pounds lost?????????????

I'm trying to decide which surgery I want to go for. What is everyones experience in terms of pounds lost and average time and also how quickly can u return to work??? Thanks

I havent had my surgery just yet! THIS WEDNESDAY...I choose to go with Lapriscopic Bypass surgery. In reading books and doing my learning the band would not allow me to loose as much as i needed. THERE are in my opinion only more follow surgeries for the band (possibly) and i dont want that...the band can break, slip. THe band is new and not enough data either for long term.... SO i choose one surgery and one permenent tool to help me. IM sure done lapriscopicly the recovery will be easy....ill know soon enough! LISA

Please don't say those negative things about the band! 1st off the band CAN NOT break...wherever you got your info from I'd love to know. Slippage is possible...but in my opinion ONLY if an UNSKILLED surgeon puts it in. And what other "surgeries" are you talking about??? If it's plastics...yes we're all going to need it eventually. If you think a "fill" or an adjustment is a surgery you're wrong!!! I LOVE my band! I've been banded 16 months now and have lost a total of 114 lb Yes being banded means I'm not going to lose the weight as fast as RNY, but know what...I didn't put it on overnight either so I don't mind it comming off at a rate of 1 to 2 lbs per week. I'm only 29 lbs from goal and couldn't be more happier WLS is a personal choice and don't let some NEGATIVE remarks influnce your descision on which surgery you want to use to get a healthy life back for yourself!!! Jane aka The LI Princess 288/174/145 in 2005 is my goal -114lbs

Lisa, I would'nt want the band either! I am happy with the RNY and I wouldnt change it. But in fairness I have heard horror stories on both types.But RNY is my choice. xoxoxox Rosie

hiya Maria, I had RNY on 11/11/04 - 6 1/2 months ago. I have lost 89 lbs as of today. I have a normal BMI and I have 11 lbs to go to goal. I returned to work 2 weeks after surgery. I chose RNY because I was afraid that I could get around the lap band with sugar. I could still eat a lb bag of m&m's even if it took me all day long. Being a sugar-holic was one of the reasons I chose the RNY - your body does not tolerate sugars like it used to - it rejects them in the "dumping syndrome" I havent dumped really because I dont test the boundaries. After the surgery, with only have liquids and then soft foods for the first month I got rid of all my sugar cravings and I do no intend to get them back. Good luck in your decision on which surgery is best for you! God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

I had Lap RNY on 12/8/04 and have lost 131 pounds. I started at 371 and am now 240... 80 more pounds to go! Jalonda

I am 8 months out and down 168 lbs

I gave my personal view and findings never trying to insult someone! First off here is a post from this BOARD THIS WEEK with a broken failed band so that defends my post. " went to my pre-op testing yesterday including an upper GI. For those who didn't read a prior posting, I have a lapband and am having it removed and RNY done instead. Well, they did an Upper GI series, and it appears that the band slipped and I now have a useless medical device in my body!! The port tube isn't connected to the band, and is nowhere near my stomach. They don't see the band around the stomach, but nobody told me where it went! A challenge for my doc, I guess. Anyway, in a weird way it's good news, because it lifted a lot of the weight (no pun intended) off my shoulders for the fact I didn't lose much with the band over the past 4 years...about 15 pounds. And, I would have ended up having to have surgery anyway to either fix it or get it out. Isn't that ironic? I'm now fully psyched (even more than before) to get this surgery done, get on the other side, and then work like the dickens to make this tool work for me!!!!" THIS POST IS YESTERDAY IN THE NEW YORK FORUM!!!!!! I DIDNT MAKE IT UP! and the information that i would not loose as much weight as i needed was back up in the GASTRIC BANDING book by Linda Aroni (think thats her name i loaned the book out) and my surgeon. Perhaps the info is based on the starting BMI, its all personal choice and a post like this wanted opinions and i stated mine. I dont think i need to be attacked for expressing my view and what i learned.

Hello!!!!! Thats what the board is for,OUR OPINIONS. Keeping it real. xoxoxo Rosie

Hello Maria Soto, Im 24 and had my surgery 10/7/04. started at 319lbs and im now 195lbs =124lbs in almost 8months. I had RNY and stayed in the hospital for 6 days. originaly i was told i would be in thte hospital for 3 days, but you must pass gass and move your bowls before you can begin to drink water and it took me 4 days to move my bowls, and then i was able to drink on the 5th day and ate/fluids before being dicharged from the hospital. I was in pain right after surgery, but they give you morphine and when I went home i did not really need to take the pain killers. i stayed out of work for 4 weeks but i could have gone back on the 3 rd but i would recomend the extra week if you can get it.... I have a scare on my tummy (i was interested in that info when i was doing my research) it is not that bad but it is visable, the botton of it is beginning to fade hopefuly the rest of it will too, but im not too worried about it. i love my body- i am so much more healthy and am enjoying life... ultimatly the decision is yours as to what surgery you are most comfortable with... I would encourage you to find a great doc with lots of expertise/experience, research, research and research..... all the best to you -kathleen