I'm considering bariatric surgery (lap band). I found three doctors in my area who perform the surgery. Did you visit several doctors before you made your final choice? How did you narrow it down to one? The doctors that I found conduct free orientation sessions, but charge a fee for the initial visit.

I think he point was the question was not posed to get a lapband bashing session going. I think the question was posed to give them an idea of how we picked our surgeons. so if you failed at the band or the band supposedly failed you it's not your mission to scare anyone away from one surgery or the other. There are plenty of long time band patients here who can testify to their success, after you have a sleeve for 14 or15 years you can let us know how that's working for you. Hopefully you will be successful , but please be considerate of the other people here who are happy and healthy and don't enjoy negativity.

And I don't bash them, i had one that was wonderful until it wasn't. It's a choice. I just think a person should research thoroughly.

I did my research and have had Family & friends that have had all different wls so I did my research & went to 3 different seminars to make sure of what I wanted & I watched & talked with these people family & friends to know what the differences were and what they had to do , so the ones I knew that were close I asked them what care their Surgeons had , then I looked up the surgeons to find out MY Surgeon only had one death and it was not because of his care it was because the person was not honest about their health and it was on the news , also one of the Seminars I went to the Surgeon wanted $8.000.00 out of pocket & up front before he would even consider me , so I asked a friend I know & I went to her Surgeon & have been making payments , also I didn't like the idea of either rerouting or part of my insides (Stomach) being taken out , the Band is reversible so if anything would have happened I could have it taken out , so that's why I chose MY Surgeon & I am VERY HAPPY I MADE THE CHOICE to have the band.

When i decided that i wanted to have surgery i first did extensive reasearch on all the different types of surgeries and ultimately decided on the sleeve (which i LOVE and couldnt be happier, yesterday was exactly a month post op and 30 lbs down) , then i called my insurance company to see if they had any bariatric doctors that were in my network, they gave me few doctors, i went to my first free consultation and right then and there i fell in love with the entire office and just knew that i didnt need to go anywhere else. I cannot say enough about my surgeon, she has to be the nicest person i have ever met as is her entire staff ( which are all females which was very comforting to me) so if you have insurance i would call them up and see if they can give you some names. Best decision i have ever made soo happy ????

I went to mexico because my insurance didn't cover the surgery. I knew several people that had used the surgeon I went to. I did my research and scheduled my appt.

I hope if you choose the band that you have great success. And if not you have the choice to remove it and choose a different surgery. Best of luck with you weight loss. Every method had its risks and successes.

I hope if you choose the band that you have great success. And if not you have the choice to remove it and choose a different surgery. Best of luck with you weight loss. Every method had its risks and successes.

Thanks so much! I'll be sure to keep you posted whichever way I decide to go.

I am banded and I love it. No problems at all, weight is being lost steadily, I feel terrific.

I made an error in my first choice of surgeon. Decided to go wtih a commercial/private lap-band company who cannot be mentioned as they enjoy the threat of suing - they have commercials all over the place in Canada - very cute, very misleading. I was in a high-pressure sales situation and signed on as I had reached the point of desperation.

Long story short, within a month of my surgery date I came across an horrific article outlining how their chief bariatric surgeon had been removed from his post to be desciplined and re-trained. (!) I quickly pulled the plug and did some HARD research. Used the good folks in this forum for recommendations.

Came across my FANTASTIC surgeon - Dr. Colbourn - by word of mouth through this forum. Looked him up, stalked him, learned he had performed over 5000 lap band surgeries. VERY experienced, great team (nutritionists, nurses, etc), great follow up, great consult... and boom, I was banded.

Down almost 50 pounds 5 months later. I LOVE MY BAND. I feel simply terrific, I have had no complications, and the weight is coming off. I am so happy with my results thus far, and delighted with my surgeon.

Bottom line: DO YOUR RESEARCH. Ask your surgeon all the questions you want and for GOd's sake don't rush in to a decision as I did with the first company (who I then dumped, thank goodness).

Well hello all, I've just joined here and I too am having trouble choosing a surgeon I guess part of it is fear yes you will read comments some showing success some not but yes we are all different and we will react differently I hear a lot of people saying they can no longer digest bread, and I've an extreme love of all things carbs which you could say is responsible for me in this situation now I never thought I would be considering such a drastic level as I've been trying everything I can to lose weight for the past couple of years I hired a personal trainer trained 4 times a week worked hard but never been able to sustain this Its frustrating really as I found this particularly difficult and now I'm about to embark on another "challenge" the lapband is appealing to me as it is less evasive and you have potential to lose a lot of weight with this,

Wow! The weight loss stats for the lapbanders and sleevers who responded to this post are amazing! I'm about 80% sure that I want to go with the lap band. My biggest concerns with the lap band is my body rejecting it and the possibility of erosion. My biggest concerns with the sleeve is that it's too new and isn't reversible if there's a complication. I have one more orientation next week and then I'll choose my doctor.

I hear you about the band not being permanent and got the band 3 years ago. In 3 days I will be doing revision to sleeve. I lost 25 lbs with the band gained 75lbs after many fills and unfills. It's all about finding what works best for you and make sure to sit down with your surgeon once you have one identified and understand all aspects. Good luck in your journey.

Well hello all, I've just joined here and I too am having trouble choosing a surgeon I guess part of it is fear yes you will read comments some showing success some not but yes we are all different and we will react differently I hear a lot of people saying they can no longer digest bread, and I've an extreme love of all things carbs which you could say is responsible for me in this situation now I never thought I would be considering such a drastic level as I've been trying everything I can to lose weight for the past couple of years I hired a personal trainer trained 4 times a week worked hard but never been able to sustain this Its frustrating really as I found this particularly difficult and now I'm about to embark on another "challenge" the lapband is appealing to me as it is less evasive and you have potential to lose a lot of weight with this,

I'm a carboholic too. I'm banded 2 1/2 years and just know that there are plenty of carbs that go down real easy so understand you will still have to be vigilant and make the choice to eat less of some of the items you love. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth it? You bet.

Don't waste your time with the lap band. My surgeon doesn't even do then anymore. Read the band to sleeve forum for many more opinions on the band.

I had a band for several years...now having to do a revision to sleeve.

A lot of people are very successful with the band. I just got mine done, and I've lost almost 50 pounds. What do you mean by "don't waste your time?"

Unfortunately comments like "don't waste your time" are used on this site by someone who thinks they have the right to scare others regarding their decision on lapband. This same person said she doesn't bash the band but this statement is proof that she is. I think it's okay to tell your story but done with consideration of others would be nice. I guess my success with the band was a waste of time?

That is not the case you need to read everything I wrote on here on this thread.!

Don't try to turn my comment into something it is not.