band v. bypass

[unopadre 0]

how many of you wish you had gone with a bypass rather than your band?

how many have scrapped the band and gone for a bypass?

i've read some regretful posts.

before i get my band, i'm wondering how common is this regret among bandsters.

thank you.

[DOC 0]

This is such a personal decision and on this board you will get votes for the band and on a bypass site you will get votes for bypass.

For me, this was the only decision. I needed to change the way I thought about food with some assistance. The other by pass route was to drastic for me....

As I said, this is a personal decision that you need to make. Do your research..... you will make the right decision.

Good Luck...

[Tricia K. 0]

Had this procedure not been available, I would have never had another type of WLS. Indeed, it is a personal choice/decision.

[unopadre 0]

are you happy with your weightloss so far?

[DOC 0]

Actually, I lost faster then I wanted..... 30 lbs in 5 weeks. I am exercising and I want to lose inches and tone at the same rate of weight loss so I am not all saggy. Don't know if it will work, but that is my goal.

If I follow the bandster diet and exercise I will meet by goal of 100 lbs .... not doubt in my mind. If I mess around, eat junk and don't exercise, I won't. Simple..... but not easy!

[GeezerSue 7]

I got my band. Then, due to problems, I had the band removed and had the DS (which is NOT the RnY).

I'm sorry that I didn't "connect" with the data available at the time, which was that at age 55 and a starting BMI of over 50 (but lower at surgery time), I was not the best candidate. AND, that "success" is declared when 60% of excess weight is lost. (That would have left me on the cusp between MO and O.)

I'm not really sorry I got the band (except for the money), but I am sorry I waited so long to have it removed and to move on to another approach.

Sue

[vinesqueen 2]

I wouldn't have had anyother WLS either. I'm really glad I didn't have any of the malaborptive things like the RNY, DS, etc., because as it turns out, I probably wouldn't have lost with any of those techniques either. I was diagnosed with Cushing's so until I get that resolved I won't be loseing much weight if any more at all.

So, that's my story. I'm completely disatisfied with my weight loss. I'm almost a year out and have lost about 25-30 pounds. But I'm completely happy with my band, because I feel like I would have died from my co-morbidities.

[PhotoNut 7]

I am not one for elective surgery on anything! I'm a big chicken and a wuss when it comes to pain. So for me to decide on the band it had to include the following:

1. A very limited risk of death.

2. No cutting or rerouting my innards.

3. No long term side effects to deal with (malabsorption, smelly poo, etc)

4. Reversible if I decided it was a mistake.

5. The worst case scenario did not include long term damage to my body.

I couldn't be happier. I was not looking for some miracle cure to my obesiety. I was looking for something that could help hold me up while I tried yet again. My biggest fear of another diet was gaining back all I lost PLUS 20 more, which is typical for me. With the band, I know I have to be a responsible adult, make wise food choices, exercize and get plenty of Water. This is a no brainer. This is what burns off excess fat. And the band does not change that fact. It is merely a safety net for me.

The only thing the band has completely taken care of without my assistance is the elimination of breads and pastas from my life. Which is great! I'm a dough freak and got fat eating it. I'm thrilled at the opportunity to have something take that choice away from me. I never could manage it on my own.

If ever I lose my band, for any reason, I hope to have used it well and not to have leaned on it to such an extent that I cannot maintain a healthy lifestyle without it. I see some who keep getting tighter and tighter fills, frustrated because they still don't lose weight. Well, the truth is, you'd have to close off your stomach to keep melting chocolate, ice cream, and cookie crumbs from getting through. It will take some self control and determination to give up the old in trade for the new.

[Whoyah 0]

For me I made the right decision -- I love my band. No matter how slow the weight loss my eating habits have changed.

[Kelliebelly 13]

Loving the band!!!!!!!

Thats all I have to say about that.

[Paulax 8]

I too would not consider any other procedure.

I am looking forward to being banded in July.

[Banded in KS 0]

The lap-band was the only choice for me! My mother has had rny and I have watched what a hard time she has had. Complications have put her back in the hospital twice and her weight loss is less than I have had with the band. I am sure overall health and age have a lot to do with that.

For me the key reasons for choosing the band over gastric bypass (rny)...

1. the surgery is less risky

2. no cutting and rerouting of organs (my body still works the way God intended it to)

3. adjustable

4. reversible

5. slower weight loss (healthier for my body)

6. I have to change my life/bad habits.

#6 is key for me. I actually heard a rny patient say that she chose that surgery because she knew she could cheat and still lose weight. While this is true, it was a deterant for me. In order to have LIFE LONG health, I have to address my issues. If I had rny but never changed my habits, I would just regain the weight.

Just do your research and do what you think is right for you. Good luck on your weight loss journey!

[MsButterKup23 1]

As someone else pointed out this is a very personal choice.

Personally I didn't like the statistics that go with the band. The risk of death is greater and after a few years the weight loss is comparable. I had to try the band first, if something happened and I lost my band then I would have GB or some other form of WLS. I refuse to be 300lbs again!

[Rockin' Robyn 15]

No regrets at all....and that's coming from someone who has had many more complications that the typical bandster 'should have'. If I ever had to have my band removed, I'd do it all over again if they would let me. Like someone else said, the band has forced me to take my bad eating habits head on....not just relying on the surgery to "fix everything". I have been one of the lucky ones that has lost weight, but I never look at the band as my easy fix, because it's not. You must enter this journey prepared mentally to make long-term changes in your eating habits. The band won't do that for you, only you can do that for you.....NO REGRETS!!!

[cashley 0]

I think the adjustablity is a big plus for the band. I've seen others who's have ByPass and they loose a lot but get stuck at a size 14 - 16ish... Which is great but it's hard to loose that last amount because they are used to their stomach size. Anyhow if we get to that point with one or two more sizes or 20 - 30 pounds to loose we can still get an adjustment.