruction of their mom!

I've lost 61 pounds and counting... so happy.. would do the surgery all over again if I had to!

It has saved my life in sooo many ways!

:biggrin:

[vlp1968 83]

I have been very succesful with the band, about 104 pounds in 10 months. I did go through what many do, being to loose and hungry sometimes and to tight and getting sick other times. There have been times I wish I had gastric bypass but that comes with it's own complications. Long story short, yes I am glad I have the band.

[spoiltmom 44]

I would definitely do it again! I think it's totally worth it and so far I'm very pleased with my results.

[BetsyB 9]

No doubt about it--it was the best decision I ever made for myself.

[vickiep3 0]

in a heart beat. 16 weeks post op and only lost 30lbs. but without band and at the rate I was gaining I would have put on about 32lbs!

I have had to have my port replaced, and have just reached restriction - but it has been an amazing journey so far and my band is my best friend

[4them 0]

Count me as a MAYBE....and here is why. I understood that with lap band there are risks as with any surgery, however my reason for choosing lap band over gastric bypass was the risks seemed to be fewer and less severe. With that being said, I had complication after complication. Starting with an incisional hematoma in my belly button....to a non healing wound....to 40 days of packing that wound twice a day....to finally having a second surgery to replace and reposition the port so that the wound would eventually heal....to the surgeon leaving a gauze sponge in my surgical site that stuck to the inside of the wound...honestly I could go on all day. I am almost 3 months out now I am stuck at 45 lbs and I can tell you that I know I am eating more than I should be able to. I know I need a fill but still have to wait 3 more weeks because of the second surgery. At this point I only have 3 cc's (I think) in my band.

Am I pleased with the weight loss? Absolutely. Do I wish I could eat less? Absolutely. But perhaps when I can finally get a fill, I will feel like this is working better and everything I went through will be worth it in the end.

I realize that this is hard work for everyone who chooses lap band, but in all fairness I think those who answered with YES! probably didn't experience the complications that other people had. It is my hope that someday I will feel a resounding YES! SO glad I did this, after all, I did this to improve my health for my children and so far all it has done is made me less able to play and do things with them.

[KikstersRT 0]

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories!!

[Phranp 46]

Count me as a MAYBE....and here is why. I understood that with LAP-BAND® there are risks as with any surgery, however my reason for choosing LAP-BAND® over gastric bypass was the risks seemed to be fewer and less severe. With that being said, I had complication after complication. Starting with an incisional hematoma in my belly button....to a non healing wound....to 40 days of packing that wound twice a day....to finally having a second surgery to replace and reposition the port so that the wound would eventually heal....to the surgeon leaving a gauze sponge in my surgical site that stuck to the inside of the wound...honestly I could go on all day. I am almost 3 months out now I am stuck at 45 lbs and I can tell you that I know I am eating more than I should be able to. I know I need a fill but still have to wait 3 more weeks because of the second surgery. At this point I only have 3 cc's (I think) in my band.

Am I pleased with the weight loss? Absolutely. Do I wish I could eat less? Absolutely. But perhaps when I can finally get a fill, I will feel like this is working better and everything I went through will be worth it in the end.

I realize that this is hard work for everyone who chooses LAP-BAND®, but in all fairness I think those who answered with YES! probably didn't experience the complications that other people had. It is my hope that someday I will feel a resounding YES! SO glad I did this, after all, I did this to improve my health for my children and so far all it has done is made me less able to play and do things with them.

4them, I read about your complications here in a previous post, and I have to say you are AMAZING. After all you've been through you don't sound the least bit bitter or angry AND you are still optimstic about losing the weight when you are completely healed! KUDOS to you. You have all my good wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. I'll bet you will have an terrific journey once your band is working properly.

All the best to you on your journey.

[Brighton Belle 0]

I would do it all again, no question.

I am healthier, happier and much more attractive and enjoying looking like my old self again.

I have got my face back. Ok, it is older, but my character and cheek bones have made a reappearance and I am taking a pride in myself that I had lost before.

Best money I spent in a long while.