Hello. I am semi-new to the board. I have a seminar/consult with Dr. Spivak, in Houston on June 17th. I live in Corpus Christi, TX (approx. 4 hours from Houston). I went to my first "live" WLS support group meeting in Corpus tonight. Every person there had the gastric bypass. When I spoke that I was considering the lapband, a few ladies shook their heads negatively. They explained, after I spoke, that they had once considered it but the risk of slippage, etc and regaining the weight were too high. I didn't say much, due to the fact that I was a newcomer. After the meeting, I met with the psychologist (group leader) and he said that it was truly a personal decision (of course) and that the ladies were speaking because they felt, maybe 5 months on, that you will have most of the complications that you were going to have with the RNY. On the other hand, complications can still occur with the band due to erosion and slippage or blow to the stomach trauma....I really felt like an outcast at the support group.

What's your take on this? Shawn

The support group I have been attending is all bypass people. One time a married couple of bansters were there but they never came back. I have been asked three times by people there why I chose the band. I give them the answer and then say that I think we have a lot of the same issues although not exactly the same. They accepted it well and we get along fine.

It's valuable to go because it is a weight loss support group and luckily there is support, but it would be nice if there were more bandsters and maybe even a separate group to discuss our particular concerns. They just wouldn't understand, like I tune it out when they discuss dumping and watching for sugar grams in foods.

I hear that the band is becoming just as popular as the bypass so maybe the group will even out. Maybe I can help someone considering the band.

Healthy Grandma

I'm in San Antonio and I haven't been to any of the band support groups yet, but I know they are out there. So I have not experienced any band vs. RNY debates.

My mother is now considering surgery as she is seeing my progress. Even though I'm banded and I'm pushing her to look more closely at RNY because of her diabetes, high-blood pressure, "co-morbidities".

Everyone is different. We don't all drive the same car, so how can we all be expected to lose weight the same way?

Good luck!

Hey Everyone,

I realize this is a semi-old thread, but I just went to a support group meeting last night and ran into the same issues others did. I was the only non-bypass person there - I haven't had the surgery yet, and there were others who haven't either, but they are decided on the bypass.

A few of the people there were uninformed about the band and made negative comments. It's really too bad - I know more about the process (thanks to this website and my own research) than they do, and they weren't about to shake my confidence in my decision. I have decided that the drastic restructuring of my digestive tract is NOT for me, and will continue on my path to be a Bandster.

Thanks to all who post good information on this site - about all of their experiences - I feel I'm going to be a good, informed and empowered patient - and to me that means I'll be successful!