I don't know what to do! Help please

[AWD12368 30]

I went to the Doctors on Thursday to discuss my options and all that for the surgeries. I had decided months ago I wanted to do the lap band and my doctor said point blank. "I would never recommend doing that surgery to anyone, I think you would be better off doing the bypass. But I will do the lap band if you are sure." I was shocked but I had never considered the bypass and honestly I don't know much about it. I know the surgery basis of it but nothing else. What advice do you have and what was your experience with it the good and the bad please. I want to make the right choice and you can read all the do's and don'ts and the statistics but I think talking to people about there actual journey is better (for me). Thank you all so much!

[Cupcake 801]

Hi you must work with your surgeon and do whats best for you my surgeon would not even consider the band and very few doctors would or insurance covers it because of complications , I would think about what is best for you and how much weight you want to loose and the success rate of all. I had no complications and very little pain. I would research everything and work with my surgeon to make the best decision, you should ask your surgeon as well as yourself why he choose the bypass over the band. Good luck.

[AWD12368 30]

@@Cupcake He did tell me why and he had good reasons for it. There is just something about the bypass that scares me. I could talk myself into or out of it. I have just heard so many people say that it worked but then they gained it all back and it was a waste or they had saggy skin and it was so uncomfortable. Then there were more self conscious then before the surgery, however, I realize these are possible with ALL weight loss surgeries and it is something you need to prepare for.

[Cupcake 801]

Ad12368 the reason that they gained the weight back as with all WLS is because they did not follow their doctors orders, you can not eat whatever you want and not exercise, if you eat more than you are willing to burn off then you will have weight gain and thats with surgery or not. People consumed to many calories and refuse to exercise. As far as hanging skin goes you will have hanging or stretch skin rather you have the wls or not if you do not have the surgery you have hanging skin do to excessive amount of fat at least with the wls and you do what you are required to do and exercise you can minimize the amount of skin you have hanging through exercise. I have lost 100 pounds and I look great I work out 5 days a week for 2 hours . I watch what I eat and hold myself accountable for my actions. I eat to live not live to eat anymore. Most people overeat because of some issue they have going on rather it be stress eating, depression, comfort their is always a source to why people over eat. You must remember WLS is a tool only yo must do the hard work and be willing to make the necessary changes that is need to loose weight. Also regarding appearance and confidence , your confidence goes way up and you are finally seen as a person and with envy not the butt of everyone joke. I know that I was also tired of everyone telling me I had such a pretty face now I have the body that match and I have been happily married for 20 years. You will see changes as well as people will show their true colors friends who you thought were friends were not they became upset because you are getting healthy and changing. Do not let fear prevent you from being healthy no matter what choice you make. Good luck and keep me posted.

[armywife79 123]

I actually had the band myself in 2010. I am now readying for Bypass in less than 2 weeks. I went to many of that doctors support group meetings and out of all his patients over 3 years post op, only 2 were not still obese. I would sit in the waiting room for my appointments and listen to person after person be told they were "up" so many pounds this week again. It was heart breaking after all we had gone through. My surgeon is actually a friend of my family and his partner preformed the sleeve on my little sister not long ago and he agrees that the band is a waste of time. Its a pie in the sky pipe dream and actually caused me alot of emotional and physical pain. Its a flawed system and most doctors are phasing it out of their practices all together due to poor all around results. These are not just my opinions but , there are statistics out there on all the surgeries for success in long and short term and the bypass does have the highest long term success rate. Having said all that, I agree with Cupcake, ALL WLS, are a tool only, not a magic trick as the general public thinks it is, or a cop out (if you will). If you are unsure, RESEARCH! This may be your one bite at the bariatric apple so, you want to choose wisely! Talk to other Banders and Bypassers and def, keep a good open dialogue with your doctor. These offices usually have support groups once or twice a month, DEF go to one! Ask questions of the bypass patients and band patients. Nothing teaches like experience and seeing what its like beyond the next step and all the days after. In my office, almost ALL the staff, are sleeve or bypass patients so, I have alot of experienced people to lean on and as questions of and its very soothing. I think if you go mix it up with a group once or twice, it will really help sway you in one direction or the other. Cupcake is SO right that we do give up so much to shed off our old life but gain so much if we are willing to reach out and grab life and make it what we want. Its all yours for the asking, you just have to really think, and then ask, then show the world what its been missing!

Edited March 2, 2015 by armywife79

[innwtitdtity 57]

I had the band put in in 2008 and I just received my date for bypass next Tuesday. My first surgeon only did bands and my current surgeon only did bypass (at that time). Today, my original surgeon is also doing sleeves and my new surgeon is doing sleeves and bypass. I agree with the others, do research. In 2008 I was afraid of bypass but I think that was because I did not do research. My band slipped 5 times and I rarely ever felt the "full" sensation when eating. I am 48 and my joints really hurt-I need a tool that will hold me accountable and I think the bypass is it. I don't have any other comorbidities but I am afraid I will if I don't get myself together soon. Being over weight sucks but it can be fixed with the right attitude and support team. Good luck in whichever choice you make.

[wildGoose 207]

I had Gastric Bypass. My insurance only covers GB and Lap Band. I chose GB.

For a long time, several years, I resisted GB because it seemed too radical. Now that I've had it, I have ZERO regrets.

My biggest suggestion is that you must trust your surgeon. Also, if you are diabetic, GB is the way to go.

[armywife79 123]

I also agree with Wildgoose totally. My old surgeon actually TOLD me, he felt the GB was barbaric! However, this was a totally biased opinion because he only preformed Lap Band! So, I took him at his word, struggled like all hell for three years and now finally have the correct team and believe I am on the correct path in having the GB on the 11th Only YOU can decide if you are really ready but, this is no way to live. You and I both deserve better don't you think?

[lyndabuon 16]

I know too many people who had the lap band and every single person gained all their weight back and plus some. I am actually having the gastric bypass next month and have only heard and seen good results from it. If you do your part, the weight will come off and stay off. Like my doctor says its a tool to help us take it off and keep it off but we are the ones to make it work.

Good luck.

[Kalberto66 24]

I wanted the lap band a year ago when I started looking into WLS but many people have probs with it...a friend of mine had Gastric Bypass and her reasoning was she wanted something permanent....that made more sense to me than putting something that could slip and possibly need removing later...it would make all the weight loss and pain of surgery a waste...I only like to do things one time...just me

[goregalore 16]

Just my two cents: I had the lap band in 2010, lost about 30 lbs and started having complications. Went for two years for fill after fill after unfill until finally I was fed up with never hitting "the spot". I've had my band completely unfilled for two years and still cannot eat dense Proteins or raw veggies. After researching revision surgeries last summer, I had my heart set on a VSG until I did a few tests and my surgeon found that my esophagus was weakened due to the band, so he recommends bypass, which I'll be getting this month.

[highdesertblue 70]

Have you attended any seminars with other surgeons? I attended two before deciding on one. One favors the sleeve, and the other favors the Gastric bypass. They both explained why they didn't do the band anymore. Information is power!

[allielee 263]

I had the band in 2008 and lost all my weight.. In April 2014 I found out it has eroded.. I had a revision from band to bypass on May 21 2014. It is awesome! I wish I had the bypass first! It is awesome. I have had no problems. I'm at a normal BMI. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.