Confused...I need to make a choice...your opinions needed, please!!!

[Dockman4]

So I went to a WLS seminar in Nov. 2010. It was at a Center of Excellence and they are well known in my area. They provide the Lap band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. After much research, I decided that I wanted to have the Lapband. There are several reasons...reversible, adjustable, not losing weight through malnutrition (which scares me), amount of time off work for recovery, cost (it's the cheapest and I was going to self pay) etc. Well, I went to my insurance company (Kaiser) and they said to go to their seminar as I am covered 100% for WLS (after I FINALLY got a referral from my Primary Provider). I attended their seminar and all they do for WLS is the gastric bypass. And there are a lot more hoops to jump through prior to having the surgery.
I went through the required 2 month weight management class, (really, like I didn't already know all this stuff before), because I needed it no matter which surgery I went with. Filled out all the paperwork and submitted it, to both places. Oh yeah, I should mention that I also quit smoking because I knew I'd have to be tobacco free for six months prior to any surgery. I decided that I'm having WLS because losing weight is more important to me than anything else, including tobacco.
As I mentioned before, I decided self pay with the Lap band, and anxiously awaited word from the case manager to get the ball rolling. Well, she called...and suggested that I NOT do the lap band!!!!!!!!!! She informed me that she had contacted my insurance company, found out that they will do the gastric bypass (paying 100%) and she thinks that it would be a better option for me. She said that with the Lap band, I could only expect to lose 50-60 lbs and that I need to lose 130-150 lbs, so it wouldn't be effective on me. I'm also Diabetic, got sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc, and that I'd need gastric bypass if I wanted all that stuff to go away. She finally said that if I wanted to "blow" my money, they'd perform the surgery, but that I should go back to Kaiser and get the ball rolling there. I kind of wonder if my insurance company didn't make her say something like that, I don't know, wierd, who doesn't want to take peoples' money now a days?
Sorry this is so long, but my questions are: Can I ONLY lose 50-60lbs with the Lap Band? Won't my medical issues improve with the Lap Band too? Is the Gastric Bypass that much better (what's your experiences)? Should I "blow" my money, or start the process to have the gastric bypass? Any thoughts you guys/gals have would be greatly appreciated.
I'm going on vacation until next week (no internet!!!! Cool) So, I will read all of your responses when I get back and make a decision then. I WILL read EVERYTHING you post, and will base my decision heavily on what you have to say. Thanks so much...You've all been so helpful so far.

[Patrick]

First, my surgeon has found (and he is one of the formost leading experts in the US), that both types average about the same weight loss after around 5 years. Bypass will lose a lot faster initially, but the band is the slow and steady way to lose. I chose it mainly for that reason. I already knew, from experience with different diets, that rapid weight loss can lead to a rubber band life. Both DW and self have lapband and neither one of us would change our minds after all these years. I have lost up to 80 lbs, but circumstances put over 20 back on. That can happen no matter what type of surgery you have. I know a lot of people in the banded community who have hit goal within a couple or years (with well over 100lbs for all) and are maintaining very well. I am slightly suspicious of her logic. It sounds, to me, that the reason she believes you should change is for your financial benefit. I would think that health and peace of mind are far more important. I will be watching to see what your decision is. Whichever, I do know that it will be a positive change for your life.

[MommaStone]

My doc who has a very good reputation and has a full-service practice limited to bariatrics said the same things as Patricks and also said that he almost never does a bypass anymore. he likened the band to being the next generation of WLS surgery that is replacing bypass, just like heart stents are replacing heart bypasses.

You really need to be comfortable with your choice, yes, any signficant weight loss will address the health issues. There are several here with significant weight loss --- Check out Bear's "Hoping to be half a man" thread. There are also folks here who acknowledge that when they lose focus, the band keeps them from getting back to square one or worse. Bypass doesn't do that generally.

Good luck and let us know your decision

[pollyo]

I needed to lose 220 lbs+-- now about 170. One person who manages wls at a hospital advised gastric sleeve because you lose weight faster and it's easy to eat "through" or "around" the band with high calorie soft foods. I asked my bariatric surgeon if the lap band was the right choice for me. She asked why I chose it, and I said, "cause I didn't want to die in surgery." She performs band, sleeve, and bypass, and she told me that if she were choosing for herself she would pick the lap band. No wls is guaranteed to work unless the patient follows the rules. The Internet is full of stories of people who regained weight after all the surgeries. I'm happy with my choice so far. It may take longer to lose with the band, but I am cool with that so long as I am moving in the right direction. And right now I think I am losing pretty quickly.

Let us know what you choose.

