Lap Band vs RNY

Good Evening all,

I am hearing more news about recovery times of Lap Band vs RNY. Can I get some feedback as to why you chose the type of surgery you did, recovery time, and other advice you can offer.

Thank you.

It's SUCH a matter of personal decision but I can give you my side of the story and my reasonings.  And, as usual....it's gonna be a bit wordy.

I was 26...5'3" and weighed anywhere between 235-250.  235 is the highest weight I have on record...but I can almost bet at one time I was closer to 250.  I had hypertension, prediabetes, moderate sleep apnea, arthritic joint changes, and high cholesterol.  Considering my starting weight (going by the 235 number) I was "only" 100-110 pounds over weight.  Considered a "light weight" by standards but heavy enough to not need to comorbid factors (hypertension etc) to qualify for either surgery.

In doing my research I realized that I would very "easily" be able to "cheat" my way out of the band.  Although you weren't SUPPOSED to...you could "easily" eat things like ice cream, chips, etc.

I WANTED the fear of dumping.  I wanted something that caused me to really think about what was gonna go in my mouth and truly help change the way I thought about food.  Understand....either option is only a HELP.  You will hear many of us talk of "they fix your stomach not your head" and even RNY and the fear of dumping hasn't kept me 100% compliant. 

It HAS, however, given me an incredible tool. The band does the same.

I am a BIG believer in follow up as reccommended by your surgeon.  HOWEVER...with working nights and what not trying to schedule doctor appointments is difficult enough (yes, I worked nights when I had the surgery as well)  I did not want to have to follow up as "often" with the band and worry about ports, fills, decreases, etc.

I also have this "thing" (mentally) about a foreign object inside of me.  Some people think I'm crazy...but I would rather have my own intestines and stomach cut and stapled and put back together like frankenstein than I would have a band and a port.  I personally feel the risk of infection, port slippage, esophageal erosion (from the band sitting there, rubbing up against your tissue on your esophagus) etc is not one I wanted to take.

Keep in mind, the other side of the coin...leakage, bowel obstruction, severe vitamin deficiency etc with the RNY.  And yes...I HAD complications and at 9 mos out developed a bowel obstruction and was hospitalized for it. 

Recovery....well my RNY was done laproscopically (6 small holes in my abdomen as opposed to one large incision across it)  Just about ANY laproscopic surgery comes with a shorter recovery time than "open" surgery.   I had surgery on a Tuesday morning....was up walking by Tuesday at 4:30pm was discharged on Thursday, was driving on Saturday.  I was tired and sore for a good two weeks, but going about my "everyday" activities.  I was at the gym walking on the treadmill by one week out...was cleared for sex and abdominal work outs at 2 weeks out, and was doing more extensive exercises including light weight bearing and more "intense" cardio by 3 or 4 weeks out.

The only thing that was an "extended" time for me was returning to work.  Dr. Pupkova had told me that due to the nature of my job (ER nurse) and the fact that I worked in an "unstable" environment (IE I had been kicked and hit by patients before...never knew if and when I would get a break, could not guarantee my eating schedule etc) she was going to keep me out of work for a minimum of 6-8 weeks to ensure I was A) getting used to proper nutrition and food items, completely healed in the case of being physically assaulted, and vitamin levels up to par in order to return to work.  There have been MULTIPLE people here who have gone back to work within 1-2 weeks.  I definately wasn't ready for that, and give them all the credit in the world.

I'll spare you any more babbling, but feel free to ask me any more questions, here or privately.

Pam

Hi,

As Pam stated it is a personal choice.  I have battled food all my life and I knew and still know I'm addicted to it.  The reason I chose the lap band was because I knew someone else would step in and control me if I screwed up.  If I can get too much into the band.. they tighten it.  That simple.  It's something they can help me control for the rest of my life.  I've heard of and seen of too many RNY patients "eating out" their pouch and stretching it and gaining the weight back and more.  I would have been that type.  I would have stretched mine back out.

I had my band put in November 5th last year.   I was 256lbs.  I'm now 162lbs and only 12lbs away from my goal.  Not shabby!

I see the surgeon about every 2 months to see if I need a fill.  Again I like this because it keeps me in check.

Good luck with whatever surgery you choose.  Remember it's a tool and you need to work it!

I was back at work within 3 days of my sugery.  It wasnt the smartest move but I need to work and was able to do it.  Just took me a little longer to completely recover.

Diane

Again personal choice.

I wanted RNY for the same reason as Pam. I wanted and needed the fear of dumping etc. So I won't elaborate anymore on that, Pam explained it well for me too.

Recovery time?
I had Lap RNY, was feeling pretty good after 3 days, driving after 5 and back to work by day 10. But not all people heal the same and I understand that.

I was actually looking at three types.  DS, RNY and Lap band. I decided on RNY because I wanted soemthing that would help me change the way I was eating.  No sugary foods, no high fat foods.   With DS and Lap it allows for those foods I really should not be eating.  

I had to look at my goals on a personal level and know my personallity.  i think we all have the "I want to be smaller" syndrome.  But the other factors are what helps us decide what is right.

My goals were to set an example of what to eat to maintain a healthy weight for my son. 
I did not want to be opened up and really wanted a good chance at Laparoscopic surgery
I knew myself well enough that I neede the added bonus of getting sick on things that are bad for me.  (I know that sounds twisted but its my personality).

So after a year of reading all the things people had to say about DS, RNY and Lap and my research in medical journals... I decided the best for me was RNY.

I had been leaning towards lap band only because I knew someone who had had it and did well with it and it was less invasive than RNY, but I also knew at my weight (388 lbs) that RNY would probably be best for me - turns out the decision was out of my hands anyway, because my BMI was too high for lap band so I had to go RNY.

For me it was the better choice - I think a lot depends on how long you've been overweight (for me 30+ years), how overweight you are now, how much weight you want to lose, etc...these are all things you should take into consideration when making your decision. If you need a psych eval the therapist may also be able to help you determine which is best for you.

Both are excellent tools and offer their own advantages/disadvantages - only you (and your surgeon) can decide which path is right for you. There is so much info available on the internet on both - take your time, research both and then you will feel more comfortable in making your decision.

Wish you all the best whatever  you decide.

Hi,

I chose RNY because of my health issues, diabetes mainly, and the great success with RNY and diabetes.  I left the hospital taking no meds for my diabetes and no more fluid pill.  THREE meds were eliminated before I even left the hospital.  I'm still on my blood pressure pill, and my doctor told me to cut that in half now.  GREAT outcome for me! 

Again, it's a personal decision.  I did what I thought was best for me and so happy I did.

Good luck with your decision.  Welcome to the world of WLS - lol

Blessings,

Debbie

I'm a pre-op, so I can only talk about the choice.

Jo, Pam, and Sandra pretty much summed up my thinking. It was confirmed when I met with Dr. B. I'm a realist, so his info hit home. The most recent data he gave me: ...... on average, banders lose 44% of goal ........... rny 70%.
There are banders here who have dusted those numbers BIG TIME ........... but that also means there are quite a few people out there who haven't lost much. I'm in the food business, and I only get one shot with insurance. Knowing I can eat all of the crap that got me to where I am now scares the hell out of me. I knew the choices before, but it don't stop me. Do I want to dump? Errrrr .....no, but if keeps me healthy by moving me to better choices ........... that's not such a bad thing. I realize choice and portion control still have to be the primary drivers, but a little help can't hurt.

Thank you all for your posts.

I think the part that scares me the most is not remembering to take the vitamin supplements, if that makes any sense.

My highest weight was 225. I was not always overweight. Thanks to genetics, I developed hypothyroidism about 9 years ago, 60lbs after the fact I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease.

With the different meds that I was taking (anti-depressents), I think my thyroid levels were misrepresented. After being off these meds for two months my pcp changed my synthroid strength, and what do you think happened? My weight has been dropping!!!

Dianna

re: remembering your vitamins..

pre-op, I was the WORST at remembering to take any pills I needed to take... thank goodness, I really didn't have any RX drugs that had to be taken.  Post-op, I got myself one of those daily pill reminder cases and I keep it right next to my computer.  I sit here all day for work (I work from home) and a good chunk of the night, so that way I always see it and if there are pills left in the box, I know I need to get them in.  I have some I take in the morning and some at night so I got one that has the AM/PM containers.  That keeps me on track.  I definitely wouldn't remember all or maybe any of them if I did not.