Gastric bypass vs lap band

[michele1970]

Hi,

I had the VB procedure done in 09/95. I lost alot of weight and gained it all back. I am researching to find out what I should do now, Lap or Gastric bypass.

From what I have bee reading the Lap band is better if you dont have a really high BMI. Mine is 55. Which is very high. So I guess I need to do gastric bypass. Either way it will have to be an open procedure.

Please give me some advice.

Thank you,

Michele

[surgeon]

I know of lap bands being done on folks with BMI in the 60s and higher. Having had the VBG will make the surgery a challenge, although I know of surgeons who have successfully converted to lap band laparascopically without having to open.

[Mark S.]

I had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on 22 August 2005. It was a laparoscopic procedure and I was back at work in 3 weeks. The operation was 10 weeks ago today and I have already lost 72 lbs. I am a Caucasian male, 46 years old, 5" 10" and was 280 Lbs. I was taking 5 prescriptions for acid reflux, hypertension, high cholesterol, back pain, I had sleep apnea and was very close to having diabetes. I now lift weights 3 times a week, walk 30-40 minutes a day. I am no longer taking any prescriptions or using the CPAP. The only problem I had was back pain when my back straightened out. The chiropractor and exercise are taking care of that. After one months my lab work was textbook perfect. My surgeon was Dr. Alan C. Whittgrove in San Diego. He is one of the pioneers of the laparoscopic procedure and has done thousands of them. He has a web site at www.lapbypass.com. If I had to do it all over again I would do it in a minute. I do feel bad for the people that do encounter problems but only being able to eat small meals consisting mainly of protein is a small sacrifice for the freedom this procedure has given me.

[SAVAGJE1]

I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GASTRIC BYPASS AND LAP BAND SURGICAL WISE...BUT WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN RESULT OF WEIGHT LOSS?  DOES LAP BAND TAKE LONGER THAN GASTRIC BYPASS TO LOSE OR VISA VERSA?

[ordisw]

What products did you use while on the pre-surgical liquid diet?

[ordisw]

It is my understanding that the lap-band weight-loss is a bit slower that the roux-en-y.

[ginnee]

I'm considering lap band... but I'm wondering if it is really the answer for me.  I eat even when I'm not hungry!  So if I have the surgery, I know I won't feel hungry BUT I'll still want to eat.  Do you think I'll be able to learn to eat less?   I'd really appreciate your thoughts or experience with this.

[eatingdisorderscounselor]

To: SAVAGJE1

Lap Band does take a bit longer and in the end you will loose up to 50% of your excess body weight. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass takes less time and you can expect an 80% loss of excess body weight.

To:ginnee

If you have overweight that is creating health problems for you, weight loss surgery is a good idea.  However, it sounds like you may have a bit of an emotional eating concern, or even a mild case of binge eating.  If that is the case, you might want to talk with a counselor or attend an eating disorders group in order to address your unhealthy eating patterns before you go through with any type of surgery. This is important because some surgery patients (very few, but some) regain weight as a result of grazing on high caloric foods. You could definitely benefit from going to a counselor.

[sf73]

After a lot of research I had lap band surgery in 2006 in mexico.  I did lose weight and was able to keep it off, but it was still hard work because you can cheat easily with a band. Since then my band slipped and I had to have it repaired, then my port started leaking and I had to have it replaced, then my band slipped again and I got severe aspiraton pneumonia from the reflux caused by the slip, so I had to have emergency surgery to have it removed.The minute I started to have problems my doctor here in the US did not want to take care of me because he didn't do the initial surgery.  Now it's 8 months later, I have gained 55lbs, and I spent over $18,000 for 4 surgeries and have nothing to show for it.  I say go for gastric bypass and have it in the USA, even if your BMI is not very high, the lap band brings so many problems. And make sure you have a good MD for after care.

[jenna_061574]

were is the best place in the states to have gastric bypass