Hi all, I was just wondering why everyone chose Lap-Band surgery over other weight loss surgeries (like stomach stapling etc...)?

Melissa

Thank you everyone for your answers. I can't wait until my dr.'s appt on the 16th. I know he'll just probably send me to a specialist, but at lest I'll be that much closer. :tt1:)

Oh wow, what's PB/slime???? :welldoneclap:

a older thread that explains it pretty well

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/how-often-do-you-pb-17176/

One word = LEAKS! I was seriously considering going with the Bypass - until I started reading about the complications. The Lap Band is far less invasive, no re-routing of any intestine. I also like the fact of losing slowly, but steady. It's a more natural pace, which I like. No radical weight loss which can come with that droopy "once-obese-now-skinny" look.

All in all, I think the Lap Band is a fabulous tool for those of us who are tired of trying every diet on the market and is ready to lose weight and get healthy without a radical procedure.:welldoneclap:

Thanks guys for all the info. I got to talk to my primary Dr. Friday (5/16/08) so we'll see what he says.....hehehe I'm excited!

lol Telecia,

your avatar reminds me of a game called EverQest2....ever played it (it's an on-line rp game)

I agree with all previous posters as far as the benefits of lap band over gastric bypass - less invasive, no cutting of bodily organs, completely reversible, fewer serious complications, no malabsorption issues, etc. But, one other reason I'm certain I'm making the right choice in getting my band (in TWO days!!!!!) is the stretching of the pouch issue. I just KNOW if I had the bypass, I'd be one of those people who stretch out their pouch and re-gain all the weight. Every time I see pictures of Carnie Wilson these days my heart breaks for her, and I can totally imagine myself in her exact position. I'm excited about the band because there's no expiration on the window of opportunity, so to speak. I imagine a worst case scenario in my banded future where I fall off of the wagon hard and start eating around the band - eating soft, high fat, high calorie foods, or, I imagine that I don't have good restriction and I gain weight from overeating again, from any food.......It gives me comfort to think that at any point, all that's needed to get back up in the saddle and start losing again is to get a fill. Or maybe 2 fills or 4 fills or 10 fills - but the point is, it's never too late to get good restriction and start or re-start the losing process. For me, that's very compelling. It's like a built in do-over button. With the bypass, if your pouch eventually stretches out and you start gaining, you are out of options. You can diet of course, but what I mean is that you are no longer being helped to a large degree by the surgery as a tool.

The other main reason I am choosing the band is because I'm desperately trying to get pregnant before my 37 year old body runs out of eggs. With the band, I feel reasonably confident that if I get pregnant in the middle of the losing process, I can stop losing, get unfilled during the pregnancy, and the re-start the losing process after the pregnancy. My research indicates that it is much harder, if not impossible, to stop and start the 'losing zone' after having a bypass.

This may be a question that has been answered before but I missed it. Question: After you reach your goal, what do you do to maintain the weight (not too lose much more than goal)? Do one HAVE to have band removed if they don't have any problems after goal weight is met? Just wondering.............

Banded 12/17/07

244.5s/204c/165g

Thank you so much for your answers guys. This really makes my mind up for me! Thanks!!! :tongue2:)

Hi all, I was just wondering why everyone chose Lap-Band surgery over other weight loss surgeries (like stomach stapling etc...)?

Melissa

Hello,

Coach Cher, a Lapband moderator here on the website reference this website about a woman who had Bypass surgery and she discussed some complications she encountered years after. She looks fantastic but has suffered some nasty complications. Very candid and enlightening. Her you tube video is surprising, along with her response. It is melting mama: Do I regret my gastric bypass? Hope this is informative.

WOW well.........that does it for me! Geesh.....it's so sad. :tongue2:( Yes, she looks good but she's got some bad problems now!!! I feel lucky since I am in PERFECT health except the fact that I have an extra 140+ pounds on my frame! But I don't want to end up like her, so I guess the "slow" weight loss of the lap band is WAY WAY WAY better then the bypass surgery! :thumbup:)

God Bless on your journey CPrincess. You are beautiful and I know you are anxious to be starting your new life. Good Luck,

I chose to have the band instead of other wls because I didn't want my insides getting cut up. I already have a hip replacement, I didn't want another surgery that would leave the structure of my body changed forever.

But also, because I'm young and I want to have childern someday. With other wls there is so much malnutrition going on, I wouldn't feel safe getting pregnant. I liked that it was completely reverable too.

Thank you Alice!! And good luck Young NY!!!!