By: Britt Arielle

Britt Arielle — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 17:22:19 +0000

hi Christi
I too researched the various options open to people seeking WLS. I
selected lapband after much discussion with people who had “been there /
done that”. I then went along and met the surgeon who would perform it
(a 5 hour drive to see him meant this was not something easy to
organise!) .. only to be advised to have the gastric bypass.
I was a little miffed at this as I’d made my decision (so I thought!)
but he said “I recommend the lapband for a woman who is perhaps 100kg
overweight but any more than that and the GB is a much better option” ..
he also said that gastric bypass would work better for me and weight
loss would be “more assured”. He went on to say he has a patient who had
the lapband put in and she can’t eat a thing and is in constant pain.
Now I must say: I’d been warned, he is very negatively geared toward
lapbanding .. not that he disapproves - he was fantastic really - he
just wanted me to explore ALL the options more fully with his opinion

there to add weight (groan) to it. Does that make sense?
So I imagine its like most things with weight loss / gain .. its
dependant so much on the individual. And, like when you’re pregnant -
everyone gives you advice but at the end of the day til you experience
it yourself - its all speculation really.
Helpful wee thing aren’t I?
*grin*

By: aura_170

aura_170 — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 21:24:02 +0000

Hi - I’m new here - my name is Jane and I had the lap/band procedure almost 4
weeks ago. I chose the lap-band because I was very reluctant to rearrange my
insides as it were and I was scared of the malabsorption issues. I know that
the results of the lap-band are much slower than those of the other methods -
ie. RNY but in the long run I believed it to be the best one for me. There is
alot of flexibility with the lap-band in that you can have a “fill” if you feel
you’re able to eat too much but you can also have the band loosened if you have
any reason that you need to eat more - ie. pregnancy. Also there aren’t the
malabsorption issues or the dumping issues that are found with the other methods
either. While it is meant to be permanent, it can be reversed at any time.
Also I am taking vitamins and supplements now, but I won’t have to forever -
hopefully I will learn a much healthier way of eating now that I have this
restriction. It is a very good tool for behaviour modification and I think that
for me, slow and steady will win the race. I have to admit though, I am more
than a little envious of some of your very rapid weight losses that’s for sure!!

I know that for each person, the type of surgery they choose is a very
individual choice. I know we are all on the same journey but our methods of
reaching our goals will be very different. I wish everyone the best on their
journey!!
Jane
Lap-band March 5/03
331/308/mini-goal 299/180

Comments on: Lap band v/s RNY question

By: Britt Arielle

By: aura_170