Newbies Take Caution

[123crod 170]

I start out knowing I will get heat for this but here goes . . . .I have a hard time believeing ALL these people who have nothing good to say about the Band are real. They ALL have been banded for several years and the Band totally failed them or they never loss the weight or lost it and gained it all back plus some.

When you read someone's posts look at who is posting it. If they just joined today and have only posted one post and never post again MAYBE they are just misleading you. In over 2½ years here I have seen it happen a lot. I am not saying everyone's is like that I know some people are being real cause I know some people the Band doesn't work for them or some don't work with their Band.

I always try to give people advice anyway, but there have been a few that were just flat out rude and and sent people rude private messages all night including me, if you call them on what you suspect , , , you can tell what they are doing. Trying to scare people away from the Band. People get paid to do that. Newbies and people researching just saying I think we should help every body but take caution in what you are reading. Even mine!!

Cheri

[alagirl 3]

I hate it when people claim to be something when there are not. I had my lapband done two yrs. ago. I have lost some weight. I want to lose more. Its my fault that I haven't. I like the lapband. I had my fill on monday and had to go back and have some taken out. I couldn't hold down liquids and that is miserable. But I feel good now.

[dry_gulch_02 2]

It is too bad people have to be like that, but they are. For something like this, it just makes it worse. I am like alagirl. I have had my band for about 18 months. Have lost 44 pounds, and I know I should have lost more and that is my fault. But I am glad I got it, I feel better and like myself more. It is a tool, and one has to use it. There really are no magic bullets.

[kr8160311 36]

Thank you for posting this. I'm 8 days out and I have seen more positive post then negative but the negative ones I do question. Some of them only have a few post never a pic etc.. I'm 8 days out last week it took me two days to finish a bottle of Water and a Jello, well today no problem there I'm so glad I have this board and wonderful people to guide and help me on my journey!

[flab u less 45]

Thanks for that!! Because I have surgery on March 19th and some of the post were really making me think.I was actually thinking not to come on the site till after surgery. I need to stay positive.100%.

[annagom@msn.com 2]

I so agree with you I have not had mine very long but just knowing I have it helps me to be careful on everything I eat I so follow it I know it will work I have faith and I do so hate to hear bad things.

[123crod 170]

Okay some people the Band does not work for agreed . . . but the difference is when it does not work for you, like you want it to and you know it and admit some of the blame falls on you (us) . . .post away. It helps people to see we all struggle in some ways. We can help and encourage people and/or some people like to kick your little tushie (Can I say that?) to get you back on track

I am talking about people who come here talking really bad about the Band to promote other surgeries when they never even had the Band. They know nothing about the Band. Really people get paid to do that!

Cheri

[123crod 170]

Also there are some really nice, knowledgeable, encouraging people on here and some great tushie kickers on here too. Something for everyone!!!

Cheri

[NWgirl 574]

I concur.

When I first joined, someone was asking for opinions on the surgery. My aunt had gotten the band approx 3 years ago and did wonderful with it, so I shared her story with the poster. My aunt also had some friends get the sleeve at the same time, and when I posted, her friends had started to regain weight while she stayed the same because they did not learn to eat properly during their honeymoon period.

I received an extremely rude response from a guy who had the band and switched to the sleeve but was still hanging around on the boards praising the sleeve and hating on the band.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Unfortunately, you're going to find this on any medical board, especially when costly drugs and/or procedures are in question.

I noticed a lot of what I call sock puppets right away when I got here. A sock puppet is the slang term for a fake account made specifically to sell, spam, or bash on the topic at hand. I spend a fair amount of time on boards for Multiple Sclerosis, too. (because I have MS) I see sock puppets there as well, trying to bash on people's drug of choice only to try to sell some new unproven treatment or a different drug. So when I came here, I was able to pick out the sock puppets almost immediately,

Here's some hints: If you suspect a sock puppet account, go to their profile and check their posts and topics. 98% of the time it's a dead give away because their patient info is blank and their only posts are to band bash or sell another procedure.

It's unfortunate that people are so unethical but rest assure this happens everywhere.

Oh and for the record? I love my band. I've lost 55 pounds in 2 months

[123crod 170]

Mis73, you are 100% right, never knew the name for them but that is what they do. One guy followed me and other poster around from topic to topic making aurguments and sending private messages to us. She reported him and he was gone. Thanks for the info.

Just hate to see people get scared off with lies, sometime the truth is scary..

I also love my Band!

Cheri

[Bridget 1]

I have been banded for 5 years now let me say this for over a year I didnt have progress BUT it was all my own fault. You can always find ways to up your caloric intake and not enough exercise. The lap band is a tool NOT a cure. You need to do your part it it will definitely do its part. For about 2 years now I have been hovering at around 170 and for the past 2.5 months I have really buckled down going to the gym and eating better and I am now down to 153! If the lap band is not working for someone its most likely they are not doing there part to make it work.

[caramelqueen 1]

Thank you for that, some people think a band is a magical fix but like anything you have to work hard at it. Misery loves company so we bandster's have to stay strong because not only do we have to be ware of people on this forum but friendamies ppl who cant get approve etc

[Jennj84 0]

I uninstalled my sleeve talk app to the lap band app and most of the posts are negative... Thats scary. The sleeve app has posts about how its life changing and how life is wonderful. Im very open minded and want to know which surgery would benifit me.

[B-52 7,113]

I uninstalled my sleeve talk app to the lap band app and most of the posts are negative... Thats scary. The sleeve app has posts about how its life changing and how life is wonderful. Im very open minded and want to know which surgery would benifit me.

I'm sorry my friend, but if you're not seeing positive posts, you're not reading everything.

Today alone, I was surprised by how many positives there were. One or two one year bandiversaries where many people replied with their successes.

I will say, if you are new here, understand this...that the majority of people here are very early in their journey, less than 6 months, and are seeking info just as you are. Do not confuse people not fully understanding with people who are being negative.

Good luck on your weight loss.