I was just wondering how all of you chose the lap-band over gastric by-pass, VSG and the other options available?

Was it the Dr's recommendation?

Research?

Own personal decision?

Knew a friend?

For me (and I havent had mine done yet) I saw how my mother in law looked after she had gastric bypass, and to be honest, what she went thru scared the sh*t out of me! My cousin had VSG in May and has lost a ton of weight but it all seems so permanent. The take a huge part of your stomach away and resection your intestines to conform to this new stomach and that seems so scary! The band seems to have the right idea, and if there is ever a point where I feel like I might not be in the "green-zone" then I can have a fill. What do people with gastric bypass or other surgical options do???

Sorry to vent, but as you all know, once you make the decision to have WLS that is ALL YOU THINK ABOUT! LOL

Thanks in advanced for your opinions :-)

Most surgeons say there isn't much difference between bands. You

can choose one or the other if you like. Some doctors get used to one or

the other, but say performance is just the same.

I knew I did not want gastric bypass, too extreme. Also did not want to deal with all the malabsorption issues. I was really looking at the VSG, but my insurance will not pay for it. Still considers it experimental so I'm opting for the band. Sometimes your insurance dictates what you can have unless you are self pay, then it is your decision.

VSG wasn't an option for me at the time I chose banding. I felt that my BMI was too low for GBP (even though the qualifications per my insurance company are the same). Bypass is just so drastic. Add all that to the fact that my husband was not supportive of bypass, but was of banding....

In discussion with my surgeon about my medical history and eating habits, he felt I was an excellent candidate for a band.

My surgeon said that not every patient is a candidate for each procedure. I was pre-diabetic. He indicated that if I had been full blown diabetic, he would not do a band on me, due to the ability of bypass to basically end diabetes within a few weeks.

For me, it has worked out very well, I do not regret my decision a bit. If VSG had been available I don't know what I would have done. It also seems very drastic. It is also very new in my mind, and doesn't have the long-term data that bypass does for such a drastic surgery.

I didn't want to have to adapt too quickly to a new me. I wanted to be able to go at my own pace and slowly ease into a new life. I also knew about the complications with other surgeries, and I didn't want to subject myself to that so early on in my adult life.

I am 63 and thought the other options sounded way to scary for me. I worried that I wouldn't be able to recover well. This is a much more healthy option with less chance of complications.

My husband was nervous about the other options too.

I liked the idea the band could be reversed and then hearing my Dr say they would only support the Lapband because of complications with other options made my choice clear.

Gastric bypass was out of the question for me. It has major mal-absorpion issues which I would worry about when I get in my 70's or 80's. I wont have to worry about that with the lapband.

Thanks everyone for you answers, It really helps to have input from people who have been/are in the same shoes :-)