Conflicting advice...HELP!

Girliesmom · July 4, 2008

Hi everyone: this is the first posting I've done on this site and reading about everyone's experience is helpful and confusing too. My friend just decided on the bypass. Her surgeon told her that he went to conference recently in Europe and the doctors there are now very against the lapband after the years they've been working with it. My surgery is 7-22 and of course my surgeon is not exactly objective. Tell me what you've heard if anyone can. Thanks so much!

banditone · July 4, 2008

what are some of the reasons he gave for being against the lap band

HeatherO · July 4, 2008

There are so many people for and against and even supportive of both surgeries. Everyone has a different opinion. You can easily find surgeons with completely different ideas.

Because of this, I think it is best that you do as much research as possible and draw up your own list of pros and cons to make sure you are making the right decision. Definitely look online for clinical trial results for the different options as well. The band was the absolute right decision for me, but i have a friend who chose r&y and said it was absolutley the right decision for her. You have to find the best fit for you.

It's_Christine · July 4, 2008

what does "very against" mean? I would be very cautious about making a decision based on that. You will find individual opinions among surgeons but you have to decide what the best procedure is for you. There are HUGE differences between the procedures and how they work and most research supports either procedure can produce sustained weight loss.

daisybug · July 4, 2008

I have read that many doctors are against Lap Band if you have a BMI over 50. The reason they are saying that is because it takes MUCH longer to lose weight with a Band VS Bypass. Also, Bypass doesn't require nearly as much effort (for the patient) as the Band. So,, if you look at long term success rates, Bypass is more successful. THAT SAID,,, Bypass is also so much more drastic of a surgery.

I chose the Lap band because I wanted the LEAST invasive procedure.

I am happy with my slow weight loss! Its right for me!

Please do more research. There is TONS of stuff to learn about both.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

278 presurgery

231 current

180 goal

flowers · July 4, 2008

I went to a seminar supposedly about all the options, but it seemed very slanted to me against getting the lapband. Folks were undecided when they went in and by the end no one but me was having the lapband.

You have to do what you feel most comfortable with.

LB4Life · July 5, 2008

girliesmom,

I'm supposing by your posting that you are scheduled for the lap band and not the gastric bypass? I have personally done tons of research on both and I have chosen the band.....my date is August 21, yeah :thumbup: I really think it's a personal choice that each one of us needs to figure out for ourselves and there will always be doctors that do bypass (saying NO band) and band doctors (saying NO bypass). Sometimes the view can be a little biased and after you have done your own search then you need to follow your heart and follow your instincts - these posts are fabulous for research and help too :thumbup: I know for myself I could get the bypass (covered in my province) but with the rearrangement of organs and main reason for quick weight loss being nutrition deficiency and many complications....I chose the band, being less invasive, minimal risks (those that are rare can also be easily fixed) and in the same time frame as the bypass most patients will loose the same. The bypass is quick loss then slows right down, the band will gradually make you loose....so in the end both surgeries will get you to the end of the road and you'll be in better health with the band. I also like the fact that if medical weight loss surgeries change in the future then I can always "upgrade" to something else, but the bypass is permanent! FYI: I have chosen to self pay for my surgery and can't wait.

Big-D · July 17, 2008

Okay, I don't know what the docs in the general community are saying, but I can tell you about my personal experience.

My wife had gastic bypass. It started out laparoscopic and ended as an open surgery. She developed a leak and spent 10 days in ICU. Luckily, she survived the operation and got out the hospital about one month later. She dropped from a size 22 to a size 6 and, now 7 years post-op, she's about a size 8.

She has gastro problems, suffers from poor nutrition, has been anemic, and has advanced osteoporosis. When she eats something that's very greasy, like fried chicken, or has something sweet, she suffers with "dumping" and is out of commission for about 30 minutes to an hour.

On December 31, 2007, I had a lap band surgery. It was laparoscopic and I spent only one night in the hospital.

I dropped 65 pounds in 2 months. I'm 6'2" and right now, I'm stuck at 285#. I feel fine and a blood test in May shows that I'm healthier now than ever. Before surgery, my liver enzymes were out of whack, now they are normal. Before surgery, I was miserable with lower back pain that affected how I walked and now I'm relatively pain free and walk normally. Before the surgery, I had high blood pressure that was almost out of control even with the help of two medicines. Now my BP is normal and I only take one medicine.

So even though I haven't reached my goal, I'm happy with my results so far. Despite the problems my wife has had, she has said that she would do it all again if it was necessary. Personally, I think lap band is a safer and healthier way to go.

Ideally, losing weight without surgery is the best thing for you, but if you can't lose weight the regular way, IMHO, the lap band is the way to go.