Question:
Help??? I have been approved for Lap Band Surgery but ....

I have been approved for the Lap Band Surgery but I would like to change it to the lap RNY gastric bypass. My Dr. does both surgeries. I call the Dr.'s office to request the change. I recently found out after the Lap Band Surgery you have to go back and forth to the Dr.'s office to get fills. I also found out that my body may reject the band and I will have to have an additional surgery to remove the band and still be overweight. I feel that if I am going to go through surgery I would like to just get it over with the first time. Please comment. Thanks Tammy    — Tammy W. (posted on August 7, 2003)

August 6, 2003
See my profile thats why I picked the RNY too. Plus fear of high calorie liquids like milkshakes:( Finally I aw all these happy healthy post ops and I wanted to be one of them!
   — bob-haller

August 7, 2003
Rejection of lap band would be less common than rejection of an artificial joint. Most people require 2 or 3 fills (that's where the adjustable part comes in...that's the adjustment to the individual). And I just have to laugh at the thought of anyone quivering in fear of a milkshake...Which surgery you choose is up to you, but choices based on fear rather than logic are sad, and spreading misinformation is really unfair to others who need to make their own choices.
   — Maria N.

August 7, 2003
Hi Tammy. Do some real research on the lapband. You will find that the lapband is a huge success. It is next to impossible to have your body reject the band. Many people have foreign bodies in them, fillings and crowns in your mouth, pacemakers, artificial hips, staples, etc. The chance of having the band removed is REALLY slim. People are losing as much weight as people with the bypass after a couple of years. You have the option of adjusting the band for years! That means no "window of opportunity" like the bypassers have. Just to let you know, anyone can sabotage their success after surgery. No matter which surgery you decide upon, it is only a tool. You have to do some work to be successful. The bypass is not a cure-all. Just ask the 25% of bypassers who are regaining. Check out some websites and see how successful the lapband is. Do your research, then decide what is best for you. But base your decision on the facts, not about incorrect hearsay. Here are some websites: <p> http://lapbandtransformation.com/ <p> http://www.spotlighthealth.com/common/SG/topics.asp?m=1&sb=25 <p> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bandsters/<p> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/<p> Sheryl - Down 60 pounds in 3.5 months!
   — Sheryl W.

August 7, 2003
No matter what surgery you have there is a risk of maybe needing additional surgeries, to correct a problem or something. Even with the RNY, you could develop a SLD and need a revision, you just never know. I chose the RNY, but it's a totally personal choice. It's best to research ALL available options and then make whatever choice you feel BEST about. They all have their pros and cons.
   — Diana L.

August 7, 2003
Maybe there are newer stats out there than I've seen but those I've seen which are also grouped in with the VBG, etc which have no bypass feature are pretty low. With losing less EBW and much higher regain stats long term. Personally I don't buy into much off of boards because people who consider themselves a failure because the surgery didn't work for them, don't hang around everyday to tell their stories (regardless of which type of surgery you're talking about). Plus anytime they do they get someone jumping in to dismiss their experience with, a "most people don't experience that" comment. (Thats all MHO.) For me I look for reports, statistics, something tangible and not opinion based for my sources of info. And like I said the info I found was not favorable for "restriction only" procedures. Perhaps someone here can point you in the direction of some serious studies/research on the band that includes some long term results that has results that differ from those I found. Regardless of anyone else's view on things I urge to you really check out all your options and their results (short & long term) before deciding. I totally agree with you that it would be wise to make the choice that's right for you the FIRST time. Good luck & happy researching!
   — Shelly S.

August 10, 2003
I was banded on 2/17/03 and have had 2 adjustments, with my 2nd one being 4 months ago. Some people do require more, but I don't believe the number of adjustments exceeds the number of follow-up appointments required for bypass patients by any means.<P> I've been doing lap band research since the beginning of the year and I have never heard of anyone having their band removed because of the body rejecting it.<P> Bob, I would appreciate it if you would read about the studies which have disproved the "Milkshake/Sweet Eater Myth." You can find a link to them on my profile page. Also, I've read about some bypass patients gaining weight because of a fondness of cookie bars and things like that, so please don't represent the bypass as being a cure all. No WLS is guaranteed. They are only tools which require a commitment to a lifestyle change. Sincerely, TF
   — TMF

August 10, 2003
Tammy, I hope you dont take this the wrong way but I think that you should podtpone any surgery and do some more research.If you JUST found out after being approved that you will need adjustments with the Lap Band then you apparently had not done enough research as that is the highlight of the band the adjustability.With either surgery there will be trips to the Dr.How many fills a person needs is a very individual thing, there are some bandsters who made it to goal with NO fills at all some have needed many some have needed one.As far as rejecting the band I have been in many of the live chats with lap band surgeons and have done extensive research and have yet to come across any cases of band rejection just keep in mind that if your body could reject the band it could also reject the staples that are put in during RNY both of which is highly unlikely.It seems to me you still have a lot to learn about the surgeries before making a choice.
   — Lisa F.