whats is better lap band or by pass

iam getting the op. done i just would too know from peers what is better ?

Everyone will tell you theirs is better. It's best to research them all and decide which one you think is best for you. They all have their ups and downs. And you know your body best. I personally think by pass is best. With the band you have to worry about it slipping and having to be removed later. Also some insurances won't even cover the band for that reason. Tina

well i did look all over the internet and just wanted some peers input i have to pay for it on my own not help from my insurance so where is a good place in louisiana ? i have to seedr. rau soon just was wanting to know they told me about 19000

I agree with Tina, everyone thinks theirs is best but I have heard problems with a lap band. Since you're paying for it out of pocket I personally would think that the gastric bypass is best but of course that's what I had so I'm prejudiced towards it. I don't know of any surgeons in your area but I live further away than you and drove to New Orleans for my surgery. I knew several patients who used my surgeon and felt it was worth the drive. My surgeon is Dr. Ruary O'Connell located at 3600 Prytania, Ste 30 in New Orleans, phone 504-897-8576. My husband and I both used him as well as several other people I know. I've been very satisfied with the gastric bypass but I'm only 6 months out and my husband is a year out so maybe someone who is further out has an opinion for you. Right now it's easy to lose weight but I hear it gets harder to follow the program as you get further out. Both my husband and I haven't had problems with vomiting but others do, so remember that it isn't always pleasant and easy. Just my experience, hope others give theirs to you so you can have a balanced idea of what it entails. Anne

I not sure where you are, but the doctor I used was Dr. Martin he was in New Orleans until the hurricane and now he is working in Baton Rouge. I don't know how much they charge for self pay but most are around 20,000. I do know that Rhonda self payed for hers and so did Gina. They could probably give you more info on it. Make a post about self pay and you will get some more answers on it. Good Luck. Tina

try www.whyweight.com Dr. Lavin is my surgeon. He's a national proctor of bariatric laparascopic procedures.

hi, i also completley agree with Tina. If I were you I'd find a few good surgeons and attend their seminars so you can see for yourself the results the doctors/patients have had! Good Luck

Your profile says myuhc, is that united healthcare insurance? If so they are really good at paying for the surgery!

Arlen, well I agree with everyone else, I think everyone's choice is completly different and for different reasons. I choose the gastric bypass personally just b/c I felt like the lap band was more of just a serious diet where you can change your mind, if I have that option I will go for it,, so I needed something more drastic and permenant. But it all depends , my mom is getting the lap band b/c she's smaller and it would work better for her, it fits her schedule and the recovery is faster, plus they both have different things about them that work for everyone, so I would suggest checking out several doctor's < I went to 10 different doctors seminors> and then decide which doctor and what surgery is right for you,, you'll know in your heart!!! If you want my personal opinion , if your paying out of pocket and have a choice of doctor's, I think Dr. Lavin in new orleans, he also works out of convington and baton rouge, and somewhere else I believe,, he is the best and always been my first choice,, I was very impressed with his whole staff so anyone in that practice is probably awesome and as said in a previous post , he is one of the first doctor's to start the surgery. Best of luck and let us know!

Hi Arlen, I'm sure you want to hear one more person say "research and go with what's best for you." I want to add the experience of a lap bander. I've been banded about 17 months and I've lost 80 pounds. It's much slower than the bypass route, but many people like the slower approach to weight loss. Our BMIs are about the same and it does work for higher BMIs. The process takes about 2-3 years instead of 1-2 years. This method works on portion control and a balanced normal diet. I hear the complaints about serious dieting and most lap banders *****strict their intake and diet so harshly, won't do well. My intake is about 1500 calories a day and I eat from every food group. Here's the catch -- I don't have emotional eating issues. People who binge or have uncontrolled emotional eating problems will typically not do well. I can eat a normal portion of any type of food, but I do tend to limit bread quite a bit because it gets stuck going down. Slippage is a very rare side effect, but I can't quote you the current numbers. Single digit percentages. The band is also based on fills and adjustments. Fills can get very expensive, so it you do go band self-pay, you want to choose a doctor who has fills and aftercare included in the cost of the surgery. My fills have been minimum -- two 1/2 cc fills. I've lost on two occassionals with a completely empty band. I've had several unrelated health issues in the past year since banding. I have problem hernias and I had a staph infection at a hernia repair site. These problems were carry-overs from my C-section, not lap band. I do believe having no food type restrictions has made those up and down recoveries easier. No dumping and no malabsorption has been a plus for me while I was battling other issues. I don't want to sound like a used-car salesman. I wanted no change in anatomy, flexibility and the goal of one-day leading a normal meal lifestyle with my husband and small child. From the start, we can eat the same types of foods and that was important for me. I won't continue with the "hard sell." If you want, I have a diary/journal at the "www" button below. You can also email me if you have any more personal questions. I wish you well in your decision. Take your time and talk to peers on both sides as well as medical professionals. All my best, Frances -- 350/270/goal-near 200 BTW, my best friend is from Raceland!