I need some help...

There are 4 major WLS's. It is to your advantage to consider ALL! Had I known then what I know now.................I NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE BAND!!!

I would suggest u go to all the surgery type forums and ask how they are doing with their surgery type. If u find a forum where a lot of the members are having issues or minimal weight loss...........RUN!

U should really read the article by the ASMBS that basically states what an eneffective WLS the band is:

www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ASMBS/20919

So the band has not worked for you? I need to drop 135lbs and My doctors have said either the band or the sleeve. However, my insurance doesnt cover the sleeve, but it does cover the bypass and the band.

I am nervous about both because the band is a foreign object inside me, but the bypass you have to be on vitamins the rest of your life and worry about malnutrition and things of that nature. Also the band can be reversed if need be but the bypass is hard and a lot of the time not successful.

Has the band had bad effects on you? If its not too personal for you, why dont you like the band?

And I will read that article as well.

Thank you for your help!
Heather

I had the lap band almost four years ago and I'm happy with it.  I regained about 40% of what I lost (got to goal about 1.5 years out).  If I don't lose it, I'm happy with that 60% is staying off. As far as I know, co-morbidities are fixed.

I have a close friend who had RNY a little more than a year ago.  She had bad type II diabetes, so decided with her personal doctor that the RNY would be a better shot than LB .  She now weighs what she did in high school (she's 50+), but is still in the "golden" 18 months RNY people get before the risk of regain kicks in.  Her diabetes appears to be resolved.

So I know two very satisfied WLS patients intimately.  One lap band, one RNY.

What does your primary physician think?

I had the Lap Band and it was unsuccessful for me. I had a great first year, but after that, I began to have complications. Fills were either so tight that I couldn't even drink water and was vomiting everything (even just bile) or the band was so loose that I could eat everything just like pre-op. There was no sweet spot left for me. I fought that for a over a year and finally gave up and revised to the sleeve.

Are the band and bypass your only options? Could the sleeve be an option? I would also ask your insurance company if they have a "one WLS per lifetime" policy like I'm hearing about frequently now. That may prevent a revision in the future and may be a consideration in your decision.

Good luck, Keep us updated!
Lindsey

Hi Heather,

If it was me and I had your two choices I would go with lapband any day over gastric bypass.  I would never get that one done . 

My aunt had gastric done and tell you the truth if I looked like her I would rather be over weight she looks horriable and so many dang pills she has to take a day no thanks I dont want to live that kind of life.

My best friend had gastric done before she got the lapband put in and she regained all her weight due to getting preg.  once you stretch that pouch out with the gastric your surgery is basically done and over with you wont lose no more but gain weight .

I have a band and I'm extremely satisfied.
I'm now 214lbs  and I started at 298.  I'm not a exerciser so I know that number would be lower if I would just move my butt.

I can't feel the band at all. When I eat, I can feel pressure but that's what the band is supposed to do. It's that negative reinforcement that keeps me from overeating.  I don't consider that a complication. It's what I signed up for.

i can feel my port under the skin. It doesn't hurt. every once in a very blue moon i will get a pinchy feeling if I've stretched too far or something. But again. It's just letting me know it's there. I don't consider this a complication.

I like the fact that the band is adjustable. I like that I can have a slice of birthday cake and not worry about passing out due to dumping syndrome. I like that it can be removed if necessary. I like that I'm down 84 lbs today and feeling healthier than ever and I can eat a well balanced meal. I like that I don't have to take additional supplements. Just my one a day like any other adult. Yep- I  my band!

 What Tiff said.

lol

Thank you guys soo much... I am very appreciative over all the advoce given. I am VERY scared to have this done, and your personal stories are helping me figure things out!