new here!

hi, im totally new at this. I have three cousins, all sisters, that had the surgery about three months ago, and they are all doing well and dropping weight like I cant believe!! That got me really interested in this surgery. I do have one question though, is the difference in the lap belt surgery, and the gastric bypass much different? I mean, it seems the lap belt is less constricting and has less side effects and danger. Am I wrong? I am 5 ft. 6 and weigh 266 with a BMI of 42. This surgery sounds perfect for me, but right now I am just starting to research it. Any comments or information is greatly appreciated! Feel free to email me also at [email protected]. (make sure you put something in the subject line so ill know its from here, something like ObesityHelp Friend) Thanks!

Hi Lisa, Welcome aboard! I'm glad to hear about your cousins doing so well. From what I have researched and heard from other people, lap band is less effective than gastric bypass. But that is only MY personal opinion. I am going to email a few links from different sources about the procedures, maybe that will help a little. You can also find SOOOOO much helpful information right here on this website. I am constantly on here and each time I visit I learn a little more.

Hi Lisa, Welcome. I originally went to the Dr wanting the lap band. I thought the lap band would be better, less recovery time, less pain and the same results. My insurance would not pay for the lap band, because they considered it expermential, but they would pay for the RNY. After I talked with my insurance, I went back and did some research. One of the things I read said that the lap band is considered successful if you lose 50% of your excess weight, while the RNY is not successful unless you lose 75% of the excess weight. That one statement made it very easy for me to decide that having a RNY was the answer. If I was doing this I wanted to lose as much weight as possible. I had the open RNY on Oct 17, 2002. As of Monday I am down 121 lbs. Good luck on your search and your journey, whatever you decide is best for you.

HI LISA..AND WELCOME TO THE BOARD. THERE IS A MOUNTAIN OF INFORMATION FOR YOU TO LEARN RIGHT HERE AT THIS SITE..ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ , READ, READ, LOL.... I RESCHEARCHED FOR MONTHS BEFORE I MADE A DECISION ON WLS.. I WISH YOU WELL, AND THE BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY..I HAVE FOUND THAT KEEPING A JOURNAL HELPS ME.I HAVE MY PROFILE HERE AT THE SITE, THAT I USE AS MY JOURNAL..I UPDATE IT WHEN I CAN . AND THERE ARE ALOT OF PPL HERE WHO HAVE WONDERFUL, AND VERY HELPFUL PROFILE SITES FOR YOU TO READ AND USE..MANY HAVE LINKS TO OTHER SITES ALSO..SOME HAVE RECIPIES..HOW GOOD IS THAT LOL... MY DR SAYS HE PREFERS TO DO THE LAP BANDING..BECAUSE ITS LEFF EVASIVE. AND HE SAYS ITS MORE PERMANENT..HE ALSO SAID THAT 30 % OF RYN'S REGAIN THEIR WEIGHT..I SURE DONT WANT THAT. LOL..SO IM STILL CONSIDERING .WILL IT BE OPEN RYN OR LAP BAND...WHO KNOWS LOL. I GO BACK TO DR AUG. 6TH TO DISCUSS THIS WITH HIM...BUT I ALSO WANT TO LOSE MORE THAN 50% OF MY WEIGHT...SO I GUESS IM STUCK LOL...OH WELL TIME WILL TELL..IVE GOT THIS FAR IM NOT TURNING AROUND NOW..TAKE CARE AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING FROM TIME TO TIME..AND CREATE YOUR PROFILE..AND USE IT.....GOOD LUCK...ANNETTE IN BIG CREEK, KY

thank you so much for the replies, and thanks Marissa for the links, ill check those out. Here is a link to something i found that might help you. Its a journal from someone that has had the surgery. I cant believe how much she has lost and how great she looks! It sure gives me incentive!! http://www.geocities.com/jellybelly302/ Thanks again!