The Keys to Becoming a Successful Bandster!

[Cocoabean 430]

I believe with bypass and sleeve that foods can get stuck as well, no?

[MellieW 0]

Cleo's Mom, I'm so sorry the band isn't working for you as advertised, but I'm so glad you're on this forum. I think your experience is probably more common than most of us would care to admit.

Unfortunately, not everyone who follows the rules has an easy road and/or happy ending with the band. Too often those people are made to feel guilty with comments like "stop whining" or "the band didn't fail you, you failed the band". We need to realize the band isn't a one size fits all solution to weight loss. Sadly, for some, it just doesn't work.

I think, for many of us, we believe the band is our last resort to lose and keep the weight off, and experiences like yours feed into our fear that this won't work for us either. I think it may be easier, for some, to blame those people with less than optimal results than to admit the band just doesn't work for everyone.

So, for those who are doing everything right and still struggling, your voice is an important one. It's important that they know they didn't fail their band and they aren't just "bitchers and moaners". And for those of us newly banded, hopefully your voice will serve as a reminder that there are no guarantees with the band and to be kinder to ourselves, and each other, as we go through this journey.

Again, I'm very sorry for your experiences, but I'm so glad you're here. :thumbup:

Edited October 18, 2010 by MellieW

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Cleo's Mom, I'm so sorry the band isn't working for you as advertised, but I'm so glad you're on this forum. I think your experience is probably more common than most of us would care to admit.

Unfortunately, not everyone who follows the rules has an easy road and/or happy ending with the band. Too often those people are made to feel guilty with comments like "stop whining" or "the band didn't fail you, you failed the band". We need to realize the band isn't a one size fits all solution to weight loss. Sadly, for some, it just doesn't work.

I think, for many of us, we believe the band is our last resort to lose and keep the weight off, and experiences like yours feed into our fear that this won't work for us either. I think it may be easier, for some, to blame those people with less than optimal results than to admit the band just doesn't work for everyone.

So, for those who are doing everything right and still struggling, your voice is an important one. It's important that they know they didn't fail their band and they aren't just "bitchers and moaners". And for those of us newly banded, hopefully your voice will serve as a reminder that there are no guarantees with the band and to be kinder to ourselves, and each other, as we go through this journey.

Again, I'm very sorry for your experiences, but I'm so glad you're here. :smile:

Thank you so much for your kind words of support. :thumbup: We all need to be more like you. I have said all along that the ones who get the band to work as it should are very lucky. But the whole obesity problem is so complex that even the medical professionals don't totally understand it. They are learning all the time. There are genes, hormones, stomach signals to the brain, possibly viruses and a whole host of other things that compromise our metabolism, how we eat, when we eat, our hunger and our satiety.

When I mentioned the hunger hormones, grehlin and leptin, to my former surgeon, he just rolled his eyes. So, is it any wonder we get that attitude by some on here?

Even though I took off most of my weight (60 of the 75lbs) without the band, I don't think I would have lost the 60 without the mandated diets and the liquids only pre-and post- surgery. So for that reason, I am glad I made the journey but I am disappointed that the band has not worked for me like it was promoted.

Good luck to you and thanks again.

[ElfiePoo 109]

Cleo's Mom, I'm so sorry the band isn't working for you as advertised, but I'm so glad you're on this forum. I think your experience is probably more common than most of us would care to admit.

Unfortunately, not everyone who follows the rules has an easy road and/or happy ending with the band. Too often those people are made to feel guilty with comments like "stop whining" or "the band didn't fail you, you failed the band". We need to realize the band isn't a one size fits all solution to weight loss. Sadly, for some, it just doesn't work.

I think, for many of us, we believe the band is our last resort to lose and keep the weight off, and experiences like yours feed into our fear that this won't work for us either. I think it may be easier, for some, to blame those people with less than optimal results than to admit the band just doesn't work for everyone.

So, for those who are doing everything right and still struggling, your voice is an important one. It's important that they know they didn't fail their band and they aren't just "bitchers and moaners". And for those of us newly banded, hopefully your voice will serve as a reminder that there are no guarantees with the band and to be kinder to ourselves, and each other, as we go through this journey.

Again, I'm very sorry for your experiences, but I'm so glad you're here. :thumbup:

Just because this all needs repeating. We can research and research and do more research and still find the band was not the right choice.

Cleosmom: Something to keep in mind with the sleeve is that you get whatever size pouch you get (and it may still allow you to overeat), whereas the band is adjustable. I guess we just need to keep working it until we get it to where it will work for us.

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