Weight Loss after Lap Band

Same here, Stacy. There was never a question/doubt for me. Plus...I didn't like the idea of having a port in me forever. There is a girl on this forum (Karen 3) who had had problems with the port and she finally had it removed and a RNY done last Monday. Having said that..I know many people love their Band and do well with it. I think that it is a good option for those less willing to have a major "plumbing reroute" LOL. Personally....and I say this only from my life experience....the people I know who had a Band never reached goal and some actually gained. It comes down to our BRAINS. It's all in there. Anything can work if our brains are in check, so to speak. Support groups are SO, SO important. 85% of those who don't attend Support Groups have a weight regain. SCARY. Exercise is also paramount. There's very little chance of long term maintanence without it. Good luck to everyone! -Karen

Hi again, My surgeon does RNY and Lap Band. Here is a chart he posts on his website. I thought it was informative.....but ONCE AGAIN: people vary!

	OPEN	LAPAROSCOPIC	LAPBAND
Home from hospital	3 - 6 days	2 - 3 days	1 - 2 days
Back to normal activity	6 - 8 weeks	7 - 10 days	7 - 10 days
Back to work	6 - 8 weeks	5 - 20 days	5 - 14 days
Scar	12 - 18 inches	2 - 3 inches total	2 - 3 inches total
Time of surgery	2 hours	2 hours	1 hours
Weight loss	66 - 100% excess	66 - 100% excess	50 - 60% excess

Feel free to email me off list I Have tons of references and stats, NO WLS is meant to get people to ideal wt, some do not even BPD/DS will show 100% excess, all are tools and all can be defeated. No real longterm US stats yet on Band as approved 2001...but with that said lapband says 33-38% excess is majority, there are those on either extreme those who gainand those who lose it all. Keep researching. [email protected]

Thanx you guys for the awesome responses!  It just reaffirms my thoughts.  Yes , from what the doctor told me he probably just wants to cover his butt lol.  If anyone is in NYC and thinking about wls , I think St. Lukes in Manhattan has a very good program.  For instance for UHC i need the 6  month medically supervised diet which i don't have , but St. Lukes has a 6 month program specifically designed for those needing that for insurance purposes and they work with pcp who will give physcicals and work with you in filling out the papers for insurance.  I spoke with her today and she told me that the way she and her office and program fill out the paperwork , there is no way someone can be denied.  Very nice woman.  I'm not switching my pcp, but it's a tremendous help that goes hand in hand with the wls.  So by the look of things if and when i'm done with all the paperwork and requirements, by January I should hopefully have a surgery date.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  Oh, I called a psych for a consult fee estimate and one of them told me $300!  That is crazy!  The cheapest i was able to find is  $150.  Thank you United Healthcare lol.