My mind is made up!!

At your weight, I wouldn't even consider getting a surgery that didn't have a malabsorption component.    I don't think you are as informed as you think you are and would encourage you to do some more research before making this decision.

IMHO, the band is the most difficult surgery to achieve EWL and has the highest rate of complication of all the surgeries BY FAR and I believe that the people who are successful with the band are an exceptional group of people - the majority of people are not successful in a high percentage of EWL with no complications!

You do not want to be needing a revision a few years down the line because they are much more difficult than virgin surgeries.

My research came from family members who had WLS, you tube, other web sites. Like you said "BY FAR and I believe that the people who are successful with the band are an exceptional group of people".  I'm going to COUNT MY SELF APART OF THAT GROUP in a few years!!!!!

I think research that includes academic studies and scientific data is more reliable than anecdotal evidence from family members and YouTube. But that's just me. 

I agree with Steph but then we've both had ours removed. While I don't agree with the choice I do wish you good luck also and we will help all we can.

THANKS

Hi, I wish you best. But like so many others - I would not chose the band for myself. 

Just today there are bunch of people complaining about problem with the band. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/5247636/Revising-to-By pass/

A friend of mine had that, and after 2 years of fills unfills and being miserable - she had to undergo 2 more surgeries - one to removethe band and another to make RNY after things healed. 

In her case - either she did not have restriction - or if she got a fill - she could not keep down any dense proteins.  

I agree that YOU have to go with what YOU think YOU can live with. As a heavyweight (376) who has lost and maintained 176-pound loss, I would STILL opt for the band now, as it is what *I* am comfortable with, of all the options.

Do not be discouraged if you lose slower than other people or slower than you like. I was one of the mutants who lost very fast (100 pounds in 6 months!) but that is the exception rather than the rule.

And remember that the point of WLS is NOT to reach thinness, a size 6 or a "normal" weight. Those things are GREAT but I don't think they happen as often as we might think. Better health, fewer comorbidities and a better overall life should really be our goals. Everything else, pardon the pun, is gravy.

Thanks

Good luck with your decision.  I know that my surgeon doesn't recommend the lap band for someone with your BMI.  According to his website:

What should be my weight loss expectation with the LAP-BAND^® System?

We find that patients will lose an average of 50% of their excess weight, although many patients lose substantially more weight, especially if they follow an exercise program. This weight loss typically occurs over a period of 2-3 years, with the majority of weight loss in the first year. Excess weight is defined as a person's current weight minus their ideal body weight (which is generally quite thin). All experienced centers in America and the world have found that patients will lose about 50% of their excess weight with this system, but patients will not be successful if they do not adhere to a recommended eating and exercise pattern (statistically studied data). As you can see below, weight loss with the LAP-BAND^® System has been shown to be much greater than weight loss with a traditional diet.

That's 50% EWL over 2-3 years.