Gastric Bypass Vs. Lap-band

ok then......I had the sleeve done August 15th. As of this am, I've lost 85pounds. Off diabetes and bp meds, running 3miles 4x a week, lost 4 pant sizes. My stomach holds 4-6 oz at a time, so I have 5-6 meals/snacks a day pretty much 3hours apart. I don't have as many restrictions as the bypass in terms of what they call dumping (diarrhea/abd pain/ vomiting) due to sugar which is a reason I did this surgery. My stomach may strech to a cup or so of food over time, so I'll always have a portion restriction....but I'll never be able to eat like I used to. I hope to be at goal (100 pounds) in about 8 weeks.....that being said, the journey then starts as maintanance is what it's all about. It's smart to find out what people have to say. I recommend looking at renewed reflections.com for some REAL insight.

You got a sleve at only 185 lbs?

I had a RNY in April of 2002. I lost 100 pounds with my gastric bypass. I also had an obstruction and was horribly sick for 3 months. My surgeon said I was lucky I didn't die. I went into it young, healthy, and only weighing 250 #. I can't imagine the risk for people who are diabetic with heart problems, limited mobility and more weight to lose. I have since gained back to 200 pounds and am on my second go-round with MFP. For me, weight loss surgery did not work. Yes, I lost weight. But the only way to maintain weight loss is a lifestyle change that I was not ready for. If you can't maintain the lifestyle change, the surgery is worthless. As a nurse, I've taken care of people with terrible malnutrition, infection, etc. after their weight loss surgeries. If I knew at the time of my surgery what I do now, there's no way I would have had it. Scary! I also have 2 friends with bands who initially lost a bunch of weight and are in the process of gaining it back.

Sounds a lot like my story!

There are horror stories for all the surgeries. There are people who fail going about it the 'nautral' way. I would caution you to research them on your own, without prejudice. Those that want to tell their horror stories may not be telling how they did not follow the rules. How they didn't listen to their surgeon. And then there are true horror stories, nothing they could have prevented. It is definitely a last step. Do your homework and see if surgery is the right option for you, based on your research.

Also, I'm asking for people who have had either surgery, not for the opinions of those who are agaisnt it. If all you're going to do is tell me not to get the surgery, then kindly keep your comments to yourself. Thanks.

EXCUSE me but this site is for anyone who is trying to make a change. Even those who have had surgery and are now living a healthier lifestyle! Sugery is not a quick fix but a tool to help you get your life back. Surgery is not an easy decision or answer, all of us have to make a change during the journey to make it successful! Obesityhelp.com is a great site because of the support it will give one going through this.

This site should give support to anyone trying to make a positive change. You are just rude and misinformed and should just pass on making judgements of others that you don't know anything about!

You're entitled to your opinion and so am I. This site is for fitness changes not surgical ones. "Even those who have had surgery and are now living a healthier lifestyle!" -- This is true but this person has not undergone the surgery and is looking to do so -- so this is irrelevant and has no reason to be in your response. Those who have undergone the procedure looking to make fitness changes are here for the right reason... fitness changes. "Rude and misinformed" Perhaps you shouldn't make claims of this nature because you have no idea what I know about the subject and actually I know quite a bit about both procedures. If you have any questions on either procedure ask away I'd love to teach you a thing or two. "should just pass on making judgements of others that you don't know anything about" -- perhaps you should take your own advice.

Had a buddy whose band moved lascerated. Something inside had to get it removed.... I have lost 80 ...my hubby has lost almost 60....why don't you try Mcpherson before you go through with it?

I always laugh when I see posts about this site being for people that work hard and loose weight the right way. Do the people saying that look at the adds that support the site? The lab band has been prominately displayed. Let's support each other in making change. Judging isn't often a useful motivational tool!!!

did you really just say that? people who are banded or have had other surgeries also have to work hard, work out and sweat. wow smdh

Bump

i got my lap band 2 years ago and have had nothing but complications with it for those 2 years. when i told my doctor/surgeon (the one who placed the band) he told me, "that doesnt happen."

