When I went to my seminar and also my first appt w/surgeon, I felt he was trying to direct me more towards the bypass (then the lap band which is what I want). He said I'd lose (more) than on the lap band.

Anyone else have that? What are your thoughts either way?

My doctor seemed to lean more towards bypass because weight loss was faster. He said you have to work harder and exercise with band. After going back and forth for several months I opted for the band. Just didn't want my insides rearranged. I know you hear a lot of problems with the band, but I have also heard of a lot of problems down the line with bypass. I guess nothing is perfect.

Gastric you traditionally lose more weight and don't really need followup care. With the band, you have to go in for followup care for fills, etc. If you feel you'd be better off getting a one stop procedure, the gastric is the way to go. If you are willing to put the time in and religiously go to your Dr's for fills, then do the band.

Obviously each procedure has its positives and negatives. You need to research both and see what seems like the best procedure for you. Everyone is so different.

I personally couldn't justify cutting up and permanently changing healthy organs when Lap-Band is an option. If for some reason Lap-Band didn't work for me, only then would I consider gastric bypass or the sleeve.

Considering I've lost almost 50 pounds and just had the surgery Jan.6th, I'm thrilled with my choice to get banded so far.

yes, I had this same experience. I told my doctor I would prove him wrong. He told me I would only lose about 50-60 pounds and it would take a long time. He told me I would be unhappy, and not nearly as successful as the bypass. Well, I did prove him wrong, and continue to on a daily basis. don't let your doctor scare you away from what you want. If you follow through with all the things you need to do with your band, you will be successful.

To be totally honest, Your weight loss is really determined by your level of dedication to a life style change. You can lose as much as you want (healthy levels of course) If you stick to the doctors orders. I started at 356 pounds Sept 1st 2011, today I am 236. My surgery date was Oct 25th 2011.

I'm told that with the bypass you lose more weight more quickly than with the band, but after three years the total weight loss is about the same. Many doctors recommend the bypass when they feel that the excess weight is currently endangering the patient's health - severe breathing problems or intractable high blood pressure, for example. Otherwise, it's up to you, as long as the bypass is done laparoscopically. The open surgery method is too dangerous, and I don't know if any surgeons are actually doing it anymore.

I straight out asked my surgeon which one he would recommend, and he wouldn't say one over the other. I did get the feeling he would have recommended bypass but stopped short of it. My insurance will cover most of the banding but nothing for bypass so that was a deciding point for me. I also feel I need the follow up required with the band to help me stay on track long term.

I was banded in AUG 2011.. so far only lost 39 lbs..I really would've preferred a larger weight loss. but... slow and steady I guess... Ialso work out three times per week. With the band though, you can basically eat anything.. which might get you in trouble..you have to change your way of life..regardless of which surgery you choose..GOOD LUCK!

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I was also lead to believe the Bypass would be better for me but I was self pay and could not afford it much more than the LapBand. I might would have done it if I could have just because I wanted something done.

But now 2½ years later and down 84 lbs and an easy journey, I am so glad I did not chose to have my insides all cut up. I feel I would be one of those people who would not get all the nutrition and Vitamins I would have needed.

Tonight on TLC (Wednesday) they have a program call “My 600 lb Story” tonight is the last one. But there have been 4 more before this and they take someone more than 600 lbs and they show them having the bypass and then they followed them for 7 years and show their ups and down and struggles. They go year by year each year telling how much was loss or regained year after year for 7 years. They show them when the are having excess skin removed and in the hospital for some setback. It is a very very good show. The people in the story are very honest and from what I have seen it is not an easy road to go down.

I am so happy I had the LapBand over the Bypass. But I have met some people who did not do good with the Band and revised to bypass or sleeve.

Cheri

Initially, after attending the bariatric surgery seminar that my surgeon conducted, I was strongly considering gastric bypass, primarily because of the beneficial outcomes information that was presented. Based on the data he has collected, he said gastric bypass patients could expect to lose 70% of their excess body weight within a one to two year time period while lap band patients could expect to lose 40% of their excess body weight.

Since then, I have met with my surgeon twice over a two-year time period. Both times, he recommended the band for me. I told him I want to lose more than 40% of my excess weight and asked what I needed to do to achieve this. He basically said to educate myself well. I already walk fives miles daily and am a rule-follower.

I also met with a dietician twice over a two-year time period. Each time, I explained to her that I eat fairly healthy but am obese because I eat way too much. Based on the facts I gave her, she thought I would be successful with the band. She said her patients who are unsuccessful with the band tend to drink their calories and don't follow the rules.

Additionally, I talked to the psychologist about my personality. Long story-short, she said I was the ideal candidate for the band, based on my personality.

I have done a lot of reading and have asked many questions, yet I still agonize at times about whether I am making the best decision. The only thing I've concluded is that there is no way I can determine in advance which procedure is truly the best for me. Therefore, I have decided I trust my surgeon and am choosing the band.

There are many at this forum who have been very successful with the band. And they inspire me greatly. I read almost every post submitted and consequently have gained a wealth of knowledge. I've considered WLS since June 2009, and although at this point I am simultaneously excited and scared, I am also hopeful and ready to proceed.

Gather information from as many reliable sources as you can, and you, too, will be able to make a decision that's comfortable for you.

My surgeon did try to talk to me about the sleeve, but I shot her down pretty quickly and said I was not interested in cutting out a huge part of my anatomy while there was a less severe option available. I think on the Dr's mind is that they want you to lose the most weight possible, and when they see larger people (I was 110-120lb overweight when I started), they want to give them the fastest and most result producing procedure. They also want you to be successful, because even if you mess up your WLS by doing/eating the wrong things, it still reflects on them.

I knew for myself that I can lose the weight- I'm still very young and motivated. I have had no problem losing 40lbs in the past with a simple change in exercise/eating, and I think the band will keep me going in a downward direction. I would honeslty be happy an 80lb loss, even though I really want to lose it all!

WOW. Your replies were awesome. I read all with an eager mind *and will read any more that come along*.