lap band vs gastric bypass

flower · April 16, 2005

Just wanted to know when do you think lap banding will be more popular than gastric bypass it is less invasive and shorter hospital stay it is new technology even the doctors seem to press for gastric bypass just dont understand

vinesqueen · April 16, 2005

I think it will still be a while yet before the Band is the prefered bariatric surgery in the US.

Part of the issue is that people see how fast they lose with the various types of by-passes. And since we live in such a "I want now!" socity (think of Veruca Salt's song form Willy Wonka), I think people will continue to press for the by-passes.

According to my surgeon, they find that one of the revisions that they are doing with the by-pass patatints is the band. I think of those poor people who've had huge wacks of their innereds removed, only to get the band, when they should have had the band in the first place.

I think as more people have the by-pass, and have troubles with that procedure, insurance companies are going to start looking at their cost/benifit analysis and decide that the Band is a much better alternative. Doctors will start looking at the lower mortality rate of Band patients, and the lower over all complication rate. Of course, there are unethical doctors out there, just as there are in any profession.

So, that is my opionion.

I'llsucceed · April 16, 2005

I recently attended a seminar where the Doctor does both. His patiant ratio is about equal. Band to RNY. But what was interesting was that several(6 that I heard of) had gone from the band to the RNY within a year or more period due to the slow & sometimes minimal results.

I struggled with my decision when viewing the b/a photos because the RNY people looked amazing. I personally feel that the larger complications w/Rny are from the many cuts made BUT also due to the fact that heavier people tend to go for this surgery & usually have MORE health risks to begin with.

I don't know why certain Doctors choose one over another but I can guarentee that it has to do with the amount of study, office set up & over all compensation. Not necessarily which one they think truely is best over all.

What I did see is that in both surgeries people can GAIN weight back if they are not careful. Rules must be followed in both cases. I personally think the band is a safer & as we all know, a reversable procedure that can be a great tool. I like the fact that with the band you are constantly cheking in with a Doctor & therefore over the first 1-2 years aware of any weight gain ahead of time. Most of all its more of a customized procedure. We all have such different levels that work for one another. With RNY is just chop, stitch & go.

I will admit though that I like the built in behavioral mech.-dumping;0) I guess I will have to be strong & teach myself that one.

The way I look at it is I truely wish I could have done this by myself. But with the band I still think I will get that same feeling (like I am doing it by myself) because I know it will be alot of hard work. Not that RNY isn't just that I think the band is more work, I really do. I know with the band alot of lessons will be learned about smart food choices & do's & don'ts. I want these lessons & I think they lead to a healthier life stlye over all.

Either or I am so happy we live in an age that these scientific break-throughs are available. With that said, I only wish we could get spell check on this site:0) LOL LOL LOL