Lap Band VS. Gastric Bypass

I keep hearing negative things about Lap bands, that they don't work and they have negative results, and that you have to have them removed and redone in 20 years.
I had my heart set on getting that done.
Now I'm going more towards the gastric bypass, something I never even dreamed of doing.

Any good or bad lap band stories out there to encourage my decision making?
Thank you!

I love my band but its not for everyone here is a thread that was posted a while back hope it helps
PLEASE RESPOND !Explain your Lap Band/AGB Experien

I am also trying to decide which type of WLS to have.  I have been reading the different message boards and scowering (sp?) the internet in hopes of finding out as much info as I can about them all and make the best decision I can for my health.  My mother had bypass surgery back in the 90's, I know there have been advancements since then and they have learned alot and are more able to help patients now but what I saw my mother go thru I would not wish on anyone.  She would have severe dumping from the tiniest pieces of cookies or ice cream or even bbq sauce and stuff.  There weren't many options covered by her insurance for WLS back then and I think she had hoped that the punishment for eating the wrong thing would make her stop.  Well it did but she eventually started having issues with almost everything and towards the end she ate mostly soft meats, potatoes and soft cooked veggies and stuff like that.  She had problems with malabsorption that led to osteoporosis and a broken hip & wrist.  Symptoms I remember her having now I see people referring to as dialated (not sure) stoma and alot of issues.  I am affraid of RNY after what she went thru.  She also had issues with her stomach stapling which is why she had to have RNY.  That does not mean everyone will have the same problems she did, if she would have known what to look out for, or her doctors would have listened she might be alive today.  

My opinion is that not everything works for everyone, you have to look at yourself and what your issues are with eating.  Why you eat the way you do, and what do you eat that is the problem.  I feel that my issue is with not eating when i should and then overeating when I do.  I feel that lapband will help me realize when I am full so i can stop eating.  I plan to see a counselor and a dietician to help me see why I eat the way i do and teach me how to eat.  I think that the lap band combined with the dietician and counselor will help me achieve my goal of losing wieght and getting healthy again.  All of these WLS come with different issues, you have to decide if you can handle the issues and if they are worth it to you in the end.  Im still learning all of this too, I dont think there is a right answer.  You just have to read everything you can about all of the different WLS available to you and make the best decision you can for your health.

I wouldn't imagine many will have a band for even 20 years. Just the sheer number of people having their bands removed is staggering.

Bands and bypass are not your only options, there is also the sleeve and DS. Sleeves are the safest surgery type long term.

http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/2010/03/which-surgery-type-is-right-for-you.html

Unless you have Medicaid, Medicare, or Tricare you can usually do an appeal to your ins co for the surgery type you want. Check out the revision boards, probably 49% are bands revising to something else, 49% are bypass revising to something else, 1% are DS revising to something else, and 1% are sleeves revising to something else.

Also, many ins co's are opting for a 'one WLS in a lifetime' rule so if you get WLS and it doesn't work, you are more likely than not to be self pay for a revision so make sure you choose wisely the first time.

Its all about the surgeon and the aftercare...NOT THE WLS

Renee, how are you feeling? How did you make the final decision on which procedure to have?