So what did YOU do to screw up your band?

[Jaffa 5]

I have mentioned this before, that I think the doctors really emphasize the reasons for problems as being something the patient did, to get them off the hook. They want people to think, if you follow all of the rules, you won't have a problem. I think we can all agree, that is just not a good representation of the reality.

But it sells bands!!!

[Tiffykins 673]

I have mentioned this before, that I think the doctors really emphasize the reasons for problems as being something the patient did, to get them off the hook. They want people to think, if you follow all of the rules, you won't have a problem. I think we can all agree, that is just not a good representation of the reality.

But it sells bands!!!

That is the absolute truth. . . I followed all the rules, I've begged the surgeon to help me, and now I've finally given up on the band working for me and revising to the sleeve in June.

It's taken me months to get the courage to actually make this change, and not feel like I failed. . .

[Jachut 487]

I certainly dont want to sound like I cant understand that - I can honestly say that when I was researching and made my decision, I did understand that a slip or erosion could happen. But I was given NO information about how miserable life could be if such trouble did occur or that the band could simply inexplicably cause such issues.

And personally, with the newness of bands in general use (and sleeves too for that matter) I think everyone needs to be careful about being too one eyed about their own choices since we all may be eating our words one day (if we can get them down that is!). You just never know, do you?

I'd hate to think I'd given someone an undeserved mouthful about pulling their socks up only to find myself having my band removed some time later.

The ones that deserve it though...... lol.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

That is the absolute truth. . . I followed all the rules, I've begged the surgeon to help me, and now I've finally given up on the band working for me and revising to the sleeve in June.

It's taken me months to get the courage to actually make this change, and not feel like I failed. . .

Wow... my story over and over again. I adore my surgeon, but I do blame him for assuming that my problems were due to not following some magical set of rules. Today, he knows better. I do believe I was his learning curve on the band.

That's okay, I can deal with that. He believed Inamed.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I certainly dont want to sound like I cant understand that - I can honestly say that when I was researching and made my decision, I did understand that a slip or erosion could happen. But I was given NO information about how miserable life could be if such trouble did occur or that the band could simply inexplicably cause such issues.

And personally, with the newness of bands in general use (and sleeves too for that matter) I think everyone needs to be careful about being too one eyed about their own choices since we all may be eating our words one day (if we can get them down that is!). You just never know, do you?

I'd hate to think I'd given someone an undeserved mouthful about pulling their socks up only to find myself having my band removed some time later.

The ones that deserve it though...... lol.

Thank you, J. Thank you.

The one thing about sleeves... it's your stomach... just smaller. That's all. Just your stomach but smaller.

The sleeve I can deal with. The band I could never deal with. Lucky for us the sleeve is not new in the least. It's verrrry old.

[MacMadame 81]

Wow, just wow. I think I was the poster child for proper band behavior. I lived and breathed following all the bandster rules.

And this is why, when you mentioned having a slip, I was completely taken aback and started rethinking my decision to have a bad. I figured: if *Susan* can have a slip, then ANYONE can and that includes me.

[circa 0]

not trying to panic or anything - and I'm really not - but from the beginning I've been waivering between the band and the sleeve. I know the concept is similar - both restrictive, but I have an issue with removing part of my anatomy and I also have an issue with the possibility of not having compatability with the band. I know speaking with the surgeon will probably assist in this, but the surgeon has never been banded or had a VSG - so I guess I'm trying to find all the pros and cons of each from people that have had both. I'm not not a fear mongerer, but I do like to have all the information about something before I attempt it. So anything you can tell me regarding both procedures would be great

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

not trying to panic or anything - and I'm really not - but from the beginning I've been waivering between the band and the sleeve. I know the concept is similar - both restrictive, but I have an issue with removing part of my anatomy and I also have an issue with the possibility of not having compatability with the band. I know speaking with the surgeon will probably assist in this, but the surgeon has never been banded or had a VSG - so I guess I'm trying to find all the pros and cons of each from people that have had both. I'm not not a fear mongerer, but I do like to have all the information about something before I attempt it. So anything you can tell me regarding both procedures would be great

The band has a 25% failure rate.

Stats show that there is a 30-50% re-op rate within the first 5 years.

There is a LOT more that can go wrong with a band than a sleeve.

The band produces the lowest and the slowest weight loss.

It can cause esophageal motility issues.

You'll be maintaining that band for the rest of your life. The maintenance never ends.

The higher your BMI the less chance you have of ever getting even close to goal.

First they started off with a mesh band. That didn't work.

Then they had the non adjustable band. That didn't work.

Then they had the small adjustable band. That didn't work.

Now they have the large adjustable band saying that will cut down on erosion, slips, etc. Yeah, not so much. That isn't working either.

Most of all, Inamed has been making the band for 18 years. US citizens have been going to Mexico for 18 years for banding. Find 5 people, just 5 that have been banded for 10 years or more. I'm not talking about someone that knows someone who has been banded, or studies that make claims. YOU find 5 people that have been banded for 10 years or more and see how they like their band. I've been posting on band boards for almost 3 years and I haven't met one yet. If you can find 5 banded people for 10 years or longer, go for it. Get a band. I don't think you'll find those 5 people.

Speaking with your surgeon will only help if he does ALL the major procedures. If he doesn't do sleeves he's going to push you into bands or bypass, or whatever procedures he does. If he doesn't do sleeves he isn't going to tell you how great a sleeve is. That would be like a honda dealer telling you how great a Toyota is. Go to a surgeon that does all the major procedures AND has a LOT of experience in all.

[circa 0]

Most of all, Inamed has been making the band for 18 years. US citizens have been going to Mexico for 18 years for banding. Find 5 people, just 5 that have been banded for 10 years or more. I'm not talking about someone that knows someone who has been banded, or studies that make claims. YOU find 5 people that have been banded for 10 years or more and see how they like their band. I've been posting on band boards for almost 3 years and I haven't met one yet. If you can find 5 banded people for 10 years or longer, go for it. Get a band. I don't think you'll find those 5 people.

Speaking with your surgeon will only help if he does ALL the major procedures. If he doesn't do sleeves he's going to push you into bands or bypass, or whatever procedures he does. If he doesn't do sleeves he isn't going to tell you how great a sleeve is. That would be like a honda dealer telling you how great a Toyota is. Go to a surgeon that does all the major procedures AND has a LOT of experience in all.

Yeah - that's kinda what I'm seeing - which has led me to be more about lopping out that part of my stomach that I don't need versus adding something else to me that could cause a problem haha. I do know one _ONE_ person that has been banded for a decade that still loves her band - BUT she works for a doctor that does bands. She has free maintenance and everything she needs at her disposal at any given time. I guess that would make it easier

My surgeon does do all of the major surgeries. I'm fortunate in that respect. One issue is hospital stay/recovery time. I luckily have a desk job and my brother can get off his butt and do chores at the farm for a while - so I don't have to worry about the physical labor part. I just can't wait to run again.

Another aspect that i like is the faster weightloss but no malabsorption - the malabsorption bothers the crap outta me so the bypass is OUT. I have enough issues to deal with - I don't need another :ohmy: Everyone keeps saying that I didn't gain the weight overnight - well yeah - actually I did. Less than 3 years ago I weighed a lovely 174 lbs and ran 5 miles a day.

Then i got sick.

My fastest weight gain was 64 lbs in 6 weeks from steroid treatments. It leveled off after that. So yeah - quite a bit overnight. Did I make poor food choices that made the situation worse? You friggin' bet I did! Now its time to right that wrong.

Anyway - thanks SO much for your honesty and willingness to discuss this frankly. I don't want the politically correct overview of anything - I want the nitty gritty! haha

I have no problem with people that want the band - that's great. I was a totally about the band for a long time. And no, you didn't change my mind. The information you provided did. :eek: I wants me a sleeve!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I do know one _ONE_ person that has been banded for a decade that still loves her band - BUT she works for a doctor that does bands. She has free maintenance and everything she needs at her disposal at any given time. I guess that would make it easier

Cool, 1 down and 4 to go. ;o)

Anyway - thanks SO much for your honesty and willingness to discuss this frankly. I don't want the politically correct overview of anything - I want the nitty gritty! haha :ohmy:

Amazingly, nobody ever accused me of being PC. ;o) I am thinking it won't happen in the near future, either. HA~

[circa 0]

Cool, 1 down and 4 to go. ;o)

Sure! I'll contact 4 more people that work for surgeons that get all their aftercare for free too! I think that would be the only way haha

Amazingly, nobody ever accused me of being PC. ;o) I am thinking it won't happen in the near future, either. HA~

Yeah I don't typically have that issue either hahah

[Nanook 2]

I have to vent.

What in the world is in someone's head that if the band doesn't work, we have reflux, slips, erosion, esophageal spasms, etc. that we are obviously doing something wrong?

DAMN! I hate that attitude.

Check out post #3 in this thread:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/my-band-nightmare-92917/

I responded but had to keep back spacing and editing. I couldn't tell her what I really thought!

Wasa, this is what I was referring to, sorry screwed it up Nancy, lol

[Ruthi 60]

Hi all,

Elizabeth, Wassa and Susan are correct. I too, had the one in 500,000 patient complication(the stats the surgeons gave me) I did everything right, I got sick without any warning. Potential patients should keep in mind that they make the band with a one size fits all sizing and I never saw any band that looked like a moo moo. Everyone is different and anything can occur even the strange and rare occurences. Not everyone on the site is as educated/informed as perhaps they should be when rendering an opinion and then again, sometimes they dont think. Just my 2 cents worth.

Ruthi

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I wonder why I haven't gotten the email from Dr. Campos?

It's pretty easy to see that the band is not good for some people. There are also some people that the band works great for, then all of a sudden, problems start occurring.

That's the category I fall into. The band was great and didn't cause me any problems for nearly 2 years. Then it became a nightmare. I am so glad it's out!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I wonder why I haven't gotten the email from Dr. Campos?

It's pretty easy to see that the band is not good for some people. There are also some people that the band works great for, then all of a sudden, problems start occurring.

That's the category I fall into. The band was great and didn't cause me any problems for nearly 2 years. Then it became a nightmare. I am so glad it's out!

Maybe because one of the questions is how your quality of life is with the sleeve and you haven't had one for a week yet? ;o)

I don't know how extensive that survery is, if they were just sending it to people that had revisions up to that point or if they are going to be sending them to everyone.

Ruthi:

I too, had the one in 500,000 patient complication(the stats the surgeons gave me)

1 in 500,000? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA