JodyG

Do you keep getting your band adjusted forever, or do you reach a "sweet spot" after a few fills and just keep it that way?

I've heard that lapband is for people who dont' have that much to lose. I'd be starting at 300 and would ideally like to end up at 160. I'd like to hear from people who have lost 150 pounds with lap band, how long it took, why they didn't do bypass, etc. Also, do you keep getting your band adjusted forever, or do you reach a "sweet spot" after a few fills and just keep it that way?

I'm deliberating between lapband and bypass. I've read that with theband you'll lose less -- I've seen from 30-50% of excess weight. For me, this wouldn't be worth the risk if I'm going to only lose 30% or maybe even 50%. As long as you keep the band tightened, why wouldn't you just keep losing til you reach your goal? I understand that it would take longer than with bypass, which is understandable, but why would the total amount lost be lower than bypass? I'd start at 300 and don't want to end up at just 225 or someithing.

I've heard that lapband is for people who dont' have that much to lose. I'd be starting at 300 and would ideally like to end up at 160. I'd like to hear from people who have lost 150 pounds with lap band, how long it took, why they didn't do bypass, etc. Also, do you keep getting your band adjusted forever, or do you reach a "sweet spot" after a few fills and just keep it that way? p.s. I put this same post accidentally under the "Pre-op" forum, but thought I might get better response posting here.

Thanks, Alexandra! Great info.

I have 3 insurance questions. I have good insurance now and am deliberating whether to have lap band or bypass. 1. My current insurance will cover both, but if I switch insurance due to changing jobs, will my future insurance disallow fills because it was a pre-existing condition? I don't want to go with the lap band and then be unable to afford the fills because I'm paying out of pocket. (By the way, how long does one keep getting fills?) 2. Does anyone know of an organization I can join to get GROUP insurance that does not depend on my job, such as AARP, professional organizaitons, religious organizations, etc.? 3. I have a friend who had bypass and said that she can not get new insurance at all because they disqualify her because she had bypass. Is this common? Ways to avoid it? Thanks, JodyG

Hi. I am considering lapband vs. bypass. One consideration is that I thought lapband was for people without that much to lose, so I hwas very heartened to see your starting and enidng weights. I've heard widely varying statistics on projected weight loss -- from 35% to 80%. I'm 5'1" and 320. Why did you go with the band? Thanks.