So I told a friend who has had gastric bypass that I was considering lapband. Below is her response. It has me scared - this is a knowledgable, intelligent friend. I need some input, please!

I have one comment to make, Tracey. VBG, or vertical banded gastroplasty / LAP band procedure, is not as successful as the all-out roux-en-y bypass. They are both surgical procedures. If you are going to do one it may as well be the roux-en-y. I'd suggest you look into it. Yes...it is permanent and they will actually cut your stomach to form a pouch and reroute your intestine and shorten it a bit. But your weight loss will be larger and you will see quicker results. I have heard of people dying from complications on both surgeries and one shouldn't make this decision hastily or take it lightly. Either procedure is serious. But I do have to say that after seeing results from both, there are fewer weight gains post loss with the roux-en-y than with the VBG/LAP. I did extensive research when I was considering surgery. I have several friends who were scared of having the same procedure as I did so they did the band. Big mistake. They ended up losing very little to begin with, got frustrated and gained everything back, plus. YES, it IS possible to gain it back...but the gains I have seen have been more popular with the band. By the way - they don't often warn you that the band can slip up and that you can actually choke on your vomit either while awake or in your sleep (which is what happened to 2 people I know. One person died, the other almost died. I don't know anyone that died from the roux-en-y, but I almost did...and 1 other person I know almost did...and another had some serious complications...but we all recovered and had major losses. The only reason I gained back some of my weight was because of fertility drugs, and I'm having a hard time losing that weight now. But I can assure you that I am still down about 110 pounds...so that's pretty incredible.

I hope that you can do whatever makes you happy...but I think making an educated decision is really important.

The people I know (my brother included) that had gastric bypass has gained weight with it. I think it depends on the person, and if that person is really committed to changing their life. My brother had a horrible first year after his bypass surgery, and it is true that you loss about all the weight in a year's time. I would rather lose it slow so that is why I am choosing the band. Sorry but I just don't want my stomach cut and bypassed.

my sister had the bypass about 4 years ago and has gained alot of weight back. She did loss alot of weight really quick but that caused her to look weired as her skin was very loose. Both surgeries are made to help the patient learn portion control, but it's up to the individual to make the effort to not continue bad habbits.

I hear there is a bigger chance of dying having the bypass than the band, but both have risks as does any surgery.

I am an operating room nurse and a part of the team that does the bypass as well as the banding. I personally went with the band as have other nurses I know. You can gain weight back either way.....it's all choices. The bypass surgery is a much more invasive procedure. Any surgery will have complications that go with it but the list is longer when it comes to bypass.

About the only thing she got right is that you lose weight quicker.

* Ask her about the 2% chance of fatality.

* Ask her about the Vitamin supplements she will be taking for the rest of her life.

* Ask her about dumping.

* Ask her about the foods she can never eat again.

* Ask her about the pain and the recovery time from surgery.

* Ask her about the birth defects her children will have if she gets knocked up due to lack of nutrients.

* Tell her that the fatality rate from lapband is less than .5%.

* Tell her that lapband surgery can be undone if need be.

* Tell her there is no need for supplements if you eat right.

* Tell her you can get prego and have healthy babies.

* Tell her over time that you will most likely maintain your weight loss.

* Tell her to do some research before spouting off crap like this.

I go to a support group where almost everyone is bypass. They have a lot more problems, healthwise and maintaining their weightloss. Now there are only 4 of us that are banded but you would recogize us by our happy faces. It's a personal decision but I don't agree with the facts your friend wrote at all.

I should have added, that if you weren't able to tell her immediately that she was wrong; then you need to keep doing research.

Get the ball rolling and do as much research as you possibly can during your waiting period. It's not too late turn back or change your mind until the piece of plastic is inside of you.

I really appreciate everyone's input - her answers kind of had me scratching my head - b/c I have been doing research, and what I came up with didn't seem like at all what she said. That's why I wanted to run it by y'all - I know b/w all of us - there has been a ton of research done, and lots of experience. Thank you. If anyone else has more to add - I'd love to hear it.

And I probably should have said - I'm at the beginning of my journey - but I have been doing sporadic research on the lapband for 2 yrs. Orginally, I decided to wait and try ww - well, here I am, 2 yrs later, and have lost and gained back all 26 lbs. I'm ready to do more than ww.

