Gastric Bypass or Lap Band? - ThinnerTimes

Reem · 08-29-2007, 01:25 PM

Hi everyone

I am new to this site and i have seen a doctor about having WLS and i went to him about the Lap Band but he is trying to convince me that the Bypass is better. Now i am confused what to do, I have read some people are saying the Lap Band is better and some are saying the Bypass is better! so which one is it! I weigh about 250lb and i am 160cm. I have made my mind up about the WLS but which one?! can anyone help me? thank you

Reem

Omega · 08-30-2007, 08:11 AM

I think its a personal decision but there are a few things that can help guide you.

For me I had/have a lot of weight to lose, around 200lbs and I know with the band there are somethings that can happen over time such as errosion and slippage, and I was worried that with the amount of weight I have to lose that those things would happen due to the time it takes to lose with the band.

Clear as mud? hahah

Anyway, like I said it was a personal descisoin and the Dr agreed with me or who knows what I would have done?

Jason

Reem · 08-30-2007, 08:19 AM

Thanks Omega,

I originally went in to have the band but i also need to loose about 135lb and my doctor prefers the bypass for me than the band because of the problems you mentioned plus with the band you can cheat where as with the bypass you can not!!

What is the recovery time for the bypass? and is there a lot of pain? does anyone regret having the bypass?

I don't live in the US, I live in the middle east and we don't have support groups or seminars or anything like that. We do have both surgeries and "some" after care so most of my search has been done through the internet and the internet seems to prefer the banding to the bypass but on this site you all are saying bypass! so i am confused! I seem to be leaning towards the bypass now because of the fact that you can cheat!

any suggestions? anyone?

Omega · 08-30-2007, 08:28 AM

Well, dont get the wrong idea, I am new to this so I will tell you my thoughts and other can agree or point out other things.

With that said, the bypass is a tool and depending on the person you can "cheat" but the way I see it, I didnt pay $22,000 and spend 3 days in the hospital to mess up. So I am following the dr's orders to the letter and do not intend to test my pouch with fats and sugars.

The pain was not to bad, I have yet to take any medication since I was released to come home. And hope to return to work this coming tuesday. However my Dr does suggest 3-6 weeks off work but since I have a desk job they agreed to let me go back.

Some people do regret it but it seems to me to be a very small percentage. There are a few people on here how have had horrible times and 1 that I know of who is having the operation reversed after a LONG line of issues.

I personally know 3 others who have had this proceedure and are VERY happy with everything regarding the weight loss and surgery, but one of them has developed an addition to gambling.

So far I am only about 2 weeks out of surgery and feel fine, other then feeling couped up in the house.

Also this site is where I come for support. I am on here at least 2 times a day, even if I dont post I still read and take it all in.

Good luck on your decsion,
Jason

Reem · 08-30-2007, 08:32 AM

Omega, I thought the bypass is not reversible?! thats what i keep hearing!

Omega · 08-30-2007, 08:37 AM

It is reversable but... from all the stats I have read hardly any Dr has done it.

Under POST-OP there is a subsection called REVISIONS.

Also as *I* understand it a Dr will not do it unless there extreme reasons. So I guess for practical purpouses it cant be undone... but it really can.

LisaM · 08-30-2007, 08:37 AM

Find the food addiction thread that's going on under "Emotional Support" right now, and you'll realize that not being able to eat certain foods is not a forever thing with the bypass. Most of us, after a year or two, CAN eat most anything.

That said, however, you will probably get six months of what we call the "honeymoon phase," with gastric bypass, where you can't eat much, and you lose weight like crazy. That's a wonderful time, and gives you some space in which to develop good eating habits.

Here are the similarities and differences in my opinion. Stress "my opinion."

Weight loss is faster with the bypass than with the band.
You are more likely to develop sagging skin issues from massive weight loss with the bypass than the band partially because the weight loss is faster.
Most people (not all) who have bypass get ill when they eat sugar. This is a terrific re-training for sugar addicts. This does not happen with the band.
The bypass is irreversible short of having major surgery again, and a couple of our favorite folks here are having what's called takedown surgery - look at the Revisions section. The band is reversible/removable.
There is more history of success with the bypass, but the band hasn't been around as long. According to my surgeon, the weight loss for each procedure ends up about the same after five years. I still can't find the statistics that completely back that up, but it doesn't mean it isn't true.
Having the bypass requires that you commit to taking dietary supplements for the rest of your life, as there is a malnutritive component to having parts of your stomach bypassed. I don't believe this is true with the band.

I had the bypass and am very happy that I did, but I was a sugar addict, and needed help to restrain me, which the bypass supplies.

Reem · 08-30-2007, 08:45 AM

Thank u lisa and omega!! I am really thinking that the bypass is for me to control the sugar intake. I dont eat candy and chocolate all the time but when i do then its a lot at one time and i need something to control that. the only problem is that the bypass is only done open and not Lap where i live. I am an emotional eater and i think the bypass will be better to control that. As for taking pills everyday, that is not a problem as i take anti-depressant daily so i am used to it! lol

I am seeing my doctor on Saturday and i think i will talk to him about changing my op to the bypass instead of banding! man, i am nervous!! any tips on what to do before surgery and after?

Deirdrea · 08-30-2007, 09:23 AM

It is a huge decision. For me the band just did not sound appealing at all. I just didn't like anything about it and so going for bypass was my first and really only choice.

The fact that they do open shouldn't scare you. It may be a slightly longer recovery but I can say that even with a lap procedure I had a 6 week recovery before I felt totally like myself again. The scar from open is about 4" long (9cm or so) and I would bet that they are very good at doing the operation like that which is why it is their preferred method. (If it ain't broke don't fix it) as it were.

With the wonder of the internet you should have no problems with support. There are lots of people here who are great for any information that you would ever need. Good luck on your new journey.

CeeCee · 08-30-2007, 09:27 AM

And good luck! I had the open RNY. I was out of work for 6 weeks. I probably could have gone back after 4 1/2 or 5, but I took the time to start (slowly) exercising, and learning to eat real food. I'm glad I did, I was more prepared when I went back to work and had to plan my lunch and fluids.
Where in the Middle East are you? We have quite the international crowd on here now. Tell us a bit more about yourself, please!