Lapband vs rny WLS

New to board, but have been reading and getting lots of information.  Thank you all so much.  I am looking into both the Lapband and rny weight loss surgeries and would like to know why you picked the wls you had.  I can see pros and cons for both, but just want to know why you picked the one you did.  I am at the beginning of my journey getting all the insurance needs and going to seminars and surfing the web for all information. 

Hi, I'm preop having surgery next month with Dr Baker.  I chose RNY because it is a better choice overall for the amount of weight I need to lose.  I weigh 400 lbs and I was told by Dr Wellborns office that the lapband would not be a good choice for me, because I have to much to lose. With the RNY I will be able to lose more weight, but the cons is that I will have to take vitamins and always eat little for the rest of my life.  But I will lose most of my weight in 2 years time, as long as I follow all the bypass rules and do what I am supposed to do. I don't know a whole lot about lapband, but give some time and more people will reply and tell you what they think of each. Good luck on your journey.

Sykoeve - Thanks for responding to my question.  I'm very interested in the reasoning why everyone selected the surgery they did.  Did Dr. Baker guide you in your decision or did you have your mind made up before consultation?   Thanks again and best wishes to you on your journey.

Hi there! I'm up and can't sleep because my hubby and I are scheduled for lapband surgeries in the morning with Dr Wellborn! I'm just too anxious and excited to sleep! We both chose lapband surgery for a variety of reasons. Let me first say that I have friends who have had RNY and gastric bypass surgeries who are quite happy with their decision regardless of some of the problems they've had, such as dumping syndrome. All surgeries and procedures come with some risk, but for us we liked that the lapband is a MUCH safer procedure than other bariatric surgeries. Also, studies are now showing that while patients tend to lose much faster at first with RYN, over time it balances out and lapbands are showing equal or similar weight loss statistics. I used to work in a LR hospital that had a bariatric center. Being on the "inside" I saw success stories and very scary ones as well. So, I must admit I was jaded to ever have gastric bypass from my personal experiences at work. We also chose lapband because while you have to maintain "fills" for your lapband to be effective, you don't have some of the other concerns such as malabsorption of  nutrients, dumping syndrome, no cutting and re-routing of your intestines, etc. You can find and read about risks for lapband, too. But, ask various docs what their stats are. My doctor was one of the first 50 in the US to perform lapband surgeries and has performed more than any other doc in the area. I feel that we are in very good hands. I also like the weight loss is a bit more gradual with lapband as this gives your skin more time to adjust to your body. I didnt' want to get "hound dog face" from losing TOO fast. haha :) From what I know people generally have very strong reasons why THEIR procedure is THE best. In reality, I think each person has to consider their situation, evaluate the procedures, risks, etc and do what they feel is best for themselves. Personally, I would never do RNY. But, as I said I have friends who have who are quite happy with the results. The same goes with doctors. Different people are better suited to the personalities, etc of different doctors. So, a doctor who I fit with may not with someone else and vice versa. My advice is to continue your research online and at local seminars. You'll be able to make the best decision for you as you gather more knowledge and consider your options. This is a BIG deal. It's your body and your life, so  it's great that you're at the start of your journey and doing your homework. Best wishes to you! Ok, now, I MUST try to sleep.....5:30 is going to come way too soon! Hugs :) Missy

Thanks for your answer on reasoning behind you & your husband selecting Lapband surgery.  Good luck and best wishes on you and your husband surgery today! 

Hi there    welcome to the board.  I had LapRNY on Jan. 19 of this year...I am a little over 6 months out and down 63lbs. and nearly 50 inches.  My GERD (reflux disease) is completely cured, no longer have to take medication for it.  I knew immediately that the Lap Band was not for me, for several reasons.  Having to get regular "fills" just turned me off, considering my surgeon is over 2 hrs. away from where I live.  I did not want a foreign object in my body for any length of time.  In my mind, the long term risks for complications with the band are greater than the bypass.  The band can erode, it can slip, it can grow into the surrounding tissue, and the port can malfunction...all of which would require additional surgery to fix.  The bypass, of course, has risks of its own.  However, I felt like putting a foreign object, namely a piece of plastic, in my body was just asking for trouble.  My goal was/is to have a healthier body and I didn't think I could do that with a piece of plastic stuck to my stomach.  Again, my personal opinion, no flaming please    The other reason for my choosing the RNY is I knew that I needed something that would force me to change my lifestyle in regards to food and exercise.  I knew I would find a way to "cheat" the lap band, I can't do that with the bypass, at least not easily.  I honestly felt that with the band I would only be eating smaller amounts of food, not really changing my "relationship" with food, I wouldn't be changing how I looked at food in regards to what my body needed to stay healthy.  The bypass has forced me to do that.  If I eat something loaded with sugar or fat, it makes me feel bad so I tell myself, that's not something your body "needs" so don't eat it again.  I have successfully changed my eating habits and I don't miss my old habits because I feel so GOOD!  I won't ever go back.  I crave fruit and veggies now, where before it was chips and soda...I now can truly know what my body wants and needs to stay healthy and not fill it with junk that has no nutritional value at all.  My rule when eating is this:  if it has no nutritional value for me then I don't eat it. The type of WLS you choose must be a personal decision that comes from the heart.  I have my reasons for choosing RNY and others have their reasons for choosing LapBand...no one is wrong because in the end we all win.  You must decide what goals you want to achieve then figure out how best to achieve them.  I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding my experience with RNY, just PM me anytime.  Good luck with your journey and keep asking those questions!

I went to the seminar with the intentions of having the lap band done. Dr. Gibbs talked about both procedures and when he was done I knew I wanted to have the RNY done. So my suggestion is to go in there with an open mind and you will follow your heart and do what is right for you. Good Luck!! Terri