Help I am wondering if I should have bypass instead of lapband. I have researched the lapband only for the past 3 months and now I am unsure if it is the right move for me. I want to be sucessful and I am a big sweets fanatic and from everything I am hearing the bypass would be the best option for me. Just the thought of the bypass makes my stomache do flip flops. Did anyone else feel unsure about which surgery was best for them?:w00t:

I did PM this but it wouldn't hurt to post it in general I guess....

I could go on and on about the comparison between the two but the easiest explanation to me is:

Pro: Bypass

1. quicker weight loss

Con: Bypass

1. More dangerous in the long run if you don't take in the most nutritious foods due to lack of nutrients. (they call it dumping). People have passed away after the fact due to nutritional reasons.

2. The redirection of your organs isn't normal and what ever goes in, must come out since it bypasses you large intenstine and goes straight from your stomach to your small intestine.

3. The posibility of gaining weight would be more easy than not, since your stomach is an organ than grows or shrinks and you could just cause your new stomach to swell all over again.

Pro: Lapband

1. More safe even if you don't make healthy choices. There is no dumping.

2. There is no redirecting of organs and the procedure is completely reversable if necessary. Not recomended though if you have bad habits and are unable to change your habits.

3. You can still go to your doctor and get adjustments if you are beginning to gain weight. What I mean is you can nip it in the butt right away and get help.

4. Shorter recovery from surgery.

Con: Lapband

1. For the average person who doesn't try very hard with making better choices the weight loss is half of what the bypass does.

Which ever you choose to do it must be up to you. If you choose not to change your addiction of junk food or picking throughout the day you will only become a slave to your weight loss procedure and have not learned anything for a healthier life. It is a life long change whichever one choose but you really must change yourself from within to be successfull. My addiction was fast food and I haven't eaten that since 2005 and I don't miss it as long as I can't smell it but I feel healthier because of it.

I was 41 years old when I finally made up my mind to eat to live and not live to eat. You can do this but you really (sincerely) need to make changes.

Josephine

If your attitude is that if the band fails then you will ask your insurance to cover gastric bypass is really galling. How about going to seminars and asking doctors and talking to people who had both surgeries and then going with the attitude you will give it your all for whichever surgery you pick. NEITHER surgery is easy an weight loss solution. You still have to exercise and watch what you eat. The Gastric bypass - you will have a honey moon period that may last a year where no matter what you eat you will lose then it stops and if you still can't control you sweet tooth then you will stretch your pouch and experience dumping (described by 1 doctor in GA as wishing you were dead). I've had a friend who had GB and went from size 24 to a 14 then back up to 20 and still can't eat the normal way. With LAP-BAND® - same thing. The psychiatrist who I had to see told me many people had LAP-BAND® who were still fat b/c they saw it as a magic cure all. You still have to change the way you eat b/c if you just eat sweets - guess what? You may lose you hair (which my GB friend experienced) b/c of lack of protein. Sorry to be so harsh but as someone who had to pay for the LAP-BAND® myself I get mad when I see people thinking this will change the way you eat - no, it is all up to you.