Thought I would get lap band now I'm not sure.. I don't drive so how would I get the adjustments all the time. I'm 220 lbs my bmi is 40 am I fat enough to get sleeve or bypass

I am having a revision from band to bypass this month. I started out okay with my band, lost some weight and had to make some big changes about the food I ate (ie. eating what I could eat versus what I was supposed to eat). After about 10 years I started getting some serious nausea and reflux as well as more episodes of getting stuck, so I am revising. My x-rays don't show a slip, but I'd be surprised if there isn't a small slip in there when they go in.

I am under a 40 BMI and I qualify for bypass, but I do have significant obstructive sleep apnea, so you would likely need some co-morbidities to qualify if you are under a 40 BMI.

I think a lot of it comes down to whether or not eating large portions is your biggest problem, if it is, you'll likely do well with the band. I never ate HUGE portions as it was, so I don't think the band was the best choice from me, I just didn't want to go as far as cutting up my stomach at the time. I think my food choices as well as my PCOS have had a large part in my weight, so now that I have the eating down right and I'm still hovering in the morbidly obese category, my surgeon and I decided the VSG is not right either and the bypass will combat my PCOS the best.

Ultimately, you and your surgeon will be able to make the best informed decision for you. Less and less surgeons are performing the band at all, so that may play in your decision as well. In fact, my band is no longer in production, so if it has failed or were to ever fail, I have no choice but to have it removed as replacement parts aren't offered anymore. Good luck with your decision, I applaud you for doing your research before making a final choice!

Wow. Hey y'all I posted that back in May.. I'm getting the bypass in a month.

4 hours ago, jennifer47 said:

Wow. Hey y'all I posted that back in May.. I'm getting the bypass in a month.

Congrats and good for you! Hoping your surgery goes well.

Lol I didn’t notice that. But on this board you seem to get a lot of people trying to discourage others without clear reasons why they are against something...regardless what someone chooses we’re all faced with making a very big decision and should support each other instead of misinforming , shaming, and being critical if someone doesn’t do things your way. Just my experience here so far...

Edited October 9, 20196 yr by gn3476

I've had a lap band for 10 years. All went well for the first 7. Now I have NO fill in it and still get food stuck in it constantly and can only eat what my doctor calls "squishy" food, so my weight is creeping back on because those are the higher calorie less nutritious food.

So because of the constant sliming and vomiting I am having the lap band removed in November with a revision to a bypass and I can't wait! Evidently about 30% of people with lap bands over 10 years old have problems with them and many doctors will no longer do them.

5 hours ago, JRT Mom said:

I've had a lap band for 10 years. All went well for the first 7. Now I have NO fill in it and still get food stuck in it constantly and can only eat what my doctor calls "squishy" food, so my weight is creeping back on because those are the higher calorie less nutritious food.

So because of the constant sliming and vomiting I am having the lap band removed in November with a revision to a bypass and I can't wait! Evidently about 30% of people with lap bands over 10 years old have problems with them and many doctors will no longer do them.

This is pretty darn common, which are also the reasons I had mine removed and had a revision. You're right, very few people keep their lap band their entire life without having a revision. The band erodes into the stomach and causes a lot of problems. Regain is also an issue. My doctor said very few doctors will do the band anymore because of all of the side effects. It's just not the best decision for weight loss. It was a huge waste of money. I'm very happy with my revision, and excited for you to also have a better life without the band. Best wishes to you.

I was banded 11 years ago and was very successful with the band for a long time. I lost 250 pounds and kept most of that off for many years. Now, in the last few years, my band has gone from being my friend to at times my enemy. Lots of acid reflux, waking up with stomach bile in my mouth, and also not some days I can eat anything and other days I can barely sip water. It has gotten to the point where I have started thinking "what can I eat" rather than "what should I eat"? I have also gained back 100 pounds of the 250 I lost. Technically, by the numbers, I am still considered a "lap band success story." And if you asked me several years ago I would have highly recommended the band. But now I wouldn't. Needless to say, I am starting the process of having it removed and strongly considering converting to RNY.