Who has had the band? Pros? Cons? Successful? Complications?

[HMA 1]

I’m planning to have either the band or the sleeve and would love to hear back from people who had either of these and your thoughts? Did you have success? Did you have complications? How much weight loss and how long?

[GreenTealael 25,330]

4 hours ago, HMA said:

I’m planning to have either the band or the sleeve and would love to hear back from people who had either of these and your thoughts? Did you have success? Did you have complications? How much weight loss and how long?

[MMME 89]

I guess it depends on how much you have to lose. I had a bank in 2009 and lost 33 kg (72 lbs). However by 2018 I had gained back nearly 40 kg. I went straight to bypass and couldn't be happier with my choice. The band was uncomfortable and unsuccessful. As a matter of fact, of the 4 other people I know who have had bariatric surgery there isn't one who has been successful with the band.

[jennegan99 2]

My doctor is against the band. I have a friend who had it done years ago and was unsuccessful. I am doing the sleeve and have 3 friends over the last 5 years that have also been successful with the sleeve.

[HMA 1]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the sleeve is the way to go for me.

[Julie norton 2,850]

Many of us are successful with banding
. Least invasive and returnable
I’m 12 years in and still living a wls life.
Lots of us left due to such negative and loud feedback from those who did not have luck ( for many reasons)
Some of us stick around....

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

On 1/12/2019 at 12:01 AM, MMME said:

I guess it depends on how much you have to lose. I had a bank in 2009 and lost 33 kg (72 lbs). However by 2018 I had gained back nearly 40 kg. I went straight to bypass and couldn't be happier with my choice. The band was uncomfortable and unsuccessful. As a matter of fact, of the 4 other people I know who have had bariatric surgery there isn't one who has been successful with the band.

i'm a success.....

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

HMA.... my opinion.... there are many other options than the Band or the Sleeve.

In 2009 i chose the band. A 14cc band.... SW 232, LW 130, best weight 143 Current weight 155. I had my band till March 23, 2017. Till that day i didn't have any trouble. I got the flu and threw up very violently and slipped my band. This was not the bands fault or mine.... it's just something that happened. I LOVED LOVED LOVED my band and would do anything to have her back. In the almost 2 years with out her i put on 15 lbs. which i think is not bad. And the reason....because I followed all the rules and learned to eat not only for today .... but for the rest of my life. I still, eat pretty much the same portions, never drink with a meal or after..... I just joined Crossfit and i am loving it.

As far as people saying the band is not successful..... well they are misinformed. I AM A SUCCESS....!!!!

and as far as people saying the sleeve is the end all be all.... well again, they are misinformed. The sleeve has just as many problems as any other WLS. It just so happens that the Sleeve is what the doctors are pushing right now..... who knows what it will be in 10 years when they are saying..... the sleeve didn't work the way we wanted it too. I have a number of friends that had the sleeve and GB..... and in about 3-5 years they all are back to the weight they started. But the one thing they don't have ...... 3/4 of there stomach to do any other surgery. The only other WLS that has another option except the band is GB.... you can do Band over GB.

This is the thing.... if you don't learn what's causing you to over eat, how to eat, what to eat, NO WLS is going to work. I've had two very close friends that had the band and converted to the sleeve... didn't lose a lb.... why, because they didn't get to the root of their issues....

So i say..... do more research..... go to more phy evals..... go to some support groups and listen.... make sure you have a great support system.... Then make your choice.

Peach shirt was 2018 Christmas party at mine and my fiance's home (almost 2 years). Swim suit and peach dress, this summer (almost a year and a half). other two was 2018 New years eve, after a year with out the band.

I was a success with the band and still a success without the band.

[rsalter 5]

Bayugir....Well said!! I was banded over 10 years ago. I know there is nothing wrong with my Band..I have gained a lot of my weight back..but I have been through menopause and Just haven'r done what I should be. Very upset with myself. And will get it figured out. But my band is Just fine. Anyone will gain their weight back if they Don't do what they KNOW they should. its a HELP..a TOOL...it's not the FULL answer.

[LoreneRN 3]

I hate my band, I am going in on July 6th to have it taken out and get the sleeve.

[Jamiesue1 0]

I had the Vertically banded gastroplasty in June 2003. So there is the adjustable band that you need to have filled every few months or something. The vertical band you never have to do anything. There are major pluss’ and Major negatives. The major plus is that I went from 224 lbs down to 128 lbs. The major negative is that I cannot keep any food down. I throw up everything except things that crunch. You definitely cannot drink for an hour and a half before or after a meal. Very inconvenient! After 17 years I am going For my 3rd or 4th endiscope. Would I do it again? Probably not if I knew what I know now.

[Jaelzion 1,127]

On 1/11/2019 at 12:49 PM, HMA said:

I’m planning to have either the band or the sleeve and would love to hear back from people who had either of these and your thoughts? Did you have success? Did you have complications? How much weight loss and how long?

I had the sleeve 20 months ago. I had no major complications and I've lost 118 pounds. At this point, I've pretty much settled into my new way of eating and it doesn't require a lot of effort (for now, anyway). I have no complaints.

[Jamiesue1 0]

Hi I had a vertically banded gastroplasty in 2003. It is non adjustable. It’s a permanent band. I started at 224 lbs and now 128 lbs. I love my weight loss but the side effects are horrendous. I throw up almost almost all the foods I eat. meats especially. I can’t drink anything for an hour before or after you eat. Very difficult. When asked if I would do this again I don’t have an answer. I’ve already had a scope three times. You have to make sure that you eat tiny little bites and chew very slowly and don’t over eat. Much harder than I thought it would be. Good luck

[LIna_g 0]

I had my a band done in June of 2019, the only weight I lost was when I had to prep before the surgery and restrictions after the surgery total weight loss was 33 lbs, up to date I gained back 22 lbs and that after so many tights. I east the same portions I ate before, never threw up from overeating, can drink right before during and after the meal. I am not sure if my band surgery was successful. My doctor says I have to diet. So why did I have a surgery then? Does anyone have the same issues?

[Hop_Scotch 1,630]

8 minutes ago, LIna_g said:

I had my a band done in June of 2019, the only weight I lost was when I had to prep before the surgery and restrictions after the surgery total weight loss was 33 lbs, up to date I gained back 22 lbs and that after so many tights. I east the same portions I ate before, never threw up from overeating, can drink right before during and after the meal. I am not sure if my band surgery was successful. My doctor says I have to diet. So why did I have a surgery then? Does anyone have the same issues?

You don't mention band fills? How much fill do you have in the band? If the fill isn't limiting how much you can consume, does it need topping up?