I chose the band over bypass, for many of the same reasons as the previous responder mentioned.  I was just afraid of all the potential complications, and thought that the band would be the best option long-term for losing and keeping the weight off.  (Studies show that the 5 year results of bandsters vs. bypass are much the same.)  I have several friends who have had the bypass and 3 out of 5 of them have gained back at least 1/2, if not more, of the weight they initially lost.  That was mainly what I considered with my choice...surgery issues, recovery time, and long-term benefits.  Plus, like you I didn't have any health issues that needed immediate fixing with weight loss like diabetes, etc.  Plus, it's reversible if anything would ever happen that would warrant that. 

One thing they don't tell you up front is that it takes a while for the band to kick in.  I'm 8 months out and just finally got some good restriction with my fill this week.  (I'm glad they didnt' tell me though, or it might have changed my mind and I don't know if that would have been the right thing for me.)  You absolutely DO have to make sure you keep up on your fills and eat right, and it's not nearly as fast of weight loss as bypass.  And you're NOT pretty much guaranteed to lose weight like you are with bypass because of the malabsorption of calories that provides.  The band is a tool that will help you, but it does take some effort.  Bypass does too, but there's more instant gratification there with weight loss.  I can't say I don't sometimes wish I would have had the bypass, because I have 150 lbs to lose and have only lost 50 so far.  However, now that I'm at good restriction I'm doing great and LOVE my band!  And, I know that even though it will take longer I'll get there, and I feel very confident that the band will help me keep it off.  I am 100% sure I made the right choice (even considering the several months of frustration I felt when I didn't have good restriction!). 

With either surgery, what a lot of us fight is the 'head' hunger.  Neither surgery will get rid of that, but you can learn to control it.  Mine has also gotten much better now that I've had time to listen to my body and eat when I'm 'really' hungry.  (Not that I always can stick to that and never 'cheat', but nobody's perfect!)    Good luck with your decision, whatever it may be!  This is a personal choice, and it's different for everyone.

I have been away from this site for awhile and came back to check in the other day. I'm wanting to have the sleeve but the closest I could find before was in Omaha. Now I see they are performing this surgery in DesMoines. I'm VERY excited about this because that's only about an hour and a half to two hour drive for me as opposed to a much, much longer drive.

I'm sure the doctors in Omaha have a lot more experience with the VSG but for me with having small children and frankly not much money to spend traveling DesMoines is just looking really really good to me!

Does anyone have any idea how long they've been doing the VSG there and which doctors actually performe the surgery? I believe I had seen Teresa LeMasters (sp?) does it but I'm not positive.

Hello to everyone else out there in Iowa and hope you are staying as warm as possible!!!

Hi Carol! (sounds like I'm talking to myself!)

Congratulations!!  I know how happy you must feel as I've been where you are.............that "hoop jumping" can be brutal!!

March 1st is so close that before you know it, you will be sitting at home post op!  Believe me when I say it will go quickly.  Each day that passes until you get to that point will be planning days for the wonderful life you have to look forward to.

Keep us posted on things and know that we are here celebrating this big step with you!!

Carol

Hi Carol,
I am so happy for you!!!! The time will fly by so quickly for you.  Just think before you know it you will be starting your 2 week liquid diet.  It is not as bad as I thought it would be.  I am doing fine, finally got my treadmill I ordered yesterday and tried it out.  It has ifit on it so I bought the Jillian Michaels level 1-3 and started with level one and about died.  She took me on a 20 min workout and peaked with a 7% incline and 5 mph speed.  Ended up being a 19 min mile.  For  me a person who hasn't pushed myself like that in years it felt like level 3.  I am just thankful I could hang on the 20 minutes, because prior to surgery there would have been no way I could have.  Keep us posted on your journey and let us know when they set the date....

Hello-

I am new to this site and am looking for some opinions on the Lap band versus the Gastric Bypass.  I have already gone for my consult appointment and was told that I was a candidate for either surgery.  I have no other health issues other than  being over weight.  Any opinions as to which is the best way to go?  Please help thanks!