Concidering Lap-Band Surgery

 I was a high (54) BMI patient and did really well with the band (installed 2003), but I do agree that you should investigate all the available procedures to find out which is the best fit for you. 

If you look near the top of the [page, you'll see an option for FORUMS. In there is a pull-down menu for SURGERY TYPES. You can visit each forum and ask people who have had that procedure about the pros and cons of each. Keep in mind that people will tend to love their procedure as long as it's working for them, but you can get a good idea of what might be right for you.

I can't tell you about what is covered in Canada (heck, I can't even tell you about what would be covered in the US!)  but there are also forums for Canada and, I'm sure, Alberta. 

But feel free to hang around here and ask anything you'd like about the band. We'll all do whatever we can to help. If you've got any specific band questions, I'm happy to help you!

Hello there!

Kuddos to you for taking a step forward to better health. For me even looking into weight loss surgery was scary so it took me a long time to research and finally decide to do it and I'm so very  glad I did!

You mentioned that you will be attending a course recommended by your doctor -- I don't know how involved it will be. Hopefully, they will present information on the 4 most common weight loss surgeries which are:

Gastric Banding
RNY
Duodenal Switch
Sleeve

Be sure to ask lots of questions and try to get as much information as you can.

I've had my band for 15 months and am very happy with it. I wish you good luck on your journey!

Trixie

I WAS BANDED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2010!!! I LOVE MY BAND!! I'M ALREADY OFF MY CHOLESTROL MEDICINE!!! IVE LOST 40 POUNDS ALREADY!! ITS BY FAR THE SAFEST SURGURY,BECAUSE YOUR STOMACH AND INTESTINES ARNT GETTING MESSED WITH!!! MY BEST FRIEND WAS WELL OVER 300 POUNDS AND SHES LOST 130 POUNDS IN 18 MONTHS!!! SHE LOOKS GREAT!!! YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE, BUT JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW I LOVE MY BAND AND ITS WORKING FOR ME!!! THE WEIGHT LOSS IS SLOWER BUT THE WEIGHT STAYS OFF IF YOU FOLLOW THE PLAN!!! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CHOICE!! JOYCE

 
~~ITS BY FAR THE SAFEST SURGURY,BECAUSE YOUR STOMACH AND INTESTINES ARNT GETTING MESSED WITH!!! ~~

The surgery itself is safer by less than 1%, long term not so much.  Sleeves are safer long term.

All caps and only exclamation points?  Are you yelling?  LOL

My suggestion is to do your research, DON'T listen to the nay-sayers, and do what is best for YOU!  Listen to your surgeon, and if he doesn't listen to you, then find another one.  I was met with opposition because I chose the Band over RNY, but the Band fits my lifestyle and that is what I had to go with.  I had my surgery last week - the BAND, and have lost 20lbs.  And yes, it's brand new for me, but I already feel like it's one of the best decisions I have made for my health.

Some forms of WLS work for some people, other forms work for other people.  I have a friend who went through RNY when she was 20, about 25 years ago.  She had a horrible, painful recovery, but lost alot of weight quickly.  And then started putting it back on!  She went through Hell!  She was banded 2 years ago and happier than she's ever been.  She lost all that she gained and then some.

I wish you a lot of luck with your decision!

To the rest of us - how about we try to HELP  - instead of scaring the crap out of a Newbie!  It's not necessary, it's RUDE and just plain mean!

 
~~To the rest of us - how about we try to HELP  - instead of scaring the crap out of a Newbie!  It's not necessary, it's RUDE and just plain mean!~~

Some people want to research their options BEFORE surgery.  Amazing, eh?  Giving facts, stats, and links to journal articles is not mean.  It's what adults do before having major surgery.

"...how about we try to HELP..."

You are kidding me, right?  Since when has providing factual information and personal experiences NOT helping?  Should we be sugar-coating our reality for the sake of saving feelings?  Not me...never.

~To the rest of us - how about we try to HELP  - instead of scaring the crap out of a Newbie!  It's not necessary, it's RUDE and just plain mean!~

Some of us DO try to HELP! Just b/c u don't like what we don't say what u want to hear doesn't mean we are not helping. Perhaps they SHOULD be scared?! I would have been scared as hell if I knew pre-band about how high the incidence of complications really are. I really don't think that those that encourage ppl to get the band w/o disclosing all the complications and band stats to them are "helping"! I think they are doing them a disservice.

Lets see what you say about the band in a yr. or 2!

Please, Please Please, understand the severity of your situation and choose an appropriate surgery before you go anywhere near a surgeon .

At your weight and height your BMI is 69. This means that you are extremely severely obese. I can tell you that a band is no good for someone your size. Few people from that BMI range succeed with that surgery. The bands are generally meant for bariatric lightweights, NOT severe obese.

As others have noted, the duodenal switch (DS) is the best choice for someone your size. If you thoroughly do your reesearch and are a compliant patient you should do well with that surgery. If for whatever reason you do not want malabsorbtion, then the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) would be your next best option. The VSG is the restrictive half of the DS surgery.

Please think all of your options through before going to a surgeon. Choose a surgery wisely and then pick an appropriate surgeon. Please do not ask a surgeon what surgery to get, remember they have profit motive when advising patients. I know this is tough, because you are probably feeling desperate to get that weight off, but do not rush through this process.