hi,my doctor said i should think about having the gastric by pass instead of :frown:the lap band due to health reasons. he feels the weight lose is slow with the lap band. please help.

Hi Sylvia, and welcome to LBT. This is a tough question to answer. In the beginning, gastric bypass patients due tend to lose faster than lapband patients. The band is designed to lose a healthy 1-2 pounds per week. Over time, they tend to even out in terms of weight loss. I would suggest speaking to both a lapband and gastric bypass surgeon to get their opinions. I am definitely not a doctor and unfamiliar with what specific health problems you are having, so as said before, this is a tough question to answer. I hope you find your answers soon.

Is your doc familiar with the lap band? I would try for a 2nd opinion. GB has more complications and higher mortality, it changes your anatomy and is causes malabsorption as well. If YOU are comfortable with it and feel it's good for you...go for it. Many people get GB and do very, very well. Having said that, statistics show that after two years weightloss is about the same with both and with lab band peolpe tend to keep the weight off easier than GB. It's worth looking into and finding info on both but don't be pressured by your doc. Do what YOU are comfortable with and You think is best. Good luck!!

Hi. I just don't know. If it were me, I'd go to another doc for a second opinion.

Your doc may be right but you don't want to sell yourself short just in case it's simply your doctor's preference and you could have done just fine with the band.

Good luck.

Hi Sylvia,

My Doc told me the same thing because my pre-surgery weight was over 300 lbs. He said that I would have better results with GB, but I didn't want to do it. I felt the band would be better for me and I liked the idea that it didn't have to be permanent and that I wouldn't risk the problems that come with it like malabsorbtion and dumping. Anyway, I had the band and the same Doc did my surgery on Sept. 19th and I'm down to 241 as of today. Not knowing the medical reasons behinds your Docs advice, I think the choice should be yours. I'd ask him if he feels if it's still medically safe for you to go forward with the band and if so, then I'd stick to your preference.

Hope that helps!