WLSinfo

I do not have any firsthand knowledge of True Results, although I have heard some positive feedback through acquaintances in Dallas, and obviously from tootsuzy's response above. Dr. Joseph Cribbins, mentioned above, is a surgeon that I have heard a great deal of positive feedback regarding. He is quoted in this article, which I like to link to because it gives a pretty comprhensive overview of Lap-Band surgery. Dr. Cribbins operates independently (I believe...don't quote me on that though!) and as the laparoscopic surgeon at iVital (also quoted in article I linked to). As I've stated before, I probably have the most familiarity with iVital through their spots on Good Morning Texas and by actually visiting their offices and meeting with some of the directors to discuss Lap-Band surgery. What seems to set iVital apart, at least from what I have gathered, is that they place a tremendous amount of emphasis on developing personalized aftercare programs for their patients. So many weight loss surgeries fail because there is not enough commitment to the post-surgery gameplan that people must follow. Here is a link to their site if you want information about them. Again, I speak about iVital only because they are the provider I am most familiar with. Your best option would be to look at the major providers in the area (a quick google search of "Lap-Band surgery and aftercare Dallas" will help...and I stress the aftercare because you want a provider who focuses on this.). Dallas is quickly becoming considered as a "hub" for weight loss surgeries in the U.S., so there are many good providers to choose from. I think most providers offer seminars and different information gathering sessions during which you can probably further explore what separates them, and where you feel most comfortable. I think you are making a great choice having the procedure done in Dallas, and the next step is figuring out 1) who provides the best aftercare and 2) where you feel most comfortable, because this is a very personal process and a long-term decision. Hopefully some of that information helps. All of the best providers in Dallas have very strong presences on the web and provide a wealth of information, which should help you narrow down your choice. I am also interested to see some more first-hand knowledge about other providers in the area...hence why I started this thread.

In one of the articles I posted in my introduction post, there is an article cited that I thought was interesting: Weight Loss Surgery May Help Less Severely Obese, US News & World Report Obviously weight loss surgery has typically been recommended (and covered by insurance) only for those with BMIs above 40, or 35+ with a co-morbidity. However, I know that there are some providers here in Dallas who have been exploring the 30-35 BMI market as a more preventative, quasi-cosmetic procedure. I think we'd all agree that once BMIs get above 30, weight loss is a positive thing regardless of whatever the primary underlying reason is. But I am interested to know what everyone things of weight loss surgery as being not just a last-resort option, and even moving into the cosmetic realm. Articles the one cited above make me think that this could end up becoming a trend for the future (but obviously not a majority of the cases considering the reluctance of insurance companies to cover the procedure.)

Thanks for asking! I probably should explained more in my Intro. :-) :tt1:

It's a valid question. I posted man of my reasons in my introductory post in the other forum. I have had many friends and family members who have taken advantage of weight loss surgery...both lap-band and bypass. Through my experience with them and a work project I was exposed to a great deal of research on the subject. I also love reading about the success stories of people who have lost weight and changed their lives. We live in a society where many people are consumed by weight...and while we can debate the validity of that all night long, it is what it is. In my experience, few achievements improve self-esteem and make people happier than losing weight and becoming healthier and more comfortable with their appearance. I decided to sign up to read such stories, offer my congratulations, and share whatever knowledge I could from the research I conducted. If nothing else, it helps me to justify all the time I spent reading and writing about the subject! And I have battled slight weight issues and have a family history of heart disease and a propensity for above average weight gain during middle age. So during the course of my experience with weight loss surgery, it is something I have kept in the back of my mind perhaps even as a preventative measure (and is some trending towards lower-BMI individuals using the surgery as a preventative therapy) considering how successful today's techniques have proven to be. Hopefully I can effectively manage my weight as I age and it will not be an issue. Either way, lapbandtalk.com seems like a great place to read uplifting stories and help pass along support to be who have made a wise and brave decision. :tt1:

Good point excarolinagirl. If you go to the website for a lap-band provider you will probably get a different story (or at least a different slant to the story) than if you go to a bypass provider. The key is to research independent sources and then see how much the evidence corresponds to the websites of providers you are choosing between. I haven't seen anything to suggest that the bypass is a better option than the lap-band, even though bypasses can be done laparoscopically now. Credibility of sources is huge! :tt1:

