i have to say that since ive gotten my date for surgery ive been starting to think about the bypass. For almost 1 year ive been focusing on the band and when i went to see the surgeon he was persistant on the bypass and i actually was upset about how the visit went because i wanted the band. a few weeks passed and he called me and said that i should have the bypass and i was very strick on why i wanted the band, he said that i seemed very dedicated. well now i have a new surgeon and will be meeting with her on the 30th and have my surgery date on nov 19th. i think the reason why ive been distracted is because my friend at work had the bypass and has lost 61 lbs in 4 months and is doing great. i just want something that will have results, if i dont see results i usually quit. thats why diets never worked for me because i didnt see results. i am just scared that i wont lose weight with the band, but am scared to have the bypass because of the risks and because ive heard that people usually gain their weight back with the bypass. i hate feeling like this, i was so sure of what i wanted and now i feel confused. deep down i feel safer with the band.

andrea

(i noticed that there was another andrea on this website)

The reason I chose the band over bypass was that the surgery was Laparascopic and they wouldn't have to cut me open.

Another reason was that with the band you are only suppose to lose 1 to 2 lbs per week and that is a slow pace I know but at least it will hopefully stay off and I would not have to pay to have my excess fat taken away. I am hoping that it will firm up as I lose. Sixty-one pounds in 4 months is great but really sounds too fast. But good for her.

I have only been banded for a month and had my first fill yesterday. I have lost 17 lbs so far but most of that was pre op.

My opinion and mine only is I am glad I chose the band over the bypass.

I think you have to do what feels best for you. My research says that people do initially lose with faster with the bypass, but longer term studies are currently saying that over time the weight loss is similar.

You can gain weight whether you get the bypass or the band. These are just tools to help you not be as hungry - that doesn't matter if you still choose to drink and eat high calorie and high fat tools. I have heard of at least one person who gained weight on the band, but they were choosing to drink milkshakes all the time, and goodness only knows what else.

My concern with the bypass is that it is very intrusive and totally changes the way you digest food by reattaching your intestines to a newly created stomach. This is a huge surgery and the possibilities of complications (that could be for a lifetime) are higher than with the band.

I think everyone makes a choice that is based on their needs. I have had a number of surgeries over the years and I am glad to choose the least intrusive as my first choice. I guess I am curious as to why your first Dr. was so insistant on the bypass. I am glad you are getting a second opinion.

Do what feels best for you.

Oh FFS...

You know what? I totally and completely understand. I hear you loud and clear, I had similar feelings, I think most of us who ever considered RNY and Banding have had those thoughts. I agree with those above that say to do what is right FOR YOU.

A gentleman I know had RNY in April of this year (six months or so ago) and has lost...get this...135lbs already.

Granted, he's a man and he was really large to start, but 135lbs already? To me that's downright scary. Is that healthy? I'd be over the moon if I was at goal already (and losing 140lbs would just about do it) but I would know that it wasn't healthy in the long run.

I've lost at an average rate, I just had a BUTTLOAD of labs done this past week, and EVERYTHING is totally normal, all B Vitamins, my Protein level, Cholesterol, etc... Could I say that if I had had bypass? Probably not. Would I be taking more supplements than my normal MVI and Calcium? I'm sure I would be, and that's not the life I want to lead.

But it is a PERSONAL decision. No one here can tell you what to do, and we won't. We can offer what made us choose what we did and we will gladly support you in whatever you choose, but you have to make a decision.

Best Best Best wishes, I know it's tough as heck, but we're here for you to bounce things off of anytime.

The decision is a very personal one to make. Only you can decide which surgery fits your personal needs and lifestyle.

I can tell you MY reasons for going with the band.

I am a cancer survivor, if I were to have a recurrance, I can be unfilled to up my nutrition intake. Nutrition is an issue with bypass, you lose weight because of lack of absorption of the food you take in. When you are ill, you need good food to heal. That was a biggie to me. The same reasoning holds if you were to decide to have a child. Unfills during pregnancy assure the baby proper nutrition. The studies of pregnancy following bypass were kind of scary to me, to be very honest, I just glanced over them, it was not an area pertinant to me at the time!!!

