I recently read a posting on a blogger's lap band blog asking about GBS vs. Lap Band for weight loss. I was very distressed by the responses made by the lap band patients. Their bias against GBS was palpable, with what seemed to be complete distain for the GBS procedure. To say I was surprised is an understatement. The comments made me feel pretty uncomfortable, considering I'm a GBS patient. The disgust shown about 'altering' one's body permanently to help with weight loss was shocking.
I thought that we (GBS and lap bandsters) were in this weight battle together - to get healthy and gain control of our lives by losing the excess weight. I never thought there was a such a huge difference or divide between the two procedures. They both perform the same function, to limit the food intake to allow assistance with weight loss. I would never encourage someone to go for one surgery versus another. It's not my place. That personal decision should be between the patient and their surgeon. If someone chose lap band I would never look down on their decision. I would happily encourage them to stay on the path that was meant for them. In fact, I was set on getting the lap band at one point, but changed to GBS after having discussions with my surgeon. He put no pressure on me to do GBS over the band. I just felt that GBS was a better choice for me.
This particular lap band blogger does not know me and I don't know her. I was doing a search for GBS and weight loss blogs and found her via a link from another blog. It was happenstance that I ran across the posting and then read the responses. Even with the anonymity, it was still distressing to read the defamatory comments about GBS.
I regularly read a woman's blog about her journey after lap band surgery. I think she's a fantastic person and I would never begrudge her decision to do lap band instead of GBS. It's working for her and it's excellent to see her results. After all, we're in the battle together - or so I thought??
2 comments:
I agree...it absolutely IS a personal choice! But maybe that's why this blogger felt passionately about the choice NOT to have GBS? I don't know whose blog you read, but most of the lap banders I know feel like you do...we're all in this together. It's really no different than someone who starts the journey at 300lbs looking at someone who decides to get WLS at 210lbs and thinks "well THEY hardly even need to lose weight, never mind have surgery!!" We're all coming at this battle from different places, and we all have opinions. The key is just knowing that we've made the right one for ourselves. Same battle, different weapons. Hopefully we can all win!
Absolutely a personal decision! I originally thought I was going to get GBS, but after research the band was better suited for me. Yes, with GBS the stomach is cut, but with the band you have a foreign object inside you. There are pros and cons to both. I think people might rally behind their own surgery because what is the alternative? Worrying that they made the wrong choice, perhaps. Don't let it get to you. We are all here to shed the pounds! :)
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