Help!!!Trying to decide?

I am new to this forum and thought you guys would be able to help me more than any one else. I am trying to decide between a lap band and the bi-pass. I really want to do the lap band but I will be doing so extensive traveling in about 3 years and am worried about getting fills. How often do you usually have to have them and how much trouble to go to different doctors for the fill. Thanks, Pammy

Hi Pammy and welcome to the family!!  I have to say I don't know much about the lap band other than my doc told me if you have more than 50lbs to lose, another route may be better.  (ie, RNY or Fobi pouch) That's all I can help, probably wasn't ANY help huh?? lol I CAN SAY, COME ON IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN, and feel free to ask anything!!  There's always someone on here more helpful than I am lol!! Keep us up to date about your progress and decisions!!   Take Care, Connie

My doctor told me that I could lose as much as I wanted but it takes longer. That was the main reason I was thinking about Lab Band. I really want to loose weight but don't want to wrinkle:)

The lapband will not keep you from wrinkling. While those who lose a lot of weight quicker may have 'worse' effects with the loose skin... the difference isnt going to be something to write home about. I had 100lbs to lose when I had surgery, it took me 1.4 years to reach my goal so you can say I was a 'slow loser... that would be an overall average of around 8lbs a month. I am young and have that on my side as well as I was considered a 'lightweight'.... I still have the bat wings, saggy deflated breasts, large hanging wrinkly stomach and loose inner thighs. While I am not nearly as bad as many Ive seen... you will still have the wiggle jiggly sag pretty much no matter what.  As for how much you can lose with each surgery - its just a GERERAL guideline... they say, for example with the RNY you will lose 50-60% of your excess weight... I would say the majority of people I see are in the 80+% loss of excess. It really just depends on you and how you work whatever 'tool' you decide upon.

there's a really neat chart on the main forum page about the 3 major types it's titled Good Information for Pre-ops by Wendy L.  - Iris

I can not find the chart. I know its right in front of me but... Can you give me the link?

it was posted by melissa l on the forum page = not sure how to link it but if you go up to the top of your screen and pick out the main board it's toward the bottom of the very first page.  Can somebody please teach me how to use this dang machine...??? -Iris

Found it. I am really having a terrible time deciding. The traveling is a few years is my problem and I do need to lose about 125#. I want to make sure I can to that with the lap band.

i looked at lots of different options and had just about settled on lap band but when I found out that rny could be done as a laproscopic surgery I really felt that would be the best option. I'm in the process of doing the 6 month pcp diet and exercise stuff to make insurance happy. i'm really glad to have found this site - it just makes me feel that wls of whatever type was in my best interest.  - Iris

Why did you feel it was the best option for you? I brain is going in about 1000 different directions right now. Pammy