UM. YEAH. IT DOES HAPPEN. ITS HAPPENING.

then he dropped me as a patient and refused to see me. i finally got a referral to UC Davis Medical Center and have met with my new doctor there. he unfilled my band, answered all of my questions and then told me that the lap band is being phased out in many places due to the high numbers of complications popping up. He suggested that i consider gastric bypass.

well....im not considering it and i wont consider it. i dont want my stomach altered forever. i wish i had never gotten my band. because i have been losing this weight entirely on my own and now i know i can do this on my own. i wish i had realized that before i let the first surgeon cut into me.

I had gastric bypass in 2006. It was very effective in the short term to force you into rapid weight loss. However - after the initial rapid weight loss - you still have to learn to eat right and exercise to maintain the loss. You absolutely CAN still regain the weight afterwards - and also suffer the consequences others have mentioned of being sick after eating certain foods - and having some major vitamin deficits. Seems everyone's body reacts differently - but we all have lifelong struggles with certain things after. But at some point you really do have to work on your MIND. I know I didn't before my surgery - and I gained probably 70% of my weight back. Now I'm here doing it the old fashioned way and realizing that my weight loss is WAY more mental game than anything.

I don't say - DON'T do it - I'm afraid if I never had I would have had 300 lbs to lose before I was done spiraling out of control. It's definetely a tool that has benefited me. I just wish I had done more work with counseling, etc before doing it. I have to get B12 injections monthly and get iron infusions (via IV) every 3 months because my body is depleted now of lots of those vital nutrients because I don't absorb them.

My ex-husband had the same procedure and started MUCH heavier than I. He lost 220 lbs after. He has regained some too - maybe 60 lbs? But seems to maintain that despite having what I consider poor eating habits now. And has none of the other health issues I have.

So really - I feel like I didn't answer your question. Because even researching on OH.com - and all the answers here - it seems everyone responds differently to the surgery - especially long term.

Good luck in your decision and your recovery!!!

I have a lap-band and honestly I hate it. It has caused me nothing but pain and although I lost a ton of weight at first, after I had my son it shifted and is now completely useless. I am wanting to get the sleeve done, it seems the best out of the three. The bypass is waaay too severe and has such horrible results, the one I am most scared about is the risk of death.

I'm banded and it's drained because it's useless. Even drained I still throw up because it's all out of whack. Don't do either. Do it on your own.

I had lap-band surgery about 4 years ago, lost about 50 pounds and put it all back on. My surgery was a profound act of self-loathing--painful, ridiculously expensive, and ultimately pointless. After maiming myself surgically, I still had to deal with my issues. I still had to get my head and heart ready to lose weight, I still had to get a grip on healthier eating and exercise. I still have to do the hard work of losing weight, and this thing in my gut doesn't make any of it any easier. The things that had made me the size I was, did not change with surgery. And the things that I needed in order to lose weight--common sense, determination, and the willingness to forgive myself--were things I could have called on all along, like Dorothy's Ruby Slippers.

Please think long and hard about it before you do this, but either way I wish you the best.

No experience personally but wanted to say good luck and well done to those losing post surgery.
I have a friend heading for a full bypass - she has opted for this based on the fact no foreign body for body to 'accept' I don't know how valid her reason is as not researched anythin along this lines.

Good luck whatever you decide, not easy to lose weight through diet and exercise and not easy making a decision to have surgery I'd imagine.

I had roux-en-y in June of 2008. I lost 175 pounds. I have managed to keep most of it off. I had a terrible recovery. But please don't let that stop you. This was the BEST decision of my life. My husband had the same surgery twice and he is struggling. Put most of the weight back on. I say that the hard recovery and the struggles I have had make me appreciate it more. I still feel that I have weight to lose and want to be toned and in shape because of all the extra skin. That is why I am on MFP and going to the gym daily. Surgery is not a cure, it's a tool! And it is a choice. It's not for everyone but neither is dieting or exercise. It will be hard work too. And you will get to a point where it still won't be enough. Just stick with it. Follow the rules. My recovery problems were a product of laziness on the part of the staff where I had my surgery. So be sure to research that as well. If you have questions about my journey, feel free to add me or ask away. I am not embarrassed or ashamed. It is simply who I am and all part of the journey!