What was your DECIDING FACTOR on your TYPE of surgery

So I am pretty set on the lap-band procedure due to the side effects of RNY that you do not necessarily experience with the lap-band. I am terrified of the RNY post-op life. What was your deciding factor?

I decided on the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy because I never wanted a malabsorptive surgery (ie the RnY) and the many complications of the LapBand started to wear me down. The more I researched my surgery the more I knew it was for me.  It honestly just felt right. Ms Shell

I didn't have a choice! At the time Kaiser only did RNY (now they do lap band too). I was just thankful for the insurance coverage that would give me this life changing miracle surgery!  I left the hospital no longer needing diabetes meds or hbp meds and to me that is a miracle!!!  You have to do your research and make the choice that is right for you if you have choices!           May God bless your journey! biggest hugs, Becky

rny was the only one offered through pacificare at the time. (3.5 years ago) it changed my ilfe. i was on the line as far as qualifying to begin with, but it was the best thing ive ever done. no regrets at all. of course, i didnt get a lot of the complications that some other people had, ie: food issues, etc i agree with the pp. you gotta find out which one is right for you, and of course what your insurance will/wont cover or what youre wiling to pay out of pocket.

After researching Band, DS and RNY. It came down to band or rny. RNY won out due to 1) Insurance. 2) I liked the malabortive/food adversion effects. 3) didn't like the idea of having to get fills regularly.

For me, it was several things: 1) My PCP told me "In my experience, the more invasive the surgery, the better the results" 2) I needed the food "side effects" to help keep me on track. Liquid Calories, Sugar, etc. I had to have consequences so I wouldn't eat them 3) I did not like the idea of the maintenance of fills. I suggest doing all the research you can stand on ALL the procedures and go with the one you know will work best for you. Talk the Dr.'s get their advice and oppinions too. They are the ones who deal with this everyday. Good luck to you. Sue

To be quite honest, I would LIKE RNY, I am just so scared of the post-op life and regretting my decision. I dont like the idea of regular fills, etc on the lap band but I am literally SCARED of how my life would be after RNY. Everyone says they dont regret their decision. However my life revolves around food as most of us have experienced and I can tell the my decision is weighing on that. My goal is to change that. I know I will be MORE successful with RNY so I may talk to my doctor and see what they suggest FOR ME. Thanks ladies!

In some ways my surgery was chosen for me, my insurance only covered rny.  It was also my surgery of choice though. 

I didn’t want a band inside me that had the potential to slip and could need to be replaced in about 15 years.  I also did not want to have regular fills. I wanted to ‘dump’ if I choose the wrong foods or tired to cheat.  It’s kept me in line!! 

I had seen the success of my friends who had gone before me with the rny, and I saw them live a normal life eating everyday foods.  Statistics I had read showed that rny patients experience a higher rate of weight loss and long-term success in keeping the weight off.  

I understand you when you say your life revolves around food.  I didn't realize what a big part it played in my life until I had surgery.  Regardless of what you choose, your relationship with food WILL CHANGE. I can't eat some of things I used to eat, and I'm ok with it....because the life I have now is so much better!!!!  My suggestion to you is to think about the things you will have instead of all the things you can not have.  The change in attitude will contribute greatly to your sucess.  

 

I don’t regret a single day with my rny, I only regret not doing it sooner. Ultimately you have to choose what you are comfortable with and what is best for you. Good luck!

I chose the DS for SO many reasons: * The best average weight loss * The best MAINTENANCE of weight loss long term * Far less likelihood of PUKING (I HATE PUKING!) * Can drink with meals * No stoma, no stomal ulcers, no restrictions on medicaton * Retain the pyloric valve, so no dumping * No fills, PBing, sliming * After the weight loss phase, the stomach stretches back to a more normal size and completely normal function * 80% of fat is malabsorbed -- no more low fat ANYTHING! * High fat, high protein diet -- YUM! * Less likelihood of iron, B12 and protein malabsorption than RNY * I can eat anything -- although I limit sugary stuff and in fact sweets have lost a lot of their appeal for me -- without getting sick, but I crave the foods my body needs, and I feel satieted when I eat for the first time in my life. AND EVERYONE IN CALIFORNIA SHOULD KNOW THAT EVERY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT COVERS WLS OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING KAISER, CAN BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THE DS, BY APPEALING TO THE DMHC, WHICH IS VERY PRO-DS. And CA has the most easily accessible DS surgeons -- at least 5 of them, and all of them very experienced -- compared to anywhere else in the US.  How lucky can you get?