attended seminar last nite

really impressed with info at seminar last evening. Came away with scared feelings. Seems like everyone had gastric. I am interested in lapband but came away with impression it does not work as well. Anyone out there that can give me insight. Have faxed all my info to docs office already.

Just curious where did u attend the seminar?

marla B, I attended the seminar in Sedalia, Mo.

Collette, I can only tell you what I know from reading stories on the net and talking to people who started with a Lap and ended up with gastric. One instance the gal had the lap band. She had a world of trouble eating, the opening getting clogged, blocked etc. Some of it was her fault for eating foods that she wasnt ready for and not chewing the food up enough. Which is common for both. She ended up getting a gastric 2 years after having the band. I looked in the lap band and was told that it can be successfull, however I had to much to lose and probobly wouldnt reach my goal. I opted for the gastric. Yes it is more drastic, but I dont need to go in every few months for adjustments and since the diet is basically the same as well as the cost very similar. From what I recall the sucess rate is about 40-60% targeted weight loss for banded and 60-80% for gastric, however dont quote me on the numbers this is all from memory. Either way, talk talk talk to your Dr and get their opinion. If that doesnt help talk to another Dr and yet another. Keep in mind, as I am sure you are, this is a huge step in changing your life and all they are going to do is perform the procedure. It is up to you to determine which one is the best for you. I wish you the best in your decision, and remember you will be on the losing side soon~! Gevin 314/217/146 RNY 06-01-05

Gevin, Thanks for the information. I just had not heard as much success of lapband so was really wondering about the success. Yes they said it was slower and that is ok with me. I just dont like the food bypassing other than the way it is meant to go. Keep in touch and thanks. Colette

Collette; That was Dr. Hornbostel's seminar, right? He did my RNY May 31st of this year and I have lost 66 pounds so far. I had originally planned on getting the lap band but went for the RNY when I found out it could be performed laproscopically. Which ever way you decide to go, I think you'll find Dr. Hornbostel to be very understanding and supportive. If you have any questions, I'll try and answer them. Good luck! Patty 258/192/140

Patty, Thanks for the reply. We are close neighbors. Yes it was Dr. Hornbostel and he is truly a nice man. All that were present at the support group the other nite had gastric. I went to seminar in Kansas last month and they really played up the lapband. The doctors nurse had lost 125.pounds and very pleased. Keep up the good work and keep in touch. Thank you for caring! Colette

Hi. I had the lap band done with Dr. Stephen Malley on June 7, 2005. So far I couldn't be more pleased. The information that you came away with from the seminar could be more one-sided...since you said it seemed like everyone had gastric bypass. From what I'VE seen, the success rate with the Lap Band is just as good as with gastric bypass...it just might take a little longer to get to your goal. Personally, I don't mind it taking longer and the statistics I've seen show that with the Lap Band, it's VERY easy to maintain the goal weight once you reach it. Posting questions like yours will always bring up positives from both sides (gastric bypass and Lap Band) and it will usually bring up some false info. as well. The best thing you can do is to do research outside of this website and make the decision that you feel is best. Also, go to the Lap Band message board (http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand/posts.html) and read some of those postings (as well as the main message board). Like I said before, I've been very happy with my Lap Band. I started out with a weight of 270 (I'm 5'6.5). So far I've lost 25 lbs and I just celebrated my three month bandiversary. I try to get in 3 work outs a week and I'm gaining muscle. I have had 3 fills and have a total of 2.3 ccs in my 10 cc band. I am so close, if not AT, my sweet spot (where I'll lose consistantly and may not have to have another fill for a while). My goal is to get to 145 so I've lost 1/5 of my excess weight! I am eating 1/3 to 1/2 of what I used to eat before and stay satisfied until the next meal. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Christina 270/245/145

Christina, Thank you for taking the time and answering my question and with such a good positive result . I like the lapband as I want to lose it slow and exercise. I will take your advice and look at other site. Keep up the good work and soon you will be there. It is such an important decision but one that I have to make on account of my bones. By the way, you look beautiful in your picture already. Colette

I've had my lap band for 10-1/2 months and would do it again in a New York minute! I've lost more than 50% of my excess weight and am still losing. I NEVER even considered the bypass. Please remember that you have to be 100% comfortable with whichever surgery you choose to make it work. Both have great results if you're willing to put in the effort it takes. I have a couple of articles on banding that I have collected that I'd be happy to send you. Vicki