Which is best...?????

I have been reading a lot about the different methods of WLS... Lap band, RNY, DS switch, which is the best route to take? Does anybody know what the criteria for any of them are or are they all the same?

The best one is the one you have researched and feel comfortable with for your body. Nobody covers the lap band. All provinces cover the DS switch and the RNY. Not sure what the criteria is for your province but in ontario the criteria is a BMI over I believe 35. The RNY is considered the gold standard the DS is gaining in popularity. Be a pioneer in your province and get the government to cover you out of country. That is what we have had to do in Ontario. They have covered about 800 or more a year going to the States. Melanie http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/934.pdf

Do your research. There is a LOT of information on the internet. Read, read, read. Yahoo Groups has a number of support goup sites for Lap Band, RNY etc. They also have a site dedicated to the serious complications that people who have undergone gastric bypass have suffered. Read those. It is a very serious surgery with extremely serious consequences - including the fact that most people begin to gain their weight back after five years because their intestines begin to grow back. They are on vitamin supplements for their entire lives because they can't absorb enough nutrients from their foods. The benefit of the Lapband is it is MUCH safer and it is reversible - and the results three years post surgery are the same between gastric bypass and the lap band. People die from gastric bypass surgery and they die from the complications associated with gastric bypass surgery. Not much of a "gold standard" from my perspective. Read lots and good luck!

To find Yahoo Groups....do I just go on the Yahoo Home Page??? And thank you for your response...I have DEFINITLY decided on the Lapband surgery.....just waiting for a date now ;)

Yes, if you go to the Yahoo home page under Groups. There are MANY different lapband groups and other weight loss surgery groups. There are general groups, groups for people considering surgery, groups for people who have already had their surgery, groups by geographical location etc. LOTS of really good information. I read all that I can everyday and have been since February. I was banded on May 1st.

I am in there now...went under Groups...I have joined a group I think from Edmonton..but not much in there.what groups are you talking about lol

The ones with the most activity are Bandsters, Smarterbandsters and canadianlapbanders. I also belong to mexicanbandsters and Dr. Kuri's group because he was my doctor and I follow the ossg-gone-wrong group to read the difficulties people have with gastric bypass.

I do not know which surgery is best but after reading everything on them the most popular ones, I have decided to do an RNY. I hope to do it LAP instead of open but that really is my surgeons choice. I can tell you why "I" made the choice that I did. #1 - While all three reduce the size of your stomach, RNY (as well as DS) reduce the amount of calories your body can process. In my case, this is a big deal because I know that I have a very slow metabolism. Any extra help I can get, the better. #2 - Lap band requires constant attention (fills, drains) and there is the possibility for leaks. If I go outside of the country for a Lap band, I might not be able to find a surgeon that is close to home willing to do those fills for me. Some surgeons only want to be responsible for their own patients. I don't want to have to travel every time I need a drain or fill. #3 - RNY and DS have a higher total weight loss success rate. #4 - Dumping Syndrome! What do I mean? According to my research, dumping syndrome is a sickness associated with eating too much sugar or high-glycemic index carbs. Why would I want this? Well, sugar and carbs are a big part of my weight problem. If I lose my will-power and eat too much of this, dumping syndrome will help me change my eating habits because my body (and mind) will not want to go through the torture of dumping associated with eating bad food. Eventually, I'll just be trained not to eat it. RNY is one of the only surgeries associated with this syndrome. It doesn't happen with LapBand and DS. #5 - RNY vs. DS - I am not a huge eater with my current stomach size so I do not think that I need the larger pouch that you get with DS. #6 - Complications - I am not too worried about complications with surgery as I am fairly young - 34. Also, despite my BMI of 48, I am in fairly good health so I am not so worried about the bigger surgery. #7 - Reversal of Procedure - this does not bother me too much as I know that this is a life change I am making. I don't know why I would want to reverse it unless I am really sick. #8 - Possibility of death - It is a risk that I am willing to take. I would rather have 10 quality years of my life left than 20 to 30 years of being heavy and missing out on everything that I am currently missing out on. Anyway, those are the reasons/factors I considered when making my own decision. Every person has to make their own choices and be able to live with them. Good luck with your own choice! Debbie

Hi Debbie, Good for you! Your reasons are very similar to mine, and I think I will make the same decision if I go for surgery. Just need to work on the financial part first. Do you mind telling me which Dr. you are seeing in Edmonton? I need a second opinion. My Dr. thinks I'm too young, but I don't know...