Hi...just joined today...having surgery in March or April. I don't know whether to have band or bypass. I'm 54 and been fighting weight most of my life. I've always been active/exercised, overweight or not, had a knee and hip replacement. I can't stand it anymore. My joints are a mess and I need to lose 80 lbs. I'm hoping to avoid the other hip having to be replaced, if I lose weight. I'm a teacher and also worried about having to be out for more than 2 weeks. I would appreciate any advice. My daughter got the band a year and a half ago and i just now starting to lose. It's been frustrating for her! Thanks so much!

Hi...just joined today...having surgery in March or April. I don't know whether to have band or bypass. I'm 54 and been fighting weight most of my life. I've always been active/exercised, overweight or not, had a knee and hip replacement. I can't stand it anymore. My joints are a mess and I need to lose 80 lbs. I'm hoping to avoid the other hip having to be replaced, if I lose weight. I'm a teacher and also worried about having to be out for more than 2 weeks. I would appreciate any advice. My daughter got the band a year and a half ago and i just now starting to lose. It's been frustrating for her! Thanks so much!

Hi..I got banded one month ago and have lost almost 20 pounds. I'm not sure what your daughter was doing wrong, but a year and a half to lose any weight is NOT normal. To me that says she was not following the diet and/or getting fills. I am an ER nurse and decided against bypass after seeing all the patients who come in due to complications from it. Chronic abdominal pain, multiple surgeries, drains in place for over a year, ostomy bags, bowel obstructions, I could go on and on. I felt as a nurse I couldnt take that chance. Neither the band or the bypass are guaranteed weight loss cures. They are both TOOLS that are meant to help you lose wieght, but you have to do the work and follow a diet plan. They just make it a little easier to not eat so much. I have seen people with bypass gain ALL their weight back as well. At least with the band you can have it adjusted if you start to gain or slow losing. Our habits are what are killing us and you can lose all the weight and slowly be able to eat more and more thus gaining all the weight back. You will make whatever choice you make in the long run, but I felt the lapband was safer for me.

I am also new. considering between the different options. I have been approved yet surgery is at least 1-2 months out. i am leaning towards lap band but wondered if anyone on this site regretted their decision? Would you do the other types of bypass if you had it to do again? Please be as honest as you can. I need some guidance from those who have had this done. i want the good, bad and ugly. LOL

Hi..I got banded one month ago and have lost almost 20 pounds. I'm not sure what your daughter was doing wrong, but a year and a half to lose any weight is NOT normal. To me that says she was not following the diet and/or getting fills. I am an ER nurse and decided against bypass after seeing all the patients who come in due to complications from it. Chronic abdominal pain, multiple surgeries, drains in place for over a year, ostomy bags, bowel obstructions, I could go on and on. I felt as a nurse I couldnt take that chance. Neither the band or the bypass are guaranteed weight loss cures. They are both TOOLS that are meant to help you lose wieght, but you have to do the work and follow a diet plan. They just make it a little easier to not eat so much. I have seen people with bypass gain ALL their weight back as well. At least with the band you can have it adjusted if you start to gain or slow losing. Our habits are what are killing us and you can lose all the weight and slowly be able to eat more and more thus gaining all the weight back. You will make whatever choice you make in the long run, but I felt the lapband was safer for me.

Thank you Alison. You've helped me decide, I think. My daughter is doing okay now...just lost 12.8 lbs. in 4 wks.