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Laura, you're not likely to get much response here from people who chose bypass. This is LBT, dedicated to issues surrounding banding. We all have reasons for choosing banding--mine were much like others mentioned here, safety, sanity, moderation--and you'll hear many stories about why people decided for banding. For stories about why people chose bypass you'll do much better somewhere else. Try Obesityhelp.com for a start.

Actually, it is an excellent question to ask here because I was wondering the same thing. Sometimes I wonder if I should of waited out the list of gastric bypassers and just done that, but after weighing out the pro's and con's , i realized the good choice. Gastric bypass is quick, and it's great for people who want results fast, but then what happens when the weight comes back on? Your stomach stretches, it's not adjustable. Lapband comes off slowly, but in the end, the weight doesn't come back and even if it does, you can always adjust your band, which is great. In the end, the results will come and with both, the surgery is just a tool. It's just a matter of how patient you are. Plus, this is way safer.

The only reason why I didn't have gastric bypass was I didn't want everything rerouted. I also wanted to still eat sweets and drink alcohol. Good luck with your decision.

Hello gang, I had WLS in 2004. I was one of the early lap band recipients in Australia under Prof. Paul O'Brien. I did great and lost 46kg (101lbs), but then life set in and I had two kids and a suicidal husband so I let the weight creep back up. I had a revision in 2013 due to a hiatus hernia so large I was having esophageal spasms. So now, I'm at the heaviest I've ever been, and I've got a ventral hernia that goes from my navel to my sternum. My surgeon said he won't even try to fix it if my BMI is over 30 because it will just come right back. He then talked to me about how the lap band has fallen out of favor because it was not as effective as the original studies promised. He suggested a revision to a VSG, and set me up in my insurance's approval program for WLS. The first step is the removal of the band and port and recovery from that. Surgery is scheduled for July 7th. After that I'll progress through the "hoop-jumping" to qualify for the VSG, which providing everything goes smoothly, I'll qualify for in October. So far no one has stated any pre-surgery weight loss requirements, but I have been studying the various plans and doctor's programs I've found online, as well as reading personal stories from support forums like this one, so I can get an aggregate view of the entire procedure both pre and post-op. I must admit that the pendulum swings widely across what I've seen, both in program execution and in individual responses. Of course, I realize that there are outliers on every scale, and I'm averaging what I see. I got this little binder from the program introduction meeting (Dignity Health), and I've been adding my own research to it, things like print out of appropriate bariatric (or equivalent) vitamins based on their recommendations, worksheets for tracking eating and drinking, pre and post-op protein shakes, mixes, and recipes, motivational type posters, and text documents on things like how digestion works, how protein is used by the body, etc. Note, all the research is stuff from actual university or journal studies, I'm not taking answers from Reddit or Quora as facts! I've decided the biggest issue I've seen is the grief process that hits people after the surgery when they suddenly realize they can't eat what they want. I've read a lot of threads (not just here) of people rebelling and hating themselves and hurting themselves because of this. I do not want to deal with this. I'm already working on changing my eating habits, albeit slowly. I want to be more in control of this transition than I've seen, So, if you've read this far, my questions to you are: Did you make any effort pre-op to really change your eating habits? Did you experience grief or regret post-op if you didn't? Did you regret your surgery for any reason OTHER than the food restriction/complications? Thanks for discussing!

Me personally it was a very easy discussion. I can't fathom rearanging my insides for weight loss. I know for some it is an awesome tool, and they do wonderfully and stay fit and trim. But I am a pessimist by nature so the what ifs really stopped me from going much further then running the thought of bypass through my skull. I chose Lap band because God forbid something go wrong, it can be removed and taken out. Cancer does run in my family, (although only one reported case of stomach cancer) So my fear is "what if I get stomach cancer, if I have bypass I will lose what I have left" kind of thoughts. My surgeon understand this and respects it (his team push's bypass and the sleeve). For me it was a really easy choice, I was able to factor the pro's and cons for each and go from there. The list of Pros on the Bypass side was abysmally small, while the band took up the whole list. So....

