Hello All!

[ejl2008 2]

Hello all!

I'm Emily & I am considering having lapband done. SO glad I found this site to help me! Right now I am currently 5'7 with a weight of 236, so I'm around 85 pounds over-weight.

I went to one doctor to find out about weight loss surgery & I was set on having lapband done. After meeting my (EXTREMELY pushy) doctor, he INSISTED lapband would not work as effectively as a gastric sleeve. (Well duh, I'd be losing 80%-85% of my stomach then.) I was told the MOST I would lose with the band is 20-30 pounds at most.

Can anyone PLEASE tell me more information about this? I'm going to meet with another doctor (soon hopefully) to get a professional opinion, but I'd like other people's opinion on this surgery as well.

Thank you all!

[jen_1381 446]

Well the stats say on average there is a 50% loss of your excess weight. Surgeons prefer to do the procedure that will give the best results. They hate failure just as much as we do.

I myself am 5'8", starting weight of 243 lbs in May. Today, I weighed 189.0 and still have 39 lbs to go until I hit my ultimate goal of 160 lbs. I've lost 54 lbs in 5 months. I've lost over 50% of my excess weight and I'm only 5 months in. So...it all depends on the person.

[lassie 247]

HI my surgery was May 24th so I am 5 months in to this and I have lost a little over 40 lbs I still have some to go but i am glad it is coming off slow. I am so glad I did not have the by- pass as my doctor tried to talk me into. I am doing just fine the way it is. Hugs

[icestorm12132008 39]

My question to you is what do you feel comfortable having done to your body?

I'm 5ft8in and pre banding I was 317lbs female.

I had my band placed because I felt that the band was the right option for me.

You should not be pressured by your surgon or MD for one procedure over another.

With that being said I've had my lapband now for about ten months and i've lost 74lbs do date since i starrted my pre op diet before surgery. This is only about 1/2 of my excess weight and my doctor says i should loose more within the next year.

Everyone looses differently and it depends on what else may or may not be going on with your body.

My advice to you is to keep doing your research on Sleve, bypass and band.

talk to several surgons/hospitals and find one that you feel comfortable with.

Also you should assess what your plans for pregnancy are . I know many who chose the band because they had intended to start or add to their families once a specified amount of weight was lost.

Also realize that some doctors are only pushing one techique because that is all they know how to do and if you choose the technique they know how to do it means they get paid an additional fee because they get to do surgery on you. that is not the way to practice medicine it should be what is in the best interest for the patient.

[losingit919 13]

Hello all! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I'm Emily & I am considering having lapband done. SO glad I found this site to help me! Right now I am currently 5'7 with a weight of 236' date=' so I'm around 85 pounds over-weight.

I went to one doctor to find out about weight loss surgery & I was set on having lapband done. After meeting my (EXTREMELY pushy) doctor, he INSISTED lapband would not work as effectively as a gastric sleeve. (Well duh, I'd be losing 80%-85% of my stomach then.) I was told the MOST I would lose with the band is 20-30 pounds at most.

Can anyone PLEASE tell me more information about this? I'm going to meet with another doctor (soon hopefully) to get a professional opinion, but I'd like other people's opinion on this surgery as well.

Thank you all! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Okay ii started at your exact weight and I am now 158 by choice bc I don't want to be any smaller. It took less than a year for me to lose. I love my band bc I have control. It's a tool and weightloss is dependent on the person. I would say research your options but make the choice you want; not your Dr.

[highland 168]

I had a surgeon tell me that I would need to talk him in to doing the band instead of gastric bypass! His point was well taken. He was very clear that the band is a great deal of work and takes a very motivated individual to be successful with it. I have been very happy with my band, and unlike some people on here who say it is so easy, it has not been for me. I have worked my band with diligence and been very successful! I would not change a thing! Love my new life!

[SueBee01 630]

I am 5'8" with a starting weight of 330. I had my band placed 1/30/12 and have lost 122 pounds so far.

Do what you are comfortable with and what you are willing to commit to. My surgeon wanted me to do the sleeve, but I convinced him that I would commit to the exercise. He is very pleased with my success so far, but it is a lot of work. I started out exercising slow, but now I exercise twice a day most days.

I am very happy I did it!