RNY or Lap?

Hi, This is the first time I am writing. I have Kaiser who only does RNY. I wonder if it is better to self-pay for LAP Band. I have 120 lbs to lose, sleep apnea, knee pain and diabetes in the family. I am scared that 1 in 100 die with RNY. Is that number correct in CO?

I so do not have a clue on number ratio's for the rny but that is my choice. I found that they do not do the lap quite as much due to slippage. I am having dr. brown at psl doing mine. but still have a long road to go before surgery. I have to have surgery this week. they found 2 lumps behind my ear in the glands so that will be fun. Pathology will be there to test it and everyone will know if it was cancerous or not but me. I was only concentrating on getting the rny surgery, not this too. nikki If you want to talk call me. 303 781 4867 nikki

Hi Mary! After researching I have settled on the Lap-Band. I do not like the bypass part of the RNY surgery. I feel that you tend to lose weight so quickly largly due to malabsorbtion - which will obviously contiue after you have lost your weight. My surgeon answers the slippage problem with the lap-band by sewing the stomach below the band the the stomach above the band. You will lose weight slower, but I see that as a benifit with regard to skin elasticity and overall long-term success. I have chosen to self-pay for my surgery. I would recommend that you visit: http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/surgical_lap_ppt.html. This is a VERY personal decision. Good luck!

Hi Mary! I don't know the stats for the state of CO, but I did ask about my hospital and surgeon's record. I also have Kaiser, but will have my surgery here in Colorado Springs. I encourage you to ask questions! Ask your surgeon about his/her advice for RNY vs Lap Band for your specific situation. Ask about fatality and complication rates. This is your body, your future, and your consequences. You want to be completely satisfied with your choice. May you find the answers you are seeking... God bless!

I have Kaiser and will have RNY done by Dr. Fisher. The group he is in has a 0% mortality rate. I have about 130 lbs to lose, severe sleep apnea, and arthritis in my spine. I think you might want to discuss this real throughly with your Dr.

The stats for CO are .5 to 1 in 100...but that is for ALL ages and ALL health problems. They do not break it down. My doc said the more health problems, older, and bigger the patient it...the higher the chance (up to the 1 in 100) so if you haven't had major issues with your heart and you seem to be a "light weight" the stats are much lower for you, unfortunatly...they don't break it down like that, though they should.