Question:
do you think lap band was a good idea? or should you have chosen lap gastric bypass?

i have heard that you can feel the band after you lose so much weight. would you really want your significant other to feel this?    — PATRICE T. (posted on August 15, 2003)

August 15, 2003
I'd choose DS over and over again, lap or open!http://duodenalswitch.com
   — Chris T.

August 15, 2003
I had the lap band surgery September last year. I continue to marvel at how wonderful this surgery has been for me. I am now 5 months pregnant and have had all my fluid removed, so I can eat and nourish myself and baby. Once I have had my baby I will have the fluid put back in and continue my weight loss journey.
   — April M.

August 16, 2003
I had the RNY, but was going to have the band. I didn't because I had terrible acid reflux (GERD) and that doesn't help like the RNY. Also, if you love sugar, the band doesn't give you the dumping, which I really need because I'm a sugaraholic. Just an FYI, Best of Luck!
   — ZZ S.

August 16, 2003
i had lap rny and am thrilled with it, i wanted ther malabsorption t help me loose. the thought of the port for the liquid under the skin with a lapband sounds gross to me, but nothing could be grosser then my fat panni worbling around! ;o)
   — janetc00

August 16, 2003
Patrice- As everyone else indicates, the decision is an intensely personal one. I chose RNY over lap band for a few reasons: (1) I needed to have that dumping syndrome to keep me away from sweets, (2) I knew that I could play games with the band (not get it filled as regularly as needed, drink shakes and eat icecream) and (3) I didn't want to have a port under my skin that would have to be filled periodically. Also, the studies I looked at indicated that the long-term sustained weight loss for lap band patients was lower than that enjoyed by RNY patients (of course, the DS/BPD patients have the fastest and most sustained weight loss of all groups). Lastly, I knew that the length of time the lap band would have to stay in me (I needed to lose at least 250 pounds when I started) would make it a permanent fixture to my stomach and I feared external ulcerations and adhesions. Good luck in your choice.
   — SteveColarossi

August 16, 2003
To the original poster, I assume you are asking for input from people who actually HAVE the band?! In answer to your questions, I have no regrets about having the lap band and I do not feel that I should have had the bypass instead. I am 6 months post-op and have lost 50 pounds, which is, in my opinion, a safe and quite acceptable rate of weight loss. Regarding being able to feel the band, I believe you might be referring to the port, not the band. You can't feel the band. The port can be felt, however it's just a small lump and in many cases is not noticeable. It's certainly less noticable than 100 pounds of excess fat. :)
   — TMF