The studies into obesity and WLS's are growing by leaps and bounds. With the band being totally adjustable, as well as removable, if one of scientists out there, discovers a magic cure, I am eligible! For instance, right now they are testing a new band that is tightened by remote, eliminating the need for ports, and saline....no needles. If this shows to be the better band, I can have mine changed! There has been no re-routing of my intestines, everything is still there.

I had serious eating issues. I too love sweets, but felt I could deal with limiting them better than being told I could not have them period!!!

I wanted to eat cake with my grandbabies on their birthdays. And I do. I am just happy with a very small piece , I do not want the whole cake. But I would have not dealt well with not being able to have sweets period---the dumping involved was a HUGE turnoff!

Many say they can eat unlimited sweets even with their band, I cannot---the desire is not there, too much---is just too much!

I hope that the lessons I am learning from eating with my band, and the proper nutrition I am learning from studying how to eat healthy, will be lessons I have for the remainder of my life. If something should happen and I were to lose my band---I want to have learned something. I do not want 5 years down the road, to just continue to take supplements, and suddenly realize I can eat a full meal again the super sized kind. I want to do my part, and learn while I lose. Learn proper portion size, and what foods to fill up on....food, not pill supplements. That was a little too much like an episode of the Jetsons to me!!!

Those were my big decision makers.....not that they mean anything to you---only YOU know what type of life you want to lead, and how your eating got you to where you are today.

Research lots, and you will figure out what works for you!!!

Good Luck!!!

Kat

I have to admit my family's previous experiences with WLS affected my decision for the band, the 4 that are still alive all of them are still doing the yo yo dieting thing after the bypass. The didn't really make the healthy eating changes the band kind of forces on you. My mom had the worst side effects of all with serious malnutrition and has lost teeth and has to be on 4 perscriptions alone just for her stomach. Which seemed to just totally go nuts. Acid reducers, relaxants. She has to take like 20 different medications/suppliments and she still lost several teeth. Looks sallow and sick, dark circles under eyes. Has had several bouts of hair loss.

While not everyone has these things, I ain't gonna risk it. Not when theres a better alternative.

big deal It will take me longer to lose the weight.

I may not need plastic surgery to remove all the flab. And 5-10 years down the line I will not be doing the diet yo yo thing all over again. Because I will have learned to eat better. And use my band as a tool not a quick fix.

good luck

agree with JJ - from what my doc told me the difference between bypass and band - bypass you lose it quicker than the band but then once it's off you have to learn portion control and excercise - band - you learn that at the beginning - in the end your at the same place but you have all the good healthy habits to go with it - he does both surgerys and left it for me to decide - slow and steady wins the race

^^ Totally agree! I'm sure most of us have seen the old Looney Tunes cartoon, "The Turtle and The Hare"...

It is definately a personal decision, but I am in agreement with all stated above on why my personal choice is the Band.

thank you so much for the feedback, i recognize some of you from previous sites and definetely respect you input. its nice to hear from familiar people. my friend just called me from work and had me talk to someone who just had the bypass and he said that the band it the wimpy way out and that im to scared and the band is comfort for me. He made me feel like crap, what is wrong with feeling comfortable with the band? i dont see it as the easy way out at all, if anything the bypass is easier because the weight falls right off at first and your not hungry so thats why it worka so good. with the band you are hungry at first and have to make good choices while your healing and it takes exercise also. im not saying that the bypass is easy either but the weight seems to come off without as much effort. i have alot to think about and i love the feedback , i will continue to write you guys for support i really need it right now i know its helped me in the past.

andrea

Andrea, the weight loss will definitely be slower with the band. Given that, I do see people gain weight with the bypass. If you can be patient you can take all your weight off with the band. It may take you a couple years.. Good luck with your decision.