I am new to this site. I had a tummy tuck last february, 2009, and asked to have a consult with Dr Beausoleil in Moncton, I live near Fredericton. I was told it would take about five years to get in for the consult. I have a bmi of about 42. The tt was just to remove a large pannus that was causing me lots of problems. But I am still large, so am wondering if the lap band would be a good choice for me. I don't want to have the full gastric bypass, as I don't want something that changes my whole life forever, needing special vitamins, certain food choices, etc. I think with the lap band, once you are at your ideal weight, you can have it removed? Correct me if I am wrong. So here I am starting this thread to say hi to everyone and try to find out if this surgery is right for me!

I am new to this site. I had a tummy tuck last february, 2009, and asked to have a consult with Dr Beausoleil in Moncton, I live near Fredericton. I was told it would take about five years to get in for the consult. I have a bmi of about 42. The tt was just to remove a large pannus that was causing me lots of problems. But I am still large, so am wondering if the LAP-BAND® would be a good choice for me. I don't want to have the full gastric bypass, as I don't want something that changes my whole life forever, needing special Vitamins, certain food choices, etc. I think with the LAP-BAND®, once you are at your ideal weight, you can have it removed? Correct me if I am wrong. So here I am starting this thread to say hi to everyone and try to find out if this surgery is right for me!

The Lapband is pretty much for life also. You really don't want to have it removed because you will probably gain your weight back again. You can have it removed in an emergency situation or of course if there are complications with the band. It's safer than the Gastric Bypass and they don't redirect your stomach like the bypass. With the band you are supposed to take vitamins also. We don't have dumping syndrome like the bypass does. There are certain foods that you may not be able to eat as well. For me it's bread, Pasta, rice and certain red meats. Everyone is different.

I chose the band over the bypass because of a few reasons. I have heard that the gastric bypass stops working after 2 years because they can't adjust you anymore. Also I know someone that almost died because of the bypass. And also I just didn't feel safe with my stomach being permanentaly redirected. I have only one regret with the band and that is that I didn't get it done sooner. I have had no complications so far. The band has changed my life. It is a tool and it's definately NOT the easy way out. You have to work hard. The band does help you to keep the weight off but you still have to work to lose the weight. It's not a diet. It's a lifestyle change. Diets are boring and don't work. With the band you can eat anything in moderation as long as you can tolerate it.

Good luck and I hope this information helps you.