Band or Bypass?

Okay I think I know what I want to do but I do have a choice so I wanted to get some feedback from those of you who have had these procedures done. Please let me know if you have had any complications with either surgery, your joys and things you hate about the surgery you had, if you had it to do over again, rate of weight loss (with or without exercise?), etc etc. I have been told that I have to lose 25 pounds and start a course of antidepressants before I can get surgery. so i have time to do research. i think i would prefer the less invasive procedure (banding). Salvatore

I was banded almost a year ago. I love my band yes you loose weight slower but there are lots of Bandsters who have reach their goal 100%. I had day surgery was in at 8am and out by 11am. Went back to work after 4 days and I have had no problems. The awsome thing about being able to get adjustments is that as you loose weight so does your organs. Ever cut fat from a chicken breast before you cooked it? well thats what our organs look like as well and as we loose weight the fat from around our stomaches begin to melt which causes the band to become looser, alot like your wedding band. So being able to go in and have it adjusted is awesome, it doesn hurt and only takes second, like drawing blood. Good luck on your decision. Join us on the Lab band board as well you'll learn alot there. Gail 213/148/130

Thanks a lot Gail. I guess my choice was right on. I figured the less invasive option would be an easier recovery and losing weight slowly is just fine because I work out a lot so I know I will lose weight and tone up just at the right speed. Not dangerously fast. thanks for the reply. salvatore

Salvatore, Have you considered Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy (appealing because it involves no foreign body implantation, fills, etc.) and is also a quick recovery from surgery. I noticed that your BMI is high (as was mine) - have you considered the DS at all? You might want to check out www.duodenalswitch.com - some great resources there. There is also a DS forum here on AMOS, too. Hoping for wonderful long-term results for you! Blessings, dina