Lap Band Vs Gastric Bypass

I have my appt with Dr Mikami on the 18th at OSU. I have been talking with some people who have had the Gastric bypass and a few of them said if they had it to do over again, they would consider the Lap Band. How many of you have had the Lap Band and why did you feel it was right for you?? I have heard its a slower steadier weight loss which means less excess skin etc.. Please give me your viewpoint. Why you chose the bypass over the lap Band, and vice versa. Thank you all for your never ending source of encouragement and information. Love ya, Laura

My surgeons said that they don't do the lap band because there haven't been enough long term studies and it is prone to mechanical failure and can sometimes erode into the stomach causing ulcerations, etc.

Laura, I do both operations, and for some patients I think the band is the procedure of choice. Here are some things I think that would make you a good band candidate: 1. BMI less than 50 2. younger patients without a lot of joint problems who can reasonably exercise after surgery 3. patients with young children at home or anyone *****ally wants to absolutely minimize the risk of whatever weight loss operation they have Many surgeons who don't do lap bands are biased against it - so be careful! Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

Thank You Dr C for your honest answer. I am a couple of weeks preop and my friend threw the lap band mix into the stew and started confusion within me. I am just trying to get all the information I can and be able to make a very imformed consumer the day I see the surgeon. Thank you again for your help, Laura Southestern Ohio

This is where I get a bit confused. I went to the orientation about the surgery and I pretty much had to commit to a surgery type just based on a seminar so that the paper work could get processed and approved. I'm going to have open roux-en-y on 4/18/05. I've had gall bladder surgery and a c-section so I don't think I can have laproscopic surgery because of the adhersions. However, when I initially started looking into this I would have preferred the lap band because of the quicker recovery period. I am a single mother of three (11, 5 & 5 -- yes twins) so it would be cool to have a quick recovery, especially since I don't have any family in town and they are coming here to help me recover. I go for my pre-op consult with my surgeon tomorrow and I still wish I could have at least laproscopic surgery if at all possible, but I kind of get the impression that once you are approved for a certain procedure, there's no changing the variables. Is that true Dr. C?

Laura, First off let me say that I find it appalling that you would be asked to make an off-the-cuff decision about what surgery you want right then and there. This is a critical decision, and you need to be given the time and information to be comfortable with your decision. This is not the time to rush. Secondly, it's completely bogus that you can't have laparoscopic surgery - whether it's bypass or lap band. Sadly, there are many surgeons out there who don't have the proper skill to do laparoscopic weight loss surgery and they frequently perpetuate this myth. I have not done an open bypass in almost a year and believe me, my patients have had plenty of prior surgeries. Please take time to do your research and make sure you are comfortable with the decision you make. Once you go under the knife, there is no turning back! Good luck! Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

Hey Dr. C, I had my appointment today with my surgeon. She started telling me what to expect with the open roux-en-y procedure and then asked if I had any questions...so I brought up the lap procedure. She said she was wondering my I wasn't going lap, but I didn't get the impression that she would have brought it up had I not, because I was already insurance approved for open. Anyway, they are going to call the insurance company and try to get me approved for lap. This means I now don't have a surgery date (I was scheduled 4/18). While it is a bit of a bummer mentally, because I really was psyched up and prepared for the 18th I do think that this will be better for me. I had a c-section which healed horrible and I was open for 4 months. Not really something I want to be dealing with if I can prevent it. I still don't understand why they talked about there being problems with adhesions from previous surgeries, etc. I appreciate your input and advice, it helped me. Any way you can call and get me a quicker surgery date? (just joking...sort of!) Regards, Laura

I heard back from my surgeon today. They got the laproscopic procedure approved for my surgery (in lieu of open) and they decided that they'd just start operating early on my original date, so I don't have to reschedule. I'm still on for the 18th! woo hoo! Laura

Thank you Dr C for your response. I have done so much thinking about this and I am going to stick with my decision to have the gastric bypass. I am praying that my 4 c sections and my one year old hysterectomy scar ( which was a complete dehiss) will not cause me problems. I feel that I have a better chance of getting this weight off my aching tired body and keeping it off. I know this surgery is just a tool and its ultimate success is how I treat my body in the future. For me I have hurt and been miserable carrying this weight around, I am more than ready to do what it takes. For once, In my life.. This is about me, I am losing for all the right reasons. And I Thank God I have been given this chance to have this procedure and have a longer, healthier life. Laura

This is a great question and I too am very interested in hearing the answers. Have a great night - Stacey