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Lapband Vs. Gastric Bypass



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Hey everyone!

I have my first Dr's appointment on Friday. My surgeon does both procedures (Gastric, and banding), and I haven't completely decided which one I would like to do. I've thought about all the pro's and cons, and I still can't make up my mind.

The main reason why I would go with gastric is that you don't have to go back to the Dr. for maintenance. But, both surgeries scare me because of band slippage, and with gastric you can have leakage through the staples after surgery.

This will be my first major surgery, and I think that's where most of my fear is coming from. Any advice, or insight on your experience would be appreciated!

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Listen to what your doctor has to say; obviously if he does both he'll be able to advise you best! I liked the band because I didn't alter my anatomy and it can be removed if necessary. I'm in Canada and neither is covered by insurance so....I think also depending on the amount you have to lose, if you have more he may recommend the gastric.

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Luckily I have military insurance, and they will fully cover both surgeries! I'll definitely be bringing that up when I speak to him. Thanks!

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Listen to what your doctor has to say; obviously if he does both he'll be able to advise you best! I liked the band because I didn't alter my anatomy and it can be removed if necessary. I'm in Canada and neither is covered by insurance so....I think also depending on the amount you have to lose, if you have more he may recommend the gastric.

This is the main reason I am getting the band, if I were to choice the bypass or sleeve they are removing things that you can't get back. Read as much as you can and if you have questions for your doctor maybe write them down, I know if I don't I will forget!!

Good luck!!

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You are young, so my biggest concern would be going the next 60 years of my life with only half of my stomach. There is no going back. With the band you have time. Most likely you will be a sucess and won't have any set backs, but if you do.the band is removable.

Since you are in your child bearing years you will be able to have the Fluid removed while pregnant and then filled again when ready. I would worry about the malabsorption issues there may be when pregnant and having a bypass or sleeve.

lastly, since you don't have hundreds of pounds to lose, I think the band would be a better choice....Slow and steady is a munch better plan.

My 2 cents worth.

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I have a sister who had bypass, she is now going to do lapband over it. So no surgery is fail safe. I am a quantity eater so lapband worked for me as it is a tool that also says stop or else. I like that our body still gets good nutrition. I like the fact it can be unfilled or reversed in the event a health issue arises (cancer,etc) this is crazy but I have kids and I liked the mortality rate lower with lp.

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Your surgeon can help you make the decision that fits you:)

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What maintainance? When I read about possible monthly Iron infusions because of anemia and malnutrition, beri beri, nerve damage (numbness)in your extremeties, reactive hypoglcemia, seizures, strictures, ulcers etc., etc. associated with the bypass surgery, all of the emergency room hostpital stays, doctor visits those problems entail, I will do my lap band maintainance, happily. You are going to have monthly check up anyway the first year. That is when you get your fills. I haven't had a fill in years. Please do your research then make an informed decision.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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