Kinda new...not really....

Hello everyone. I have been to this website before when I was going to get the RNY procedure. I am now considering lap band instead. Please read my profile to get the jist of my sutuation.  I would like to know what made you choose lap band instead of RNY. Thanks, Liza ps...my name is Liza, Carol is my middle name, I used it so no one could google me and find this profile...

Hi LIza I can tell you why I wanted gastric bypass and NOT the lapband. I went into the discovery period thinking lapband but came out on RNY side. I wanted a permanent solution. I knew if I went lapband---I would eventually fail like I did with all my other weight losses and diets. I liken it to a person who needs a monetary budget---I need a budget for food. I needed choices taken away from me and I wanted to be given a budget for the food I eat. No exceptions. And I finally came to the conclusion---its ONLY food....vs the rest of your life with your family.  I think the choice is different for everybody. And I am not trying to sway  you one way. My siser in law had lapband...she lost 40lbs her first 3 weeks......2 1/2 months later she is now down 50 lbs. Thats 10lbs in 2 months lost. Not for me!! I wish you luck. I remember the turmoil within me when I tried to decide. It helped when I realized--its just food. And now, 5 months out, 118lbs down...we went out to Olive Garden the other week for dinner, I just picked from everyone's plate--had a great meal of chicken and 1 bite of pasta---I was satisfied and full. I didn't miss anything and I didn't feel wierd or out of place. Life goes on-no different than before-its just now I don't have an appetizer, entree and my own whole dessert. I had one taste of the tarimasu---craving gone...I'm happy

Good luck with your decision. Its a hard and complicated one Chris

Hey Liza.... Whats up and how are you? Well... I havent had surgery yet... and constantly sway between which surgery I think will be best for me. The one thing that recently put it into perspective was the MUSC seminar.  At the seminar Dr. B talked about BOTH... the thing that scared me most with the lapband is that it can errode into your stomach and cause you to basically HAVE to have the RNY anyways. He didnt have any statistics as to how often that occurs, but the pain it can cause months or years outta surgery... scared the heck outta me. The other thing he said about the band that made me nervous is that the initial surgery is JUST AS invasive as the RNY. They still have to make all the same incisions and it can take up to 6 months POST OP before they figure out your "sweet spot" as he called it. So that means... you could have the lap band surgery and be 6 months post op before you might see results!  I dont know what the right answer is. I mean its a personal decision... but he did say that the manufacurer of the LapBand is fairly discriminatory on the patients they want to have it. He said he was given 100 bands and was told to use them on "good" candidates... which makes me kinda disappointed because that means that future stats on the results will be "swayed" because not all patients are considered "good" to be able to get the band. Only you know what caused you to become overweight. For some people, the band jsut isnt enough... because the band is a mind over matter thing. With the band there are no food changes... I mean no dumping, no lactose intolerance. You will still be able to eat EVERYTHING you did before, just small amounts. so if youre a grazer... like me... the band might not work well...... I dont know.... its a lot to think about!  Good luck with which ever you choose. BUT KEEP IN TOUCH ON THE BOARD SO WE CAN SUPPORT YOU NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

i had and chose lap band because i did not want to have any body parts taken out of me. im not a surgery girl, in fact this was my first and only surgery and im 34. i also had a dear friend have complications and another to pass away. from problems with the bypass. then there are some i know who look and feel fabulous!  i know that each person is different. and so far i have had good luck w. the band. i have been for a fill and my port has flipped over so i will hve to have it moved so it is better accessible.  so i really have not had the full effect of the band yet. but im doing well so far. protein first. and exercise helps. good luck! shelly