Lapband or Bypass?

[PennyLane 0]

One thing to keep in mind about the band is that part of the reason the estimated weight loss for the band is lower than the bypass is that you do still absorb everything you eat, whereas with the bypass you don't. You can still eat a small volume of food that is calorie and fat laden and/or drink high calorie liquids (that aren't stopped by the band) and you will still "get" all those calories.

Basically, the band (to a greater extent than the bypass in my opinion) is really just a tool to help a new lifestyle of diet and exercise work, not to do the work of dieting and exercising for you. Bypass, because of the malabsorption issue is less like this, however I have heard that over time, the stomach stretches and the body gets used to malabsorption and that's why the weight regain happens. With the band, if you're going to be successful you have to make a total lifestyle change, which I think will be the key in keeping the weight off permanently. If you are unable to make that change, though, the band might not work for you.

Also, something to read about bypass is "dumping syndrome". I never considered bypass at all (for various reasons of safety, pregnancy, permanence etc) but if I had, I think that this would have been the deal breaker for me.

Hope that helps

[mydogrocks 0]

I attended a preliminary seminar with the surgeon yesterday, convinced lap-band was the way to go. But during the course of the seminar I learned a few things about the band that made me change my mind. The surgeon said the following:

The average amount of weight loss for his banded patients was 50% of their excess weight. I want to lose 200 lbs, so losing only 100 lbs wouldn't make me happy.

15% of his patients did not lose enough weight to justify the cost of the surgery. I'm self-pay for WLS, so I want the most "bang for my buck" so to speak.

A meaningful percentage (can't remember the exact number) experienced complications such as slippage or erosion, requiring additional surgeries to correct.

Eating the wrong foods, thereby causing "dumping syndrome," can actually work in your favor by causing negative associations with certain foods and changing your desire for them.

The surgeon reassured me I could get pregnant and deliver a baby safely with either operation.

Don't get me wrong, the thought of gastric by-pass scares the $%@# out of me. And the surgeon specifically said he did not prefer lap-band over gastric by-pass, or vice versa. But I can't discount the possibility that banding won't allow me to achieve my goals. And the idea of being tethered to fill centers for the rest of my life doesn't sound that great. So I'm opting for gastric by-pass, even though it is more expensive and riskier.

[georgebals 0]

I thought that with a by-pass operation you would be tethered to a Doctors office or clinic. This would be for blood labs & lack of vitamins.The 15% failure rate you mention, can you provide percentages for by-pass? The only reason I'm tethered to a Doctors Office is for support groups & learning about WLS. I've read that a person is 3X more successful at weight loss by going to groups. Regardless of your choice, Good Luck & Hope you have a gaggle of babies:thumbup:. Hasta Pronto, George p.s. Over 10 years ago My choice was limited to open by-pass surgery in U.S. I could only get band in Mexico or Europe. My sister almost died after by-pass surgery 2 years ago. This is such a new science where numbers change daily. Good Luck Again!!!

[foxxymama 0]

WLS is a tool, not a cure. This is something that has been stressed in my doctor's office. Either way...it's not easy, it's difficult, at times emotionally painful, but if you choose GB you will have to live with that decision even when you are 80. Good luck!

[mydogrocks 0]

Georgebals, I'm so sorry to hear that about your sister. That's part of the reason why gastric by-pass scares me.

[georgebals 0]

My sister is fine now. At the time she was working for Johnson & Johnson. They make realize band. She is a health care pro in another field. She lost about 100 pounds with the help of company diet & exercise. She was tired of yo-yoing. She was finishing college, raising kids & starting new Family. She also wanted a fast permanent fix. 2 weeks after WLS/by-pass she returned to hospital. She now works for Covidien makers of lap-band. I get important info on WLS from sister. If she could do it over, it would be band. To me, After you change the plumbing inside yourself your screwed for life. With band you have many chances. I have not met a mistake free human being yet. Everyone makes mistakes after weight loss surgery. I'm only 7 months active at this new life style. I could not have lost weight without band. By-pass surgery should be the very last life or death effort at WLS. By-pass surgery will take years off your life. Good Luck, This is what I have learned in the last 10 years of seminars & surgeries. You have to talk to a (WLS) psychologist & by-pass patients in person & lots of Doctors. By-Pass is not a magic bullet! By-pass is non renewable. There is more bang for your buck with a band. If you are self pay try band 1st. WLSs big secret is weight loss is in your head. There are more old banders than there are old Doctors. Doctors only give you a tool, the rest is up to you. I have been very lucky! Hasta Pronto, :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:George P.S. band is not rocket science, by-pass surgery IS,