Being overweight is a shared trait in my family. I've struggled... we've all struggled our whole lives... My sisters and I were trying to talk my father into getting weightloss surgery. He was too ashamed and embarrassed to ask his doctor about it. He thought that he should've been able to do it himself, and that asking for help would make him weak. This past May he passed away in his sleep. He was only 58. There is no doubt in my mind that this surgery would have saved his life. My dad should still be here. In the midst of this heartbreaking time in my life, I've discovered I was just like him. I love my dad (he will forever be my Superman), and I never in a million years would have thought that being like him was a bad thing... I never had considered getting weightloss surgery for myself because like my father, I thought I should be able to do it myself. I've tried... and failed... and tried... and failed so much that I kind of lost faith in myself. I've realized that asking for help is the most courageous thing I can do. It can save my life like it should have saved my father's. My sister and I are scheduled to get gastric bypass surgery in Mexico on September 25th. I'm very excited about starting a new life with a new lifestyle, and I know that my Dad will be watching. I'm determined to make him proud.

My mother had gastric bypass done by Dr. Mirande in the Medford area... she's 16 years out and still speaks of how wonderful him and his staff is. Try looking into him! I remember her going to support groups as well from his office. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi! I am new and nervous. My surgery is this Wednesday the 21st. I am having Gastric Bypass. My current weight is 130. I have wanted this for 2 years but due to insurance requirements I kept barely missing the BMI criteria. Any helpful things regarding the 3 day full liquid would be appreciated. My biggest fear is messing up. I have been given a great gift to have a second chance at a healthy life. I don't want to mess up.

My insurance does not cover the sleeve, only band or bypass. However, I have called into them before and they have implied that if my doctor can prove that sleeve is medically necessary, then they will approve it.

Just a note, Vertical Sleeve Talk also has a Gastric Bypass forum. The web address is www.RNYtalk.com . At least it follows the same format (which you may be used to by now).

I have around 200 to lose and when I did my research by the numbers it seemed the rny was the best option. I still haven't gotten the all clear from my shrink because one of the meds I'm on has serious issues with dosing. If he can switch my drugs (which that is our goal anyways I am weaning off that med) I get the bypass otherwise the surgeon says sleeve. Sent from my SGH-M919 using the BariatricPal App

I have had GERD for about 30 years, literally. I have been on some old school meds, and then on a PPI for about 19 years now. Even post VSG, and losing all my regain, my GERD persists. yes I am still taking a PPI. I've been on them all: Protonix, Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex, etc. I was told that after all my loss if it still persists then yes, RNY revision is my only option. I'm now 4.5 years post VSG and STILL hoping it will clear up...

I am only 9 weeks out. My surgeon prescribed pantoprazole for the first 8 weeks. As soon as I stopped taking it I had bad reflux. I tried Tums and it didn't touch it. I had to call to get a refill Because it hurt so bad and I haven't been able to sleep or eat. I never had reflux before surgery and I am so worried I will need a bypass to fix it [emoji20] I thought I'd be ok with the sleeve and now I am so stressed I am hoping a few more months I can try to ween off of it slowly and see if I can get to a place where I don't need it. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

I am preop but have had GERD for over a year now. It came on suddenly. I take the same med/dosage so I am pursuing a bypass vs sleeve. My GI insists that it is a safe medication, has been around for decades etc. I know some other GERD meds have warnings but supposedly Protonix is "safer".

Thank you or sharing your story. May your revision go smoothly and put you back on track!

I have been following RNYTalk.com for a while now and decided I should share my experience. I had RNY in January 2005 at age 24. I was 249 lbs at the time of surgery. I did fantastic with no complications other than needing my gall bladder removed in December of that year (which is very common). I lost my weight steadily and at six months I had got down to 152 lbs. I never had a specific goal in mind but this was a great weight for me. After that I stabled out at 157 lbs for four years. In January 2009 my life dramatically changed when my very painful divorce was final. More or less everything that had been my life was gone. I was going to be 30 in just a couple months and I was back living at home with my parents in a dreary basement apartment with no job, no insurance and no hope. As many of us know all to well when depression strikes food becomes our medicine, our friend and are only consistent source of love. Needless to say I started to gain my weight back. I was in complete denial that it was my eating habits but instead something was "wrong" with the surgery. I even went to my surgeon who performed an exploratory abdominal procedure and found nothing of significance. Sinking deeper into my depression my weight gain continued and for a long time I just denied it all together despite having to buy bigger and bigger clothes. My self-esteem was down to an all time low and was now I was trying to attempt to date for the first time in 8 years. Boy, what fun was that! When I finally found a good man (who I married last summer) I was up to 200 lbs. I didn't care anymore and my husband loved me for who I was and not for how I looked. Now exactly 3 years since our relationship started I am 225 lbs and have been at this weight despite efforts to lose the weight. I have decided to see a new surgeon that is a revision specialist and have my RNY revised. I am now in the beginning stages of getting the process rolling. It is treated just like I never had the surgery before. Supervised weight loss, seminars, NUT meetings, blood work etc. I am having an EGD in two weeks and next month I will be done with the supervised weight loss requirement. My own therapist will provide the pysch eval and we will be doing that at the end of the month. I don't have an actual surgery date yet. My main point in sharing this is that this surgery is just a tool. I know we all hear this but it is so, so true and not a lifelong fix no matter what. If you stop eating right, stop taking Vitamins, stop following up with your surgeon you will gain back the weight. I am not writing all this to scare anyone or make anyone reconsider their decision. Having GB was the best thing I every did myself and I know I will be able to do it again. My mind set is 100% different and I know so much more than I did 8 years ago. This is my story and I look forward to be getting a second chance on my life and getting control of my weight once again.

