Discussion: Why People Decide N Long Run to Have Gastric Bypass

[speck 1]

I've spoken to several people who were only going to have the lap band but in the end had gastric bypass because it's easier in the long run.

Thoughts.

[juliegeraci 7]

Hi Speck, I have mixed feelings about it. I think the lapband is more difficult to lose weight. I've lost 30 lbs since June but compared to some who have lost 30+ lbs it makes me upset. Keep in mind that the doctor only wants 1-2 lbs a week which would put me right on target at 1 lb a week. Some of the time I think gastric bypass may have been better for me. The main reason is because if I'm going to have the band for life why not go all the way. I think the reason I didn't go that was was fear and lack of knowledge. I don't know too much about what you can eat. I heard that you can no longer have alcohol or sugar as it will hurt you. Don't know if that is true. In the long run I'm sure I will be happy with my band but like I said I can't imagine being 70 years old and never have had to replace it, therefore gastric bypass might be better. Good luck in your decision.

[speck 1]

I know, when I think of long term----- I'm 42 now and I just think about when I'm in my 60's and beyond--- who knows really.

Tough choice.

[Kat817 19]

I made the decision very easily. With lap band you lose weight simply by restricting the amount of food you eat. With bypass you lose that way as well as my malabsorption. You do not get full benefit of the restricted amount of food you can take in.

Personally, I am a cancer survivor. I have a naturally increased risk of recurrance. With the band, if I am having problems with nutrition in the future, due to more chemo for instance, I can have my fill removed, and deal with the current crisis.

Also if they should isolate the gene that controls obesity...our surgery is fully reversible...rNy is not.

They currently have a new lap band being put through the studies, that is remote controlled, the Dr. would "adjust" you by remote as opposed to having to fill it with saline--thereby reducing infection risk. I am as elligible as someone who has never had lap band for getting that type of band someday.

I am 46 years old....I see a long life still ahead of me. One I am already more active in! I am enjoying my grandbabies!! I play with them! To a 21 year old getting banded I already seem old, but I see 20-30 years ahead of me, that I want to LIVE, not just survive. So I needed to DO something, and for me the band was the safest, wisest choice around.

Many Dr.s in my opinion DO push the bypass, it is a one time shot, they do the surgery, and the rest is pretty much up to you. There are no adjustments in an attempt to hit the sweet spot---which can prove to be quite elusive!!! Read through here and see all the fills and unfills etc....with bypass, there is none of that. My understanding is tho, that the weight re-gain 2 years out is a really high amount with bypass. Now that may or may not be true, I may have read it in a biased band site!!!

I can understand how it would be a difficult decision for some, but for me the fact that if I reacted adversly to it, it was reversible, was the winner!

Kat

[Victoriana 10]

I think that some people get the bypass as the band is still relatively new. I think that in about 10 more years the rolls may be reversed as the complications are so much different. I know that the death rate is considerably lower also. For me, my cardio Dr. was happy to ok the band but a bypass,, He wouldnt recomend that one. Best wishes, your decision is one only you can make!

[Jachut 487]

True - they dont do the bypass in Australia, probably you could get it done if the lapband failed, but its not the first choice for most bariatric surgeons. Too risky, too complicated, not good enough long term results. Longer term stats are showing that you lose more slowly with the lapband and its more dependent on personal habits (which is a good thing in my opinion) but you get greater weight maintenance at the end of the journey, compared to GBP where there's a significant proportion of people who lose fast and then begin to regain.

So easy choice for me as I wouldnt have been able to find a surgeon to do a bypass but I would never have considered it given the size of my weight problem - simply not worth the risk of malnutrition and the surgical risks.

[ralheit 1]

Ditto and ditto again. I chose the band because of the lower rates of complications and death. I know several people who have had bypass and gained the weight back again. I know several who don't look or feel healthy after a bypass. And the fast weight loss causes lose skin to be a much worse issue than slower loss. If not for the band, I wouldn't even have considered wls. But thank God it exists and however slowly, I am becoming a much healthier and happier person. I can do much more and it is so much easier to be the Grandma I want to be to my angels.

Best of luck to you on your journey and whatever your decision I hope it is the right one for you as this choice has been for me.