yes, your dr is an idiot. My dr in dallas does both. The choice is yours. I work with a lady that had the gastric bypass and wishes she could do the lapband. It takes just as much control if not more on the by pass. She has found a way to drink beer and is now putting her wieght back on. Both ways can be failures. The band is less invasive and you can be back to work in a couple of days!! I am 48 and just had the band put in on april 22. I have lost about 30 lbs so far, i feel better and my clothes are getting loose. So go for it man!!