Hi, I'm new here, my name is Suz. When my niece had gastric bypass 3 years ago I began thinking about doing it myself. I changed my mind for and against probably a hundred times. My brother had gastric bypass about 20 years ago and has gained back almost all the weight he lost, he's an idiot. My niece who was just as big as Carnie Wilson is now a size 8 and has not gained any weight in 3 years. My sister-in-law had RNY and looks great after 2 years. I decided to research WLS in earnest about 5 months ago. First my PCP was not on the same page so I found a new one. Where I live there aren't a lot of choices so it took me 2 months to find a new PCP. But this guy is on the ball. I've already had my sleep study, blood work, and first surgical consult. The surgeon said I was a poor candidate for bypass because I have Irritable bowel syndrome. So now I'm looking into lap band. I've read posts on lots of WLS boards. I've heard lots of good stories and lots of bad stories.I went to a RNY seminar when I was thinking about that, and now I am registered for a lap band seminar. I still don't know what to do, risk the RNY and hope my IBS won't object, or have the lap band and lose weight slowly. Please help. Sorry for rambling. Suz

I don't miss beer unless someone else is drinking it. I'm not even about to try a sip after what I've heard. Now if only other cocktails would be hard to handle, because after a stressful week, cocktails have no problem with me. Tho I'm not partaking these days, but I wish they'd hurt or something so I wouldn't feel I was missing them.

I did a lot of research because I take a lot of medication for health issues in addition to IBS. My family physician would not give me a recomendation for the gastric bypass. I am so glad I went with the band. The IBS is actually better. I really think if you try hard to diet you can lose weight quite quickly. I know many people who have had the bypass and now tell me they totally regret it. They wish they had the band. I see Dr. Cudjoe in Alma, MI. I am very pleased with him. He does require $1000, but as your insurance pays, you get it back. To me the safety of the band far outways the faster rate (for some) of the bypass.