I had almost forgotten the heavy and unfair criticism levelled at me here, and the comments that only just stopped short of publicly labelling me a liar. My 'crime'? I quoted a 50% band failure rate as one that I had frequently seen mentioned when researching online. Far from lying, I was telling the whole truth!
Weeks ago I took the time to compile a shed-load of very credible, respectable 'evidence' to back-up that 50% figure. I had bookmarked only a few of the sites researched one week previously because I did not expect to be attacked for posting honest, truthful, easily-checked information.
I spent a long evening retracing my online 'steps' and the next day forwarded to Wobbly71 and others the resulting (two) A4-sized pages-worth of links to medical journals, surgical journals, hospital and clinic patient follow-up study data, medical publishers, etc. I added details of current lawsuits filed against the Allergan company (they make the 'adjustable lap-band TM*) for outright lying, false advertising, scandalous post-op patient care, etc. Allergan have, this year, following intense ongoing scrutiny carried out by the US FDA - Food and Drug Administration - announced that they will shortly close down the WLS side of their business.
I also include a recent post on another support site - where frankness is encouraged - by a UK 'bander' who intends to sue TGH. Her exact post describing suffering and neglect, and a link to the 'THG Complaints' thread in which it appears, makes for uncomfortable reading. She writes from her NHS emergency band removal bed; Her NHS Consultant, she states, told her straight out, and I quote, that 'gastric banding has a 50% failure rate'. He added that, consequently, his group no longer offers banding, instead they favour the gastric sleeve.
I would much rather have ignored the mud slung at me, but readers will appreciate that, like it or not, I had to defend myself against accusations of untruthfulness/lying. One's reputation is all and once lost can be very difficult to restore. I am always polite, respectful, and honest, even in the face of personal insults. I never allow myself to be dragged into online cat-fights or mutual slagging matches. They achieve nothing. Rather I choose to present - as demanded! - irrefutable proof to back-up any figure I may quote. Wobbly71 was gracious enough to thank me privately for the trouble I'd taken. I did not receive, nor did I ask for, an apology - but I would have been justified in requesting one, had I felt the need to.
It is post-oppers suffering complications - following any type of WLS procedure - who need the most help and support, not those enjoying excellent results. As is illustrated by so many posts here, things can and do go wrong - sometimes very wrong - and kicking sufferers when they are down by labelling them negative, and stating outright that by sharing their pain and fear they are showing 'a poor example to pre-ops' is, to my mind, downright cruel. This kind of response cannot be described as 'showing support'.
If anyone here, 'bander' or otherwise, pre-or post-op, would like a copy of gastric banding failure rate links, PM me in strictest confidence and I'll forward the list. Bear in mind that this extensive body of proof, every single example of which quotes the 50% failure figure, is a mere fraction of what is available. I worked in medical research for five years, in the days where computers were not routinely available at work, far less at home. We had to check every single claim and reference, one by one, from hard copy journals, magazines and other industry publications. Many medical journals are subscription-only; I can no longer afford to subscribe, but I know where to access many highly-respected, still free professional resources.
Choosing WLS takes courage. It is not possible to make an informed choice if pre-ops are denied the truth. The average 'band failure' quote I found during my research, as offered by WLS providers and promotional sites, was a lowly (and falsely reassuring) 1-2%. Sorry, but this figure is incorrect - and the providers know it.
xx
