I'm confused!!??

I'm kind of confused.  I have read great things here and on other boards about the Lap-band and thought that was what I wanted.  Last night I went to a weight loss semiar at the Frank Jones Center on Portsmouth.  The way they talked about the lap band, like you have to be VERY disiplined and VERY motivatied for it to work.  I thought it was a lot like bypass, it helps control your appitete.  Can anyone explain this to me?  Thanks!

you have to be more disiplined in the fact that you can still eat everything you want, but you will not get the dumping that you do with the bypass. So you could still eat ice cream were some one who has had bypass will get dumping.

Isn't that only certain foods though? Because last night the nutritionist said you can eat like low fat sugar free ice cream and you should be fine. But I do know a woman who had gastric bypass and she can no longer eat any kind of pasta, because she gets the dumping. I'm sure certain foods are more and less sensitive for different people though. Im not the expert though but those are just what I thought on gastric bypass.

They said that you only lose about 1 # a week? That you should ony expect to lose about 50 pounds in the first whole year.  That doesn't sound like a lot from what I've been reading.  They really seemed like they were kinda discouraging people from Lap band.  As a matter of fact, one doctor actually said they prefer to do the bypass, althought it was the patients choice.

The meeting I went to in Manchester at Dartmouth Hitch**** explained that the weight loss is slower with the lap-band than it is with the bypass.  They did not mention that the lap-band could be "undone" easier than the bypass. The physician did say that the lap-band is an easier surgery to perform and usually has less post-op complications.

Hi, It is all confusing isn't it?  I had the Gastric and have had no dumping. Not saying I won't.  I just don't allow myself the chance to do it. My friend had Gastric 6 weeks after me and eats Pasta and sugar free Ice Cream and has no problems. It is funny how you lose the desire to eat a lot of different things. I no longer crave any kind of sweets. I really don't feel that they push the Gastric over lapband. I know the success with Gastric is a faster weight loss. But we have had lapband people speak at our support groups and they are doing good. I guess you do have to keep getting fills in a port under your skin for a few times to make it restrictive enough so you won't eat as much.  You do have to be very motivated and disiplined because you can eat more. I really don't know enough about it other than hear say. I only know what is working for me. But only you can be the one to make the decision that is right for you.  As far as death I know it is scary but my way of looking at it was Yes, I could die with any surgery or if I let myself keep going the way I was with my weight or medical issues I could have died well before the surgery. I wish you all good health. Hugs, Roxanne

wow Roxanne!. you get up early!!!!.. is that the correct time stamp? i am stilland at that time

Hi, No that time is always wrong. It says 5:50 on your post. I was on here about 6:30. So maybe where OH is is a 3 hour time difference?   I have often wondered that.  I am up every day at 5:15. I can never sleep late. I enjoy getting my day going. I don't require much sleep I guess because we go to bed at 11.  Hope your keeping cool. Later, Roxanne

Either surgery is a "TOOL" to allow you to lose the weight.  With either you need to make the choices of what to eat or not eat.  Some people who have had RNY "dump" when they eat certain foods, others do not (luckily i am among those who do not).  As far as the amount of weight to lose, its all dependent upon each individual and how they change their eating patterns and how much exercise they do.  True, those who have the Lap Band do tend to lose slower than those who have RNY, but in the end, we all end up being healthier!  I had RNY 8 weeks ago, and lose an average of 3-4 pounds a week (nothing really rapid, but a healthy loss).

Realise that some programs do "push" one type of surgery over the other based on the experience their surgeons have.  If you do not feel comfortable with what the program you went to is preferring, perhaps you should attend information sessions at other programs, so that you will feel comfortable with their program and staff.  It is important to establish a good relationship with your surgeon and their staff, as they will be an important part of your journey to better health.

Tammy

alot of great info shared already from everyone!...... i would go to other info nights if you dind't get that "good" feeling from what you heard... i figure the more info i can hear and gather the better.... for myself. i liked dr Gens..... he took his time when he talked, i wasn't trying to "keep up" with everything said like i was with DR looser... no offense or anything....just my 2cents Roxanne.oh your right about the time stamp!..........you still get up way early. im more of a night hawk then an early bird.......i bet you enjoy your early mornings!........