Everyone that I know personally who has had bypass has gained a significant amount of their weight back after 3-4 years ( not all of it back, but about half). My dad had bypass this past year and is doing well, but it has still been less than a year. He chose that over band, because he knew he didn't have the discipline to follow the band rules and he was counting on having the dumping to help keep him in line.

I have been banded 18 months. I have had 3 plateaus including the one I am enduring now. During all of those, my weight remained stabilized and my eating remained in control. Prior to banding I would have said "screw it" and ate myself into oblivion and gained all my weight back. I am healthy and eat most of the foods that I want, I just eat a lot less of it.

Most of the problems your friend refers to, arise from having and keeping a band too tight/too restricted. If you keep your band at a safe restriction level you should not experience those types of problems. Your weight loss will be a little slower, but in the long run, you will be healthier. Keep researching and use that information to help you make your decision.

i have 5 friends that have the gastric by pass 1 of them is about 50 pds from the weight she started. 1 has regained all plus more and its been about 5 yrs for each of them.. 2 of them did lose weight and look terrible old drawn up hair falling out they have vitamin deficiencies and 1 of them has lost way 2 much weight to the point that she looks sick.. so suffice it to say i am not taking any chances with the bypass...

SIMPLY PUT: The major procedures (VBG, RNY, bypass, sleeve)compared to the band have TEN times the morbidity/mortality. They require less modification of your own behavior and without that many gain the weight back. Those are fine if your health is so bad it balances the risk. If not and you have a little willpower, the band is much less risk. At this point I say its around 50/50...meaning 50% the band does for me and the rest I have to do!

You can gain weight with both surgeries. With the bypass, you can actully end up streching the pouch so it's not longer a pouch, but a regular sized stomach. The lap band is a lifestyle change. A person with the bypass can eat whatever and still lose weight, so there is no real change in their lifestyle.

It seems like there is a battle between bands vs bypass. I don't know. I just ignore unwanted advice and do my own research.

So I told a friend who has had gastric bypass that I was considering LAP-BAND®. Below is her response. It has me scared - this is a knowledgable, intelligent friend. I need some input, please!

I have one comment to make, Tracey. VBG, or vertical banded gastroplasty / LAP-BAND® procedure, is not as successful as the all-out roux-en-y bypass. They are both surgical procedures. If you are going to do one it may as well be the roux-en-y. I'd suggest you look into it. Yes...it is permanent and they will actually cut your stomach to form a pouch and reroute your intestine and shorten it a bit. But your weight loss will be larger and you will see quicker results. I have heard of people dying from complications on both surgeries and one shouldn't make this decision hastily or take it lightly. Either procedure is serious. But I do have to say that after seeing results from both, there are fewer weight gains post loss with the roux-en-y than with the VBG/LAP. I did extensive research when I was considering surgery. I have several friends who were scared of having the same procedure as I did so they did the band. Big mistake. They ended up losing very little to begin with, got frustrated and gained everything back, plus. YES, it IS possible to gain it back...but the gains I have seen have been more popular with the band. By the way - they don't often warn you that the band can slip up and that you can actually choke on your vomit either while awake or in your sleep (which is what happened to 2 people I know. One person died, the other almost died. I don't know anyone that died from the roux-en-y, but I almost did...and 1 other person I know almost did...and another had some serious complications...but we all recovered and had major losses. The only reason I gained back some of my weight was because of fertility drugs, and I'm having a hard time losing that weight now. But I can assure you that I am still down about 110 pounds...so that's pretty incredible.

I hope that you can do whatever makes you happy...but I think making an educated decision is really important.

I can only tell you what I have heard and seen. I do know someone that had the bypass and she almost died.

What I have been told is that there are alot more complications with the bypass. Also you may lose weight faster with the bypass but the bypass stops working after 2 years because you can not be adjusted anymore. Where as the band you can be. I know people who have gained the weight back again.

Any one can vomit and aspirate and die....even without ever having any surgery.

the best advice someone gave me at the start of my journey was "Don't get too caught up in other peoples journeys"

and don't forget that there are the people out there that know everything (or think they do!) and that will talk down to you...trust your instincts! :cursing: