Why RNY or AGB?

Ok I have been around for a bit (and banded) but am still curious. Why did everyone choose their method of surgery? I know my reasons but am curious about the RNYers and other banders ( and the other types you don't hear too much about). I know we are all in this wls journey together so your reasons are yours. I am not looking to start an arguement (i have seen it happen). I was wondering about the bad and the good on both sides and also that from the "long timers". (those who have had their surgery for a yr. or more) Just curious. I hope all of you have great success and continue to change your lives for the better. Kristin

First off, my insurance won't cover the band. Then after hearing people with the band talk in my doctor's office helped me to decide against it anyway. One guy had his to bust and they still can't find all the pieces, they said you lose slower, and I didn't\don't like the fact of having to have it filled and going back to just liquids for a few days to a week. Those are the reasons. Plus my mom had lap rny almost two years ago, and she has done very well.

I had my open RNY because it is one of the safest methods, and it is very affective. The band I heard and read can be reversible and you don't loose as much weight, and there are many more risks with the bad breaking and stuff. As for Laproscopically RNY I chose against that because with open they can see everything that is going on and there are less complications. Also they staple differently. Tricia -46 lbs

Thanks for the input! My insurance also did not cover AGB. I am submitting it after the fact now. I chose the band cause i "only" had 75 pounds to lose and i loved that it was adjustable. That way i can loosen it if i get pregnant. I have lost 37 pounds in two months and am already 1/2 way + to my goal weight. It was defiantely the right choice for me. Good luck with your journeys and keep up the good work! Kristin

Hi Kristin. I had lap RNY on 5-25-04. I chose this method for a few reasons. My biggest was if i'm going to go to the extreme of having surgery I want the most extreme results. I didnt want to wait 3 years to reach my goal weight. I'm not saying it takes everyone with lapband 3 years to do so, but the statistics say the lapband and rny have the same results after 3 years. I wanted to lose the weight as fast as I could. Secondly, my insurance didnt list lapband as an option. Third, the thought of the band slipping off, or eroding into my stomach just didnt appeal to me. Also theres the issue of reaching maximum fill level on the band and still having weight yet to lose. I felt, for me, the rny was the best option. I have had no problems with the surgery or recovery. How about for you? Why did you chose the lapband? Thanks for sharing! God bless! Melanie

I chose lap RNY for a couple of reasons. #1. I liked the combination of restriction plus malabsorption. I wanted to lose the most weight possible with the best chance of maintaining the weight loss for the long term. I know me. I could find a way to fail at a band procedure. #2. I chose a lap procedure because the recovery is easier and because my surgeon has quite a bit of experience with it and has a 0 complication rate to date. I felt completely safe and as a nurse, I will always choose a lap surgery over an open procedure any day.

I had an RNY because I felt it was superior to the Lap Band for me. I wanted a quicker loss to start with, mostly because I needed some relief from joint pain to start exercising. I chose the Open RNY because of the length of the procedure. The open was done in far less time than Lap version, with less risk to other organs. And my scar is only 4 inches. The Open RNY is the procedure that my surgeon was most comfortable with. I had some pretty bad sleep apneia and the less time under anathesia the better. I had zero complications and was walking about a mile in a week. So, I don't know if the Lap would have given me any quicker recovery or not.