Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum and I have a question. Yesterday I had my first consulation with a surgeon that would perform the LapBand surgery. He told me that based on my BMI which is about 60 that gastric bypass would work better and that the success rate of the LapBand for someone of my size isn't high. I really don't want to have gastric bypass. Has anyone had good success from the lapband with a BMI around mine? Please help!!!

Thanks,

Keysha

I just started the process, but please go to website and look at people over 100 pounds or 200 pounds to lose and see their results. It works - my BMI is 49 and I have 140 pounds to lose, but for my life style and family I decided to do the lapband. Best!

Research studies show that people who have the lapband lose weight at a slower rate but that after 2 years post-op, weight loss is about equal for both surgeries. Go to a few different informational meetings offered by 2-3 different surgeons and ask lots of questions. My BMI was as high as yours and I'm glad I made the choice to have the lapband. I'm a registered nurse and did not want all that is involved with gastric bypass (malabsorption, pouch stretching, etc.).

I think alot of doctors try to talk BMI > 50 patients into gastric bypass because that is what they have the most experience with for seriously obese patients like me. I stood my ground and said I didn't want to rearrange my whole gastric and intestines (removing some intestines with GB) and that I understood that if lapband took more work on my part and more time, I would make that commitment. He was perfectly fine once I acknowledged and said what I wanted. !!

I was just banded last week. I started off with a BMI of 56. When I first started looking into WLS, I researched GB and put off calling a doctor because that scared me. I didn't even hear about the Lap Band until last year. My OB/GYN recommended it and I started reading up on it. I chose a Lap Band only surgeon, partially because I didn't want someone to try to talk me into GB.

My surgeon's view is that it all depends on you. Both the band and GB are tools and if you eat right and exercise per your dr's orders you will lose. If you don't change your lifestyle, you won't.

This was an important issue for me also, I too have a very High BMI 59. I expressed my concern with my surgeon when I had my first visit. and he said basically that the information was true, that weightloss is slower and not recommended for Higher BMI's. However a new band was introduced in 2007 that has proven to have just as good of Weightloss result if not better than GB. My cousins best friend had a BMI of 62, had Lapband placed less than a year ago (with the old band) and now has a BMI in the normal range she now weighs 128lbs. She is healthy and looks great. My point is it can be done...and for me I will do it...

This is a very personal matter and one that you should be be pressured into. It seems you have looked carefully into both surgical procedures and made a choice that you are comfortable with. Now look into getting a physician that supports your choice. It may be your physician does not feel skilled enough to do your procedure at your BMI. If so, trust me, do not try to convince him. Find someone up to the task. Much success to you!

Tammygirl