Hi, I am a 25 year old female from NY who is in the begining stages of making a decision between lap band surgery and gastric bypass. I am open to both at the moment, just ready to make a choice and get things started. Hoping anyone out there has some advice for me!

The best advice I can give you is to do your research. There are pros and cons for each. At the end of the day, lap band is reversible and doesn't cause permanent change to your body if it is removed. That's why I'm going with it. But you need to research which is best for you.

Do you know any surgeons in your area who do both? They might be a bit more unbiased about what is best in your individual case, than a surgeon who just does one or the other.

It is a decision that nobody can really make for you. Most of us on this board had to make it, too, and it is tough. The best thing I can advise is to get educated on both surgeries and figure out which one meets your needs. There are pros and cons to each. The lap band is much less invasive and drastic - there are no off limit foods with it, although some people have trouble with specific foods as you will read here on this site. The weight loss is slow and gradual with the band, and that can be frustrating but I also feel it is healthier. Statistics show that after three years the weight loss is the same for LB and GB. So keep researching and you will figure out which is right for you. Good luck!

Well good morning to you! I am also new here, trying to figure out what my best option is, if surgery is for me. I think hearing down to earth real stories from people who have gone through this is one of the best places to start with research. I'm 24 in Texas and just trying to figure out the best route to take. I hope you find some of the answers you are looking for!

I went for lap band because it's less invasive which makes surgery safer and I did not want the issues of malabsorption of nutrients. Who knows what will happen after years of malabsorption.

As mentioned weight loss is slower, but after a few years the weight loss stats even out for both procedures. And the band is adjustable.

And I have never had that "gray washed out look" that many GBP get i the first few months from the rapid weight loss.

Those were my reasons. Good Luck with your decision.

I went for lap band because it's less invasive which makes surgery safer and I did not want the issues of malabsorption of nutrients. Who knows what will happen after years of malabsorption.

As mentioned weight loss is slower, but after a few years the weight loss stats even out for both procedures. And the band is adjustable.

And I have never had that "gray washed out look" that many GBP get i the first few months from the rapid weight loss.

Those were my reasons. Good Luck with your decision.

Those are the exact reasons I chose Lap Band. My surgeon does both surgeries so he just let me decide which way I wanted to go.

Thanx to all who responded! I have researched a few doc.'s but so far really like Dr. Fielding at NYU. He is also banded! I was scheduled to attend a seminar last week, but it was cancelled due to inclimate weather. Right now, just awating the next one in my area. I am sooo excited to get this whole process started! :wub:

I think everyones right about you having to make a decision for yourself, just become very educated on both procedures and know all the risks and sacrifices involved. My personal reason for getting the lapband was because I saw my father get gastric bypass in 2001 and he did great....at the beginning. He is now 7 years post surgery and starting to gain the weight back. He did not have the support he needed for one and did not follow all the rules of bariatric surgery. However, he has stretched his stomach back out and can eat just like he did prior to surgery. To me that was my decision maker. I can't help but think that if he had the band he would still feel restriction and not being able to over eat the way he does now. I wanted an adjustable choice and something that will be there with me my whole life. Good luck to you!!

Alison

Banded 2-13-08