[restored4ever 0]

By-pass surgery should be the very last life or death effort at WLS. By-pass surgery will take years off your life. :thumbup:George P.S. band is not rocket science, by-pass surgery IS,

George, your comment that bypass will take years off your life is very interesting. I haven't heard that before. Can you expand on this? How does it take years off your life? Do you know of any studies to support this? Please advise.

[georgebals 0]

I started my Weight Loss Journey over 10 years ago. I flew from Fairbanks, Alaska to Auburn, Washington to learn about Weight Loss Surgery. The WLS were being preformed in Auburn Hospital & a hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Fox led the seminars and provided info on gastrc by-pass surgery. i don't remember laprascopic surgery even offered then. For band installation you had to go to Mexico or Europe. Guidelines for gastric by-pass were different then. Mortality rates were high at surgery. Doctors would pass on morbidly obese patients(as to high of risks). Memory if correct,Dr. Fox would take high risk patients. Dr. Fox told me this is a serious operation. A thimble of full food would be my meals for the rest of my life- fast forward to pre-op 3/17/06 spine fusion surgery. Dr. Thalgott's PAC tells me to stop smoking &

[georgebals 0]

After I healed from spine fusion surgery. It is rehabing from this Surgery that started to find out the right Questions to ask about Weight Loss Surgery. Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band. This book came out this year. This is the 4th time I've lent this book out. I got the line about rocket science from a paragraph about '

"a Cure for High blood pressure". I threw in part about by-pass because your changing internal plumbing & will not be able to absorb the Vitamins & minerals. Weight loss with WLS or dieting is good. Yo-Yo-ing is bad. This band site & I are bias toward the band. Sorry for going on so long but i think this girl is basing a major decision on one seminar. I hope this thread will help her ask a lot more Doctors & WLS patients. Ask how they feel 1 day, 6months, 1 year post op. Also where I can't get any info is 5 & 10 years out. Good Luck, George

[frazzledmomof2 0]

Just to let everyone know who has been nice enough to respond to my post that I have made the decision to have the gastric bypass. I know everyone has there own opinions on either surgery (like I have read from responses) but I have spent three very long days doing nothing but research this and speak with many people who have had the bypass and how they have been since surgery. I know the risks involved and I don't take them lightly but I have a great surgeon who has performed many bypass surgeries and has never to date had to (open up someone from lapband). I have thought of maybe doing the band first and then if that doesn't work do the bypass but I don't want to take that risk...being under sedation is a risk in itself and why would I opt for another surgery "just in case the first one doesn't work". It's like a marriage you don't go into that thinking "hey if it doesn't work I can always get a divorce" (bad analogy I know). I sorry for the rambling and I know I don't owe anyone an explanation of my decision but you have all been nice enough to spend time on responded to my question I thought I would be nice enough to give my decision. It all boils down to what feels comfortable and what your heart is telling you to do. As long as my husband and immediate family is supporting me is all I need right now. Thanks again to everyone who has responded. And to anyone who is grappling with this same decision.....GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Northwest_Nance 0]

Best of luck to you, Frazzled! I'm so glad you researched both procedures. I know when I finally got through that process and made my decision (for lapband) it was such a huge relief to finally be done with the decision making process. I'm sure you're feeling the same. I wish you all the best!

[frazzledmomof2 0]

N. W. Nance you are so right about that! Yesterday when we went to church I spoke with the priest after the mass and told him about my upcoming procedure and to have him pray for me. And that also kinda made me feel alot better. But thanks again for everyones support. This is still a great site that I would definately recomment to anyone needed support.

[Lowbmier 0]

So what did you actually end up doing Lap Band or Bypass? It looks like your ticker says you were banded. Is that what you ended up doing or is that a mistake?

[frazzledmomof2 0]

I actually went through with the bypass and had my procedure on same date 8/20. I was lucky and was able to come home after a day. Pain has been stable and have not really taken anything since I have been home.