I completely agree. Its sad that weight loss companies only look at the negative sides of weight loss surgery. The band is a great alternative to gastric bypass. Good luck.

Thanks everyone! Trailnurse, no I've never had a DVT. My surgeon puts a vena cava filter in all his patients getting the sleeve or bypass. I wasn't too happy to hear I was going to have to have it but I guess it is looking out for my best interest. Doesn't seem like many on here have had to have one placed.

Sorry about your complications and having to have an endoscopy. If I may, may I ask what you're complications were? I'm a little concerned about complications but not too too much. My daughter had the surgery six years ago and is basically doing fine. she had to have an endoscopy done recently. Everything was okay but they think she has bacteria in her intestines. she has yet to have that checked out. she is busy with other Dr. appointments that have nothing to do with her gastric bypass surgery. Thanks for responding...

Hi, My name is Deb and I am 58 years old (soon-to-be 59), physically disabled with spinal muscular atrophy (I cannot walk), and have just been greenlighted by my psychiatrist for the gastric bypass. I had been thinking of getting the vertical sleeve surgery but my medical doctor told me today that the gastric bypass would be better for me since my main reason for having surgery is to put my diabetes in remission. (Kidneys leaking Proteins from my diabetes and I don't want to lose my kidneys.) So here I am facing gastric bypass surgery. I look forward to meeting you, fellow-members of the forum. I will try my best to be an active participant in this forum. By the way, my surgery should be sometime in July. Any other July surgeries out there? Deb

My primary care doc (now, former primary care doc) had never heard of the sleeve, so no matter how I tried to describe it to her, she thought it was the gastric bypass surgery. the note she sent to the bariatric doctor was not supportive as she says too many people have complications and regain weight too. She is basing that on her gastric bypass patients! Not every doctor or nurse is really educated on bariatric issues - so - it could be your SIL is not informed about this specific procedure.

File under the heading of no sh*t Sherlock. Though they refer to the band and bypass as the primary WLS's performed it is a logical conclusion that you should wait 12-18 months post-op to try and have a baby. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20979355

My Dr. told me that It would be a little higher risk to do both at the same time, but it would also cost less to do it at the same time. I had my band removed 2.5 years ago and my comorbidities are now worse especially my B/S. I'm going through the process over again and will now meet with my surgeon again in 4 weeks for sleeve surgery. I don't weigh a whole lot at this time, but need to do this for health reasons. I hope you get to the right place with your revision and things get better for you very quickly....

I was banded in 2013 and it slipped. Most like due to the fact that I continued bad habits like bread, rice and other junk. I had the band removed and revised to a sleeve on jan 23rd. I feel great. 1st week was the worst. Pain from where the port was. My surgeon was excellent. He said there was a lot of scar tissue but he was able to it. Weight loss is slower due to this being my second surgery but loss is a loss and I will take it. Not screwing up this time. Good luck!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

When my weight stalled, my NP suggested one day of higher calorie/good fats (avocado, olive oil) - no processed or forbidden foods. Then back to a regular WLS diet. It seemed to work - my weight dropped a couple of days later after a 4 week stall. I had RNY and while agree with Ladybandito on nearly every point, I have been advised not to go longer than 3 hours between meals/snacks (I'm on a 6 times a day routine - 3 small meals and 2-3 healthy snacks). Maybe a difference between lap band and gastric bypass? I also hear a lot of talk on this website about the 5:2 diet (5 days of normal eating followed by 2 days of "fasting") but I haven't needed to get that extreme yet.