Biggest Maintenance Concern

I've been really surprised by how easy the maintenance phase is for me. Basically, as long as I just keep on doing what I've been doing food-wise (read: following the bandster rules more often than not) and working out an average of 3 times a week, the weight stays off without me having to pay too much attention to it. I do still get on the scale every day at the same time... post-loo, pre-shower. That's my morning check-in, and it lets me know how mindful I have to be about what I'm going to eat every day. So, what are my concerns during maintenance?? Basically, my biggest worry is that something might go wrong with my band. I don't think about this every day, and I certainly am not posting this to freak anyone out. But, I do know a few bandsters (in real life and through the blogs) who have had to have their ports replaced, who have had leaks, who have had to have their band readjusted, and I also know two bandsters in person who have had to have their bands removed (one because of a hernia, the other because her stomach eroded).

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That said, I know a ton of bandsters who haven't had any problems at all. So far (knock wood), I'm 2 years and 5 months post surgery, and it has been smooth sailing. I have to give my surgeon (Dr. Roberto Rumbaut from Monterrey, Mexico) props. My port is in a great spot (you still can't see it and I'm at goal), I only have two scars, and everything seems to work just as it should. I don't have any reason to think anything will go wrong, but I do know that devices can wear out over time (though, as an aside, my mother still has the toaster she got as a wedding present in the 1960s, and the thing still works like a charm...).

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Anyway, an article that Gen posted recently made me think about this a bit more. I will say, if you read the study results, that you should keep in mind that these bandsters were among the first, they had different bands then we do, their doctors were less experienced, and they didn't have the same level of follow-up care or support. Plus, the study only looked at a small part of the group. So, I doubt the statistics are that relevant to what our experience will be, but it did make me think.

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I do wonder what would happen if I couldn't have my band. If I keep up with the exercise, my guess is that I'd put on about 10-20 pounds and have to fight like hell to stay at that weight, since that is what I did through my 20s and early 30s. I don't think I'd let myself ever gain it all back, and I think that the big lifestyle changes I've made (especially making exercise an important part of my life) would help to keep me from doing that. But I do think this is something that most bandsters think about from time to time, and it's a little scary to think about life without this helpful tool.

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What I'm going to do to help take care of my band and to make it last as long as possible is this:

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1. I am going to continue to keep my band at a good fill that is not overly tight.

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2. I will continue to be proactive about my health care and get in touch with my doctor right away if I have a problem.

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3. I am going to continue being mindful when I eat so that I can avoid PBing unnecessarily.

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I think that's it. I don't know what else I can do other than that, but I do think that will help. Any other suggestions? Also, if you have had trouble with your band, do you think it was worth it? My guess is that most bandsters will say yes.