Hi All,

Today was my first consult and I left feeling a little confused. The doc asked me why I wanted to do Lap Band compared to Gastric Bypass. I told him the idea of having my stomach cut scares me, that I feel like I could do well with the band and I'm thinking I'm 24 and feel like I really could do well.

I then mentioned another reason was because I wanted to lose slowly and not have all the extra skin. He told me that wasn't a reason to choose because no matter what I will have extra skin. I really feel like he was pushing bypass and now I am confused as what to do. What were your reasons?

Personally, I think they make more $ with the bypass. With the band, they generally charge less and still have to buy the band to be used. With the bypass, there is no products to buy and they charge more because the surgery is longer and more difficult.

Hi, I don't know how much you weigh, but you are right about extra skin. You are young and have more elasticity even if you have some extra skin it won't be as much as some people 10-20 yrs older(usually). The other reason for doing the band vs bypass for me was that you have more control, it is reversable, you do not have as many problems with malabsorption. You will still need vitamins, but you won't have to worry about dumping(ok so I don't really know what that is but I don't think that it is plesant)

All that being said, I am not banded yet but am looking forward to it. Good luck, research, research, research and then pick what will work best for you.

I chose the band for similar reasons. I didn't like the idea of the rerouting & malabsorption of the bypass. My surgeon asked me the same question and said that there was no "right answer" he just wanted to be sure I'd thought it through. But then he did tell me it would take me 2 yrs to lose what a bypass patient would lose in 9 mos-1 yr which made me feel a bit discouraged. I am now 8.5 mos post op and have lost 110 lbs and went from a size 24 to a size 10! I've been very focused on the strict protein diet my program prescribes and have tried to incorporate exercise as much as possible. So, don't let your surgeon discourage you from doing what you think is the right thing for you!

Thank you so much for your sincere answers they are so very very helpful! Congrats on all of your weight loss!

You're very welcome...best of luck to you on this journey!

Congratulations

This was great since I'm confussed too and the same thing as you, I don't want to need skin removal, I'm older than you too so I don't know if that makes a big difference. I've always wondered bypass vs lapband? Is it correct that healing time and getting back to work is faster with Lapband as well?

I think if you are really concerned about excess skin, then the band is probably much better for you, since the weight loss is slower than bypass. If you have a lot to lose, then you still may have excess skin problems, but probably not as bad, since you can exercise and maybe tighten it up some as you go and you are young.

I feel the band is a healthier choice also, but then, of course, I am a little biased. I LOVE my band!!!:thumbdown:

The topic of bypass vs band came up at my meeting with my surgeon as well, I also said that I was nervous about all of the reworking of the bypass. His answer was, he felt both surgeries had merit and he just wanted to be sure that I had fully thought about and understood my decision. I am sorry that your surgeon is pushing you in a certain direction.

We also discussed bypass vs band at my last support group because their were people there who weren't sure which they wanted. Basically they advice they got was that it is an extremely personal decision but for the most part the people who chose the bypass did so because they wanted to loose the weight quickly. They people who chose the band, weren't as concerned with the timetable and/or were nervous about the bypass surgery. Not one person said that they regretted their decision, no matter what surgery they chose. If you decide that the band is right for you don't let anyone sway your decision, only you know what is best for your body!

Good Luck :thumbdown:

I too chose LB over GB for the same reason. My doctor asked me the same questions.

I went with hubby to see a Gastrologist and got to taking an employee in there. I found out that we were banded 3 days apart by the same band doctor. She said she chose LB because she has seen several GB patients coming to see the doctor she works for who have had GBS. She said that was enough to scare her. She also mentioned that her insurance will approve a mini tummy tuck after she's lost her weight if she needs it.

What about the GB patients scared her? Do you know?

I think I chose the band because at one of my early visits with the doctor, my DIL came with me. We were both undecided about which procedure to have, but my husband was really against the GB because I was told that I would be at greater risk because of my age and a few other things. I chose the Band and DIL chose the GB. We are both thrilled with the choices we made. I am 2 months out and 33lbs lighter. She is 2 weeks out and 20lbs lighter.

Just keep researching and this board will help you come to your decision.

Good luck!

jazie

What about the GB patients scared her? Do you know?

She didn't give me specifics and I didn't press the issue. I didn't think it was the right place or time to discuss it since there were other patients around.

hi

i'm new to the forum. i've been reading a lot of forums but have never posted. i haven't been banded yet. they have all of my paper work and have to review it and then i'll get an appointment with the doctor.

i am choosing the band over the other surgeries because i have read a lot of forums and there seems to be a lot of complications with the other surgeries.

I chose the band for similar reasons. I didn't like the idea of the rerouting & malabsorption of the bypass. My surgeon asked me the same question and said that there was no "right answer" he just wanted to be sure I'd thought it through. But then he did tell me it would take me 2 yrs to lose what a bypass patient would lose in 9 mos-1 yr which made me feel a bit discouraged. I am now 8.5 mos post op and have lost 110 lbs and went from a size 24 to a size 10! I've been very focused on the strict Protein diet my program prescribes and have tried to incorporate exercise as much as possible. So, don't let your surgeon discourage you from doing what you think is the right thing for you!

You have done great!! You have lost just as much as a gastric bypass person in the same length of time from the ones I am familar with. Keep up the good work. I gave my doctor the same reasons you did why I chose LB over GB and I think we made smart choices.:thumbdown: