Ok thanks in advance for reading what probably is going to be a long post :biggrin:

I have been working on getting a band for a while. I have had some set backs with insurance but I think I am finally on my way. The first place I started was very supportive of getting banded and told me I would lose about 70 pounds. At the time I was 5'2 and about 230 pounds. I was happy with that. I knew it would be slow but that is what I wanted. I know that a lot of my problem is portion control so I thought the band was good for me. Everything was due to be sent to insurance and I got a call from the surgeon saying he finally wanted to meet me. I went in to see him and he refused to do the surgery due to severe asthma and a prior history of a spontaneous PE. I started a new program a few weeks ago and they tried to talk me out of the band. They said there were lots of complications with band slippage and problems with the port flipping over.. I expressed that I was scared of weight regain just like what happens when I dieted. They told be that most people with the band regain most of their weight and end up getting the bypass anyways. I was shocked. I always thought that this was the reverse. So I almost changed my mind, but decided on the band still. Now here are my reasons for wanting the band. I am being honest here. I knew that I could cheat and still eat some bad food from time to time but knew I would have to be careful. The thought of never touching fatty food or sweets scared me. I also wanted to lose the weight slow so people would not notice as much.

I meet with the new surgeon on Friday and am real excited...until early evens. So today I was talking to the gastric bypass surgeon where I work. He also tried to steer me away from the band. He claimed the average weight loss for the band was 40 pounds and that he no longer does them due to complications. Same as stated earlier. He told me most overweight people have a permanent weight problem and really need a permanent fix, meaning the gastric bypass. He said most banders go back to eating all the wrong foods just like dieting and gain the weight back. I agree with the fact that a food addiction is a food addiction and I probably will also cheat. Now I am scared I am making the wrong choice. I want to do this the correct way. Is it true that with a gastric bypass you can never eat any sugar or any fatty foods again. I just dont think I could do that. Any advise would be great and be honest. Maybe I need the bypass to keep me in line.

Thanks to everyone and all of their support. I am now waiting on insurance!!!

I chose the band because I wanted to have a non invasive procedure. I could not be off work long enough to do an extensive one. Also I have read a lot about the Gastric Sleeve which can also be an option for some. It is more invasive than the band but less than the Bypass. As far as the sucess rate, from my perspective, and I have researched this a lot, the Gastric Bypass is not very effective at all with 10 times the side effects. If we go into this with the idea that the surgery will keep us from eating, it is the wrong reason. A hammer won't do the work for us, we have to do it and the hammer makes it easier. The people who post here and on other forums don't all realize this. If you need to talk to a professional before you start, I highly recommend this, because having the right expectations is crucial. Keep up the good work!!!

I can tell you what I know about gastric bypass surgery. My friend has has this procedure twice within a four year span. To date she has almost regained all of her weight back for the second time. Ultimately, success depends on the efforts of the individual. I chose lap band surgery as a weight loss method because there is less down time and I didn't want the atrocious scar on my stomach. I believe either of the procedures demand commitment.