Hey just was wondering about weight loss with the lap band. My doctor said generally anywhere from 80 to 100 lb weight loss with the lapband, and lap band is what she is recomending, but i need to lose about 145 lbs. Can I do that with lap band or do i need to see about gastric bypass? I don't know a whole lot and am still researching both. also my left kidney quit due to kidney infections as a child, would that have any affect on getting either? Thanks

I am not sure about the effect of your kidney---and I am no expert on lapband, but for me personally I would never consider gastric bypass. In my opinion it is too invasive and permanent. I am being banded on May 31 and I have 110lbs to lose and I believe I can lose every bit of it. It will take lots of exercise and strict compliance to the post op lapband diet, but I have faith that with the band as my tool I can finally achieve my weightloss goals. I have never felt so optimistic and I believe that God is leading me and has given this option to me as a solution for my life long struggles with weight. Good luck and I hope you decide to get the band.

Thank you jfran, i appreciate the comment, i am really struggling with this decision, and don't know what to do, but I do believe God will show me which way to go.

Robbie, take some time and look around the board, there are some sticky threads here about large amounts of weight either lost or to be lost. One is about bandsters with a BMI over 50, and one is about those who have lost over 100lbs. It is certainly possible to lose that with the band.

I would not consider RNY either, for sooooo many reasons. I figure if I have 160lbs to lose, and I lose 100 of it and keep it off, then I'm that much farther ahead of the game. RNy is great for fast loss, but the reality is that four years or so out, RNY and Lapband begins to equal out. And with bypass (RNY) your body eventually learns how to get past the malabsorption and the weight starts coming back on.

Thanks faith, I will look around and read some more. I just want to make the right decision, and be happy with my choice. Banding is sounding more like my type of thing than gastric bypass though.