I am in the very beginning stages of perusing weight loss surgery with Kaiser. I haven't started the 12 week program of classes so I am still in the dark on all my options. My own research has led me to believe that Gastric seems to result in more weight loss than LapBand. I was wondering if you have been banded, how did you decide to go with that versus gastric? Are you losing the weight you wanted? Does it come to a stop after a certain point? Any information and personal experiences will greatly help! Also are the long term effects less severe with the band?

I wasn't referring to this procedure. This ( I think ) is referencing just the stitching of a portion of the stomach around the band to secure it. I had that done. I was referring to a complete stomach plication where they sew your stomach in on itself to simulate a sleeve...in addition to banding. From everything I have read and seen, it has been very effective. Just my opinion.

oh I see, that sounds like it would be. I hadn't heard of that! I misunderstood you...my apologies

because i have the lap band and plication...17 months post op...145 pounds loss

My apologies, I am a full supporter of the lap band. I did not understand that there is 2 types of plication. Did you get the type where they staple the stomach on itself to simulate a sleeve???

My apologies, I am a full supporter of the lap band. I did not understand that there is 2 types of plication. Did you get the type where they staple the stomach on itself to simulate a sleeve???

it was sutured, no staples...no idea about the resembling a sleeve part..i posted a couple pics of it on my blog during my barium swallow xray..i was told it makes my stomach smaller and it helps me eat less (with the band helping it)..i signed a waiver for it from my dr and my results are recorded....this being said, my dr said if i didnt change what i ate, started to exercise, no wls would work.....

I am in the very beginning stages of perusing weight loss surgery with Kaiser. I haven't started the 12 week program of classes so I am still in the dark on all my options. My own research has led me to believe that Gastric seems to result in more weight loss than LapBand. I was wondering if you have been banded, how did you decide to go with that versus gastric? Are you losing the weight you wanted? Does it come to a stop after a certain point? Any information and personal experiences will greatly help! Also are the long term effects less severe with the band?

You mention:

My own research has led me to believe that Gastric seems to result in more weight loss than LapBand

You are correct, overall the Gastric Bypass is DESIGNED for quick weight loss due to the malabsorption, and overall MORE Bypass people lose quicker and more weight loss than Lap band patients.

So you SHOULD NOT COMPARE the Lap band and Bypass in terms of weight loss because they are VERY DIFFERENT PROCEDURES.

However, Many lap band patients DO lose as quicker and as MUCH as any Bypass patient IF they go into this focused, exercise daily and eat a very low calorie, low carb diet.

So in other words, you have to WORK YOUR BAND HARD to get the same results as a Bypass patient in the first year, some people have stronger metabolisms than others so each banded person results will differ, also if you start off very heavy, you will lose quicker with the band anyway, the smaller you are with ANY weight loss surgery the slower your weight loss will be.

Also many don't choose the Lap band over the Bypass because of "FAST" weight loss, many choose the Lap band because they DO NOT want to deal with life time problems of malabsoprtion, dumping syndrome and hypoglycemia long term.

Also, after about 2-3 years after the Bypass the malabsorption of calories STOP and MANY bypass people gain back weight, and MANY NEED the Lap band over their bypass LONG TERM to maintain that weight loss, you can google or research that, and even tho they can easily gain back weight due to a stretched pouch, they STILL HAVE TO TAKE Vitamins and can have Vitamin deficiencies for the rest of their life.