Please HELP me decide

[Sugarbear]

I have done research on all three and attended seminars. But I wan to hear from those of you who have actually had one of the above? Why did you choose Band, sleeve or bypass over the other? Are you happy with results? How long after you made decision were you on the plane and ready to go? Which facility did you have your surgery at? Any info is helpful?

[AngieB]

I have done research on all three and attended seminars. But I wan to hear from those of you who have actually had one of the above? Why did you choose Band, sleeve or bypass over the other? Are you happy with results? How long after you made decision were you on the plane and ready to go? Which facility did you have your surgery at? Any info is helpful?

When I was making my decision, I only considered the band and the sleeve. I felt the bypass was WAY to evasive for me. Plus my Aunt Doris passed away from GB surgery 4 months prior to my surgery.

I will say, I have seen fantastic results with the sleeve and bypass. Let me be clear, faster results as a general observation. I have witnessed amazing transformations with the band as well, however the sleeve and bypass alter your digestive system and that changes absorption of nutrients. There are so many benefits and side effects to each surgery. Really it is a personal dicision for each of us to make. I would highly recommend you keep on researching and ask your self some questions.

Are you a binger? or a snacker? Personally I think Gastric bypass will help you more if you are a binger. Snacker not so much.

I have been banded a year now and I love my band. I choose it over the sleeve because I didn't want my insides stapled or cut away. With the lap band I will have a piece of equipment in my body for I hope the rest of my natural life here on earth.

There are soo many things I could type and share, but really it is best if you make the choice and take the time necessary to really get what each surgery is about. Stick around or watch some you tube videos from people who have done each surgery.

My looking into the band happened 8 years ago. I got super serious about it and within a month, BAM I was there having surgery. Check out some books, read read read. Listen listen listen and ask ask ask.

This board currently consists of mostly banders. Or at least for right now that is who is typing messages. So you can get lots of band education here.

Good Luck!

[Caliband]

I agree with everything AngieB posted. I am about a month post band - have not had my first fill yet but love it so far. Very little "down time". My husband and I are both RN's and have seen way too many post bypass patients come through the ER/ICU with serious medical problems. Something to keep in mind...gastric bypass is irreversible, the lap band is reversible (although I can't imagine EVER having mine removed!) Yep, totally your decision. Once I made my mind up, I was banded within a month. But if I were you, I wouldn't do ANYTHING until I was 100% sure! Good luck to you!

[Sugarbear]

When I was making my decision, I only considered the band and the sleeve. I felt the bypass was WAY to evasive for me. Plus my Aunt Doris passed away from GB surgery 4 months prior to my surgery.

I will say, I have seen fantastic results with the sleeve and bypass. Let me be clear, faster results as a general observation. I have witnessed amazing transformations with the band as well, however the sleeve and bypass alter your digestive system and that changes absorption of nutrients. There are so many benefits and side effects to each surgery. Really it is a personal dicision for each of us to make. I would highly recommend you keep on researching and ask your self some questions.

Are you a binger? or a snacker? Personally I think Gastric bypass will help you more if you are a binger. Snacker not so much.

I have been banded a year now and I love my band. I choose it over the sleeve because I didn't want my insides stapled or cut away. With the lap band I will have a piece of equipment in my body for I hope the rest of my natural life here on earth.

There are soo many things I could type and share, but really it is best if you make the choice and take the time necessary to really get what each surgery is about. Stick around or watch some you tube videos from people who have done each surgery.

My looking into the band happened 8 years ago. I got super serious about it and within a month, BAM I was there having surgery. Check out some books, read read read. Listen listen listen and ask ask ask.

This board currently consists of mostly banders. Or at least for right now that is who is typing messages. So you can get lots of band education here.

Good Luck!

Thanks ladies! Where did you have your bands done?

[AngieB]

Thanks ladies! Where did you have your bands done?

I went to The Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, Mexico. This forum is hosted by the OCC for us and others are welcome here as well.

I went to the OCC as a self pay because my insurance does not cover WLS.

[tootsie_lou]

One advantage of the Lap-band is if somehow it doesn't work for you, or you have problems, it can be reversed/removed. The other gastric procedures are not reversible (that I am aware of). The Lap-band is "adjustable", where the other procedures are not. The Lap-band (for many of us) was a long weekend of recovery (my daughter and I had surgery on Thursday, back to school and work on the following Monday). The other gastric procedures, bypass in particular, have recovery time of 6-8 weeks. These are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head. The best reason would be all the new friends you would have on this forum rootin' you on!! All the best in your decision-making

[jhawkchick75]

Agreed....I could never imagine having GB it is just too drastic. I don't know anything about the sleeve so I can't comment there, but I would only do the band. I've seen the shows on GB and the issues people have and the "dumping" syndrome....ugh!

As far as the band and OCC I would do it all over again probably even if insurance would have covered me here. Best decision I ever made! A friend of mine after seeing my results is now having it done here at home in July I am sooo happy for her!

Good luck on your decision!

[Totsie]

I had the gastric bypass in 2000 and never reached my goal. Unfortunately, I gained 60 lbs back and now have the band. The most interesting thing is, the day I received my lapband another individual received the lapband over the gastri bypass too. This is my second time around and I am finding it hard.

The gastric bypass you really lose weight fast and there is no hunger. The downside is that you begin gaining weight back 4-5 years post op (but you don't see that listed anywhere. The lapband on the other hand, you have to train your mind and body. I am almost three weeks post op and have lost inches, because I walk 1.5 miles a day and go to the gym. The scale hasn't been good for me. I plan on waiting until after my first fill to weigh myself again.

Bottom line it's about choices and no one can make it for you. You have to be mentally prepared for any diet program. The main thing you need to do is ask yourself are you ready to commit yourself to this diet.

Good luck in your decision....also make sure you have the proper support group in place. The first time I was single, now I am married and my husband suppports me 100%. I did liquid and he did liquid too!