If you were required to have your Band removed for any reason, and your doctor said you could not have another band, would you allow him to convert you to a gastric bypass?

I think I'd try to go without for a while, if that didn't work, I'd work really hard to get another band, but if a band were not an option, I would definitely choose bypass over fat again.

Oh Lisa -

That's so hard. I originally discovered the whole lap band process because one day, in desperation in desperation, I decided that any risk was better than weighing 360lbs... I wasn't excited about the idea - but I was desperate enough to take the risk of bypass.

Now, I guess it would depend on how long I had been banded, how much I had lost and whether the eating habits were habitual.

I think if it happened right up front - I would have to say that I would take the risk of the ByPass.

If I was close to goal and had been eating better for 1-2 yrs, I might try to go it alone rather than take that risk.

Never Never Never!!

No Bypass in my furture EVER

I know too many people who have had MAJOR complications, one has even died, too many risks for me and I only know of approx 10 who have had it and out of those 10 all have had problems, yes we have problems with the band but minimal compared to bypass, in my opinion., not to mention 2 of the many have gained their weight back plus due to their pouch stretching and their body becoming used to that pouch size. Nope Not Me, No Bypass..

Nope, no bypass. I'd save my money for another band if possible, or I'd go it alone. No Bypass. No way.

I was sent to a gastric bypass orientation by mistake. Thinking they would get around to discussing the band, we stayed. Afterwards my husband said there is no *bleeping* way I'd ever want you to have that surgery. After hearing the pros and cons, I completely agreed. The only person I know who has had it has gained all her weight back. The reversibility of the band is one of the main reasons I chose WLS.

I'd get another band if at all possible.

Never, No, Nada.,

I know someone who died, plus I have a friend who had nothing but problems. Also my husband's relative was laid up in the hospital for 2 months after and was given his last rights 3 times. While my weight loss is really slow, I would take this anyday...

I'd never have a bypass - I'm overweight and yes its a health risk but I'm not obese enough and its not enough of a risk to do that. If I had to I could live with the way I look without too much drama as I blend into the crowd, plenty of people around as fat as me. And I do enjoy exercising and good food (just too much of it) so I dont have the comorbidities (yet) that others suffer. I just dont think my weight is enough of a risk for that kind of surgery.

Even if losing my band meant I'd get back up to this weight again. Although I could afford another band if that was an option - I would probably do that.

I talked to a Bypass patient of Dr. Billy and she was thrilled, and she said all his other patients are thrilled. I wonder how much has changed with Bypass over the last couple years.

I voted "yes" I'd have it. Then again, I'm a woman that changes my mind with the tides and moons.

No! I would never consider bypass

I decided to go with the band because the recovery period was less than with GBP but if something went wrong and the band had to be removed later on I would consider GBP. My sister had GBP done last october and she is very happy and healthier than ever she no longer takes medication for her diabetes or cholesterol problems and she came with me to the required orientation and told her Dr. how much he changed her life.

will be banded 9/26/05

There are 16 people in my family who have had Bypass and the results are a mixed bag. 2 have gained back all the weight after 8 years. It kept 5 people out of the ground. All have had some problems but that goes with any WLS.

I have chosen the Band because I can't afford the Bypass. I'm sure I'll have my own set of problems. I would never poo-poo someone else's choice of WL. Just because it doesn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work.

If I had to remove my band, I would go Bypass if it were needed. It saved members of my family in more ways than I can count.

Right now I think I can say I'd definitely never have bypass. Even when I was at my heaviest, I was "healthy" enough to not feel like my life was in danger. And I've always been fat, so being fat was something I'd learned to live with.

But I was brought to WLS because I have two small children and needed to be more mobile and active to be a better parent. Without them I'd probably not have tried WLS at all. So circumstances definitely influence my decisions.

Right NOW, I wouldn't convert to RNY. But if, in the distant future, my weight increased to a point where it was really impacting my health (as opposed to just my quality of life) I might indeed consider it. But even in those circumstances, I'd ONLY consider it if there were no possible way I could have another band.

As for whether I could afford it the answer is a qualified no. I plan to always have health insurance, and if my weight were really impacting my health I'd move heaven and earth to make sure it was covered. Refinancing my house, too, might be an option if I really needed an expensive surgery out of my own pocket. And I'd definitely have it done ONLY here in my area.

I answered "Yes". I too change my mind like I change my undies, but at this present time, if I lost my band I would revise to BBS.

not in a million. Like Alexandra I too was "healthy" being fat. I have seen too many people at work that have had bypass surgery 3 of which are in my own department and all of them have said to me that they wished they would have known about the band instead of going the route they have gone. Each one of them has had complications or can't stop loosing weight or just can't eat. I have 4 kids and they are my priority. So if I ever had to loose my band I would just have to be fat and accept it. I couldn't jeopardize my children loosing me just to be skinny.

never never never in this world would i

too many complications!!