Having second thoughts about Lapband...Help

I keep hearing and seeing the awesome results from those who have had RNY/Bypass and everyone I've met with Lapband have lost weight but not nearly as dramatic and as much. The reason I chose the Lapband is because I want to get pregnant shortly after (about 1 year after weighloss) and I hear they don't recommend pregnancy for at least 5 years post surgery. Help!! Anyone can help me with making my decision? I know ultimately the decision is mine, but I dont want to make an uniformed decision. How is pregnancy after bypass?

our Doctor recommends no pregnancy for 18 months.   5 years seems excessive.   what does your surgeon say?

if pregnancy is the only reason, like nessa said, 18 months is all you have to wait. i know people who accidentally got pregnant way before 18 months and everything was fine. Not that I recommend that! but you do get very fertile when you start to lose weight.

lap band is a successful weight loss tool but each person is different. i think it depends on how you got to where you are weight wise. for me, i needed something to make me sick when i ate too much sugar, not just food. lap band can make you sick when you overeat but you do not dump. you can still eat a whole pint of ben and jerry if you want w/ a lap band. I tried that w/ my rny and was sick as a dog.

I'm a bander and proud of it.  And everyone is different.  I did choose the band for the fact that it was reversible (ie....total removal of all fluids and leaving band in place) should I decide that I want to get pregnant, and the fact that the weight loss program can get started again after having a baby - the docs can add fluid and we just go through the process as if we are newbies to the band.  The upside that I have in my mind is that I don't have to go through the surgery again, because it's all reversible and re-reversible  :) 

I think I've done very well with my surgery - considering that I've lost 102 pounds since last December when I had the surgery.  I focused mainly on protein, avoided fruits, sugars, grains, etc.  

And I will be honest that I have not set foot in a gym or on a track, did an aerobics class or anything strenuous and that I've done a few sidewalk poundings and worked a few months at JC Penneys doing their fitting rooms, so that was some ripping and running several nights a week.

I think my doc's group said 18 months too.  But sometimes you can't stop Nature from having a say so.

With the RNY - I've heard that birth control pills may be ineffective in preventing pregnancy, but I can't say for sure.

I have the Mirena, just to be on the safe side, until I'm ready.

Good luck with your decision.  Either way, it's a great journey to be on.

You know what Sugar Free Candy,,,,,,,, you've got me refocused and confident again in the band. If you can do it with those awesome results....well I can give it the old college try :) . Thanks for reinspiring me and I'm on my way to get banded on Monday Nov 9th and I thank you for sharing your experience with me.

Gina

Hey there! Don't compare results with other people. Most RNYers do lose faster than Banders but then again, I've lost a 100 in 2 years since my bypass, but that was my goal.

My surgeon told me to wait a year to try and get pregnant.

I would suggest going to couple seminars about RNY and VSg if you ahven't and LapBand (which you might already have) and compare the surgeons. you might even want to talk to a surgeon who does 2 or more types of procedures himself. There could be other factors that help you make the decision.

I personally chose RNY because of the faster results and I hate the thought of the port under my skin and having to go in for fills. That's just me. Enough people on here have had enormous success with the LapBand .

Good luck with the decision making :)

I am so glad that Candy helped you refocus!  You are going to do great with your decision.  Your surgery is only 5 days away. I want to wish you an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery.

One thing I like to advise you is that it doesn't matter what type of weight loss surgery you have, It is a tool and only you can work that tool.

I accidentally got pregnant three months post op. It was a bit rough but I got through it and my baby was born small but healthy.  I don't advise anyone to do otherwise.

Pregnancy after bypass was hard.  I was so early out I could barely get enough fluids and food in but I did everything that my surgeon and OB told me to do.  I continued to lose weight during the pregnancy.  I only gained 8 lbs of fluids on my 8Th month. I had to take phenergan for like 6 months of my pregnancy.  One thing that was stood out that was better for me was that I was not diabetic and did not need 5 shots of insulin a day like I did with my pregnancy before wls. That was a big plus!

Best of luck!

Cira

Gina, what a beautiful family you have. I thought I wanted the band as well and now I am leaning towards VSG. I have heard many people who have done well with all of the surgeries. I think that it is a decision that the individual must feel comfortable with since it is that persons body. I wish you well and am so glad Candy has helped you. She has done so well and she is an inspiration to many. Good luck with your choice and know we are all here for you.

                                                                                          Julie