Melva: "I think something that's important to discuss is just researching your options. I think there's a lot of helpful information on both of the procedures."

Melva: "You know, I was torn between whether I should go with the insurance company that would approve the gastric bypass or pay for it out-of-pocket for the gastric band. And after researching just the complications and just what would be expected of me, I chose the gastric band."

Karen: "And I would agree with you. And I would also say to do a lot of research on the doctor that you're gonna choose. Prior to having surgery I attended quite a few different doctors' seminars, and attended their support groups so I could learn from the doctor about the procedure; and then also hear from the patients in the support group how things were going for them, and how they liked the doctor, and... and how the procedure went. So I would say doing your research on your... the surgeon that you do pick is very important as well."

Stephen: "I'd stress that as well because the... that was one of the things that changed my mind or helped influence me to look at gastric banding versus gastric bypass. Because after attending some of the seminars and speaking with different surgeons, speaking with different former patients... I came to the conclusion that banding was better for me, just from that. And also with that I knew also that banding is... is a tool. And I had to make sure that I knew that going into it that it is a tool, and you have to do the adjustments. If you don't have the adjustments done when you need it, it's not going to work. So I had to come, make sure that I was comfortable with that, which I was."