Ok so I'm approved and surgery date is Feb 1. I've been reading ur posts for a few days now and wonder if I should get gastric by pass instead of the band? I live 2 hrs from my surgery center and am scared to death about slippage and not getting restriction once I get my realize band. If I get by pass there will be no fills, faster weight loss (more skin? ) and I can eat "real food" faster. I wanted the band because I know I can lose weight - the band will just help me keep it off and motivated (hopefully). Also I'm worried with by pass that ill eat too much and my stomach will grow big again.

Did anyone else wonder if they should do by pass or sleeve instead? How did u finally make ur decision?

Ok so I'm approved and surgery date is Feb 1. I've been reading ur posts for a few days now and wonder if I should get gastric by pass instead of the band? I live 2 hrs from my surgery center and am scared to death about slippage and not getting restriction once I get my realize band. If I get by pass there will be no fills, faster weight loss (more skin? ) and I can eat "real food" faster. I wanted the band because I know I can lose weight - the band will just help me keep it off and motivated (hopefully). Also I'm worried with by pass that ill eat too much and my stomach will grow big again.

Did anyone else wonder if they should do by pass or sleeve instead? How did u finally make ur decision?

Hey, it's actually interesting that you would say that. On the day of my surgery, I was so scared that the doc would forget I'm being banded (he's a bypass specialist) and give me gastric bypass instead. I kept asking everyone around me 'EVERYONE KNOWS I'M BEING BANDED RIGHT?' lol, It was hilarious. I guess I was so concerned because gastric bypass is like literally cutting into your stomach. It's mad serious. But then again, I guess banding is serious as well. I wouldn't worry to much about faster weight loss. I think we all want to have a nice gradual weight loss (fast at times) and keep the weight off. I know my aunt had gastric bypass about 6 years ago and she's heavy again. I remember her initially dropping the weight quick but, I guess it didn't last. This can also happen for bandsters as well. I always knew that in considering weight loss surgery it would just be the band, 1) it can be removed 2) it can be removed. I'm a paranoid person and you never know what's going to come up later in life.

Anyhoo, enough about that. My suggestion is for you to right down some questions, maybe even a pro/con list comparing the two and present this to your doctor. See where you stand and then move from there. I'm sure in the end it'll be all good. Best of Luck!

HiThis is my very first post! I've been reading lots of other posts on various pre and post op subjects to see what I'm getting myself into. My surgery date is 1-31-11. I just had all of my pre op work and labs done yesterday at the clinic I'm going to. I'm excited and not too nervous-yet.A couple of questions I haven't seen too much written about: How much time are you taking off from work for the surgery? I'm taking a week and wondering if I will need more. I do a fair amount of lifting (50 lbs or less) at work and the surgeon said a week should be just fine. What do you think?Also, I'm assuming I'll be going home the same day. We have a 2 and a half hour drive from the clinic home. Will I be able to ride comfortably enough to make it home the same day? Some of the posts have me a little worried that I'm going to be suffering some. Here's wishing you all safe surgeries and quick recoveries. I pray often and will keep us all in my prayers. Take care!

Thanks ladies that helps a lot! After talking over the decision with my friend I have decided the band is for me! I still can't wait to paranoid to get my stomach cut in half. I also know 2 people that lost weight with gastric bypass but have put on a lot of weight since its been a few years.Thanks for ur responses! I am taking 5 days off but will actually be off for 8 days total cuz I work 43 hrs/4 days a week. I have an overnight stay after surgery but after reading think the 2 hrs ride home will stink. I'm gonna hope for the best though. I appreciate ur prayers! Thanks again!

I never once considered gastric bypass - the cutting of my internal organs just didn't appeal to me. My doctor asked why I had decided on the band and I said because it's the safest tool you got. He said, "Yes it is the safest but can be the least effective." That almost made me question myself. Just make sure that you have the determination to make the band work for you and it will. I'm 3 weeks post op and so far I love mine.

Oh and with the 2 - 2 1/2 hour drives - my surgery center suggested stopping every 30 minutes to get out and walk around to lower the risk of blood clots if you have a longer drive. Plus - the walking will help with the gas.

GOOD LUCK!

I'm glad you're choosing the band. So much safer.

Hello, I had an hour drive home after my surgery and i was sick from anesthesia all the way home and quite frankly miserable. I don't think you should be lifting that much weight that soon after surgery it surprises me that your surgeon says it's ok. I was off for 4 weeks and it was wonderful I needed to be off that long to get accostomed to my new way of life and eating. you will be suffering at first i had a horrible pain in my shoulder from gas it was bad! i though it would never go away but it did. Just be prepared for the worst..it's bad at first but gets better and becomes a distant memory as time passes. good luck!

HiThis is my very first post! I've been reading lots of other posts on various pre and post op subjects to see what I'm getting myself into. My surgery date is 1-31-11. I just had all of my pre op work and labs done yesterday at the clinic I'm going to. I'm excited and not too nervous-yet.A couple of questions I haven't seen too much written about: How much time are you taking off from work for the surgery? I'm taking a week and wondering if I will need more. I do a fair amount of lifting (50 lbs or less) at work and the surgeon said a week should be just fine. What do you think?Also, I'm assuming I'll be going home the same day. We have a 2 and a half hour drive from the clinic home. Will I be able to ride comfortably enough to make it home the same day? Some of the posts have me a little worried that I'm going to be suffering some. Here's wishing you all safe surgeries and quick recoveries. I pray often and will keep us all in my prayers. Take care!

How much time are you taking off from work for the surgery? I'm taking a week and wondering if I will need more. I do a fair amount of lifting (50 lbs or less) at work and the surgeon said a week should be just fine.

A week, plus the weekends on either end, seem to be ideal for most people.

My Doctor approved 25 lbs kettlebell weights after my one week follow up, assuming everything is fine, and over 50 lbs after 2-3 weeks depending how I feel.

Make sure your work is aware you had abdominal surgery and if you don't have one, get a belt that protects your midsection and lower back and has suspenders, it will protect your core (you should be using one anyway - if your Dr prescribes it your insurance will cover it).

...wonder if I should get gastric by pass instead of the band? I live 2 hrs from my surgery center and am scared to death about slippage and not getting restriction once I get my realize band....and I can eat "real food" faster.

A few notes for others with similar questions, if you change your mind about which procedure you get -- you may have to go through the approval process all over again. Each WLS has a different code and different requirements. You may not be approved for other surgeries.

If you live far away from your primary find another doctor near you who is willing to learn to help care for you. Your primary should be able to help you find someone close.

With gastric bypass and the sleeve most doctors following the more successful eating plans won't allow those patients to eat solids until six weeks post op sometimes eight. With Lapband/Realise it's generally four to five weeks.

So you actually eat 'real food' sooner on the less invasive surgery, makes sense though doesn't it?

And if GB fails for you, you can't really 'start over', but with the band everyday is a new opportunity to get back on track.