Lap Band confusion

Hi there everyone, I'm new to the forum and thought I would ask for some help. I am newly insured and decided I should take advantage of it now. I have decided I want the lap band surgery instead of the gastric bypass. My sister told me she read that the lap band stops working after two years, but I don't know if its true or not. I'm also still looking for a doctor, but I am going to the seminar at St. Anthonys tomorrow evening so maybe I'll have more ideas then. Anyone else out there have any advice for me? I'd appreciate it muchly. Thank you, Craig

Craig, I based my decision strictly on will power. With Lap Band you still must possess a fairly strong ability to totally control what goes in your mouth. I have/had a weakness for sweets. I never had been one to load up my plate or go back for seconds...BUT I ate my meal so that I could have dessert. I knew without the aversion reaction that RNY provides that my addiction to sweets would never be under control. I'd find a way to eat around the Lap Band...I had to face that reality about myself. With that done, the decision was easy. The last thing I want to do now is to put something with refined sugar in my mouth!! I dumped about 3 weeks out on a single vanilla wafer. I have no desire what so ever to repeat that performance!! Talk with your surgeon, I don't know who's still operating out of St. Anthony's, they will most likely have a recommendation for you. Some surgeon's in the Metro are only doing Lap Band's so you might need to make some phone calls before you "decide" who you want to use. Good Luck! Happy thoughts, Va Was/Am/Wannabe 232/157/130 -75 pounds

My sister has a very close friend that had the lap band done earlier this year. She did lose almost all of the weight she wanted to lose, however, she has already started gaining weight back and she doesn't want to go back in to have the band adjusted. So, basically she is back where she started - gaining weight and having to battle it the hard way. The surgery limited the amount she puts in her stomach, but did not affect what types of food she eats. Her band is inflated as much as she can get it done, but since her eating habits are poor it doesn't matter. If you have great will power and good eating habits it may work for you, but if you don't RNY is a good option.

Craig - since you don't have a whole lot listed on your profile , it is kind of hard to know where you are coming from. Honestly - you've been given great advise as far as knowing your own limits and how that weighs in. I chose the RnY because I wanted to keep the sugar in check, because I believed the malabsorptive quality was crucial to my success TOGETHER with the restriction. I've seen some very successful banders, though. Particularly in the male WLS population. Ultimately, know yourself and work with a surgeon that provides more than one surger option so you can avoid their bias in reviewing your health history and deciding what may be the best option for you! Good luck!

Hi craig! you have been given very sound advice here!! I told a good friend just the other day to sit down and write EXACTLY the problems she has with food, kind of like pros and cons.....do you crave sugar? is it easy for you to diet? etc etc.....there are alot of variables and alot to look at when choosing the right surgery for you. There is also a message board here somewhere for lap banders. cant figure how to get there, but its here! lol....good luck with your decision!!!

You might try to get to the lap band forum by clicking on the communities above on the left. They have their own forum and I think you will answer all your questions. Good luck on your decision. Hugs; Barbara

No the lapband doesnt stop after two years... I belive she is getting the RNY confused with the lapband.. the RNY has a 'window' of weight loss up to about 18 months.