I have the lap band, and I think you should have gastric bypass. At your weight, the lap band will likely not be very effective. People with the lap band typically lose a lot less weight than with gastric bypass. Would you be happy if you ended up weighing 300 pounds? It’s also easy to cheat, and many people have no effect at all, especially if they’re really heavy, like you.
However, you’re right that gastric bypass has more complications, potentially, and is a more drastic surgery. But drastic times call for drastic measures. 400 pounds at age 19 is just really extreme! Without bypass, what’s going to happen? Are you going to be 600 pounds by age 30? Trust me, you’ll be in the hospital a lot more by not having gastric bypass, than by having gastric bypass. And you need the surgery now, because any fatter and the risks go way up. There are a lot of support groups you can join.
I got WLS last June, and the people on that site are incredibly helpful. There are other surgeries as well, not just LB and GB. There’s RNY, VSG, DS….make sure you research before you do it. My bff was 21, 385lbs, and got the DS a little over a year ago, and now, she’s down to 140! Only you will know what is right for you. Good luck. References :
I think that the lap band surgery because it is less invasive and cheaper and not to mention safer! Here is a site that will give you information on both surgeries and can help you make up your mind on what is best for you!
My husband had the lapband and after 2 years lost 3 pounds. During those 2 years, there were lots of painful band adjustments. Either he could not eat anything at all or just the opposite of having his old appetite back. They finally called it a failure and when they removed it, there was so much scar tissue it caused that they said the cells were starting to actually change.
They removed it and did the bypass at the same time. The bypass is so much better for him. He is almost at his goal weight after a year and eats all the foods he used to eat except in much smaller portions. He has had no problems with his bowels and no problems with any vitamin deficiencies,etc.
I agree with the person that said the lapband would probably not be best for someone with as much weight that you need to lose. A lot of doctors say the bypass is best when over 100 lbs. needs to come off. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do. References :
August 16th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
I have the lap band, and I think you should have gastric bypass. At your weight, the lap band will likely not be very effective. People with the lap band typically lose a lot less weight than with gastric bypass. Would you be happy if you ended up weighing 300 pounds? It’s also easy to cheat, and many people have no effect at all, especially if they’re really heavy, like you.
However, you’re right that gastric bypass has more complications, potentially, and is a more drastic surgery. But drastic times call for drastic measures. 400 pounds at age 19 is just really extreme! Without bypass, what’s going to happen? Are you going to be 600 pounds by age 30? Trust me, you’ll be in the hospital a lot more by not having gastric bypass, than by having gastric bypass. And you need the surgery now, because any fatter and the risks go way up. There are a lot of support groups you can join.
Good luck!
References :
August 16th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Check out the forums on this website: http://www.obesityhelp.com
I got WLS last June, and the people on that site are incredibly helpful. There are other surgeries as well, not just LB and GB. There’s RNY, VSG, DS….make sure you research before you do it. My bff was 21, 385lbs, and got the DS a little over a year ago, and now, she’s down to 140! Only you will know what is right for you. Good luck.
References :
August 16th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
I think that the lap band surgery because it is less invasive and cheaper and not to mention safer! Here is a site that will give you information on both surgeries and can help you make up your mind on what is best for you!
Check it out:
http://www.gastricbypass123.com
References :
http://www.gastricbypass123.com
August 16th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
My husband had the lapband and after 2 years lost 3 pounds. During those 2 years, there were lots of painful band adjustments. Either he could not eat anything at all or just the opposite of having his old appetite back. They finally called it a failure and when they removed it, there was so much scar tissue it caused that they said the cells were starting to actually change.
They removed it and did the bypass at the same time. The bypass is so much better for him. He is almost at his goal weight after a year and eats all the foods he used to eat except in much smaller portions. He has had no problems with his bowels and no problems with any vitamin deficiencies,etc.
I agree with the person that said the lapband would probably not be best for someone with as much weight that you need to lose. A lot of doctors say the bypass is best when over 100 lbs. needs to come off. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.
References :