Why did you choose Lap-Band over gastric bypass?

I chose the band back in 2003 because I believed the advertising. The advertising is just that... advertising. And there is a lot more known about banding now than there was back then. I'd rather stay fat than ever go through that experience again. It was awful.

I could not have bypass due to the malabsorption factor but I later learned that these patients lose very quickly but after a couple of years or so the body does figure out the malabsorption thing and though it is for live for vitamins etc. it is not permanent for calories, hence the

Hence the gain back if they are not absolutely committed to eating differently and exercising for life. Once the regain begins it is very difficult to reverse. Because my body could not handle the bypass I went for my band and loved it. You would find it a lot of hard work, though you can lose all your weight. You will do most of the work and the band helps out.

If I were able to handle the malabsorption and all the vitamins and mineral supplements I would opt for Duodenal Switch. You get the tummy of a sleeve and the malabsorption of bypass only it is permanent. There is also no dumping syndrome. You might want to check it out. Just not for me. I now have a sleeve (not by choice except I needed some type of tool) and that is not for everyone, either.

Honestly, you need to read all the info on all the procedures that you can find. Find out if your surgeon does all the procedures. If they don't do the one you prefer then change surgeons. Only you can decide what is best for you. You have to be sure that you can live with what ever tool you choose for life. It is a big decision and not one to be rushed

I can honestly say getting the band is the biggest regret in my life. It just never worked and I only lost 20 lbs in 5 years. I followed the rules to a T and the only thing i couldn't do was exercise much because of a lung disease. I was told back then that just cutting my food intake in half would get me a big weight loss and that the band is good for life. Now the manufacturers say it should come out between 5-10 yrs. so it isn't a lifetime surgery. I always felt hungry even tho I was told it would cut back on hunger feelings. After 2-3 yrs it started tightening without fills so I'd get a partial unfill and after doing that a few times I gave up and just had it emptied so I didn't have to live with the pain and puking that come with being too tight. Having a band has just been a waste of my time and energy. Now my insurance has changed and there is no coverage to have it removed or revise to another surgery. I would strongly suggest looking at the gastric sleeve, this is a life long surgery that has been done since the 1940's and doesn't require fills and unfills. If you have more than 100 lbs to lose the band is a poor choice as it has been proven to be the least effective of all the surgeries. In fact the government is currently investigating Allergan for it's 50% band failure. So no I would never have picked the band if I knew then what I know now. For other health issues my surgeon would only do the band on me and honestly I would rather have stayed fatter than go thru the pain and disappointment I went thru with the band.

Hi sandra!
Visit a support group in your area. If you have idea who you will be using as your surgeon, attend a support group meeting from their office. If its a good practice, you will be able to hear about that through their patients when they discuss the post op after care. Also, speak to people 2- 3 years post op. Newbies are still in their "honeymoon" phase, so they are not your best resource. Face to facer ratings are best, you will be able to tell if the person you are speaking to is on the same wave length as you. We got some crazies out here! Lol! Me included : 0

I am 5 yrs post op. and I made goal quickly in a yr. I knew no one with a band when I got mine. Everyone else had the other procedures and with them all I have seen have weight gain, or still not at goal. in part the ones who i know that havent gotten the same reults do not attend support group meeting and that is vitally important on this journey. It is utamitaly up to YOU to work your "tool".

Definitely no matter what you decide on get professional counseling with some one who is qualified to address eating disorders . Again, WLS is JUST a "TOOL", you must ultimately make your "tool" to assist you. It your "tool" can not do it on its own for long.

Good luck,
Prek3

I had a range of reasons...like I didn't want anything re-routed in my stomach, I didn't want malabsorbtion, I needed to get back to work ASAP and the recovery time for the Band is way shorter (I was back in 7 days), I liked the adjustability of the band...like it's custom made made for me....but ultimately I chose the band because my best friend had the band and she was doing really well.  So I wanted the band.  Stupid reason..I know

I knew 4 people who had gastric bypass. All had side effects I wasn't comfortable with from dumping to leaks to ulcers and weight regain. One person was hospitalized for mal nutrition, and two others I know lost so much weight that they look horrible, drawn and sickly. I didn't like the idea of my intestines being re-routed. I guess different people get different results. I am satisfied with my band for the most part, but if I had to do it again, I would get the sleeve.

i regret having the lap-band, i had the surgery 2 years ago and have only lost like 35-40 lbs and i'm still considered obese.  i wish i would have gotten the sleeve or the bypass.  the reason i got the lap-band was because i was a self-pay and the lap-band cost about half of what the other surgeries cost.

good luck with your decision

 

When all is considered, after care, re-ops, etc., the lap band is probably the most expensive surgery type.

 

Lap bands provide the slowest weight loss, the least weight loss, the highest regain, and the most complications of all WLS types.  Save yourself the grief and get a sleeve.  Far safer than banding long term and much better results.

Hi AtGoal,

Can you please give us a reference to these statistics? I am just not seeing this anywhere. Is there a link to this research somewhere?

THANKS! Gina