My first appointment with my surgeon is tomorrow and I still haven't found much about which people feel is better and why; bypass or the lap band.  Can anyone help?  Thank you.  Marisa

Marisa, I too was in the same dilemma you're in right now. When I went for my first consult, I didn't have the slightest clue which procedure I wanted. The surgeon told me the difference between lap band and gastric bypass. He also told me to go to both support group meetings, so I could have a better understanding of both surgeries. I've opted for the gastric bypass, even though it's more drastic than the lap band, only because he told me that I can actually eat many things that are high in calorie, say like milk shake, and not lose a pound. You're stomach is restricted, but that doesn't mean that food will not pass through. My husband's not too thrilled at me having a gastric bypass and not the lap band, but that's my decision. I have a friend who had the lap band and lost 30 pounds before she got pregnant (she just had a baby boy), and told me that with the lap band, weight loss is slower than with the gastric bypass. You're surgeon is the best person to explain to you the benefits and risks of both surgeries. I wish you the best. I don't have a date yet, but I'm done with all of my tests. I'm still waiting for someone to call me from the sleep center being that I have to be scheduled for a sleep apnea test. Nereida

Deciding whether to have lap-band or gastric bypass.... is a big decison.. yet a personal one.  You have figure out what is good for u!!! I opted for gastric bypass.  I knew if i could get away with eating the foods i used to..then i would... I am glad i went with gastric bypass.  My best suggestion is to speak with your surgeon. Ask him/her what they think is right for you!  Then take some time to think about it.  Good luck in your journey!!! Christine

Personally I choose the Gastric Bypass.... never even considered the lap band... I didn't want any turning back for me and I didn't like the idea of going in for adjustments.  I also have a friend that has a lap band, her anniversary was just this month.... she is down 80 pounds with at least 50 more pounds to go..... My surgery was in November 07 and I am down 105 pounds with 25 to go......Her weight and mine before our surgery were just 10 pounds different with her being heavier.... She eats ice cream, cake and other sweets her body allows her to.... I don't eat anything like that and I do not miss it one bit..... So you see there is a big difference with the two.... But you have to know what is going to be best for you.... What is good for me is going to be different for you...... This is not to say my friend is not happy.... She is VERY happy with what she decided with the lap band..... Me on the other hand feel it was the best decision I have ever made....  Good luck with your choice...... xo

Dr Pupkova used to be Berthas office and she did my surgery when she was there, I spoke with her and she said that because I had more than 80lbs to lose I would be happier with the lapband.  I lost 112 in a year, I did have some eating issues and gained 12 lbs back but I went from 252lbs to 150lbs.  Like i said I was down to 138lbs but wasn't very healthy.  I'm now 19 weeks pregnant and still around 148-150lbs.  I couldn't be happier with my choice and am glad I did not go with the lap-band, the weight would have come off much slower and I would have had to have adjustments through out my life, plus I heard the lap-band would have to be changed in 15-20 years and I was 28 at the time os my surgery (now 29) that could mean atleast one if not two times I would have to be opened back up. good luck

I choose the gastric bypass because I didn't want something foreign in me. There is a possibility of allergy to the material. I knew someone with a lot of problems with slippage and finally had to have it removed. I have also noticed on the RNY board that many lapbanders have it removed and then get the bypass. I only wanted to do one surgery. I recently heard there is a problem with scar tissue around the band. I had made my choice before seeing the surgeon so I didn't even discuss the lapband with him.

Its definately a personal choice and the best thing you can do is tons of research and talking to others that have had each surgery.  There are pros and cons to each surgery so it really is a matter of choosing the one that you feel confident with, I fully believe both surgeries work and I would never endorse one over the other, I know lots of people that have had each surgery and we all start out with the same goals.  My personal choice was the lap-band and it must be understood that the lap-band is a tool not a fix or a cure, and theres still changes and work that you have to do.  I have found it to be life changing and since 3-22-07 I have lost 41lbs following the lap-band guidelines and I couldnt be happier.  I researched the lap-band for years before deciding on it and knowledge is power you can't go into any surgery without fully knowing what to expect afterwards, so please go to support groups and talk to others, you will find the answer you need through careful research. Blessings on your journey!

hi marisa only you and your research and education on each surgery can help in your decision when i started this journey my insurance did not cover the lap band -- and i never considered the lap band -- i wanted permenant -- i wanted the 'if you screw up you will get sick' -- i did not want to go for fills all the time -- what if i moved? i would have to find another person to do the fills -- i love the idea of seeing my surgeon every 6 months for 2 years and then 'see ya' -- i don't go back to see the surgeon who did my tubes or my gallbladder -- why go back and see the fat doc on a regular basis?? that is just my thinking  i also think that if you follow the right instructions then no matter what surgery you had it will work  there will be scars from both types of surgery  there will be eating issues from both types of surgery there will be weight loss from both types of surgery but just find the one that is right for you :)  good luck roberta

Marisa, I'm just going to echo what everyone else is saying and tell you that it really depends on what is most likely to work for you and your body.  I originally wanted a lapband because I wanted something I could reverse, but when I saw the surgeon for the first time, he recommended a gastric bypass because he feels it will be more successful for the amount of weight I have to lose and my personal eating patterns. I did more research on both and came around to his way of thinking when I thought about two things:  first, that having something "reversible" might be a very bad idea for me, because if I feel emotionally as if I can always stop "following the plan," I WILL.  I know myself and my weaknesses and having a permanent situation that can't be changed that will force me to eat better is a better option for me.  Second, I'm very allergy-prone, and the more I started thinking about what could happen if my body rejected the band,   the more concerned I became about it for myself.  So, I ended up opting for bypass instead.  My surgery is scheduled for July 19.

Hi Marisa, I'm in the same boat as you. I've  been considering the wls for 3 years now. I know a lot of girls at my job have had both the rny and the lap-band.  I've spoken with all of them individually and they've been very helpful with the information.  All the do's and don'ts and what have you, but personally I feel that the lap-band is the way I want to go.  And like the other posters have said on this board both surgeries are risky and the results will be that you will lose weight and there will be some pain and discomfort. Most of all is to be honest with yourself and your eating habits. Stick with the diet plan and workouts. The reason why I'm leaning towards the lap-band is because I want to lose the weight gradually and that way my body can adjust to the significant changes and allow the body the chance to change and with diet and excercise it will allow the body to tone up and shape certain areas.  I don't want to lose a dramatic amount of weight at the same time and not allow my body to adjust. Thats just me.  You have to decide what you think will work best for you. Lots of luck and ask God for guidance and direction. Keisha, NJ