[greensgirl19]

Ditto what everyone else is saying. I aways said I'd never get bypass surgery, but after seriously looking into the lap band and talking with my doc I decided to go for the bypass for all the reasons the others ladies are speaking about.
Then I found out that my ins. made the decision easier by not covering the band. I guess it was meant to be.

[Sunshine2]

Hello, I had lap band 1/18/07. I have had little problems, but you do have to have a lot of follow up care (fills). I still have about 35 more pounds to go before I reach my goal.

[TamTamW]

Welcome to the site, that is wonderful you will be there soon.

[MsVickie]

Research both very well. You may want to call your insurance company to make sure they pay for both. Some wont pay for the band yet. Ask to hold the band in your hands and then ask how many fills you will need and how many CT scans you will need. If you fly on a airplane they are supposed to be drained before flying. So please reaseach both options before making the final decision.

I do think we have mabye a couple people on here that recently had the band done. We also have a few that have had both surgerys.

[Maddysmommy]

I had lap band on 2/4/08. So far this has been great for me. It is the first time in my life that I feel in control of my eating. I looked into both lap band and GBS. I decided to go with the lap band because the weight loss is slower which allows your skin to shrink. Also because it is adjustable and I would like to have more children someday, so I like the idea that it can be adjusted during that time. Lastly for me the lap band is minimally invasive with a really quick recovery time, I was back at work in 2 days! I am currently down 31 lbs and have had 2 fills, due for another fill this week.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have specific questions.

[momof7]

I haven't had my surgery yet but I'm going with the bypass. Between my research and all the classes I've had to take at the hospital just to be able to get the surgery I feel that with the amount I need to lose the bypass will better suit me. I think it's really an individual decision, depending on the amount of weight you need to lose and how much will power you have. According to the statistics (from my surgeon) bypass patients lose more weight in the beginning but after so many years the amount of loss was about even. Talk to your dr. and find out which would be better for you. Also, there is alot of info online that may help you to make your decision. Good luck.

[LindaFromKY]

"You don't lose much with the band at all" My friend has lost over 150 lbs with the lab band. And it's because she follows her program. I have visited many WLS sites and there seems to be this tug of war between the surgeries. Mine is better, no mine is better, etc. Just do what is right for you and do what the program asks you to do and you should be fine. There are complications and failures with ALL the surgeries. What works for one may not work for another. Of course you should listen to your Doctors advise and get an informed decsion. Ask questions.

Linda G

[Lana]

I was banded in November 2006. Now I'm going for revision to RNY on August 31st. The band really can work but you have to be 110% committed and have really strong willpower. There are pros and cons with either decision you make. Yes, the fills are expensive if not covered by y our insurance but that's part of the commitment you make when you have the band. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. Good luck with whatever decison you make.

[Ellen]

At first I was convinced that I wanted to get the lap band...not to thrilled about going back for adjustments, but liked the idea better that the Gastric Bypass. Then I started talking to a friend who had gotten the lap then had to have it taken out because the doctor couldn't find the port for adjustment and she was throwing up all the time. I heard way to many bad things about the band so will have the gastric bypass in Oct.

[cookie62]

Hi,

I chose to have the Lap Band in Feb 2009. I've lost 44 lbs since surgeryand 25 before. I had two co workers that had the bypass and after watching them. I decided on the band. Yes, you will have to follow the diet. The Bypass forces you to eat correctly - no sugars. That and the mal-absorbation is why you lose the weight.

If you have the band and want to suck down milkshakes everyday, you can, but you won't lose weight. The Band is a tool to help you feel fuller and not hungry all the time. That is what I was looking for. I was tired of always being hungry. I follow the diet and eat my protein along with a vegetable for a meal. I do have an occasional treat such as a cookie, I just don't make a habit of it. I like losing the weight slower, my skin is shrinking along with the weight loss and I don't have the side effects such as dumping, vitamin b12 deficiencies, anemia, hair loss, etc. that can come from the bypass.

I personally didn't like the idea of having my insides cut and rerouted. The idea of the band was okay to me, I like the idea that it can be adjusted as you lose weight. I was okay with it taking more time to lose weight. It took me 46 years to get to the point where I had the surgery, I was okay with it taking a year or even 2 years to lose. I felt that losing 4 -8 lbs a month was better than putting on 4-8 lbs a year which is what I was doing.

My husband opted to have the bypass in June 2009 and has lost 30 lbs in 6 weeks. The bypass was his choice since he is not very patient! My Doctor's recommend the bypass since I had 125 lbs to lose, but I stuck to my decision, and I don't regret it.

It comes down to your personal choice. Is there any support groups that meet near you? Most bariatric programs ususally have some sort of support groups that meet on a regular basis. This is a great way to meet more people that have had a lap band and talk to them.

Good luck on what ever you choose. Remember, It's your choice, don't let someone talk you into a choice that you don't want.