Any Lap Band people out there??

Hi. I am new to the WLS website. I have a scheduled surgery date for 9/27/05. I have decided to go with the lap band but so many people have tried to talk me into the gastric bypass. The thought of cutting and stapling does not sound appealing but I am so desperate for weight loss. Every success story I read on here is due to bypass...Is there any successful Lap Band weight loss stories...PLEASE reach out to me...I am getting so DEPRESSED!

Hi Elizabeth, I am considering the Band also. I am going to a Seminar that the doctor who I am also considering is having in Septemer. What were the steps you took to get to where you are now? I look forward to conversing with you. My email is beahinson@ yahoo.com

I started thinking about the surgery 2 years ago when my gyn/ob suggested it to me. Recently my sister's friend had the gastric and it made me think about it all over again. So i have done my online research and attended a seminar held by my surgeon. They provide you reading information and steps on how to get started. That same night i made my necessary appt with the surgeon, nutritionist and psychiatrist (which I met with on 8/12). I also got all of the necessary blood work done. Now, we are working on getting my insurance approval. if there is anything i can help you with let me know!!

There is a website for Lap Band people. It is: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/LapBand I will be having my surgery on 9-15-05. There are many helpful people there who have had a lot of success with the band. Good luck to you! Jenn Y.

best of luck Jen, let me know how it goes for you!

Hi Elizabeth First, yes there are successful Lap banding folks out there. As a type it is a little slower than other types, but it works well for a lot of people. Have you considered Laproscopic surgery for RNY? No outward large incision., fast healing, almost never a hernea, low incidence of complications, five or six little slits vs a large incision, and weight loss is faster and in some ways.. easier. Less room for food, less absorption because some of the intestine is bypassed. Its a life long commitment.. that you grow into learning about slowly... and gets easier as you work at it. But trust me it does take discipline and committment.. but thats why you have friends here on the board.. and in real life im sure.. to cheer you on : ))) I was 650 pounds Elizabeth. I had to lose 50 pounds, to even HAVE RNY laproscopic.. they almost did it full incision..... and even then, they *barely* did my surgery laproscopic at 601... I am still the largest ever patient done that way in that hospital in Iowa (to my knowledge). It all depends on you individually. For me.. what I learned was Lap band is more adjustable.. and I dont trust myself.. it took something more intense .. but that was for ME. Be encouraged.. you are thinking and processing , and investigating. COME POST HERE MORE.. and tell us about yourself.. share your journey.. we learn from each other : ) It sounds like your on the right track. Godspeed.. hang in there.. let us know if we can help ya? Hugs Timmy Ray A lapro RNY type dude

I started out researchin a lap band, but found out it is not possible for me nor is the typical bypass surgery, the rny, due to previous surgery for gerd, i can only have the DS, i was sent to the ds specialist by the band/rny surgeon. although the insurance company balk, claim exclusion, tricare and aetna have approved it, just a issue with diet documentation to get over. its harder (ds) to get but much easier to live with, check out the ds forum here on oh. or duodenalswitch.com http://www.drhaicken.com/bpdds1.html best of luck in you persuit.