Hi all,

I am obviously new here. I have been lurking for a few weeks though. I am just about finished all of my tests and DR visits that I need to begin the insurance request for the Lap Band. I went to the seminar last night and it scared the hell out of me. When I came home I got on the internet and now I am more confused than ever. I am just over 40BMI without any other health issues and was all set on the band but the little bites and cutting your meal into tiny pieces, no bread or buns forever kind of freaked me out. Then reading on I see that so many on other sites are so against bands now. They all say they erode and slip and so on. I am suppose to get the band plication and I picked it because of the least amount of risks. Do any of you regret your decisions. Can you ever not worry about getting stuck? I am more than willing to put in the work, I really just want a way back to life.

All I can say is the band has worked for me. Is one surgery better than the other? I honestly can't say. It has to be what surgery is best for you. I don't think the sleeve is a bed or roses either. WLS is tough and still requires work from the person getting it to be successful. The band is a tool and like any tool it can be abused. The main advantage of the band in my opinion is that it's adjustable. Currently I am a little on the loose side and last night I was able to eat a french dip sandwich so I can't say I NEVER eat bread or buns. Now I can't eat like that every day but it really depends on how tight I keep my band. There are definite downsides to the band such as chewing a bunch, getting stuck if you don't chew good enough, etc. but they are worth it for the weight loss in my opinion. I would definitely recommend spending time in some sleeve forums and get a feeling for what people b***h about in there to see what you might have to deal with. If I lost my band I can't say for 100% certainty that I would choose it again over the sleeve but I would still lean towards the band because I've had success with it. Anyone that says one surgery over another is better is blowing smoke up your ass. Each one has pros and cons and none of them are perfect. Keep researching and good luck!

At the end of the day, you have to decide which surgery is best for you. But, I urge you not to base that decision on anecdotal evidence on the internet. Research the facts on both surgeries.

It's unfortunate, but you will see a lot of band horror stories because patients go into the surgery totally ignorant to the facts or are simply not compliant with their doctor and the band rules. The fact is, the risk of serious complications with the band is only 5% if you're both band rule and doctor compliant. The rest of the people band bashing didn't have a band failure- they failed the band with their own behavior and mistakes.

Here's a study you might find helpful. It states the 5% complication statistic but also that long term weight loss with the band is comparable to other WLS: http://www.futurity....p-band-surgery/

As far as no buns or breads forever- that's not true. I eat both regularly with no problems.

On a personal note, I positively love my band. I have lost 227 pounds in the last 19 months. I've gone from a size 46W to a size 14. I've lost 87% of my excess weight and I'm still actively losing. For me, deciding to get the band is the best decision I've ever made.

Best wishes on whatever you decide is best for you.

band worked and is still working for me and all my friends that had LB are still going strong, except for my sister in law. She got her band in Mex and had nothing but problems. She just revised to GB. I hate to be a debbie downer... but three weeks ago i had supper with her. We stopped at Taco Bell (yuck) but that's what was available at the time, anywho.... i had pintos and cheese and a scoop of ground beef... she had the new smothered burrito and ate the whole thing... I don't see this surgery lasting long either... Just saying.

Three friends had the sleeve, one had it done 5 years ago and has gained about 50lbs back of the 100 she lost. One only lost about 50 of the 100 she said she needed to lose and the last friend just had it done in Feb and ended up in the hospital in March and had to have a stint put in due to complications.

I know this is not related, but, four of my friends had the GB done. Two have gained all the weight back, one is on her way and the other is doing great.

Thank you for all of your comments. This is such a huge decision I really want to make sure I make the right one.