lap band verses by pass

I am visiting a doctor for consult on July 18th, just wondering what the difference in the two procedures? I am anxious to get this going. Seems like the days are going so slow. After surgery is it a 2 oz pouch and do you only do fluids for a month? thanks for any responses. denise

A lap band is a piece of plastic surgically inserted and then wrapped around the stomach to decrease the amount you can fit in there when you eat... it requires maintenance "fills" to make it a gradual progression to the small stomach "pouch" that is eventually obtained. The "Bypass" is a surgical adjustment of the stomach and intestines, some of the stomach and intestines are "re-routed" and sectioned off with multiple rows of surgical staples. For a better description of each, check this out: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/m-wls.phtml

Hi Denise, While the lap band isn't the MOST preferred on this site and in my support group, I made the decision that I felt was best for me and my family and I'm very happy with that decision. I can eat much more than 4 oz. at a time and there's no food type that makes me sick. Like many banders, I avoid breads and other pure starches. Why you fail diets is crucial in a wise decision. Things to take into account are sluggish metabolism, binge eating, emotional eating, nervous snacking, ability or desitre to exercise and other health issues. Notice, I didn't say "willpower" because all of the wls types require willpower to determine their success or failure. The lap band is working well for me, despite some unrelated health issues that I've dealt with since banding. I enjoy cooking and I've experimented with lots of new healthy choices and I can truly say my family and I are able to eat the same things now that I'm banded. That was very important in my decision. I choice the lap band because success is found in a balanced nutrition plan that encourages portion control without eliminating any food items or categories. It's nice to hear people out and try to find peers that you have things in common with and see how they fared. I'm not typical, because of my unrelated problems with hernias and ovarian masses during the last 10 months. I lost nearly 80 pounds and I'm going up and down 10 gained pounds right now. I'm blogging my experiences and it can be access at the "www" button below my name. Here's me over the first 9 months: http://members.cox.net/franspencer/images/faces0505.jpg If you want to ask questions on specific issues that relate to you and how it would relate to the band, please feel free to email me. I'm no expert, by far, but would love to help if I can. My best to you in your decision. Frances