I am not currently in the active market searching for a weight loss surgery provider, but I would certainly never rule it out. Living in Dallas, I am wondering what provider people from the Metroplex have used, and how they rate them. To date, I have seen commercials on TV for iVital, as well as their Medical Director on Good Morning Texas. I have also heard of Lap Band Solutions and the Bariatric Center of Dallas, and seen them through searches in google. Dallas residents, where have you had your procedure done and how satisfied were you with your provider? (Truth be told, I am obviously not *hoping* that I will need this information some day, but it might be good to store in the memory banks just in case) :tt1: Thanks for the info!

You are most certainly welcome. You've made the first crucial step to decide on weight loss surgery. Choosing between Bypass and gastric banding is the next very important consideration. I am sure everyone is excited to help you gain as much information as possible. I stressed in my earlier the post the importance of aftercare. As you choose what kind of surgery you will have, making sure that you find a provider who will guide you through the aftercare process is imperative. To wit, this article from Medical News Today, regardless of if you go bypass or banding: Bariatric Surgery - Following Doctor's Order Results in 35% more weight loss And I just did a very basic rudimentary google search on some terms relating lap-band surgery aftercare. The following link is from a provider in Dallas that came up often. I actually know a few people who work for this provider (they are actually in Plano, just across the Dallas Metroplex from where I live): Example of Lap Band Surgery Aftercare Program Main Areas of Focus There really is a wealth of information online that has helped me to better understand Lap-Band surgery as well as the alternatives. Make sure that you choose your sources wisely...but google almost makes it impossible to not be informed. And it certainly sounds like you are doing your homework!:tt1:

Congratulations!!! Did you have your procedure done in Houston? I live in Dallas, so I am very familiar with the top providers here in the Metroplex, but do not have much experience elsewhere. What is you current aftercare program? As I mentioned in my earlier post, the one theme that seems to come up consistently is the important of aftercare, and I know that a lot of place will offer the surgery but do not have a specific aftercare plan in place. One of the execs of a weight loss surgery provider here in town that I know refers to these people as "orphans." With your outstanding success, I am assuming that you are following a pretty strict aftercare program. Just curious if it is your own, or if it is something specifically designed by a provider. :tt1::thumbup:

Based on the research and information that I have seen, Restless Monkey provided an outstanding explanation of the reasons why the Lap-Band procedure is an excellent choice for many people over the gastric bypass. I would say the main reason to choose the Lap-Band is that it can adjust as your life changes. So many things can happen in life depending on one's situation. Job changes, pregnancies, lifestyle changes, etc can all make eating habit alterations necessary. Perhaps you need a certain size of stomach when you first get the surgery, but need to tighten or loosen that size as your life/goals change. The Lap-Band gives you that flexibility, which can be invaluable. If you want more information, read the following article: Lap-Band Surgery Article - Comparison w/ Gastric Bypass Included This article goes into pretty good depth on the entire subject. It is meant to be an overview of Lap-Band surgery and has a comparison with gastric bypass, as well as a focus on aftercare. Hopefully it helps! Good luck with your decision. :-) Whatever you do, just make sure to get as much information as possible and make the choice that will fit in best with your goals and personal situation. That is the most important thing. I think more and more people are finding that the Lap-Band is more conducive to their goals now and gives them the flexibility they want for the future.

Hello everyone! I am glad to be a part of the forum. I have never had a Lap-Band procedure myself, but I do know multiple people who have had the procedure done and have conducted a tremendous amount of research on the subject for both personal and professional reasons. I enjoy reading about success stories because it is truly inspiring to see how much this procedure is improving peoples' lives. I also take great comfort in knowing that should I need a weight loss surgery procedure someday, there is a safe and effective means that is tremendously successful. I have come across a few great resources that provide a comprehensive source of information regarding weight loss surgery. You can find one of them by clicking below: Lap-Band surgery and aftercare (remember...the aftercare is the most important part!!!) I plan to link out to these various resources as I respond to different threads, and hopefully they will be helpful. I hope that the research I have conducted can make me a useful resource, and I look forward to reading many inspiring success stories about Lap-Band surgery here on the forum! :tt1: