hey there ahphooey - you raised some interesting points, but i gotta tell you that, some surgeons would disagree with a number of your statements. first off, there are quite a few people who have lost upwards of 200 pounds with the lapband, and have kept it off.

it takes work. lots of work. just like every other form of weight control. and there are advantages to the lapband, like lower risk of vitamin deficiency, and the ability to control the degree of restriction.

also, patient selection, extensive counseling, and surgeon experience are both crucial to success.

lapband is a wonderful technology for many people - and a really bad idea for others.

i see by your stats that you're doing a great job with your own weight loss journey - how are you doing it?

I've heard enough good things about lapband and have known enough people who have had the procedure to feel comfortable with it. As with anything, it's only a tool and you must consider it as such. Using tools does require effort - it doesn't just happen by itself.

Personally I feel very comfortable with my surgeon (who has done over 2000 procedures) and trust what he has to say about it in my particular case. My DH had RNY and did fine with it, but personally I have no desire to go through what he's been through (with all his dumping issues, etc.) - not a fun way to live. He's 2 years out and just now getting settled down, although he has lost 160 lbs.

I think with lapband if you do what your surgeon says and take care of yourself, LB is as safe and effective as any other choice, and imho, safer than the more invasive choices. And I'm for sure impressed that it can be totally reversed if needed, unlike the others. I've thought about it a long time, and now I'm comfortable enough with it to take it on!! Now if I could just get the date set up <sigh> !! Carol