Question:
Does anybody regret having the band than the gastric bypass?

I feel i made a HUGE mistake by doing the band. I got this surgery to lose weight right? Does anybody else feel this way and how do you overcome this? The reason i got the band is because i was scared. But now, i am regretting it. For anybody wanting to get the band, I would think 2-3 times before. You all who had the bypass, look great and keep up the good work. i wish my after picture will soon happen.    — ME.IN.AZ (posted on March 23, 2009)

March 23, 2009
I am right there with you, I had the band on 12/10/2008 and I wish that I would of have RNY instead. I thought this would be the safest and the best, it's not. I wish I had the money to get the RNY, I know that insurance will not pay for another surgery.
   — Nicole Wilson

March 23, 2009
I would have to disagree, I had the band done in July of 2008 and I have lost over 90lbs in 8months. The band is the best thing I ever did, I feel great.
   — Kim K.

March 23, 2009
I would have to say that I LOVE my band and it was one of the best things I've ever done! I will admitt that the weight loss is a little slower but, it totally worth it! I had my band done on 6/5/08 and have lost 85lbs I feel great. If your looking for a quick fix to your weight the band isn't for you but, it's a very safe and adjustable yeah!!
   — sheila_e87

March 23, 2009
I would have to say that I LOVE my band and it was one of the best things I've ever done! I will admitt that the weight loss is a little slower but, it totally worth it! I had my band done on 6/5/08 and have lost 85lbs I feel great. If your looking for a quick fix to your weight the band isn't for you but, it's a very safe and adjustable yeah!!
   — sheila_e87

March 23, 2009
I had the lap band in 03 and had a revision to a RNY on 7/9/08. I had more complications with the lap band then I do now. If you are having to many complications you can have your ins. pay for the RNY. Mine did. Your doctor must document your medical problems with the lap band. Most ins do pay for wls.Good luck. Cathy
   — catjurado

March 23, 2009
I had the band June 15, 2006 and lost 180 pounds. I am happy with the band. I did not want to have a bypass because I have a seizure disorder and have to take medication for that and did not want to make it a guessing game of how much my medication would be absorbed. I feel great. Pamela
   — pjwinslow

March 23, 2009
I had the band in June 2006, and my revision to RNY is on April 1st- my band is considered a "mechanical" failure, so my insurance is covered a revision- since the surgery in 06 I've GAINED 30 lbs. Poor research on my part, but everyone is different, and some people do great with the band! Just not me.
   — jtaormina

March 23, 2009
I had lap band 6/17/08 and have had nothing but problems. I did lose 40-45 lbs in the first six months but the band had to be unfilled in 12/08. The band is a lot of work and is a game of trial and error.I had hiatail hernia repair at the time of the band surgery. After six months not only the band has slipped but my hernia is also back. I also have been diagnosised with gastroparesis ( paralyzed stomach ) which is irreversible. I have lost the ability to push food through my stomach. I will be ending up having a subtotal gastrectomy in the next couple of weeks. I regret the band 150%. i too was scared of bypass but now I am going to end up with actually losing my stomach and being left with a small pouch anyway expect I have no choice. My first surgeon damaged the vagus nerve during my laproscopic surgery in June. So everyone needs to think any decision of surgery through a thousand times over. Lap band for me turned out not to be reverisble and a non-invasive surgery. So just be careful.
   — pamela P.

March 23, 2009
I got the band 3/21/07. My port flipped on me twice and caused excruciating pain. I had the band removed 1/5/09, and revised to the RNY on 2/23/09. A month later I'm down 23 lbs. With the band in the almost 2 years I had it I only lost about 20. Best decision I ever made was to revise to RNY.
   — lilnena

March 23, 2009
Hi Rose, I did not have Band done had RNY...but I have seen several people that have had the Band and done very well with the weight lose.I chose RNY as I had at least 150 lbs to drop and keep off. The people that I have seen have the Band did not need to loose as much as I. I am sorry to hear that so many of yous have not lost as you intended. I wish you all good health no matter what you do!
   — tootsie52

