Why the Band?

[Tonks 0]

Less invasive procedure

It is adjustable

Better for pregnancy

My doctor told me that for me it was better to lose the weight slowly.

I went back to work 4 days afte the surgery.

I had no pain

But it is your decision. I hate puking too, and it has happened to me a couple of times.... it's not that bad.

Just get all the information before you take a decision..... and good luck in your journey!

[Jeni 85 0]

Because it's reversible if there are complications. I also didn't like the idea of parts of my body being re-routed. And, I liked that it can be tightened if I start gaining again in a few years. Where, the RNY patients I know gain weight back and have no recourse. It's a one time shot with them, and not so much w/the band.

I chose the band because I didn't want the invasive surgery. My recover was very easy. I also like the fact that it can be adjusted.

They are both invasive surgeries .. Anything that requires breaking the skin is considered invasive... The band is less invasive.

I was actually looking into the bypass when I read about the band. I feel its just so much healthier, theres no malabsorbion and the long term results are much better. I know we (I) may not lose as fast as the gastric bypass but I was more concerned about the health issues. Once they cut that part of your intestine away you never get it back.

This is on of the reason why i didn't go with the GB... Malnutrition/absorption... and the whole idea of changing the whole digestive process freaked me out..

1. Fast easy recovery.

2. No reroute of internal organs.

3. It is not a one time shot....i can get a fill if I start to gain

4. I am not done having children, so I wanted to find a way to be able to loose the post pregnancy weight. If I had gotten RNY there is a chance I'd gain the weight back after pregnancy and it would be difficult to loose it. I didn't want to spend $ to get RNY just to be skinny for a couple of years then blow up again.

5. I didn't want to look like a Bobble head doll. Like Star Jones.

6. No malabsorbtion.

Star Jones does look like a bobblehead... :heh:

Thank you so much for sharing your thought and experiences on this thread...I just went to the info seminar on Tuesday and I think the surgeon/program like the RNY much better. I went in thinking its the band all the way, and walked out thinking why did I ever want the band. I will have a HUGE decision to make.

My worries for the band are this...

I am deathly afraid of vomiting. I know I am lame, but it is a real fear...

It is also concerning to me to have a foreign body living in there (what effect will that have on me later on?)

Will I sabotage myself?

Can I afford all of the adjustments for years to come?

Sorry, I am really struggling to find my way on this one. I appreciate that there is a place like this where I can come and interact with other who know what its like. Thanks!!

2 years out GB patients and Band patients have about the same percentage weight lose but the band patients do it slower and more gradually while the GB loose more drastically at first.

And by the way when you pb its not like vomiting really... it more so just comes up ... its hard to explain... but i cant stand vomiting and i experienced pbing a couple of times it aint that bad... (its not pleasant but not bad)

Good luck with your decision just make sure you have all the facts down before you are completely sure :confused:

(Oh and just a side note i had my surgery done at Loyola Hospital In Chicago IL, and they don't even offer the GB anymore...)