Just wondering what made you choose banding vs. bypass? I am researching weight loss surgery for myself, and I am leaning towards banding. Anyone viewing here who choose bypass?

Laura

For me, the surgery is way too drastic and I didn't feel comfortable with it. Also, you have to eliminate certain foods completely and I don't think I can do that. Finally, I saw people gain weight after having gastric bypass (stretching their stomachs?) and I knew that would happen to me.

I prefer the lapband because I can control how much restriction I have and if I start to gain I know I can re-evaluate what I'm doing and perhaps get another fill.

I too felt the bypass was just too much. The biggest drawback for me, postsurgery, was the supplements bypass people need to take for the rest of their lives. I know I would not be very compliant with that. Since you are researching, weigh all the pros and cons and decide what YOU can live with. Be honest with yourself and that will help you decide what surgery, if any, is right for you. Good Luck!

This decision was one of the hardest...it was harder than deciding that I even needed/wanted to have any wls surgery. Basically because I wasn't sure I could lose enough weight with the band as opposed to the bypass. But, 135 lbs later I know I made the right decision for myself. I hope you find the answer that works best for you too. Good luck!

I felt that gastric bypass was a drastic and it seemed to me that it was more for people over 350 pounds (since the weight comes off really fast post op I didn't think I needed that quick a change)...which I started at 280lbs (my own personal opinion). Plus being in my early twenties and my husband and I do plan on having children when we both finish with graduate school (about 4-5 years). I felt that cutting of the intestinal tract was also scary and knowing that I can contribute some self control felt that cutting into my gastrointestinal tract would pose too much a risk. Plus the actual procedure was less risky than the lap band I thought.

Although in some ways GBS is rather low maintanence in the long run, not having to have fillings or withdrawls. I'm curious to see why people chose GBS rather than lap band. They each have their ups and downs. You just have to find one you're comfortable with.

I don't want to reinvent the wheel (my intestines). The wheel isn't broken. Too much food is the problem, so that's the problem I want to fix. The lap band will help me do that. I don't see a need to take it further than that. I'm not a rush to lose all my weight either. I think I'll look and feel better by losing at a more moderate pace, which is what the lapband helps us to do.

Good luck.

Debbie

Laura, you're not likely to get much response here from people who chose bypass. This is LBT, dedicated to issues surrounding banding. We all have reasons for choosing banding--mine were much like others mentioned here, safety, sanity, moderation--and you'll hear many stories about why people decided for banding. For stories about why people chose bypass you'll do much better somewhere else. Try Obesityhelp.com for a start.

Laura,

I can help! My husband and I both needed to do something about our weight and our health. We had tried many "diets" without doing well enough to say they would work for the rest of our lives. We both are diabetics, he was about 150 lbs overweight and I am about 100 lbs overweight. He thought a pop with cherry flavor is a fruit and corn and potato is a vegetable. He did not and would not try to understand eating right. He still argues with me what a Protein is! Now me, I am a nurse and understood a bit more about nutrition I just like to eat! So that is a short history of us.

On September 21, 2006, he had a RNY, gastric bypass. He has now lost over 90 lbs. He feels the results! It is obvious to him now that the weight was killing him. It took drastric results to figure out what a protein was and that the weight was killing him even though the food was great! Me on the other hand, I felt the GB was a little drastic for a person like myself (smart and all, haha) anyway I felt I didnt need the immediate results that he needed. He needed a slap in the face and got it! He now is the most compliant person with his diet! Yes, he has to do the protein, Vitamin, Calcium and vitamin B supplements for the rest of his life, yes he has dumping syndrome and yes he needed the rapid weight loss so he could SEE the results instead of being patient and knowing the results. Plus, he could take off work for 6 weeks to recover and I only had two weeks to do this in!

That in a nutshell was what helped in our decisions and I hope it helps you. I know we both will do well now and we both made the right decisions. If for some reason I ever need the slap in the face like him, I can still have the GB.

Good Luck in your decision. Melanie

The only reason why I didn't have gastric bypass was I didn't want everything rerouted. I also wanted to still eat sweets and drink alcohol. Good luck with your decision.

My wife had the bypass 2 years ago and I was banded 2 weeks ago. Each procedure requires certain responsibilties for how you will live your life going forward.

My wife is very structured and takes her supplements without fail EVERY DAY. She has been successful with the procedure losing 115 pounds. With the bypass surgery, generally, it's get the surgery and move on knowing that there are certain dietary restrictions, sugars carbs etc "dumping"

The bypass for me is too rigid a lifestyle from watching my wife's experience. Having the band, there are maintenance issues - fills etc. but dietary intake is a bit more liberal with the exception of carbonated beverages and I like the option of it being reversable should I ever need to remove it.

You need to ask yourself honestly, are you prepared to take supplements everyday more than once a day and be restricted by certain foods for the rest of your life for the bypass or get banded and have periodic fills etc.

I chose banding mainly because it makes you feel full faster which is what I need the most without rearranging all of your insides. I needed a fairly quick recovery time because of my life style and I was glad that the procedure is reversible in case of complications. That's about it for me!

My Dr. has done 500+ RNY surgeries and around 20 LB.

I origionally went to the info seminar to get info on the RNY. During my consultation the Dr. suggested the LB. I have fewer than 100 lbs. to lose and he felt that the RNY was just too drastic,

and my sister has Chrohn's disease. Even though I don't and probably never will get it, he still wouldn't do the RNY because of that.

I need to do this. I've seen such results from the people on this forum and the before and after pics keep me inspired.

Hoping to get a surgery date in Feb/March

Actually, it is an excellent question to ask here because I was wondering the same thing. Sometimes I wonder if I should of waited out the list of gastric bypassers and just done that, but after weighing out the pro's and con's , i realized the good choice.

Gastric bypass is quick, and it's great for people who want results fast, but then what happens when the weight comes back on? Your stomach stretches, it's not adjustable. Lapband comes off slowly, but in the end, the weight doesn't come back and even if it does, you can always adjust your band, which is great. In the end, the results will come and with both, the surgery is just a tool. It's just a matter of how patient you are. Plus, this is way safer.