hey everyone! I'm new here and have never done this! I would like to know if any banders out there regret it and wish they had gone with the bypass? My surgeon is highly recommending the bypass for me rather than the band and I'm scared to death!!!! HELP????:thumbup:

They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I chose the lap band because it's adjustable. The bypass benefits diminish over time. Both types of surgeries can be "eaten around" and neither are guaranteed. It's only a decision you can make for yourself. I have not regretted one day in the past year since I decided to get the lap band. I love it! It has worked well for me. SS

I think it depends on you. I was banded on Dec 23, 08. I have lost 18lbs and have 80 to go...I have a friend who also has the choice. I let her feel where my port is (and you can feel this thing inside of you) and she freaked. There is also more care needed with the band. You have to get fills and very carefully watch how you eat, NO drinking 30 minutes before or after your meals. It just depends what you are willing to go through to loose the weight and begin your new life. Gastric bypass has way more side effects too...I wish I would have gone bypass...:blushing:

I originally started out thinking of bypass or gastric sleeve or lap band,I was open.Once all procedure were explained with pro's & con's my surgeon highly recomended lap band for me.Before the band I had SEVERE IBS(I was living on immodium,it was sooooo bad:crying:)He felt the bypass was not good to mess with my intestines since I was already prone to severe diarrhea(sorry if TMI).The sleeve he'd only performed 12.So I didn't want to be lucky #13.Plus the idea of them removing part of your stomach and throwing it away really creeped me out!

I have a co-worker & friend who did bypass with the same surgeon 2 weeks prior to me.She has lost more weight than me and alot quicker.She also has been hospitalized for severe dehydration and has problems with low blood work and severe constipation! So there is 2 sides to every story.And one surgery is not right for everyone.

I had a sucessful bander tell me that at least when the bypass people stomach streches back out we(banded) can have our's tightened! Made alot of sense to me!! I want a tool that keeps on working for me,the long term is what I'm concerned about not a quick overnight fix!!

So we'll see........no regrets for me so far!!:blushing:

There are so many side effects and long term ill effects with bypass. I know it's a godsend for some and I think that's great; but even though my loss has been very slow with the band I STILL would rather have it than bypass. In fact I would never have WLS if bypass were my only option. Considering that 3 years post op the average weight loss is comparable between the two surgeries, to me it's a no brainer. If my surgeon had tried to push bypass on me, I'd have gone elsewhere. (not being dramatic either, it's just the truth) Even my PCP said to get the lap band, not bypass. So I'm a band baby all the way.

First of all, I would want to know why your surgeon is recommending bypass. There are some good reasons to get it for some people. OTOH, some surgeons push one surgery type over another even if it's not right for you.

So it really depends on what his logic is and if you think it applies to you.

I would also look into all the surgeries. I have a sleeve and my surgeon thinks they will replace bypass eventually. The weight loss is just as good (if done right), the diabetes resolution is just as good, but it costs less (important for me as a self-pay) and is less risky.

Although I have decided to go with the band, it was also recommended that I really consider bypass. Mainly because I am diabetic. It seems that there is a higher incidence of diabetes reversing itself with gastric. This is occurring before the weight is even lost. Although this is happening it is not a guarantee for all diabetics. I have also heard if your BMI is very high (not sure how high) then gastric makes more sense. My surgeon also said if I was 50 or older he would not recommend the band but he would rather do the gastric. I assume because he figured there is less time to reverse the diabetes by then I think they believe I will have gone from type I to type II and be insulin dependent. Anyway as of now my diabetes is in full control and I have about 60 lbs to lose. I am committed to losing the weight and I think the band is the answer for me. Again, it is different for each person.

Edited February 18, 200917 yr by daco525

"I had a sucessful bander tell me that at least when the bypass people stomach streches back out we(banded) can have our's tightened!"

Of course you can stretch out your pouch and gain weight also, and lets face it, there is a limit to what the band can do, because you can only restrict so much and then your done.....you can't just keep adding restriction forever.

I like the sleeve idea the most....it gives you the small stomach affect of having the band, but without all of the restriction problems and aftercare.

I personally believe the sleeve is the future. I had the band because it was the only real option for me. I could do better with less likelyhood of problems down the road with a sleeve.

I liked the idea of the sleeve but decided against it because there was not enough information out there for long term research that I could find at the time. I liked that the band could be "tweaked" as far as fill level, but this is also the same reason that some people don't like the band because of aftercare. I was more than a little afraid of bypass with risks of complications.

Bypass is a great option for some, and banding is also a great option for some . . . it really depends on your particular circumstances. Both will help you lose the weight . . . one may be faster in the beginning, but there are also much larger health complications associated with extreme rates of loss. You are capable of regain on both as well, but anecdotally I have met many people who have regained everything on bypass but those who have regained on the band have only regained partial amounts.

One thing you need to be aware of is that doctors have preferences and tend to be strongly supportive of band or bypass and shift the majority of patients towards one of these options. You still need to take an active role in finding the best choice for you.

Another thing you have to look at first and foremost are the reasons why you are obese in the first place. Are you a sweet or junk-food 'aholic or graze constantly during the day, if so maybe bypass is better. Are you a chronic overeater that just tends to eat too much at meals, if so maybe banding is better.

I chose the band and have lost 100% of my weight to bring me to a normal BMI in less than a year. My biggest weakness before banding was being HUNGRYYY and a chronic overeater . . . the band took away the majority of my insatiable appetite and turned food more into something needed to live rather than the purpose of my existence.

Whatever you decide, make sure that you do it after doing all of your research and making lists of pros and cons for either option. There are too many people that say they made the wrong choice and were "pushed" into a specific option when a different option may have suited them better. This is such a personal choice, make sure you make the best one for your own personal lifestyle and situation.

One thing that kind of freaked me out about the bypass was the 2% mortality rate...i mean...1 in 50 dies from it?!? Yikes.

Also, recent studies have shown that after five years, people who are banded actually lose more weight and keep it off than people who go through bypass.

Also, the adjustability really appealed to me. I don't want to lose my weight too fast and become some malnutritioned skeleton. I have a friend who had the bypass...and sure, he lost 225lbs...and looks like death. I don't want to look like that. Losing your weight at a slower pace will allow your body to adjust and allow your skin to slowly shrink back in place.

It's like Aristotle said, everything in moderation. Sure, if you want to be skinny for your next high school reunion in 3 months then go with the bypass. If you're loooking at making manageable changes to your diet with the use of a consistent tried and true tool...then choose the lap band.

At least that's my take on it.

PS - You might want to check this out: http://www.lapband.obeseinfo.com/lap-band-gastric-bypass.htm

Edited February 18, 200917 yr by GuyMontag