This is not a question that we, or anyone else, can truly answer for you.

You, and only you, can make this important decision after you have considered all the medical evidence and facts about the risks and benefits of each procedure. Ultimately your bariatric surgeon and other physicians familiar with your case are your best resource for this information. When you ask a question, make sure you understand the answer. Do not hesitate to ask for a clearer explanation given in simple language you can understand. The decision to have weight loss surgery may take several visits to the surgeon's office, as well as consultation with more than one doctor. 

You may choose to research weight loss surgery on your own via the internet or through your local library. As with any search for medical information, be sure that your sources are responsible, with recognized experts in the field you are investigating.

Steps to take in researching the most appropriate weight loss surgery procedure.

1. Talk to your doctors – your general practitioner and any specialist that is involved in your care. Invite them to browse our “Healthcare Professionals” section of this web site.
2. Make liberal use of this web site, some of its links and all other web sites that you deem appropriate to obtain additional information on the various weight loss surgeries available.
3. Talk to patients like you who are in the research phase of their quest, are waiting to have their surgery or have already had an operation. Chat groups, support groups, word of mouth etc are good ways to start.
4. Create a risk/benefit analysis for each of the surgeries you are contemplating based on your own particulars (BMI, comorbidity, ability to follow the behavioural modifications required by each surgical procedure once performed etc).
5. Lastly, consult with an experienced bariatric surgeon who is familiar with the surgery types that you are interested in. Avoid “one operation” clinics and surgeons. For example if you are comparing the pros and cons of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding to the laparoscopic RY gastric bypass, you must talk to a bariatric surgeon who can perform both procedures with equal skill and one that has extensive experience with each surgery (ask questions as suggested below). Only then will you get an unbiased opinion as to the risks and benefits of each procedure which you can use in reaching your decision.

1. What is the primary reason you cannot keep your weight off permanently since you have clearly shown to yourself and others that you can lose weight but can’t keep it off? 
2. Do you want to eliminate the hunger you always feel?
3. Are you prepared to give up the ability to use food as a reward?
4. What is your weight loss goal? For example, do you want to lose as much of the extra weight you carry as possible or would you be happy with less then this amount?
5. What are the health implications if you do not achieve your weight loss goals?
6. How much “maintenance” are you willing to put into your operation once it is done? Can you make the time for the adjustment schedule of say, laparoscopic banding, in addition to regular follow-up required of any weight loss surgical procedure?
7. Can you travel easily to the “home base” of your bariatric surgeon for the required post-surgery follow-up or band adjustments?
8. What is the “back-up plan” if the procedure you chose fails to produce your weight loss goal? What will your bariatric surgeon do? Will you be referred elsewhere?
9. How fast do you want to lose the weight? For example, do you urgently need knee replacement surgery and must lose weight relatively quickly?
10. Are you prepared to face the altered body image induced by massive weight loss? If not, are you willing to undergo further plastic surgery such as the so-called body contouring? Click here for examples of bodily changes after 70% excess weight loss.
11. Is a minimally invasive approach (some call this laparoscopy or lap) important to you?
12. What is the risk of the worst possible outcome – Death, with each procedure?
13. What are the short-term complications (within 30 days of the surgery) of each procedure?
14. What are the long-term (basically for the rest of your life) complications of each surgery?