New to all this....Made it to phase 2 of 5 can't decide between gastric vs lapband

[pnw 0]

Hi. Well 2 months ago I took the step. I called insurance - got on the path and I'm on my way. I verified my weight and am 2 pounds away from my 5% loss before I can take the 3rd step. In fact - I probably could be there now - but it may be too soon - should I not report how fast I lost this? That would be crazy but in truth - all I had to do was cut out my sugar...done ....down 5 ounds! I will be sent to a center of excellence. I have selected 1 of 2 in my area. I am torn between lapband vs. gastric bypass. My biggest concern with labband is having a foreign body in my body (plastic). My second concern is sugar control - I crave sweets daily. That is my downfall. I fear the band will slip or cause other issues. I am 100 pounds over - will gastric be too much? Will lapband be too little...so many questions. I think the center will provide more answers. My case worker is not into so many questions - he makes a point of telling me when we talk - just how busy he is. I get that.

sorry to go on - I am new at this - I know there are other issues to consider as I move forward.

If I get the lapband - will I fail due to sugar issues? Will my food cravings be more in control.

thanks for reading.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Honestly if you REALLY just have a sugar problem, then bypass (and it's concurrent dumping syndrome when you eat sugar) may be the best choice for you. Bypass is scary to me but the point isn't "JUST" to have an easy surgery, but to be successful. I didn't want bypass because it is permanent. The band is "foreign" (so for that matter is a pacemaker which I didn't want to need down the road) but can be removed if necessary; bypass CAN be reversed in very very very few cases.

So in the interim....buy a book or two (like WLS for dummies or some such..I researched a bunch on amazon) and educate yourself!

Good luck!

Edited May 10, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

I think Monkey meant to say BYPASS is reversible in very very very few cases.

I have read that bypass may be the better choice for those with serious sugar craving issues. I think that dumping syndrome will make giving in to sugar cravings very unpleasant and, therefore, (like Pavlov's dogs) you are trained to quit. And I have read that people with bypass can "work up" to their previous sugar intake and thereby eliminate the dumping syndrome which then defeats the advantage. However, I don't think bypass is all that much better for someone who is looking to lose "only" 100 pounds.

The truth is, you can eat around either procedure. There are plenty of bypass patients who have regained all their weight, eliminated any problems with stuffing themselves with sweets and are now looking at what to do next. And there are plenty of banders who haven't lost the weight they wanted because they have steadfastly ignored the eating "plan", have stopped going to their doctor for adjustments and help.

So, either way, are you ready to psychologically give up the sweets? Neither procedure works like flipping on a light switch; both require you to make the right choices. Lap band requires more effort on your part than bypass (going to the doctor regularly for adjustments, etc.).

I personally didn't want the finality of gastric bypass. Once done, that was it. The lap band is definitely a "foreign object" but it's not like you FEEL it's presence. You feel its effect.

Good luck on the decision making.

[snzgetsfit 0]

The whole sugar issue really worried me too which is why I would NEVER consider bypass with the violent dumping thing. Too scary for me. The lapband may be slower but it's adjustable as you go along. the few people I know who had bypass are gaining it back. JMHO

[MacMadame 81]

People always say that if you have sugar cravings, you should get bypass, but I don't agree. First, not everyone with a bypass dumps. Secondly, lots of people lose their sweet tooth when they get WLS.

I have a gastric sleeve and my sweet tooth is gone. My surgery was safer than bypass, cost less and has similar weight loss stats. I think bypass will be a thing of the past in about 10 years and replaced by the sleeve.

Be sure to look into all four WLS types and then pick the one that directly deals with your food issues and has the post-op lifestyle that you can live with.

For example, some people, the maintenance of a band is too much. They know they won't be pro-active about getting fills. For others, the malabsorption of the bypass scares them as they know they'll be bad at taking their Vitamins. For some, dumping is a deal-breaker -- they want to be in control of what they eat -- but for others it's a benefit.

You have to answer those questions for you.

Here is a chart that shows all the surgeries:

Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I think Monkey meant to say BYPASS is reversible in very very very few cases.

Yes thanks I did mean bypass; I've corrected it.

Too excited about finally getting my BSN to proof read! LOL

[pnw 0]

Thank you - all your comments have been most helpful. Everyday I lean towards the band. I am now ready to verify my weight for the 2nd time (-5%). I will be referred to my center and good to go.

Sweets note - I don't partake daily anymore - in fact I can walk away for weeks at a time but the days I do hit a cookie - I feel really bad (physically) - so I think I can walk all the way.

I do get cold feet about this now and then. I feel bad guilty that I need this procedure. My family history is loaded with obesity and I fear that I am on that path no matter how hard I work at this. It all started with cholesterol numbers then my scale numbers then my liver started to yell at me then my gallbladder.

How can I lose 5% of this weight and not more or keep it off? I work out daily and yet - the numbers do not go below 200. I am 5 2.

See PCP today

Edited May 26, 2009 by pnw
add info

[pnw 0]

Almost feel there should be a drum roll about now. I made by 5% loss for insurance. Now on to the center. I will relay all my concerns and rely on the Center to assist with my final answer. Of course both are huge steps. I consider this a life long journey. Everyday I have pro and cons for both. I have 2 choices - lapband or gastric bypass. FYI - insurance pays for fills.

[TopTier 0]

Best of luck to you. But stop beating yourself over the head about your obesity. It's a disease and not a personality flaw. Though there are some personalities that are more prone to obesity! It's a vicious cycle that we perpetuate but if it truly were as easy as simply pushing away from the table, none of us would be in this situation.

In order to correct and reverse obesity, many people need specific tools to do that, just as people with heart conditions need pacemakers, or people with arthritis need joint replacement, etc. Granted we have to adjust our heads as much as we have to adjust our bodies.

I'm just very excited that these tools are available to us.