gachic

So I am new here and still trying to make the decision of the band or the bypass. Now while I'm not at all keen on getting my insides rearranged permanently, I have also read a lot of negative comments on the band on this website. I realize there are going to be people who with the bypass or the band they will have problems, and it not work as well. I just thought I had made my decision and I choose the band, but then I get on here and I see were people are wondering if they made the right decision. I would love some feedback. What makes this band work? I understand portion control, but it sounds like some people are using portion control and it's not working, and then I see where some people have lost 100+ pounds. So i'm just really confused. I read on one post where someone said there is a lot of 'head work' involved with the band. What did they mean? I have a lot of weight to loose, and it's taken me a while to even make the decision to get help with my battle, and I just want to make sure I make the right one, not make one and get disappointed. I'm willing to do the work, if in fact this band really does work. And I hope I'm not offending anyone on here, I'm just really confused... :confused2:

thank you so much every one. when I really sit down to cosider it, the only reason I would even cosider the GPS for a split second, it because of the rapid weight loss But ya'll are right, this is a tool and I do want this badly enough to get this tool, and make it work for me. I want to be healthy, not just for the first year or 2 after surgery (as are most GPS patients) but I want to be healthy for the rest of my life, and I want control over my weight, not the other way around. With the band it is adjustable, it is meant to stay in there permamanently (although I have read some need to be replaced after 15 years) and with this band I can loose this weight, win the battle and be healthy. Thank you so much to everyone who posted theirn opinion. You have all been a big help! :biggrin2:

thanks holly! Someone in my family has had the bypass and she also wishes that she had the band. I really like this website, it seems to have a lot of info on it. I have been to the lapband.com, but haven't watched the video yet. Will have to do that. Thanks so much for responding. Good luck with your insurance. keep in touch

Froggie, Thank you so much for your response. You made perfect sense, and did help calm my anxieties for now. I want to have the band done. That was my initial decision, and if I've learned anything in my life, it's to stick with your intial decision. I guess just knowing how much weight I have to loose, the mountain seems so hard to climb, and i just want to make sure I have the best tools to get to the top. I'm new at this whole forum/blog thing so I'm not sure how to keep in touch, but I would like to keep in touch with you on your journey as well. let me know how? thanks again:-)

:thumbup:Congratulations on the 30lb loss! That's great! My sister in law is seeing Dr. Daly (dr. maciks partner) and she is having the gastric bypass done. She said that she has to pay $2500.00 for a year of after care. I just don't think I want to alter my anatomy permantley like that, and I don't have $2500.00 laying around. And so far everyone I have talked to has said that the lap band was the best thing they ever did. Thank you so much for answering my questions. Maybe we can keep in touch, it's always nice to have someone local who's gone through this procedure.

Chrissi, I was so excited when I read your post. I wanted to find a support group just to go and listen in on. I am trying to decide between the band and the bypass, and so far I really am leaning toward the band. I saw that you used Dr. Macik. That is who I want to use as well. How was your experience? Did he have a good bedside manner? Have you had any problems? Was there money due before the surgeryfor your after care? Sorry for all the questions, I just am so excited about the band. thanks :-)

Dr. Schulman, I have decided to have the lap band procedure. However; about 2 months agao I had a large ventral hernia repaired (no mesh was used), and some liposuction. I have looked at where the incisions go, and should I be worried about damaging the abdominal wall again? Is there an amount of time I should wait? Also, I've always since I was a teenager at least had that "spare tire" so to speak around my hips. One Plastic Surgeon told me that it wouldn't go away, no matter how much weight I lost. Is this true? And why? I'm not a big surgery fan. Thanks for your time.