Why did you decide to go with the lap band and not another method of WLS? I have just started the process with a surgeon and have been asked to consider all the options. I've been leaning towards the lap band due, but I'm trying to educate myself on all of the options.

Lab band is less invasive.

Your safest bet is to buy a couple of books...something like "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" (yes, there IS one! LOL) etc. and do research that way. We have tons of anecdotal "evidence" on here (good and bad) but this site shouldn't be your only source of info (not that you said it is!)

With that caveat, I can say I didn't want my stomach cut up (bypass, sleeve) nor my intestines rerouted (bypass, BPD/DS) and felt the band was my best chance. Personally I don't think I'm fat because I have a big stomach. Therefore, I don't think removing my stomach is the best solution. I believe MANY issues come into play for obesity; hormonal, genetic, maladaption, etc...so for me, as I work on the "head" stuff and fight my heritage, I feel the portion control of the lap band is my best bet. HOWEVER...had I been, say, Diabetic (for example) or had a bad sweet tooth, bypass would've had more appeal.

There are many WLS and the band isn't one size fits all. You are smart to check them all out and see which (if any) is the best fit for you.

Further, I feel medicine has failed the obese. When I was a kid the general concensus was fat people=lazy sluggards with personality flaws. Thank God those days are gone (mostly) but the science hasn't caught up. I'd hate to have my stomach removed just to find out 10 years from now they have found something less invasive that works better. But then, I'm an optimist! :thumbup:

Edited September 6, 200917 yr by RestlessMonkey
Monkey can't type

There are good and bad reasons with all WLS. I chose the band because I personally did not want to cut my stomach in any way. That is not to say that other more invasive forms of WLS are bad just that the band was best for me. My situation is that my BMI was fairly low and my eating issues are mainly with the amount of food I ate and not what I ate. The band for me was the perfect choice. However, there are others that love the sleeve due to the amount of weight they need to lose and their own individual eating issues. It is so very personal and so different for each person. I went to a lot of seminars and did a lot of research. I also researched my surgeon and her staff because I wanted to ensure I had the very best follow up care. I was and still am extremely satisfied. The important thing is whatever you choose you need to be as happy with your choice as possible. A good thing to do might be to talk to your PCP as they have to support you with whatever surgery you choose anyway. He/she may be able to help you with your decision. Good Luck!

I know I am doing a lot of "going back and forth" in my mind now that I have decided to seek out surgical help. I guess I should try to go to a few different seminars...that's a great idea.

Suz - me, too. I thought I had it all figured out, but there is a lot of information to take it. I had resisted surgery for a long time, but now that I've decided to do it, I want to make sure I understand all of the options, risks, etc. Best of luck in your process and, if you don't mind, keep me posted on what you decide to do!

I went with the band just like the others, I didn't want my stomach cut. Plus the band can be removed if need be. Plus it is a safe slow way to help you lose the weight. Now I do have a big sweet tooth and need to watch myself with the sweets but my dr and dietican both said as long as I don't do it every day I can have something sweet if I need it. I have found myself not really wanting it if I sit and look at it and think about then I go I really don't need it.

I do think it is best to look into all options and pick what is right for you. good luck to you

To be honest I only researched bypass and the band. I didn’t give bypass much thought because it seemed a little scary to me. For good or bad, I bought into the marketing hype about the band being adjustable and reversible which helped a lot in decision. I didn’t know anything about the sleeve so I didn’t look into it. The thing that stuck in my head about the band was that because of it’s restrictive nature, it should help dramatically with portion control. I had been pretty successful losing weight in the past on NutriSystem (which is all about portion control), but I couldn’t keep it off because I was never able to curb my hunger. I knew the band was for me because I knew that portion size was my big problem. I was never much of a snacker or junk food junkie, but when I ate I ATE BIG:eek:. After about 7 months, I can say that from that perspective it has worked beautifully.

It’s worked great for me:thumbup: No complications to speak of. The learning curve on relearning how to eat has been a little tough, but I think I finally have it figured out. I am down over 95lbs, about 5-10lbs from goal and still losing fairly easily, dropped from XXXL shirts and 44 pants to M shirts and 34 pants, have more energy than ever and generally feel great.

Thanks for all of your feedback. I have an appointment with the surgeon 9/29/09 and I am definitely looking forward to being banded!