Anyone wish they had Lap Band instead ??

I'm in the process of completing all the tests required by my insurance company before approval. It is such a hard decision to make Lap Band or RNY. I would love to hear some comments

I have the Lapband and am now looking into RNY or DS.  The lapband may be fine if you only need restriction, but if you need the malabsorption component as well to help you lose weight then the Lapband is not going to help. I personally feel like I have wasted the last 2 1/2 years of my life with the Lapband and even restricted have not lost the weight that I should have at my calorie restriction.

Actually when I started this process I had decided I wanted the Lap Band. After I visited with my doctor and did all the pre-op stuff that needed done I went back to see him and he talked with me and mentioned that he thought I might get more out of the RNY. Now I had thought of getting the RNY done 10yrs ago, but "chickened" out-I had a 3 yo son and was by myself-so I was concerned if something happened who would take care of him and it was a totally new and opened surgery. Now it can be done laproscopically(sp) and home in a day or two.
After some thinking, because to tell you the truth about mid-way in the preop process I started thinking RNY-I said yes. Now that I have had it done I LOVE IT-AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF I HAD TO!!-Now I have a riend that had the Lap Band performed about 1 month after me. She likes her decision because did not want to be her lifestyle or diet so restricted-as is the case with the RNY.
So bascially, if this helps, I can say the decision for the RNY was the BEST for me. And the Lap Band was the BEST for her. You need to have an open discussion with your doctor, family, and with yourself. It comes down to what you want and what type of weight loss you are looking for. Ultimately, either way each of the surgeries are only a tool and it is going to be up to you how much work and determination you put into working them. Make sure you make the RIGHT DECISION FOR YOU! Good Luck! Either way you are on an incredible trip and I wish you lots of luck.!
And remember either way-you will have alot of support and friends her on this site.
T. Byrd

I also started the process thinking that the Lap Band was the way to go for me. My surgeon convinced me otherwise, and I couldn't be happier.

I like my life now, and have had success thus far with my RNY. I see people's frustration with the slower weight loss, getting the fills just right, etc. with the lap band, and am glad I decided on the RNY.

You may also want to consider another option (not meaning to just confuse you, but you need all the info you can get). The Duodenal Switch is proving to be very successful for many people.

I originally thought I wanted the lap band (even though I was over 300 pounds) because I didn't want the intestinal bypass (the potential for nutritional deficiencies scared me), but as I researched it more, and considered what it would take for me to KEEP the weight off, I knew that it would be way too easy for me to "eat around" the band, especially in the summer because I *love* ice cream (and malts!) and that I would be frustrated with losing the weight so slowly.  (If I had that kind of pateince and willpower, I would have been more successful with WW.) 

That's just me, though.  Everyone needs to consider which surgery will do the best job of HELPING THEM address their problematic eating habits (none of the surgeries will "fix" the eating behaviors) and give them the best chance for long-term weight-control success (and which potential complications/side effects you are willing to live with).  The DS would probably have been a better choice for me but 1) my insurance would not cover it, and 2) I was too afraid of the extra malabsorption and the potential intestinal (gas and diarrhea) side effects.  I am VERY happy with my decision to have RNY, though!

Lora

There are many of us here who have had both.  LapBand and then converted for one reason or another to the RNY.  From my point of view I wish I would not have wasted 4 years with the band and had done the RNY the first time.

It is much, much, much easier to deal with.

ETA:  Oh, and to answer the question listed in the topic HELL NO!

Oh Kae -  We both wasted 4 years with that damn band!  (And me my $ since I was self-pay). I'm with you on the answer to this one...HELL NO!

Having had both, I say go with the RNY. I wish I did at 1st and didn't let my fears dictate which surgery to have. Don't believe BS that Lap Band is "less invasive" My band slipped and eroded and I had to be opened up again to remove it, then wait 2 months for a revision. Read my profile.I don't miss going for fills and unfills, the slimming and vomiting that happened every so often, and of course the price of fills. Most insurance does NOT cover fills so be prepared for that. Any other questions feel free to PM me!

Seeing the lap band commercials is what got me to a seminar in my area  thinking finally something I could do. Once I went and learned that the bypass was not evil incarnate or just for celebs, I realized it was for me! I love my RNY!!!!!!!!!!! It was the best decision I have ever made for myself I swear!

Absolutely not!  I never would have lost this much weight as quick as I did if I had the lap band. My surgeon asked me today if I would do it all over again and I said yes without even thinking about ir. No regrets at all.