In the deciding phase of having surgery- has anyone regretted having the surgery?

[LindaD 3]

Probably not fair for me to answer, since I have only been with the band for 3 days now. LOL But no regrets - I followed the procedure for years, came close to pursuing it a few times. Talked myself out of it ("If I have to do the same work either way, why not just do it withOUT the surgery?").

In April of 08 I made my decision. It took over a year to get through all the red tape, insurance issues, etc. But on Friday, I got my band.

I think if I were to voice any regret, it would be that I chickened out of doing it 5 years earlier.

[sdeale0928 0]

I do not regret anything. Right after surgery, before I even left the hospital, I had a couple of WHAT DID I JUST DO moments. That only last the first two days. I would do it again in a heart beat! I am down 25 pounds in 7 weeks.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Because I knew someone who got the surgery in 2003, I have wanted it/not wanted it/wanted it for a LONG time. By the time I was in my PCP's office and he said "You need to do something or it's all going to hell for you" I was ready with a big R. I can say I have not honestly once since that point had a single solitary doubt. I love my band.

[Headhunter 6]

This same question about having regrets comes up on occasion. The last time it did, I posted a response, so i will post the same one here this time around. :wub:

Do I regret having the Lap-Band installed? I began to reply to this question with a simple one-word answer: yes.

But that would be a little unfair. The question is simple. For some, though, the answer is not.

On one level, I DEEPLY regret my decision to have the Lap Band installed. For me, it was a life-threatening, mind-numbingingly disgusting experience that consumed several years of my life, left me in poor health for a long period, left me with tons of hospital bills, kept me from working full-time for several years, and the experience almost killed me at least a couple of times..….the list goes on.

However, it’s not as simple as just saying that I regret my Lap Band experience. I regret the Lap-band PORTION of my experience, but it was part of an overall experience that ultimately led me to a much higher level of health and fitness than I would otherwise have had. So, I have come to see it as an ugly side trip on an, overall, beneficial journey. Of course, the side trip was very, very ugly. The Lap band Port popped out of my stomach at one point, left a dripping, oozing hole that would not heal, parts of the band that SHOULD have been removed in a second surgery were not, and ultimately burrowed INSIDE of my colon, requiring more surgery. It was a long and nasty experience, and I won’t recount it all here.

I recognize and acknowledge the fact that my experience with the Lap band was atypical. Most people have a pretty good experience with the Lap Band. It’s not always successful to the degree that people want it to be, but that can be a result of many factors. Many people do NOT follow the protocol laid out by the Surgeon. Some people try and eat the same way they did prior to having the Lap Band installed, and then wonder why the band isn’t working. Some people think that the band will be doing ALL the work – WRONG. Some Surgeon’s office teams don’t provide particularly good instructions. Some Surgeons are inexperienced and simply do a lousy job (mine).

There are plenty of people who have the band installed, get one or two fills, and simply lose the weight they need to, with little or no problem. I am THRILLED for those people. I couldn’t be happier. You will see many of them posting on this board. BUT, some of them make it seem like it works that way for everyone. And it does NOT work that way for everyone. There ARE problems, for many, many people. Some people have died as a result of Lap Band complications. And for some, it just simply does NOT work, for a variety of reasons. The Surgeon who removed my Lap Band told me on several occasions that he felt that the band would be removed from the market within a few years because of increasing problems and complications. He should know, because he specializes in correcting problems with the band. Do I think it will be removed from the market? Probably not, because in spite of the problems that many people have, it has saved many lives, and improved the quality of many others. I do, however, think that some SURGEONS should be removed from the market. J. Also, the Lap Band (and other Weight Loss Surgeries) have become a HUGE business. It’s an INDUSTRY now, putting hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of members of the AMA, which is an enormously powerful lobby. No, there’s just too much money involved for it to go away. And, there has been so much benefit to many people.

In my case, I had a hack surgeon: “Dr.” Theodore Kahlili at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. I know that there are people on this board that have had success with “Dr.” Khalili, but that was NOT my experience. In my case, I believe he was incompetent….SEVERAL times. And when something goes wrong with your band, just watch him run. I would have been better off having the guy that cuts my Sushi install my Lap Band. He was also arrogant…VERY arrogant. I recognize that Surgeons are human, and they can make mistakes. But, they need to stand up and be accountable when they do. That is why when I make a post on this board I will almost ALWAYS make the strong suggestion that you choose your surgeon CAREFULLY….your life may depend on it.

Of course, life is a series of experiences that combine to make us who we are. This means good experiences, bad experiences, wonderful relationships, bad relationships; it all adds up to create a total life experience. My Lap Band experience was one small element of my life that grew to become a very significant part of my life for several years.

So, while the question itself is quite simple (“do you regret having your Lap Band”), the answer (for some) is not. We are all unique. Our physiology is different. Our mental states are all different. We are going to have DIFFERENT outcomes. When I reverse-engineer my entire lap-band experience, I see areas where I could have affected the outcome in a more positive manner. Like choosing a surgeon that was qualified to handle something more than a butter knife. There were other areas in which I made mistakes as well. But, I had never had a lap band before. And frankly, I was not told very much about it by my “Surgeon’s” office. And when I had my band installed, there were not the resources available online that there are today, such as this forum.

