Having Trouble deciding which to have Lap Band or Gastric bypass, Help

I had a meeting with my Surgeon yesterday, he talked to me about both, he said I should get the lap band, some of my friends who have had the surgery say don't, I'm really confused, please help. Hugs Bobbie

Hello!

It all depends on you, to what the answer will be.

What your life style is.
What kind of changes you are welling to make in your life.
How invasive of a surgery you are comfortable having.
How much weight you have to lose.
Your personality etc... 

I would read read read and read some more about your options. Check out the RNY board and the Lap Band board to read what others are saying about the choices they have made. 

Hope that helps!

Good luck to you!
*huggles*
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Hi Bobbie, I agree with Felicia, educate yourself! you can get all the info you need right here, from the message boards to the FAQ's. After you have studied it for awhile you'll know what you're comfortable with.  For me, I just don't think I would trust myself with the LapBand, I don't think it's permanent enough.  With my family history of obesity, WLS is going to start a whole new way of life for me and I think it's the best tool for me! Good Luck with your journey, and good for you for taking the first step!  Diane

Thank you for your thoughts, I have done alot of reading on both, I think I'm going to go with the lap band, I don't like the idea of something being cut and never being able to fix it again. Hugs Bobbie

Congrats on making a choice. Best wishes to you!

*huggles*
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Bobbie, I am also in the process of making the decision between lap-band and RNY. May I ask which surgery your friends have had and why they counsel against the lap-band? From most boards I have read, nearly everybody that contributed that has had the band for any length of time, loves it. I am like you in being very leery of being in a situation where you couldn't reverse a surgery that leaves you with a malabsorption  problem. Thanks, Beverly

Just putting in my 2 cents on the subject.  I have chosen LapBand and I have since the beginning.  There was a brief period where I did consider RNY for it's obvious benefits and quicker results.  But in the long run, I have a lot to lose but not enough for RNY.  I have about 100 pounds to lose.  I can lose that with LapBand.  It might take me a year or so. Just "food" for thought :-) Tyna

Me, too, Tyna. Everything I have read points me in that direction. It's just safer. I like that it can be adjusted, as we as reversed if necessary, too. Also, as I said before, people that have the lap band really seem to love it, especially once they are past the first couple of weeks or so. I don't know how many times I have read, "I love my band", and "It's the best decision I have ever made for myself". The pictures of course are phenomenal. Either the band or gastric bypass can be subverted by not adhering to the necessary program, but so many are making the lap band work and enjoying good health again, without taking the larger risk entailed by the gastric bypass. By the way, I found a really good lap-band board in Yahoo groups called Smartbandsters. There is one lady on there, Dr. Jesse Ahroni, that has written a highly recommended book on the subject. I've never met her personally, but she is on that board a lot giving very helpful advice. She had the surgery herself over 8 years ago.

Beverly,  thanks for the info on the Yahoo group.  I'll have to check that out. I'm really excited today.  I called Dr. Rohrer's office to make my appt for his final evaluation for my insurance approval, I'll see him August 6th.  At the same time I was given a tentative surgery date for September 22nd! Hopefully everything goes smooth with my insurance approval.  I'm so glad I made this decision.

Oh, that is exciting! I'm not that far along. Right now I'm planning on having mine done in Washington, but I haven't sent in the registration or made the appointment with a doctor yet. I did work on the papers this afternoon. Congratulations! I know how hard it is to get everything lined up.