March 23, 2009
I certainly do regret having the band done and have just had it removed and a gastric bypass done 2/10/2009. I did have a unique situation (at least I HOPE it is unique!) in that my surgeon placed the band around my esophagus instead of my stomach. I still lost 100 lbs but believe me it was due to food getting stuck constantly and vomitting all the time. Even though this occurred, I had a friend from church tell me that she was going to have a band done by the SAME doctor. She did it and lost 20 lbs then... nothing. I know this response sounds really negative but you can still do this and be successful. In the end,if you follow the restrictions you WILL lose weight. Good luck!!
   — lt63

March 23, 2009
Yes, I regret ever getting the lapband! I, too, was scared of the gastric bypass. But I wasted 3 years--2 years of suffering with the band, then another year (after having it removed by emergency surgery) waiting for insurance approval for the bypass. Had bypass in May, 2008, have lost 100 lbs. with absolutely no problems. Don't waste your time and money on the lapband!! Email me if you want more details.
   — ksp1155

March 23, 2009
I had RNY and wish I had the lap band. The grass is always greener.
   — smparker2

March 23, 2009
When I first started investigating wls I wanted the band it seemed the least invasive and easiest. Once I went to visit my surgeon I found out differently that it is not as successful and there are more complications with it. I have chosen the VSG which works like the band in restriction but without the complications and it is much more successful. My doctor has informed me that because there is so much money to be made off of the band that they are being promoted a lot by the companies that make them and that is why we hear so much about them.
   — Lisa von Wallmenich

March 24, 2009
Don't regret trying to improve your health! What if your surgeon nicked your intestine, you had leakage and became gravely ill after bypass? It happened to my cousin and she almost died. It is possible to cheat with the bypass and the band. I am sorry to be so blunt, but people that have lost 20# over a period of years either didn't have much to lose or are cheating. I think you should see your surgeon and get another fill. Good Luck.I am over 2 years out from a Lap Band and still (slowly) losing. You'll eventually get that picture girl!:0)
   — pattyann

March 24, 2009
Hi, I had the lapband done on 11/2/1007 and I have lost 110 pounds to date. I do not regret my decision at all. The lapband is a tool that you work with daily. I would recommend lapband to anyone interested in weight loss surgery. I know you lose weight faster with the RNY but that wasn't a consideration for me, I figured it took me years to pack this weight on, so getting it off while learning better eating habits, exercise habits and nutritional habits was more important than being able to say I lost over a 130 pounds in less than a year, yes the weight comes off but I was concerned about the long term, do people who have the RNY really learn better eating habits that will stay with them through out the years or in years to come will they slowly but surely as their bodies adjust start to put the weight back on. It's all an individual process. Work with your band and it will work for you.
   — Cassandra581

March 24, 2009
The band is a tool...not a cure. I'm so glad I got the band because I can make it work WITH me...not for me. I feel I have control of my progress. I lost over 75lbs in my first 7 months post-op because I did everything by the book.... I actually had a friend on here who had her lap-band surgery the same time I did...but went home and did everything we weren't suppose to do....she got mad and started talking about doing the Gastric Bypass. Well, she had no one to get upset with but herself....she wasn't following the plan. Maybe just double check what you are doing VS. some of your friends on here? You could be doing just one little thing different that is hurting your progress that you didn't even know about....Good luck to you...
   — AprilMae

March 24, 2009
I had the band 05/08 and have only lost from 239-208 i have often second quessed myself but like you was frightened of the bypass. I just keep chugging along hoping it all works out?
   — Nurse343

March 24, 2009
I had Lapband done December 2008. So far have lost about 30 lbs. I had a period of discouragement after my first fill because I was hungry all the time and thought my band wasn't working. After 2nd fill things are much better and I am steadily losing. I have a bro who had bypass and I am glad that I don't have the trouble with getting sick if I ever have a bite of something sweet. If you are feeling discouraged, maybe you need a fill???
   — mom4kids

March 24, 2009
With any weight loss surgery comes problems. Different for every person. I personally had decide on Bypass and then had some medical issues and couldnt get it. So I got the lapband instead. I thank the good lord daily that it worked out that way and I didnt get the bypass. I have been very pleased with my band. I had reached my goal weight in the first 8 months of having it. I have maintained since without any major problems. I wont lie, I have had some rough times as well with it being to tight, or not tight enough. I just had to have a complete unfill due to some health issues. Will get it filled back in April. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I do wish you the best of luch in which every surgery you do decide on.
   — Babbles

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