hi, its been a while since i have been on here to post, i read all the time and i was wondering, how did most of you decide on which way to go, either the band or bypass itself? i am scheduled for bypass surgery on august 10, and i guess i am getting nervous and i have been thinking of switching to the band. has anyone gotten the band and wished they had the bypass? or gotten the bypass and wish they gotten the band? and if you got the band what kind of weight loss can you expect to lose in the first year and so on, thanks

You can read a lot of threads on here about that subject. It is totally up to you and your surgeon. My surgeon doesn't do the bypass any longer and I really wanted to use her. I had been to many seminars and researched a lot of surgeons before I chose her. I also chose the band because it is reversible. I said this on another thread and I stated that bypass is not reversible but I was corrected by someone who was aware that there are people who have had bypass reversed but I would hate to think I had to do that. In my opinion (my opinion only), that is a very invasive procedure when compared to the band. I liked the fact that I can have the band removed if necessary. Obviously, that is not what I had it put in, but the knowledge is there if an emergency arises. Also, in my research, I discovered that if you have bypass and down the road you need testing done for any reason, it is very, very difficult to find anything in that part of your stomach that has been cut away. I am very happy with the band and wouldn't change it for anything.

I had the band and the Dr's said I was a perfect candidate because of my weight. I think lot's of it has to do w/ how overweight you are. It is said that you can lose more w/ the bypass but like the other post said it's a much more evasive procedure and long term the band be removed.

good luck with your decision..

I too did a lot of research and was more knowledgeable about bypass at first. I know that there are a lot more side effects with bypass and I didn't want to deal with them. I also am now at an age, thank god, that I am willing to have a slower wt loss in order to reach my goal. I know I need help to be successful but I also have a lot of life to live and I felt (for me only) I did not want to risk my health to that extent. Other reasons I decided on the band, dumping does not sound fun and I don't want to be worrying about my iron and malabsorbsion down the road. These are some of the things that helped me make this difficult decision. Best of luck making yours!

hi, its been a while since i have been on here to post, i read all the time and i was wondering, how did most of you decide on which way to go, either the band or bypass itself? i am scheduled for bypass surgery on august 10, and i guess i am getting nervous and i have been thinking of switching to the band. has anyone gotten the band and wished they had the bypass? or gotten the bypass and wish they gotten the band? and if you got the band what kind of weight loss can you expect to lose in the first year and so on, thanks

Did you also research sleeves and DS?

I lost 108# in the first 10 months but that is unusual. I busted my butt to lose it but I did.

You can read a lot of threads on here about that subject. It is totally up to you and your surgeon. My surgeon doesn't do the bypass any longer and I really wanted to use her. I had been to many seminars and researched a lot of surgeons before I chose her. I also chose the band because it is reversible. I said this on another thread and I stated that bypass is not reversible but I was corrected by someone who was aware that there are people who have had bypass reversed but I would hate to think I had to do that. In my opinion (my opinion only), that is a very invasive procedure when compared to the band. I liked the fact that I can have the band removed if necessary. Obviously, that is not what I had it put in, but the knowledge is there if an emergency arises. Also, in my research, I discovered that if you have bypass and down the road you need testing done for any reason, it is very, very difficult to find anything in that part of your stomach that has been cut away. I am very happy with the band and wouldn't change it for anything.

What is so great about it being reversible? The only reason you would want to reverse a band is because the band itself malfunctions in some way. Newbies do tend to want reversible, those at goal want forever. ;o)

I chose the band over bypass because it is less invasive, and statistically, a lot safer. My surgeon does all of the various types of WLS, however he is very pro the band. I understand the band might not be apropriate for everyone. This is something you will need to discuss with your surgeon.

With bypass, most people normally loose a lot faster during the first year or two, but it tends to even out after 2 or 3 years. I understand long range, bandsters tend to keep the weight off (if they follow the guidelines), due to the fact of the adjustments. Bypass patients can stretch their stomachs and gain the weight back.

Good luck in making the decision that's right for you.

Did you also research sleeves and DS?

I lost 108# in the first 10 months but that is unusual. I busted my butt to lose it but I did.

What is so great about it being reversible? The only reason you would want to reverse a band is because the band itself malfunctions in some way. Newbies do tend to want reversible, those at goal want forever. ;o)

What is great about it being reversible is that I personally have a medical condition that at some point may require me to have my band removed. I don't appreciate you insinuating that I do not want to reach my goal and stay there for life. I absolutely do. LOL. I did not go to all this expense, time, effort and pain just to have it reversed. That is ridiculous. I am very much looking forward to weight loss forever and want it bad. I want it bad enough to follow my surgeons orders and do all the right things and I have committed myself to this for life! I was merely stating my opinion and responding based on my experience and my situation. Some people out there who are considering one thing or the other may be interested in EVERY one's opinion and something that is said may help them decide. Just as you and all the people who have been on this website for awhile and are in some kind of medical employment, I believe that everyone who has or is going through the experience may have something to offer to someone who is making considerations. As you always say and as I said with my first post on this thread, they should ultimately decide with their surgeon what is right for them. Hopefully the things we say about our experiences will give them some strength and support along the way.

I've had my band for over three months and I'm very happy with it. I, too, did my research, and, being a self-pay, thought about it carefully. I think any form of WLS will take the pounds off and there are people on here who have lost quite a bit of weight. I liked the aspect of the band as a maintenance tool. If you continue to go back to the surgeon and get your fills (or unfills) you will keep the weight off and the band will keep you in line, no matter how many years out your are from surgery.

But here are some things I didn't know and I was too unknowledgeable to ask about.

1. Fills and unfills are expensive. My surgeon told me he waves his fees for the first year, which he does, but there's still a hospital fee of $140 for me each time. After the first year, I'll be paying $140 plus his fee for $275 each time.

2. If you have insurance, you don't have to worry about paying this....but...

if you or your company changes insurance plans and your new insurance doesn't cover this procedure, you will have to pay it

also, if, for any reason, you lose your insurance...then of course, that means you or your husband is unemployed and you probably won't be able to afford to maintain your band

3. I've seen several times on the various lapband message boards where the surgeon temporarily or permanently leaves town. This can create quite a problem in many cases because new lapband surgeons don't like to take on other doctors' cases.

All this being said, I'm still glad I chose the band for the same reasons others have stated. Not having malabsorption issues and losing the weight slower, means we have a better chance of keeping our bodies nutritionally sound.

Hope this helps!

I don't appreciate you insinuating that I do not want to reach my goal and stay there for life.

I didn't. I wrote no such thing.

Lots of newbies want reversible and I think it comes from dieting and exercising and failing for so many years. There is a part of most of us that thinks WLS will fail too. If it does you can remove the band. For this reason a WLS being reversible is appealing but once you get to goal you WANT permanent and forever.

If any of us loses our surgery type we stand less than a 5% chance of maintaining. Me... I want forever.