Hello all,

I am supposed to have Lapband surgery next month (waiting on cardiac clearance), but I am stuck between lapband and the gastric bypass (no final decision has been made as to which one I want yet). Initially, I was aiming for the bypass, but changed my mind because of the drastic weight loss it causes. I am currently 222lbs with hypertension and I am wondering how much of a drastic change it would be if I considered doing the bypass as oppose to the band? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Lapband.... after talking to my surgeon, he said the only reason doctors are phasing them out is time and money.

Too much aftercare for the doctors.

Why take out 80% of your stomach if not needed.

It can't be reversed....

I hope you had a great new year. Yes, I do agree with you. I feel the weight is more controlled with the lap and as oppose to dropping dramatically with the bypass. I'm still stuck between the two. I meet with the nutritionist/psychologist this week, so I'll see what happens. Thank you so much for your feedback!

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I don't know anyone with a band longer than 5 yrs that hadn't had to have it replaced or removed.

For that reason it was not an option for me, I had no desire to have to do this again. I had the sleeve done.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello,

Yes I have heard of people having it removed/replaced. Definitely weighing the pros and cons. I hope you had a great new year.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

lapband is great if your willing to do the work involved its not a quick fix it will take alot of effort on your part i got the band in nov 2012 and lost 110 pound and have kept it off. because i do the work i have not been back to see the dr for a fill in 3 1/2 years

That is amazing! Great job! I agree, it's definitely not a quick fix, but I feel somewhat more comfortable with the lapband then the other procedures. Also, there are horror stories that are terrifying me, so I am so stuck between all of them. I feel I would have more control of the lapband though. I hope you had a nice new year.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

@@cruehead - great to read. The gastric band has been in the USA since 2001 and is an FDA approved WLS and popular with many people. So often people bash the band. It is great to read your success. I love my band.

Banded 10/12/16

So great to hear that. Thank you so much for the feedback. I hope you had a great new year.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I don't know anyone with a band longer than 5 yrs that hadn't had to have it replaced or removed.

For that reason it was not an option for me, I had no desire to have to do this again. I had the sleeve done.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I personally know people who have had lapband surgery over 10 years without issue. Every surgery has the possibility of issues that are related to having any type of surgery. Someone who develops scar tissue and the band sticks to the liver or stomach would have the issue with scar tissue with any surgery. Each body responds differently to surgery, and their appendix removal surgery can cause the same issue.

Banded 10/12/16

That is very interesting. Thank you so much for the information. I hope you had a great new year.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Thanks, yours too, It was hard not to eat, I cooked dinner and had my children sampling for flavor, but im glad its over, my bypass is zcheduled for 1/5 and clrarl liquid diet starts 1/3, pray for me.

Sent from my SM-G550T using the BariatricPal App

You did it! I will pray for you! Please let me know how everything goes! I know you're going to do great!

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

If you're unsure you should really talk to your surgeon. It's a personal choice based on your circumstances and surgeon recommendations.

That being said, I personally would not go with the band. The people who do not have issues long term seem to be the exception, not the rule. All WLS will only succeed with compliance to your plan, however I've heard too many horror stories about the band and listened to my surgeon when he said that they are phasing them out almost everywhere due to the complications (most not related to compliance, like having the material fuse to liver and organs and slipping/erosion.) the sheer amount of revisions and maintenance necessary was enough to tip the scales for me as well. On top of that I know people who have struggled to get a revision to bypass or sleeve because insurance does not want to cover a second surgery.

I'm not knocking anyone who chooses the band, these are my personal opinions and personal recommendations from my surgeon who does not band people any longer for ethical reasons.

Good luck in whatever you choose!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello,

I hope you had a great new year. I have spoke to my surgeon and he suggested I get the bypass, but I feel like I will lack much nutrition and the band is more controlled. He also did tell me it is being more phased out. I'm still researching and weighing the pros and cons. Thank you so much for all of the feedback.

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Banded 4/06 and due to slipping I had to have a revision done. Bypass 12/09/16. I do know a couple of people live healthy lives with there band but I know more that went through what I went through. I strongly recommend doing it ones with the bypass.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320AZ using the BariatricPal App

How are you doing with the bypass? I hope you had a great new year!

Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Hey I doing fine with it I didn't want it but it was best.. Thanks for asking. And Happy New Year to you and you family.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320AZ using the BariatricPal App

People are coming against the band because of the horror and regain stories, and because Dr. and some diet clinic won't even do them. The clinic that did my sleeve only take the bands out.

I'm 3 wks post op and I wouldn't do this again. In fact I wouldn't do any of the weight lost surgeries again. That's not to discourage anyone. Our body reacts different to all the surgeries. I happen not to like the way mines responded. I can't change what I did so I have to press on from this place and make the best of it. I'LL eat healthy so I can stay out of the hospital and off meds. That was the main reason why I did it.... I hate meds. One more thing.... My Dr. said the reason why the bands needs to be revised is because your body eventually sees it as part of the body and your stomach skin grows around it. I couldn't fantom that. To each it's on. More than taking away 80 percent of my stomach, is the concern about what's left (sleeve) leaking. Make your choices based on your ability to dicipline yourself and follow the directions. Please believe this is not the easy way to get the weight off.... just more of a lasting route, that is as long as you don't stretch your stomach out by over eating and finding yourself back where you started. When all is said and done "discipline" is the key to a successful weight loss journey.

Sent from my SM-J700P using the BariatricPal App

I thought about all three operations. There are people who have been successful with all of them. What steered me away from the Lapband was mostly something the surgeon said - it doesn't reset your body's weight set point like the other two surgeries. They don't really know why, but something about removing part of your stomach is what takes away the ravenous hunger after weight loss and keeps your body from slowing your metabolism to get you back to your high weight. Since maintenance and not weight loss is what I struggle with so much, I opted for the sleeve.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon doesn't offer the band anymore, that was the surgery I had originally planned to get. My cousin had it over 10 years ago, she had some complications initially but has been very successful overall. I have several friends who had gastric bypass, a couple regained and have a lot of complications, one actually died from complications and some have been very successful. There are so many variables and I think you have to choose the path that makes most sense to you. I chose the sleeve but I am not far enough post op yet to give you any long term experience but I am happy with my choice. Bypass always scared me so that wasn't an option for me. Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's true... all have issues. Not everybody is a success story.

It sucks we even have to do it at all.

You just have to weigh the options and figure out what is best for you....

To be honest... I was hoping to have the lapband for a few years, and lose the weight. And was hoping to have it removed when I have this thing figured out.

Will it happen... not sure...lol.

I will update you in 5 or so years...lol.

I had Lapband Surgery Nov 2007. Lost 60 lbs, but eventually gained it all back. I can't blame the band (it really had to do with my compliance - chips & guac and margarita's still go down quite easily!!)

When I decided to jump back on the band-wagon and have my band refilled (had to be unfilled due to reflux), I found that due to scar tissue around my port that it is VERY difficult to get the needle in. It can now only be done under Fluroscopy, and is just too painful/expensive to do.

So, I've got the band, but can't get it filled to the "sweet spot" (which I never truly found btw, I always dealt with PB's, vomiting, reflux, etc). I am now considering revision surgery to have RNY Bypass done this March.

Would I recommend the band? Probably not due to the problems I've had. But some people have been very successful. I believe that the Sleeve & RNY are proven effective, force more compliance and are a true long-term solution. Also, with the sleeve & bypass, there is a physical change in the hormones (grehlin, leptin & others) that is not created with the band.

Edited January 11, 20179 yr by Firebolt

I am having lap band surgery on January 31st and am a bit nervous. What should I expect post-surgery?

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App