Thinking about pulling out of RNY and moving toward LapBand

The more and more research that I do on long term complications with RNY, the more nervous I get about having it done. The nutritional complications have been the main thing that's kept me from going for this procedure for the last 5 years. I finally get through 4 of the 6 months of supervised dieting required by my insurance company, and now I'm getting chicken. This is partly because my friend who had the surgery 4 years ago needs iron infusions every 9 months. Her iron was only 4! She had to have 2 units of blood infused last week because her hemoglobin was 6! The results of the surgery are immediate, but not too many people talk about the long term complications - and that worries me. I'm also not so sure LapBand is for me either, because I don't eat much to begin with. I'm at a loss here. I can't lose the weight on my own. I need some kind of help, but I don't know what direction to go any longer.

i am fortunate to have an excellent nutritionist- and i just keep repeating the mantra water-protein-vitamins- i hate to plug this but its so helpful- bariatriceating.com is an awesome site- focus is on healthy eating and fitness and there is a ton of info about supplements and so forth- it seems to me that if you prepare and stick to a good vitamin regime you can avoid most pitfalls we hear of- good luck-dont give up

We were going to do the band but my friend had it 8 months ago and has not lost the weight she thought she would only about 34 lbs . My husband and I changed our minds and both had the RNY . I had mine on the 7th of June and have lost 18 lbs, my husband had his on the 21 of May and has lost 68 lbs. We both have not had any problems. We take all our supplements and are very happy we changed our minds. Laura

I guess for me, I'm just happy that now there will be a "long-term" to be concerned about. If I didn't do something, I was going to be lucky to see another 5 years. I had my RNY on June 14th of this year. Everything is going great. If I have to deal with B-12 shots and iron infusions down the road, that is not too big of a price to pay to have a life where I am able to see my children grow up and actually be healthy enough to participate in the things they are active in. I guess you just have to weigh the risks against the benefits and make an informed decision. This isn't for everyone, but it is definately a life saver for many. Good luck in your journey. May whatever you choose to do work out well for you.

Hi GypsieK -- It's okay to have cold feed! You shouldn't have the surgery if you aren't certain. I did almost 2 years of research before I made the decision. You should weigh the long term complications of morbid obesity against the long term complications of RNY. Which carries more risk for you? Also, not all weight loss surgery programs are alike. I strongly encourage you to find one with a good "after" program. Some surgeons (and their registered dieticians, etc.) will follow your case for life, with annual check ups, etc. If you are committed to really changing your lifestyle -- eating healthy, getting your protein and taking your vitamin supplements every day, the risks are much lower. As for me, I decided that I would rather risk having to get b-12 shots or iron transfusions than to continue to live with Type II diabetes and sleep apnea, which affect my life on a daily basis. Good luck with your decision -- we'll all be here to support you either way!

This doesnt have to do with your concerns (which are valid and you definitely dont want to do anything you're not 100% ready for) BUT, a patient where I work became severely anemic after the DS and was found to have celiac sprue disease. Please ask your friend to have her doctor order the blood test for this if it hasnt been done. Good luck on your decision. Joan S.

Cold feet is normal. And I understand your concerns. I was leaning towards lap band when I first started looking into surgery, but I feared I would cheat on it. You are able to eat more food with the band, and I can't seem to stop myself - I have tried for years. I have tried every diet out there and none had lasting results, so I went with RNY. But that is just me - some people who are more diciplined than I am do great with the band. I also need to lose 200 lbs so RNY was the better choice for me. I have several friends who had RNY - from 5 years out to 2 years out and none of them have had complications due to vitimine deficiency because they all take their vitiamines daily without fail. I can honestly day that I don't really look forward to taking them every day. It is 2 calcium chewables, one multi chewable, one anti OX and one CO Q-10

adding to my last post - for some reason part of it got cut off. Anyhow, I take all those pills mentioned above once in the morning and once at night. I also take an iron pill, but I cannot take the iron pill within 2 hours of taking the calcium. I also have to take a B-12 shot once a month. Yes it is a lot. But it is important since we don't absorb enough from food. If you a religious about your vitamines, you should not have any deficiency problems.

I have 200 pounds to lose - am not very good at dieting - am scared to death but determined to go through with bariatric surgery. I've been diagnosed as a binge eater (can't stop eating), but.....even though all those things point to RNY as the better surgery for me - I am going to do the LAP BAND. Here is the way I look at it. I do not want to do anything NON-REVERSIBLE. I am psychologically addicted to food and the thought of going through the dumping syndrome because of something I ate is not at all appealing (dumping is throwing up - shakes - sweats and uncontrollable diarehea). Dumping usually happens when you eat any kind of sugar. I have two friends that went through RNY. One became a pschological wreck (on anti anxiety medicine) because there were foods she could not eat without 'dumping' She lost weight quickly in the beginning and then leveled off (she does not exercise) The other friend became a work-out addict - lost all her weight - exercises 2 hours a day and looks FABULOUS! I figured it this way....if the lap band doesn't work I can always do RNY - but if I do RNY first - I'm stuck with it for life - if is NOT reversible. Statistics show that both Lap Band and RNY people who improve their lifestyle (eat better-exercise daily) both reach and keep the weight off. AT the five year mark both surgical groups ended up at the same goal weight. While it may time longer for the Lap Band patient. In the end we both (lap and RNY) get to the same goal. My surgeon says that the majority of weight in both the lap and RNY will come off in the first 12-18 months. Besides studies prove that slower weight loss is better. I didn't get FAT overnight I don't expect to get SKINNY overnight. Plus slower weight loss means less chance of having to have plastic surgery for hanging skin. Everyone has to do what is right for them. I'd love to lose the weight as fast as a RNY patient but I'm not willing to re-route my intestines and risk malnourishment to do it. I don't want to have to take all the vitamins etc. I'm trying to get OFF medicine not be forced to take more. Investigate all the options then make the decision YOU will be most comfortable with.