Lap Band Vs Gastric Bypass

[trina43 1]

How did you decide which way to go? What was your deciding factor?

[AmyD102 95]

What it really came down to for me was not having my whole insides rearranged. I have friends and family who have had both procedures(and been very successful with both) but.... for me the Lap Band is so much less invasive, less healing time and fully reversible. Also I found it be a more slow/gradual process of losing the weight (which in my mind is healthier...lol) But really all in all I was just very uncomfortable with the idea of stapling and rerouting my stomach and intestines...it kinda freaked me out..lol!! Hope this helps and I'm sure no matter what you decide it will be the best for you!!

[rockonhan 10]

For me, it was the severity of the procedures. I was hesitant enough about WLS, but removing part of my organs was just too much for me.

Also, since I'm self-pay, I was FREAKED out complications because my insurance would not cover any complications. Lapband was far less risky, IMHO, and therefore, less of a risk financially.

I've been infertile for four years and would like to get pregnant one day, and the fact that you can remove all the liquid from the band and have a normal size stomach again appealed to me in terms of nutritionally providing for a child if I was pregnant.

It's different strokes for different folks. I think Gastric Bypass is a fine procedure and is a better fit for some people. I think Lapband was the right fit for me.

The best advice I can give is research, research, research! Good luck!

[NWgirl 574]

I wanted to go the route of least invasive and least down time. I also thought that if there's a problem 5, 10, or 15 years down the line, they may have come out with another equally less invasive procedure to perform. I would really like to keep all of my anatomy.

I also am young and plan on having a family someday, so it's important that I could still lose weight now, but have the possibility when pregnant to remove part of the saline to allow for adequate nutrition.

I also considered the actual weight loss aspect. Although gastric usually loses more weight at a faster pace initially, there is a chance of regaining after 18 mths-2 years (when the body learns how to reabsorb) if you did not learn to eat properly. The band causes you to change your eating from the start and also requires less nutritional supplements.

[jayeedee 7]

I wanted something reversable. I also like me. I know that losing weight is a process, and I couldn't imagine how I would deal with suddenly dropping a ton of weight, so I wanted something that I would have to work with, so that in the even there are problems, I learn the skills to lose and maintain the weight on my own (albeit, not as easily). I also have dumping if I eat too much sugar as it is, and I see so many GB people who "cheat" on a regular basis because they can... and then they dump... and that does not sound like fun.. plus it doesn't alter behavior enough further down the line when the body adapts. Everyone I know personally who has had GB surgery gained most of the weight back because those first few years they lost regardless of what they were doing and never learned how to be a healthier version of themselves. The last thing for me was, the primary reason I was heavy and keeping on weight is because of my appetite/portion sizes. I am generally a healthy eater because my body would gets mad at me when I'm not and I have a few food allergies to common food fillers (meaning I eat whole foods for the most part instead of processed). I just wanted something that would help with my appetite and portion size. So far so good with the lapband. Plus, no risk of more dumping. If I want a cookie, my doctor says to have the cookie (I don't really like Cookies though, so it would proabably be cake). The thing is though, with my appetite how it is, I really don't want calorie dense things.

I am not as tight as some people around here, and I think I will stay this way because I lose better when I eat simple and complex carbs. I was at a plateau until I added white rice to my diet every other day. But I don't have to be scared to add these things because I won't overeat them, and since the band is adjustable, I can keep it at a level where I can. If I need to change though, I can always get it tighter... I like that about it too. There is also more aftercare. Since i check in with my doctor's office every month, I know that for the first year, I have a whole team helping me stay on track. I think GB patients only need to go 2x-3x post surgery for the first year.

Oye... sorry for the long response... but these are the reasons I went with LB over GB. Oh, and quick recovery. I was back to work in less than a week with only a little bit of pain.

[trina43 1]

Thanks for all of your responses! My decision was based on all of the same reasons you mentioned (well, minus wanting to have kids...been there 4 times and done! ) I am nervous enough about having the surgery. Even though I had two knee surgeries, I made them only give me a spinal because I didn't want to be put under anesthesia. I like the fact that the lap band is less invasive and can be removed if there were major problems. I am just ready to get this whole thing started so I can see the pounds start dropping!