TRYING TO DECIDE

Hey everyone, I am trying to decide if lap-band is right for me and if so how do I find a good Dr. Any suggestions?

Hard to say, i dont know ur eating habits or size now.. if you are a sugarholic and eat horrible foods now for comfort and snack alot, then lap band probably isnt for you.. I heard the failure rate is around 50%.. which to me was alot.. the benefits of lapband is its less invasive, and outpatient.. no BIG short term risk, but it has long term risk.. band slippage, which entails more surgery, stomach erosion, etc.. where as gastric bypass is more invasive and carries the most risk within the first 6 weeks.. and you lose the weight quicker and are able to actually reach goal if u use the tool right. with lapband,you dont have any malabsorption therefore whatever you eat, big mac or what not, you get all the bad stuff, but if u had gastric bypass, u dont absorb all of the calories and fat. just some.. so with lapband, u HAVE to be on the diet right.. or it wont work.. with GB, u can stray from it some, and still lose the weight.. for me, i couldnt trust myself to do the lapband.. i knew i would cheat.. im a fat girl at heart i asked my dr. (Dr. Bour greenville) he does both surgeries which he thought was better, he said hands down go with GB.. so i did. and im very pleased with my decision! he is a great doc, u should go to one of his informational sessions.. very informative! (obviously or else it wouldnt be called informational ) good luck with your decision! i struggled with mine as well, but finally felt at peace with GB!!!! Jen

Jen, You touch on a subject that I have been wondering about since my surgery, namely: How much (in %) malabsorbtion actually takes place in a patient (me in this case) who has had a "long limb" RNY? I intended to ask doc Byrne but forgot at my last visit. Anyone?? Thanks. Michael

After re-reading what I wrote.. i want to clarify that you CAN reach goal with lap-band.. but you have to be very strict on yourself and make sure you count calories and exercise, etc.. but there are ppl at our dr's office who have done very well with the lapband, but for everyone of those people, there are those who never show back up to get "fills" because they are embarrassed because they have gained weight, or didnt follow the plan.. hope this helps!!! you banders out there you can do it, biggest reason why is because you are HERE for the support! love yall Jen

After reading all I could get my hands on... and talking with my Dr.. I decided to go with the bypass... First and foremost.. if I know I can drink a milk shake.. or softened ice cream etc.. then I would sneak it.. so what good would I be doing for myself... if I had the "self control" it takes to have the band.. I wouldn't be in the condition I am now... But it's a PERSONAL choice.. We all have eating demons... they have a lap-band board on this site.. have you talked with anyone from that board?

Read up on all the info you can get for any surgeries you are interested in, find a doc that does both (or more), and discuss your options with him/her. Only you can decide what will be best for you! ~Elizabeth

Dr. Byrne now does Lap Bands. They just got it approved this summer at MUSC, not too far from you. I know they are looking for more lap band patients. Call them Monday. Amanda Budak is the nurse. Deb