Im so confused :help: I have researched forever, I thought I knew what was right. I thought I knew what I was doing. I still like the fact that the band is reversible if there are problems and not as major as the the bypass. I dont like the malobsorbtion (spelling?) of the bypass, and yes I hate the way I look and want to lose for appearence, I never had weight probs until after my 3rd child 14 years ago.And I always feel bad because of the weight. But most importantly I NEED to get the weight off due to health issues! My Dr. does and supports both surgeries. But he has picked up on my confussion and told me to think about it and make sure because the bypass will make me behave and it is faster and the band will take a lot of effort from me. He don't want me to go through surgery and not be happy with my results. He will support which ever I choose but wants me to be successful and satisfied. I have my date. I get banded on 6-18! If I stay with my decision I'm fine! Just need to schedual my pre op test and start my diet in 1 week, if I feel I need to go with the bypass then I need to re-submit to my insurance to see if they will approve. HELP :confused:

The only thing I like about the gastric bypass is the "free 100" this is the as I have heard 100lbs that come off effortlessly. Everything else scarred me: being cut and having my system altered, dumping syndrome, even (this is my thought) the stomach stretching again.

With the band I feel more in control and my system is not messed with and even though weight loss is slower I feel it maybe more permanent and it is reversible.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, everything helps! Hadn't heard about the free 100 but I knew that it comes off faster and without will power. Don't get me wrong here, I love the thoughts of the band. Thats why I'm here. Less complications, reversible, no cutting, less recovery time, no malabsorbtion. My mind was made up! I hate the thoughts off being cut, complications are more serious, the dumping, if you have health problems then thats too bad because its permanent. But at the same time, if I had a lot of long term will power to watch what I eat I wouldn't be overweight and I'm hearing that you have to have so much will power to succeed with the band. The Dr's just concerned that I'm going to go through surgery and then be dissatisfied.

I think that most people have difficulty with control... or else they wouldn't be getting it. Do you think he's trying to sway you to what he prefers? Go with your instinct.

It is normal to have second thoughts. I think we all did. Just go over all of the pros and cons again in your head. Or write them down on paper! You have to know yourself. Are you willing to work to lose the weight? You will have to measure your food, chew thoroughly, eat slower and make good food choices. Exercise is important, as is doctor follow-up care. Read through all of the threads here because some people have revised their band to RNY. It is a life-changing decision, so make sure to make the best choice for YOU.

Remember, you can have the band and if you arent' satisfied after a year of really working with it, you can always reconsider and have the bypass or the Gastric sleeve. Once you've had the bypass, you can never have it completely reversed. It may be right for you, but I know it's not right for me. I didn't gain 200lbs overnight, and I'm not going to lose it overnight.

just like any surgery - you can eat through it. My neighbor had Gastric Bypass 2 years ago. He dropped weight like mad - well over 200 lbs. he started out at 450. Well guess what - he is back to his original weight again. He didn't learn a damn thing. now he is back to where he was with anatomy that has been altered, eaten through his surgery and is on a downward spiral towards eating himself to death. The reason I am choosing banding over GB is that it seems that you have more options. Fill level, reversability (although one should consider it a permanent tool), safer, less side effects etc. To me GB wasn't worth the 1:200 mortality rate, nor was it worth the fact that it can't really be corrected. But in either case - you have to be mentally prepared for it. second thoughts and doubts are natural. Surround yourself with a support base to help you though the tough times and you will be fine. To anyone considering doing surgery - if don't think you can commit yourself to permanently changing your life then you arn't ready for surgery. Be ready and you will succeed.

After attending the seminar Iasked myself if I would be ok going to the mexican restaurant that I soooo love and not eat my usual and have to find a healthier replacement and eat a small portion at first it scared me a lot but a plate of food is not going to keep me in this hell that I live every day being obese.

I am ready to make the changes and the band is a tool that will make it easier.

Take your time and ask yourself a lot of questions and run through different scenarios and when you go to your favorite restaurant look at the healthier choices and see if you can live with them.

Doing all that has helped me with my decision to get the band and also the fact that because I am self pay and it took me a while to find the money(even re financing the house was not approved) made me realize how much I really want this and how ready I am.

I think that most people have difficulty with control... or else they wouldn't be getting it. Do you think he's trying to sway you to what he prefers? Go with your instinct.

I agree and I really think he is ok with the band, I just think he's picking up on my concerns. My problem is eating too much and for the wrong reasons which either surgery should restrict. But I also love sweets which the band can tolerate and the bypass can't. BUT I want the weight off so I don't think I'll have a problem. My instinct is saying band :confused:

It is normal to have second thoughts. I think we all did. Just go over all of the pros and cons again in your head. Or write them down on paper! You have to know yourself. Are you willing to work to lose the weight? You will have to measure your food, chew thoroughly, eat slower and make good food choices. Exercise is important, as is doctor follow-up care. Read through all of the threads here because some people have revised their band to RNY. It is a life-changing decision, so make sure to make the best choice for YOU.

Don't we have to do all of those things with either surgery? So why take the risk with bypass right !?

Remember, you can have the band and if you arent' satisfied after a year of really working with it, you can always reconsider and have the bypass or the Gastric sleeve. Once you've had the bypass, you can never have it completely reversed. It may be right for you, but I know it's not right for me. I didn't gain 200lbs overnight, and I'm not going to lose it overnight.

Thats true! And many people wind up having other health problems losing so fast.

just like any surgery - you can eat through it. My neighbor had Gastric Bypass 2 years ago. He dropped weight like mad - well over 200 lbs. he started out at 450. Well guess what - he is back to his original weight again. He didn't learn a damn thing. now he is back to where he was with anatomy that has been altered, eaten through his surgery and is on a downward spiral towards eating himself to death. The reason I am choosing banding over GB is that it seems that you have more options. Fill level, reversability (although one should consider it a permanent tool), safer, less side effects etc. To me GB wasn't worth the 1:200 mortality rate, nor was it worth the fact that it can't really be corrected. But in either case - you have to be mentally prepared for it. second thoughts and doubts are natural. Surround yourself with a support base to help you though the tough times and you will be fine. To anyone considering doing surgery - if don't think you can commit yourself to permanently changing your life then you arn't ready for surgery. Be ready and you will succeed.

Your right and I've seen that happen too. I know a few of people who have succeeded with the bypass some have had a few problems, some are gaining it back. I know one person who had the band and was successful but it kinked and she had to have it removed. She regrets nothing and wants the Dr to put one back it.

After attending the seminar Iasked myself if I would be ok going to the mexican restaurant that I soooo love and not eat my usual and have to find a healthier replacement and eat a small portion at first it scared me a lot but a plate of food is not going to keep me in this hell that I live every day being obese.

I am ready to make the changes and the band is a tool that will make it easier.

Take your time and ask yourself a lot of questions and run through different scenarios and when you go to your favorite restaurant look at the healthier choices and see if you can live with them.

Doing all that has helped me with my decision to get the band and also the fact that because I am self pay and it took me a while to find the money(even re financing the house was not approved) made me realize how much I really want this and how ready I am.

I Love mexican :confused: but I think I'll be ok. Another thing I think about is with the weight coming off slower I'm hoping to be able to firm more as I go! There have been a few cases that I know of where the patient lost about 45/50 lbs in the 4-6 weeks before the first fill then it slowed down. I hear everyone is different. Thanks everyone for your replys!!!! I'm sticking with the band.

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