Hollins2003

I am actually very serious. I am attempting to make a decision (and whichever way I decide it will be life altering). While gastric bypass has drawbacks so does lapband. One of the first and foremost being the adjustments needed for the band. While I agree that I have seen many people initally lose a lot of weight and then gain most of it back with bypass, I have also seen people not utilize their band and lose 9 pounds in a year. Like I said earlier, I am just attempting to make the best decision for myself. - Jennifer

Could you explain why? At the moment I am leaning towards gastric bypass because: 1) I don't want to be considering a revision surgery in a few years if I am not successful with the band. 2) The amount of maintenance a band requires (I live two and a half hours from my surgeon).

I have been lurking for awhile, reading posts and doing research. I am about one month out from my surgery date (July 2nd). My surgeon (Dr. Maher in Richmond, VA) originally recommended laparoscopic gastric bypass during my initial consultation. He suggested this for two separate reasons: 1) the amount of weight I need to lose (130 pounds) and 2) the adjustments needed for the lap band. While he is willing to do either surgery he felt that in the long run gastric bypass would be more successful. When I met with him I was dead set on lap band. However, reading about the complications, adjustments, etc. I am beginning to waver. I feel that the surgery for the lap band is safer and less complicated...but I trust my surgeon 100%. He has been performing the gastric bypass and lap band for a long time and has had zero mortalities for either surgery. I am beginning to wonder if he is correct...maybe the gastric bypass would be a better option. I am not looking for a quick fix..rather I am looking for one and ONLY one surgery that will provide a tool to maintain weight loss. My fear is that I will not be successful with the lap band and will opt for a revision to gastric bypass. Any advice, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I just want to make sure I make the best decision for me! Jennifer:mellow:

I knew this whole trip was going entirely too smoothly. My insurance went through without a thought, the appointments lined up perfectly (band date two weeks after school was over ... I am a teacher), and I had the whole summer to heal and begin this process. Now, I receive a call from my surgeon's office this morning telling me that they just found out he would be at a conference for two weeks in June. UGHHHH!! My surgery date has been pushed back until July 2nd. I know, I know, in the grand scheme of things this is only a week. But to someone who has been searching for a tool to aid what seems like impossible weightloss, another week might as well be a century. Now I have to go about adjusting house sitters, dog sitters, my mother's schedule, my partner's schedule...all to the new surgery date. It may seem little, but the disappointment is huge. Any words of encouragment would be appreciated.........I am going to attempt to stop my self imposed hissy fit here shortly! - Jennifer Surgery date (revised) 7/2/2008:huh2:

Hi Everyone! My name is Jennifer and I have been researching lap band/gastric bypass for years. I have been heavy my whole life. The first time I remember feeling fat was when I was in the third grade. I have always been at least 50 pounds overweight and right now I am about 150 pounds from where I need to be. I have traveled a long road to make the decision to finally have lap band surgery. I have been successful on diets before (espically Atkins) but have had trouble keeping the weight off. My hope is that the lap band will be another tool to help me maintain weight loss. I began pre-op "stuff" with VCU and Dr. Maher in April. I went for the initial consultation and psych eval on April 3. Dr. Maher wanted me to lose 21 pounds before scheduling the surgery. I did this easily within a month and now have a surgery date of June 25th. I am going in for pre-op "stuff" on June 17th with my liquid diet beginning on June 11th. I am a teacher, so this is perfect timing. I am most excited about being active again. I used to show horses and want to buy another horse and start that hobby again. Also, my partner and I want to learn how to kayak (we live right near the Maury River). I would love to hear any advice, stories, etc.!! Jennifer

Hi Everyone! I am new the the lapband forum and am trying to gather more information. I went for my initial consult with Dr. Maher at VCU in Richmond, VA about two months ago. Has anyone else had experience with VCU or Dr. Maher? What have you experiences been? I have a surgery date scheduled for June 25th...and I am very excited. I just want to make sure i am going with the right doctor. I have already done research through the state board of medicines website and other databases. Thanks! Jennifer:cool2:

Hi Everyone! I am new to the lap band forum and am looking for a place for more information, support, etc. I am a 30 year old teacher who is being banded on June 25th. I started the process 2 years ago by researching both gastric bypass and lapband. I made the decision to be banded after turning 30 and realizing that this problem wasn't going to fix itself. I went for my initial consult two months ago at VCU. Dr. Maher wanted me to lose 20 pounds (which i did within a month) before he would schedule the surgery. I received immediate insurance approval for the surgery and now have a pre-op date of June 17th with an operation date of June 25th. I am excited, nervous, and ready to begin a new part of my life. If you have any advice, wisdom, etc. please share!! Jennifer SW 351 CW 328 GW 180ish:huh2:

I am new to this forum and website...but I am also being banded on June 25th. I will be at VCU in Richmond, VA with Dr. Maher. I have been through the initial consult, psych eval, pre-surgery weightloss (21 pounds) and got my surgery date this Thursday. I am going in for pre-op on the 17th and surgery on the 25th...I am excited and ready for a new phase! Jennifer:rolleyes2: