I mentioned to a friend that I begin the LAP-BAND® approval process in January, and she tried to talk me out of it and tell me that gastric bypass is so much better. I like the idea of a less evasive surgery and more gradual weight loss. What are everyone else's thoughts on this?

Well.....admittedly, I don't know very much about the bypass. My insurance only offered the band, so that's what I went with.

What I have found that I really like about my band (besides the restriction) is that it has kinda re-taught me to make better food choices, while still letting me live a more or less normal life. I know others may feel differently, but I love my band.