Question:
WHAT IS THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN LAP BAND AND GASTRIC AS FAR AS EATING?

I have done all my research on gastric surgery and I know I am a light weight and may have issues getting a surgen to do that surgery on me so now I want to look into the lap band surgery. Can anyone help me out here? How much does it cost, do you dump like the gastric people do, any tips? Also, I am curious can you eat whatever you want since it is only making your pouch smaller with the band around it and that is why you loose weight because you cant eat much? No offense but I dont know anything about the lap band so this is just some questions I have because I would like to learn more about it. Also, how long can you leave that in is it forever? Thanks, Danielle    — DBXX (posted on April 2, 2005)

April 2, 2005
I am far from an expert on the band, as I had the rny just over 2 years ago. From my research and understanding, (and I don't mind being corrected if I am wrong), the band basically narrows the opening into the larger part of the stomach and intestines, keeping you fuller longer, and requiring you to chew thoroughly so that the food can pass through that narrowed opening. There are no chenical changes, so basically, you can digest anything that passes through the band, w/o dumping. I have heard that there is a "life" for the length of time a band can remain inside of you and be effective, but I don't remember what it is. Maybe some of those with the band can give better advice.
   — Fixnmyself

April 2, 2005
I had the lap band on March 29, 2004 and i have lost about 145 lbs and I am still lossing. I would recomand the lap band at anyone. With a lap band u can have sugar and fried food sometimes witha out getting sick and you can also eas a little more the the gastric people. If you have anyother questions you can email me at [email protected] I will help you as much I can. good luck, Donald Kennedy
   — Donald W. K.

April 2, 2005
Hello, You didn't mention how much overweight your were, but if you are at least 100 lbs, you should be able to start up the procedures to get gastric bypass. I was also a "lightweight" and actually weighted my pockets and put ankle weights under my socks when I got weighed in the first time at the surgeons, in order to qualify. I had the RNY Gastric Bypass and at the time I believe I thought it the best route because the LAP BAND had the chance of slipping, there was danger if you vomitted, and it took longer to lose the weight than the RNY Bypass. I have talked with several folks who have had the band and they said they did not like the fact that they had a portal that had to be inflated (or deflated), and they were quite unhappy with the weight loss time frame. My vote goes to the bypass if you can get it. Down the road, if you "cheat", the bypass is still with you.... best of luck on your journey! :0)
   — Kathy A C.

April 2, 2005

   — csanchez1111

April 2, 2005
Danielle, Although I had the RNY surgery, I have a really good friend that had the lap band 2 years ago. She has lost right at 100 lbs. From her experience, can tell you she is completely satisfied!! As previously stated, you can still eat anything you want. The only "problems" she's experienced was when she needed a fill (hungry all the time and not losing) and not chewing her food good enough. Her recovery time was much shorter than mine also. Although she doesn't do it, she is supposed to be taking the same vitamin supplements I am (multi-vitamin, B12, Calcium). The lap band is designed to stay in for life and is reversible (simply by taking the fluid out of it), whereas the RNY is not without more surgery and even then, sometimes with complications. All of this said, I chose the RNY for the following reasons: a) I've always been able to lose weight, but eventually went back to my old habits and gained the weight back. Therefore, because of lack of personal discipline, that's one of the reasons I chose the RNY. Wanted to "ensure" it was something I couldn't mess up (although, I suppose if I "grazed" continually, I still could) and it would be for LIFE (no more yo-yoing)!! b) In my research, both online and off, I discovered there was more long term studies done on the RNY (it's been around longer) and there was more history of long term health effects for the RNY surgery. c) With the inevidible "bounce" when you get to your lowest weight, RNY surgery patients reports show less weight gain than lap band patients (although this has been disproved so far by my friend). RNY patients gained back 10-20% of their weight, whereas lap band patients gained back more (15-30%). d) The lap band can sometimes slip or errode into your stomach and must be replaced. From what I've read and been told, this usually does not occur until a few years out and is sometimes caused by lap band patients overeating continually and not following the guidelines. Again, my friend has had no problems in this area...but REALLY watches what she eats. Her meals are larger than mine...but remember, she is 2 years out, where I am only 10 months. Hope this helps answer some of your questions. Feel free to email me if you want to know more ([email protected]). If I can't answer them, I'll consult her-
   — Evangeline H.

April 4, 2005
I really wish more Band patients would watch this board. :) I had my Band placed in July of '03. I can eat anything I want, just in smaller amounts due to my level of restriction. The Band is like an inner tube around your stomach, sealing it into an hourglass shape, with the top portion being much smaller. I have a port below the skin of my stomach where the adjustments are made by injecting saline into the Band to make the opening smaller. (This, believe it or not, is virtually painless.) The diameter of this opening determines how much I can eat and how long I stay full. I have 2.8 cc saline right now, and I can eat approximately 4 oz solid protein and be full for hours. The Band is made of the same substances as joint replacement devices. It is intended to last forever, and I don't doubt that mine will, but nobody knows for certain. There is no dumping .. I digest my food the same way I always did, along with 100% nutrients as well as calories. (There's no malapsorption, therefore no need to take supplements for life.) There are pros and cons to every surgery; your job is to find out what these are and decide which ones you can live with. Yes, loss with the Band is slower. (I don't see that as a negative.) Yes, getting fills can be aggravating, especially when you are trying to find the "sweet spot". I deal with it. I consider it a fair trade, because adjustability means that I can use my tool forever. If you are serious about LapBand, check out the Band forum, if you haven't already. Go to the Main Entrance, then to Forums, then to Band Forum, then Message Board. Feel free to email me if you like.
   — Jeanie