Just wanted to clarify this since I see a number of posts where bypass is 'recommended' by surgeons because it has a higher success rate. My surgeon said that the statistics are based on how much of the excess weight is lost over a limited period of time (year?). So, yes, by that standard the bypass does have a higher rate of success because bypass patients will lose 2/3 of their excess weight through malabsorption and, in many cases, in that first year alone.

Those statistics do not show how many of those people actually ever lose the remaining weight...or even how many put the weight back on. Go into a few of the bypass forums and it's rather horrifying to see the number of people who never get below that 2/3 weight loss and are still quite obese. Even more horrifying are the number of people who have gained all their weight back and then some.

The band works by putting pressure on the vagus nerves which in turn suppresses the ghrelin hormone that makes you feel hungry. Bypass patients still have their stomachs and so, if constant intense hunger is their problem, they'll still always be hungry. According to my surgeon, the number of bypass patients getting a band is on the rise and they're getting the band to put pressure on the vagus nerves to control their hunger.

While researching the vertical sleeve, I found that removing the stomach gets rid of the production of ghrelin...but not permanently. About a year after surgery, they find the body finds another way to produce the ghrelin and that it is produced in greater quantities. Their study concludes though that by this time these people should be to a normal weight and will better be able to control that hunger. Huh? Inability to control our hunger is what got us here in the first place, isn't it?

Bottom line though is that one WLS is not 'better' than another based on some arbitrary statistics. The 'best' one is the one that works best for the individual.

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Great post, thanks!

I remember being at a seminar and the surgeon telling us that "it doesnt matter what I do, you can undo any WLS if you want to." That reinforces to me that I still have to work at it, this is not an easy way out.

My PCP was one that would not sign on on lapband as she thinks I should go with the gastric. I am not sold on it so I am continusing my Quest for the lapband. Mainly because the gastric is a much more invasive procedure and I do not want to be cut open.

Thanks for sharing.

My PCP was one that would not sign on on lapband as she thinks I should go with the gastric. I am not sold on it so I am continusing my Quest for the lapband. Mainly because the gastric is a much more invasive procedure and I do not want to be cut open.

Thanks for sharing.

I would tell your PCP that you appreciate her advice but that the final decision on whether to have band or bypass should be *yours*...not hers. Control freak doctors are a PiTA.

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Love your post Elfie. It is so true - there is not any one size fits all solution and no WLS is magical - they all still require constant work and attention to "diet".