[Sxychelle2]

I was just banded on the 17th of this month, and am 9 lbs down already! One of my friends and colleagues was banded 6/13/10, and she has lost 135 pounds in a year. If this is what is considered slow weight loss, then I would hate to see rapid weight loss!! Lol. I think the most important part of any bariatric surgery is making good choices and tracking what you put in your mouth ( daily caloric intake, protein intake, etc.). I use myfitnesspal.com. I keeps me focused on what I put in my body daily. My doctor told me to expect an 8-10 lb a week loss ... Is gastric bypass faster than that??? I would stick with the decision that you were the most comfortable with. If the lapband is what you want, you will feel so much better about going with YOUR choice and will only lose as much as you allow yourself to. I personally was afraid of the permanency of the other WLS as well as the fact that the other types of WLS all reroute or "take away" parts of my body the way the God made it. The Lap Band doesn't permanently change the "plumbing", if you will, the way God designed human bodies to be!

[MoOrLess]

I was just banded on the 17th of this month, and am 9 lbs down already! One of my friends and colleagues was banded 6/13/10, and she has lost 135 pounds in a year. If this is what is considered slow weight loss, then I would hate to see rapid weight loss!! Lol. I think the most important part of any bariatric surgery is making good choices and tracking what you put in your mouth ( daily caloric intake, protein intake, etc.). I use myfitnesspal.com. I keeps me focused on what I put in my body daily. My doctor told me to expect an 8-10 lb a week loss ... Is gastric bypass faster than that??? I would stick with the decision that you were the most comfortable with. If the lapband is what you want, you will feel so much better about going with YOUR choice and will only lose as much as you allow yourself to. I personally was afraid of the permanency of the other WLS as well as the fact that the other types of WLS all reroute or "take away" parts of my body the way the God made it. The Lap Band doesn't permanently change the "plumbing", if you will, the way God designed human bodies to be!

I'm not sure where your dr got those stats -- but 'most' folks on this board who are banded do NOT lose that amount of weight consistently. Perhaps the first couple of months, but definitely not 'per week.' I was a fast loser initially - I consistently lost 3-4 lbs a week and I was the exception, rather than the rule on this board. I'm in no way trying to rain on your parade, I just have never heard of a surgeon using those kinds of stats. It's great if your body and your health allows you to exercise a lot - but even then, losing too quickly leaves skin saggy. I'd say a more realistic weight loss would be 1-2 pounds per week, at least that's what my surgeon states.

[MommaStone]

8-10 lbs per month is a stat I hear a lot; perhaps your doc just misspoke without realizing it.

[pollyo]

I think she mistyped, meant month and typed week.

[Mrs Sabre]

Dockman4,

IMHO, the best surgery is the one that's right for you. All types of WLS have a "honeymoon" period of ~ 18-24 months during which weight loss happens more quickly & easily. If during that time the patient doesn't learn & practice the necessary lifestyle changes to continue &/or maintain weight loss, they can and likely will gain weight back ... no matter which WLS they had.

Many folks chose the band because it is less invasive & has a shorter recovery time. Please don't forget it also needs to be properly adjusted to be most effective. I have friends who've undergone RNY because they couldn't deal with the idea of band adjustments.

I've had my band just over 5 years now. My weight loss is slower than most due to thyroid disease & a very very slow metabolism. Nevertheless, I'm much happier, healthier, & fitter than I was pre-band. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! :)

[Dockman4]

Thanks so much for all your replies. I'm going to make an appointment with my Kaiser doctors and talk to them, I want to find out why they're so stuck on gastric bypass and if banding will be available in the near future. I'll keep you posted. You people have been great and I almost want to get banded just so I can stay on this site with all of you. You're truly inspiring and filled with encouragment. Thanks.

[Stacy13]

It should always be your choice, not someone elses. I work in homecare and if she is pushing you in a certain direction, it is for a reason. I am sure it has nothing to do with you, or it could just be her opinion, and well you know the saying. Any weight loss will improve your health conditions. The band is slower, but has a YEARS!! I have had some trouble getting a tight seal, but that is the only problem I have had. Good luck and make the choice that is right for you.:cool:

[MoOrLess]

Thanks so much for all your replies. I'm going to make an appointment with my Kaiser doctors and talk to them, I want to find out why they're so stuck on gastric bypass and if banding will be available in the near future. I'll keep you posted. You people have been great and I almost want to get banded just so I can stay on this site with all of you. You're truly inspiring and filled with encouragment. Thanks.

No matter what kind of surgery you have, you are ALWAYS welcome here! :)

[MommaStone]

Whatver your decision bypass, band or no surger, you are always welcome here. we are all on the same journey even if we are taking different cars LOL

[sweetknee]

Well, you have to make the best decision for you, but I am a big proponent of the lap band. If something goes wrong, the lap band is easily removed, and you can always go to another method later. Plus, I have several acquaintances who have had gastric, and they have all had malnutrition issues since gastric is a procedure that does not just limit how much you eat, but how many of the nutrients you can absorb.

Let us know what you decide.