I am going to have gastric weight loss surgery in the next couple months. I have been doing the classes with Kaiser, who I have my ins. with. I am hearing rumors from class members and nurses, that there are quite a few problems with the band. I have heard that there is a 25 percent failure rate, and they are undoing almost as many as they are doing.

I have only 60-70 lbs. to loose, and I really don't want to have a bypass ( my only other option ) as I fear loosing too much weight and looking older, as I am in my 60's now. I am also concerned about the malabsorption issues and the 'dumping syndrome' that comes with the bypass.

I would be very grateful to hear some feedback about this.

Thanks a bunch

Rita

My bestfriend is going through Kaiser.I think this is about money.from my understanding Although kaiser offers Lapband they actually contract the service out if u chose it so they lose money.the bypass and sleeve is done in house by kaiser so they save money. For an unbiased opinion try looking at the charts on trueresults.com.they outline each procedure risks and benefits.

http://www.trueresults.com/weight-loss-surgeries

I know this is a really tough decision no matter what u chose.But it's up to u to make the choice that's right for u.one thing I want to touch on is, u said that their are many cases where the Lapband is being " undone"for me that's one of the main reasons why I chose it.because it didn't permanent alter or remove any part of my body.there are many other reasons some u may find in the charts.if u have any other thoughts or question myself as well as many others are ready to share more of our story and answer any questions.GoodLuck !

Pre op 3/23/12 wt 339

Banded4/6/12 weight 325

May 31st wt 303 lbs

Yep, I chose lap-band because it could be undone, if necessary!! I hope it's not necessary, but I just couldn't imagine something as drastic as gastric bypass with all the malabsorption issues and dumping, not to mention, it can't be undone!

One thing I have learned is that the majority of Lap-Band failures aren't band failures at all, but people failure. Not changing their eating habits, not getting adequately filled, or remained over-filled, or drinking carbonation. It's true that once in awhile something does go wrong with the band by no fault of the person, but that is the exception not the rule.

Statistically speaking, only 8.6% of Lap-Band patients have complications that are no fault of their own. That's a very small percentage.

Don't be mislead by anecdotal evidence and people trying to talk you out of it for the wrong reasons. Be it Lap-Band or Gastric Bypass, the choice is yours, just make the choice based on facts.

Thank you all so much for the great advice and suggestions. I had a suspicion that there was a financial motivation with Kaiser. It seems that all health care now days is based on the bottom line. This will definitely help me with my decision.

Good luck to you all.

Rita

I love all the answers you got. I also am in my 60's. I just turned 64, I have the band since 2/2/10. so it is about 2 years 4 months. In 15 months I lost 89 lbs. I lost weight slowly, compared to others who had the surgery the same time. I think if you do not follow the rules, eat too much, eat too fast you might throw up all the time. But I would rather have lapband than gastric bypass. I have lots of pals who had gastric by pass and they gained 1/2 of their weight back if not more. For the amount of weight that yoiu want to lose. Lapband will be great. Friend me. Ilene

Not sure if you are still reading but just wanted you to know I want to multiple seminars over a period of more than a year - both gastric bypass seminars and lap band. I have two in-real-life friends that have been banded and one friend, an aunt, and a neighbor who had gastric bypass. Four years later my aunt has gained more than half her weight back. Two years in my friends with lap band have lost an equal amount (about 100ish) to our other bypassed friend. The banded friends both have less saggy skin than our bypass friend. My neighbor had bypass just a few months ago and has already lost 75 pounds and looks amazing (but I am guessing a LOT of saggy skin).

I am self pay so band appeals because it's cheaper but mostly I just wanted to do the right thing, the best long term thing. After all the seminars and stories I chose lap band and I feel really peaceful and confident about my decision. My favorite term I've heard though is that this is a TOOL. I'm changing my life as well as my body. I've been working on eating already the right foods, gotten into a regular exercise program (crossfit) and am trying to get the life I know I'll need to make the band a success.

Good luck in whatever you choose but I really think the lap band is just as successful long term as the bypass - and I too like that it can be removed if necessary.

I personally know more people who have failed with gastric bypass than with lapband. But with both options, the people I know failed because they didn't do what they were supposed to after surgery (eating too much and the wrong things), there were no complications with the surgeries themselves or the products.

I too was on the verge of being a lapband "failure", and it was all my fault! Thank goodness I caught myself and am back with the program! Like with any weightloss program, it is not a quick nor easy fix and it takes work and responsibility on the patient's part! Good luck!

To all you great Bandsters that have replied to me with your awesome and very helpful responses. I feel so supported by all of you. I think I have made up my mind that the LapBand is the right decision for me.

To' bigenuff'... I loved the site you referred me to and found all the answers I needed there. I knew I had to get out of the Kaiser rhetoric to get my answers. Please continue to refer others to that site. I am also going to pass the info my fellow per-surgery friends.

To Cindysmom...Hurrah for you! I am so inspired. I think loosing slower especially at our age is the secret. And a better way to ensure long term success. I will know in a week or two my surgery date. Will keep in touch. Not sure how to work the site yet, but will friend you as I move ahead.

Thanks for all the help

To all you great Bandsters that have replied to me with your awesome and very helpful responses. I feel so supported by all of you. I think I have made up my mind that the LapBand is the right decision for me.

To' bigenuff'... I loved the site you referred me to and found all the answers I needed there. I knew I had to get out of the Kaiser rhetoric to get my answers. Please continue to refer others to that site. I am also going to pass the info my fellow per-surgery friends.

To Cindysmom...Hurrah for you! I am so inspired. I think loosing slower especially at our age is the secret. And a better way to ensure long term success. I will know in a week or two my surgery date. Will keep in touch. Not sure how to work the site yet' date=' but will friend you as I move ahead.

Thanks for all the help[/quote']

CONGRATULATIONS !! You will have a lot of support here and some tough love when u need it !! Please let us know as your process starts . Also many of us are on "my fitness pal" where we track our food and exercise.if ur not there please go it's another level of help and accountability .my name is the same on that site Bigenuff u can add me as a friend. and anyone else on this post can add me if u r on MFP .Good luck to you !!

I have had my band 5 yrs next week and I love it! I don't think it works well for binge eaters and that's just my opinion. I lost 110 lbs. I am also pushing 58. I wouldn't worry about losing too much because the band can be adjusted, the main reason I like it. You can still eat everything but not too much! My advise is to get tight enough to eat what you want but not too much. I think most that fail is because it is not tight enough. The other reason the dont succeed is they do everything possible to eat & to eat the wrong foods! Soft high calorie foods will let you eat or drink a lot of empty calories!

Good luck to you!

I would be glad to answer any questions that you may have.

Dorene