Question...

amie0709 · April 9, 2008

Hello, all!

I am about 99% sure I am getting the lapband instead of bypass, but I was wondering why you all made that decision. I see a lot of benefits to both sides. Most of all, my reason is that they aren't totally taking apart and reconstructing my body.

What were YOUR reasons for choosing/having to get banded rather that roux-en Y?

thanks in advance for your experiences!

Take Care!

BabyNicole · April 9, 2008

Welcome! :thumbup: I'm not banded yet, but I'll tell you my reasons for wanting the band as opposed to RNY:

1. slower healing time

2. not cutting and rerouting my insides

3. restriction can be adjusted

4. IF there's a big problem, I can have it removed

5. you lose weight slower, so it's healthier

jnbwilds · April 9, 2008

Here were mine...

1. Most importantly - I wasn't thrilled with the fatality rate for gastric bypass.

2. Band is adjustable, which means that as I lose weight, the band adjusts to help me more or less as I have different needs.

3. Band works by restricting appetite, not through malabsorbtion (which causes Vitamin deficiencies)

4. No "dumping syndrome" - so I can eat small amounts of sugar without throwing my body into insulin shock.

5. No re-routing of intestines - just didn't sound right to me.

6. Quicker surgery recovery

7. Slower weight loss - yep, I call that a benefit - because slower weight loss means less loose skin, and more likelihood of the weight staying off.

8. Significantly cheaper - especially important if your insurance doesn't cover the surgery.

9. Gastric bypass seemed too extreme for my BMI (40 at time of surgery)

10. I totally clicked with my lap band surgeon and his office staff - who have become not only my support network, but my friends. The local hospital that does gastric bypass was not appealing at all.

Hope that helps!