looking for some positive feed back

Hi I am just starting my journey down the road to weight loss and am trying to chose between the byass or the lap band, my bmi is 42-42, i weight 268 now but my goal is 130 (my pre-first pregnancy weight). Can anyone give me some advice? Any information would be welcome. Anne

Hi there!! I started my journey at age 58, weighing 325 pounds. I initially wanted the lap band, and went to a sseminar where they discussed both it and the RNY options. My surgeon said he does both, but that the RNY had longer term success with people who had a lot to lose. I still wanted the banding,,but then my insurance refused to cover it, saying it was still experimental. I talked again with my surgeon, and he said he has done a lot of revisons from the banding to RNY, due to adhesions growing over the band, causing complications. That kinda decided for me. So, I had Laparoscopic RNY done. I havent had a single complication, have lost 130 pounds in 17 months, gone from a size 26-28 to a 12-14 and feel wonderful. For pictures you can click on my name and it will take you to my profile. Good luck in whatever you decide. Blessings Betsy

hello had surgery july 2001 went from 233 to 147 have been down to 133, had no complications. my dr would not even consider the band back then but i think he does it now. i know of 2 people that have the band and both have problems. I am not saying bypass is 100% safe it isnt, but it seems both of those people wanted something not so drastic and also not permanent. One of the Wilson sisters from the 80's rock group HEART has the band....Carnie Wilson had bypass...to look at both and compare...Carnie has done better. Bypass is quicker, more extreme and permanent. my advice is to research each one and compare every aspect. and talk with your dr. just be informed of each procedures pros and cons. good luck tammy

Hi Anne! I had RNY and it has worked out very well for me. I don't know alot about the band so I really can't make a comparison for you. What I will say is this~research research research!!! Take every opportunity to gain knowledge about both surgeries before you make your final decision~research online, go to surgeon seminars, go to support group meeting, etc. You and your dr are the only one's that can decide which surgery will be best for you and you need to feel 100% comfortable with your choice. ~I wish you Good Luck!!!!!! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

I decided on getting the band, and I love it. My surgeon actually stopped doing RNY/bypass surgery and now only does the band because of the high rate of complications with the bypass. He said he got tired of getting emergency phone calls in the middle of the night for problems with RNY patients. You need to research both and then weigh all the benefits and risk factors. You also need to find a surgeon who is very experienced in whichever one you choose. There is a direct correlation between success and the experience of the doctor. I was about 277 at my highest, and weighed 266 when I had lap band surgery in June 2005. I am now about 170-172. While you may not lose as fast as RNYers with the band, at the 5 year mark the results are about the same. That's because, after the first 18-24 month honeymoon period, RNYers tend to gain about 20-50 pounds back. If you check this message board, you will see a lot of bypass patients struggling to keep the weight off. With the band, you can always get it adjusted again if you find yourself getting hungry down the road. I am not knocking bypass - I think it's great for some people, and I might have had it if lap band hadn't been available. But I decided that the much lower risks/complications of the band, and the fact that it is adjustable, made it a great fit. I can eat anything - anything - and I don't have to worry about nutritional deficiencies, other than making sure I get enough protein through protein supplements. I DO have increased hearburn, but that is a really minor issue, in my book. For some reason (maybe because they make more money on bypass?) surgeons in the US seem to prefer doing the bypass over using the band. The band has been used very successfully in Europe and Australia for many years. I think its unfortunate that more people don't get the band in this country. It is approved by the FDA and more and more insurance companies are covering it. PS: there is a lot of misinformation on the web about the band, so research carefully.

FYI: Carnie Wilson has NOT done better. She gained a huge amount of weight back with her pregnancy, and last I heard, was really struggling to lose 50-60 pounds again.... She went on that celebrity boot camp show to try to lose it.....

I also chose the band and love it. For me after alot of research i just felt that bypass was to evasive for me. I just started on my journey and have lost 50 lbs in a little over three months. I am happy and comfortable with it. It might not be as fast as the bypass but for me it just seemed a better choice, partly because I like the idea that nothing is changed or gone and if I really wanted it out it can be taken out and I would be back to the same way I was before. I know people who have had both and they love what they chose so it is just something that you have to decide what is best for you. Good luck and enjoy life for all its worth.