My surgeon also tried to talk me into the gastric... until he got to know me now he feels comfortable with the band. I think the concern is if you have alot of weight to lose that with the gastric you will lose more initially and with the band you have to be more compliant with behavior modification. I think the band is smarter in the long run. Bottom line we need to learn to eat healthier and be more active no matter what method is chosen. With gastric after a couple years there is no more "dumping" syndrome thats the time when alot of those patients start regaining and the stomach starts to stretch again. The band will not change shape you just have to be dedicated to keep up with the fills.
