How to decide Banding vs. Bypass? (long)

Hey everyone,

I'm new here, I found this forum when I recently came to the conclusion that diet and exercise on their own were never going to be enough. I am most interested in banding, but I am still open to other options.  I really have no intention of being put on another 'diet' program that I wouldn't be successful at long term (losing 20-30lbs isn’t too much of a problem, losing the rest is), just to possibly not be approved for the surgery. Not to mention wait time (with Alberta Health care), so I will be going through a private clinic.

So far I have looked at Slimband in Toronto, and Lap Band in Mississauga, mostly because they both seem to have clinics here in Calgary that will do aftercare. I don’t really have a family doctor, so having it done there or being referred somewhere isn’t really an easy option for me.

After spending some time reading on this (and other) forums, I've begun to have more and more questions about it. I have noticed a lot of banders posting about having complications (erosion, port problems, etc)

For those of you in Alberta who have been banded, have you used either of the clinics above, and what was your experience? Have any of you had complications?

Have any of you had another procedure done at a place what will allow self pay AND offers follow-up?

I know that there are pros & cons to all of them, but feel like having a "local" perspective will really help me decide how to move forward

Thanks!

Meredith

Research lots...most people are not finding much success with banding and most doctors will not recommend patients for this procedure anymore.  Any of the gastric surgeries are much better options.  Some, like roux en y are better for people with things like diabetes, etc.  You need to read about each one as there are difference to each...such as with roux en y you will eventually get hunger pangs as they don't remove the part of the stomach that creates gherelin (the hunger hormone), vertical sleeve you won't get hunger pangs as they DO remove the part of the stomach they cut away, but you don't have the limitations you get from roux en y (if you eat too much, or too much sugar/fat after a roux en y, you can cause vomitting).  So do yourself a favour and go to some of the different forums above and read up on each type of surgery.  This will also help you to talk to the surgeon about what surgery you feel is right for you and why..........

I personally would never get the band.  I have known 3 people who have had the band and they have all had the band removed and another surgery afterwards.  I would research the pros and cons of each surgery and post on the RNY and Band forums to get the opinion of people who have had both surgeries.

Momjan & Amanda, thank you for the replies. I have been doing a lot of reading, I feel like my brain will short circuit soon. There are definite advantages and drawbacks to all of them, but even knowing that the results of RnY or sleeve would likely be better, I have been leaning towards the band mainly because the surgeries themselves make me nervous, I'm uncomfortable with the idea of having parts of me cut out. That being said, I am also uncomfortable with the idea of remaining obese, so I haven't ruled anything out yet.   I already know there are options for private pay surgeons with the band, do either of you know anything about surgeons for other surgeries? So far any of the bypass patients here in Alberta seem to have gone through AHC.   Thanks  

As the other's said it all comes down to research and what works for you. However my honest opinion is that if you were to go with the band you would be once again setting yourself up for failure. The band has a high failure rate due to slipping, erosion, port problems, restriction problems. Many bariatric doctors are not even giving this as an option due to the failure rate.All of the people I have know personally or met through the clinic have major regrets of getting the band and are now gig through the revision clinic.

When I was going through the clinic I researched for months. I read up on every procedure and in the end chose the Gastric Sleeve, it fit me well and my lifestyle well. In another post I read a comment that they remove your grehlin gland so you will never be hungry again well that is partly not true. Studies have show that grehlin is not only produced in the stomach but from other glands in your body and hunger can return. Does it return for everyone, well no but through my support group and friend I can say it does, not like before but it can return. I have times when I do feel hunger but it's a controllable hunger and I am 3 years out. The removal of your stomach can be scary but at lease with the sleeve it's completely gone you don't have to worry about having issues with the call a blind stomach when you have by pass. If I have issues and they scope me they can see everything.

In the end it's a personal choice and good luck with making that choice.

Agreed, on the banding problems, etc.  This site has information on the right hand side panels, under each type of surgery, as to the pros and cons of each; best to read up on them.....

 

I mentioned the gherelin hormone in the stomach and how the roux en y patient can experience hunger as the remnant stomach which has the gherelin hormone in it, is not removed.  That's not to say it's 'written in stone' that everyone with an roux en y will get hungry later; we all know we react differently to different things.  But, that being said, most the gherelin is in that remnant and chances are you will experience more hunger later with a roux en y than a VSG........  So read about each surgery type and discuss them with your physician.  I would not go to a doctor that does banding and discuss the pros and cons of a band......no matter what, there business is banding so they will steer you in that direction.......

Lots of good info here already but I would like to add that at best the band is a temporary solution for 5-10 years. Even if it works properly, you will require a new one and the next one may not be effective at all.



The only real options are VSG, RNY and DS. I think the choice between these three are related to how much weight you need to lose and your other health issues.



Of course, that's only if you can wrap your head around a solution other than the band. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

From what I read and heard from the nurses the band scares me and is not considered a long term solution.  The nurses at the Red Deer clinic had some statistics on the different surgeries (don't ask me to quote them :D )  but the sleeve had the least complications and the band the most.  Not sure what area you are in but the wait time in Red Deer is about a year+-.  Might be worth it if you'd like to save your money for a new fabulous wardrobe 

Good luck with your research...I spent about 6 months researching before I took the first step.  Being informed really makes it easier!

Have you looked at the sleeve? Way less complications than the band, less nutritional issues than bypass, and (long term) the same % of loss as bypass. I don't know what the cost of the band is, but I traveled to Mexicali for my sleeve and had an excellent experience - $8750 plus airfare.

How excellent? Good enough that my husband and daughter were both sleeved by the same surgeon. Barry 3 months ago, Emily 2 months ago. Our GP is cheerfully providing any needed aftercare and is super pleased with how we're all doing.

Kelly-Anne