Gastric Bypass or Lap Band

I would first like to make clear that I wish all of you and those to come a happy journey, complication free and hope you enjoy your new healthy lifestyle in whatever process that was RIGHT for you, and have faith in yourself because you will make the right decision.

Just reading these posts and some Dr's who "won't even do it" and it makes me wonder if they just don't want to go through the certification program to do it.  I believe Lap-Band and Realize Band do require you to become certified through a program before they will approve that Dr. to even do it. 

It also makes me wonder if these Dr's are kind of shutting their eyes to the LapBand simply because it hasn't been performed in the United States as long and the RNY has become their "safety surgery", one that also brings in much more money for a Dr's office.  Also, the band is having wonderful success here and has been worldwide for 15+ years.  Just thinking aloud here.

I have been thinking about this surgery for years now, and like most of you have been torn with the decision.  I was actually all for the RNY originally and have finally decided on the gastric banding.  I have read just as many complications and downsides with both procedures, so I don't think one of them is worse then the other, but I do feel the Lapband's downsides were less severe then the bypass's downsides. 

My original blah with the band was that I too hated the idea of something in there and getting the fills (not a fan of needles, although who is lol).  My surgeon, who is very positive on RNY and Banding, said if you want the band, don't let the fills scare you because post op patients never complain when they get the restriction and keep it and loose weight.  I did tons of research and thought long and hard and the more I read the more I liked it.  The follow up will be a little more, but the follow up with lapband is what is making it EQUALLY successful to the RNY.  For me, in a way I like that I'm making this lifelong committment to this object that is going to help me and always be there (or so I hope).  For me, it just started to feel right and for others I know that is a big turnoff. 

I think of how we all hear about the "guy" or "girl" who had bypass and gained back all her weight, will be similar with lapbands who also failed the program and didn't do it.  That also makes me wonder if Band patients think it's less extreme a surgery (which it is) and so they take it more lightly then maybe a bypass patient does and get's lazy?  I've heard of  band patients who don't loose and suck down milkshakes, ice cream, high calorie sodas etc and technically "cheat the band".  Again, just wondering  and thinking aloud. 

I do think the RNY is a life saving technique for people and I love reading all the success stories and happiness that exudes from an online post.  I also feel the Lap Band is proving to be a worthy approach as well, based on the newest studies and weight loss results it can't be denied, so it does make me wonder why Dr's would really down this procedure.  If you go to Lapband boards you'll read TONS of success stories, just like the RNY's and others.  I also think some Dr's don't want to be involved in the long term follow up and the RNY may be easier to move in and out the door, of course while collecting the big pay for the RNY. 

So, while I'm not really suggesting one over the other, because I do agree 100% that a personality, lifestyle, healht issue, and so many factors play into what is really the best approach and long term care for that individual.  I did just want to "wonder aloud" and put some lap band thoughts out there as I feel it might be a little misrepresented.  :)