Lapband is a slower weight loss system but its substanable weight loss and slower to gain back and is reversable. Bypass is quicker weight loss is permanent and can cause additional health issues, as well as people I know personally who have already gained their weight back after a few years.
"At present, the general death rate from bariatric surgery seems to vary between 0.2 and 1 percent."
http://www.annecolli...ass-surgery.htm
Mortality Rate
The mortality rate for lap band surgery patients varies depending on whom you ask. According to New Jersey Bariatrics, a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, the mortality rate is 0.2 percent. According to Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts, though, the mortality rate is only 0.05 percent.
Read more: Death from Lap Band | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/...l#ixzz1EQQp686C
So for me 'personally' the choice was pretty clear in that I wanted a safer way of losing weight and if it doesn't work out it is completly reversable. And again I stress that lapband weight loss is slow going but your chances of needing additional surgery's due to loose skin is a lot smaller.