So, yes, I regret the Lap Band, and I regret my choice of surgeon, but I do not regret the overall experience that I have had over the last several years. I have learned much about health, nutrition, our Medical system, Insurance companies, lawyers, Human nature, and MYSELF. I wish I did not have to have gone through what I went through, but something tells me that it was for a reason. There were things I needed to learn. And learn I did.

“The Journey is the Reward”.

HH

[phenry 0]

I love your blog Catherine! Just reading all the posts on here is so helpful in reassuring myself that this is the right thing to do. Honestly at this point, I have refrained from reading any negative posts about the band. There are so many deciding factors as to whether the band is going to work and work well. Some of the band bashers may have not followed directions or maybe there are other reasons why it didn't work. Of course I also realize that for some people...it just isn't the right choice because of medical conditions and other complications that make the band uncompatible for their bodies. I hope and pray that it is a good fit for me. I don't anticipate having much problem with following my doctors orders. I am also hoping that just having the band placed will give me a huge physchological boost. We shall see. Anyway, good luck to all who have taken the plunge and to those of use who have taken a number and wait patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for our turn.

[justmel1957 1]

I wouldn't necessarily refrain from reading negative posts. Read everything you can, good and bad.......lots of negative experiences came from folks who were 100% compliant and had issues from no fault of their own. Be aware and learn all you can from everyone who has been there.

My surgery was 13 months ago. Personally I have no regrets and the journey has thankfully been an easy one for me. I didn't experience bandster hell like lots of others and had a consistent loss from day one. So YES I would do it again, no doubt!

And although I don't expect any problems I am always aware of the possibility.

Good luck to all of you who are waiting and deciding......I hope your experience is a good one and you are soon on your way to a new, healthy you!

[HotMama24 0]

There were times before surgery that I was beating myself up saying that I could do this on my own, that this was a drastic step for those more overweight than me... but my track record was there, staring me in the face showing me that I couldn't do this on my own. It is hard trying to get to that sweet spot and still trying to make good choices, but it is so worth it!

Good luck! :confused:

[gamyj 0]

I too have no regrets, Im a little over 2 months out and have lost from day one. I pesonally don't have any sliming or PBing. I eat my small amounts and chew well and feel pretty good! When I eat too much or fast my band lets me know... its been a really remarkable tool for me. Ive had one fill, and don't really feel I needed it, but all is well.

good luck on your journey reguardless of if u choose to have the surgery or not.

amy

[Chiliween 0]

"Where do you think you're going to be in 5-10 years? If your answer is worse off than you are now then you know somewhat that this is the right thing for you."

Thank you for this question....the answer is dismal and morbid...

[Sarah F 0]

No regrets at all from my perspective. I am just over 100 days out from the surgery, and I truly feel like I've started a new life. I feel good, I am more confident... it has been a great thing for me. I will say it took me 3-4 years to get to the decision, and at times, I wish I had done it sooner, but the time wasn't right. This past February was right. I'm happy to be a resource... check out my blog or PM me with questions! Good luck. Whatever your decision, it will be the right one for where you are when you make it.

[LindaD 3]

When I am considering buying something from Amazon, I read the reviews. I read a sampling of the reviews from the HIGH raters to the LOW raters. You need to get a view of what problems people had and then weigh the risk and decide upon your purchase.

This surgery was no different for me. Of COURSE I have loved reading all the wonderful success stories, and there are many. But I needed to know the stories of those who regretted it too - those who were un-banded, those who had major problems.

I then could look into those problems and try to assess the risk - is it EXTREMELY rare (some are) or uncommon but not rare. What do I think of the possibility of that happening? My port coming out and leaving a gaping hole, my band slipping, being violently ill, PBing at a business dinner, etc.

You gotta look at all the warts too in order to judge whether this procedure is right for you.

I'm too early to give any meaningful input other than I am so far just giddy with where I am in my journey.

[Donnainva 0]

When I am considering buying something from Amazon, I read the reviews. I read a sampling of the reviews from the HIGH raters to the LOW raters. You need to get a view of what problems people had and then weigh the risk and decide upon your purchase.

This surgery was no different for me. Of COURSE I have loved reading all the wonderful success stories, and there are many. But I needed to know the stories of those who regretted it too - those who were un-banded, those who had major problems.

I then could look into those problems and try to assess the risk - is it EXTREMELY rare (some are) or uncommon but not rare. What do I think of the possibility of that happening? My port coming out and leaving a gaping hole, my band slipping, being violently ill, PBing at a business dinner, etc.

You gotta look at all the warts too in order to judge whether this procedure is right for you.

I'm too early to give any meaningful input other than I am so far just giddy with where I am in my journey.

After reading this--I realize that I spent more time researching my last vacuum then I did this procedure!!!

[phenry 0]

So did you manage to lose weight some other way HeadHunter? Just curious because it sounds like your life got better. I sure hope so. You have been through so much.