bypass vs band

I'm still waiting for my first consult on Monday 7/11 and have a lot of info, I'm still reading posts trying to get as much info as I can before that time.... But, this is my dilemma. Changing around my whole system with bypass or possibly having my body reject the band. Any of you who have had either please reply and let me know the worst things that have happened to you....I know the best thing is to have a healthier life and body, but I think what I need to know right now is the worst. As many replies as possible would be appreciated. Everyone here is so wonderful, helping out where needed, but I need to say, Bonnie, you are such a sweetheart, you just seem to care so much about everyone. There, with that being said, you all are in my thoughts and prayers and hope everyone has a very nice day. Thanks, Beth

HELLO BETH YOU MADE MY DAY TO SEE YOU POST KEEP ON POSTING SWEETIE AND SOMETIMES IT MIGHT TAKE A COUPLE OF POST TO GET THE ANSWER YOUR LOOKING FOR BUT KEEP ON TRYING OK.YOU KNOW I'LL HELP YOU OUT WITH WHAT I CAN.MAY I ASK WHY YOU WANT TO HEAR THE WORSE WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN READING SO MANY GOOD POST ON US.DON'T GET ME WRONG WE ALL HAVE OUR GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS BUT WE MANAGE TO MAKE IT THROUGH.I DID RESEARCH ALSO AND I FOUND THAT THEIR HAS NOT BEEN NO DEATHS IN CHRISTIANA HOSPITAL FROM THIS SURGERY NOT SINCE I DID MY RESEARCH AND I KNOW THAT MADE ME FEEL SO GOOD AND I MADE MY MIND UP WILL IF I DON'T HAVE THIS SURGERY DONE I'M NOT EVEN TRYING,WAS I NERVIOUS YES AT FIRST BUT I FELT A PEACE TO KNOW I DO HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE IN LIFE AND I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE JUST BECAUSE I'M 48 YRS OLD SHOOT I STILL HAVE SOME KICK IN ME LOL AND GONNA HAVE ALOT MORE EACH POUND THAT COMES OFF.I'M SO GLAD I MADE THIS CHOSE BUT I WISH I DID IT LONG TIME AGO.I CRIED WHEN DR.IRGUA SAID YES BONNIE YOUR A GOOD CANIDATE FOR THIS SURGERY AND I HUGGED HIM AND THANKED HIM FOR GIVING ME A SECOND CHANCE TO LIFE,THE FEELING WAS SO OVER POWERING.AND WHEN I WENT FOR MY 2 WEEK CHECK-UP I WAS SMILING SO BIG WHEN I SAW DR.IRGUA AND I THREW MY ARMS AROUND HIS NECK AND CRIED,I THANKED HIM AGAIN AND HE SAID IT WAS HIS PLEASURE AND THAT I LOOK GREAT,MADE ME FEEL SO GOOD,UHHH THE FEELING OF HAVING A HEALTHIER LIFE AND SEEING IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES WOW AND YOUR CLOTHES BEGIN TO GET BIGGER GEE NOT ME GETTING BIGGER IT'S MY CLOTHES GETTING BIGGER SUPER WOWWWWW LOL.WELL BETH THIS MY NOT WHAT YOU WANTED BUT I JUST HAD TO SHARE MY AMAZING STORY AND I'M PROUD OF WHO I AM AND I LOVE MYSELF FOR TRYING AND GOING THROUGH THIS SURGERY,EVEN IF I DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE SURGERY I WANTED ON MY TOMBSTONE BONNIE DIED TRYING,SHE WAS A FIGHTER.THIS IS HOW I FELT.BETH SWEETIE I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST,TAKE CARE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AGAIN,YOUR FRIEND BONNIE

I'm not an expert by any means but here's the things I thought about when considering surgery for myself. Lap Band - less dietary restrictions * slower weightloss - maybe less excess skin to tighten/remove. I chose RNY and am glad I did. I have two friends who have had the lap band and are doing wonderfully but are frustrated with the slower weightloss. Hope this helps. Please research and write down all questions you may have. Dr Irgau was kind enough to go into both procedures in detail with me and I left the initial consult knowing which way I wanted to go. Good luck, Dianne

I'm scheduled for RNY on the 13th. I thought originally that I wanted the band. When I spoke to Dr. Irgau, I changed my mind and now am going for the full bypass. What did it for me was the fact that the band stays in for the rest of your life, you have a "Port" under your skin for the rest of your life, the weight loss is slower and usually not as much as with the bypass (I want to loose 130 pounds), and last but certanily not least, BCBS PPO does not cover the band because it's too "new" and can be "undone" and since you don't "dump" you can still eat around it. I know that with my "sweet tooth" being able to still eat sugar would not bode well for me. I am not trying to stear you an any direction, this is just what I did. Please do your research before you make any decision. Talk to your surgeon and find yout what will best for you. Be honest with all of your doctors and tell them everything that is going on with your health, including mental, and they can aid you in your final decision. Also check your insurance coverage. This can be very expensive if you're not properly covered. I've been researching this for over a year and made my initial call for a consult in February (wasn't able to get in until April). Read the profiles on this website and you can also visit www.spotlighthealth.com. All have good information and advice to help you on your journey. Dee

I agree to gather all the information that you can and make an informed decision that is right for you. But please know, that NOT everyone dumps and is not able to eat sugar. I can eat whatever quantity/type I want to with no adverse affects. This was the main reason I opted for the bypass instead of the band. I wanted the 'tool' to do all the work for me. So now, it's all up to me again, to make the right choices, exercise, drink water. Just like I wish I had been able to do 25 yrs ago. Good luck with your consult. T

Beth, Some people make their choice strictly by what their insurance will cover. Other weigh both procedures and Dr. Irgau will help you by explaining both to you throughly. For me he felt bypass was the better option. I had a hugh sweet tooth and since you can still eat sweets with the band, bypass was my choice. I had the surgery done mainly to help with my diabetis and I am glad to say that I have been off insulin since three days after the surgery. Take you list of questions ( no matter how long) and Dr. Irgau will be more than happy to answer them. Good Luck. Post and let us know how you make out. Ellen

hello- I saw your post & asked the same quetion on 4/23/05. I get my Lap Band tomorrow- this was my personal choice. I choose it because I can loosen and tighten it if needed. It "felt" safer to do. It could be reversal if something drastic happens. Everybody pushed for BYPASS but I just didn't have that easy gut feeling. After I choose LAPBAND, I felt more confident in my choice. There is only 1 other person that I have MET that is having the Lap Band.????? But I feel really confident about my decesion. I am very fortunate to have Bonnie Miller as my angel is she is truly MORE than an angel to me. She is MY NEW MOTHER! She even has suggested to me to go to Lap Band reunions and look at people's profiles that have had for one year out. Yes, it will take at least 4-5 hrs BUT IT IS WORTH THE RESEARCH. Pray about it and research, research, research...stay with YOUR GUT feeling!! Here is my post from 4/23/05:........................................................... Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Original Post by Christina Jones at 9:58 AM PST on 04/23/2005 Pike Creek, DE - Lap Band (07/08/2005) I already had a consult with my doctor and she suggested the Lap Band over the Gastro Bypass. The doctor explained to me that the Lap Band is generally NOT COVERED under my insurance. Well, considering my financial status I had no choice but to pick the Gastro Bypass. After IS COVERED. I am 5'6 and weigh 255, size 24W. ( I guess small compared to some WLS patients.) SOOOOOOOO how do I know which procedure to choose? How do you know which is right for you? What are the deciding factors? PLEASE HELP!!!!! I am getting anxious and frustrated. My surgery date is aimed for June/July. RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from MyLady Heidi at 10:05 AM PST on 04/23/2005 House'on'the'hill, CT - RNY (04/05/2005) When I started my doctor suggested it was up to me to go for the lap band or the gastric bypass surgery. He told me with the lapband he would expect me to lose approximately 65lbs and with the bypass approximately 95lbs. The deciding factor for me was the fact I was diabetic and in all my research I have read that the malabsorptive component to the gastric bypass was what they felt "cured" diabetes, although this is still controversial. Also my doctor stated if you like sweets, there is nothing preventing you from eating ice cream all day with the lapband. Plus going for fills all the time, and the fact that future surgery was almost guaranteed, all made the gastric bypass seem that much more the choice for me. I had my RNY open almost 3 weeks ago now and am doing remarkably well, I do not regret my decision in the least. I came home from the hospital off my diabetes meds. Good Luck in whatever you choose. Heidi RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Evening Star at 10:12 AM PST on 04/23/2005 Sweet Home, AL - RNY (04/04/2005) My insurance consider lap band experimental and will not cover it, they approved me for the RNY and I took it. There was no way I could do this without insurance, so once I knew what they would cover, I researched it well and decided to go with it. I used to live in Dover, DE! I sure do miss living up north. My high school reunion is in Dover, in June and I wish I could go, maybe next time. Have a great weekend! Sandy RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Jennifer Cyr at 10:23 AM PST on 04/23/2005 Orrington, ME - Lap Band (04/18/2005) I had Gastric Banding on Monday. For me the choice was how I needed to heal and go about my weight loss journey. I am the type that needs a life style change and for me that led to banding. But it is such a personal choice. For me the deciding factor was a member of community with 3 children just passed away from complications from the surgery. Now that is the extreme case and that option is there for all surgeries. I have known many who continue their lives normal without any complications, but for me I needed that factor to be a small one. Luckily my insurance covered it which made it the choice for me. It frustrates me that a big company holds the power to choose how people will live their lives. Probably if my insurance hadnot covered banding, than I would have gone towards the bypass. Good luck with your decision. I have so many personal feelings about which is better, but again, they are my reasons that I do not want to offend or push upons others due to the fabulous support I have recieved from this website. Take a lot of time to do the research. Again, good luck. muchas gracias Jennifer! RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Bette Hepburn at 10:36 AM PST on 04/23/2005 High Desert, CA - RNY (02/07/2003) Lots of things to consider, huh? A big reason that I picked RNY was that it was permanent. I was 55 when I had surgery and still pretty healthy, but I knew I had a limited amount of time to be a safe surgical candidate. My other stats were about the same as yours - 5'5" -248 lbs, (top weight 278). I chose open RNY because at the time it meant about an hour less anesthesia (don't think there's much difference any more) and that made it significantly safer IMHO. I would suggest you research, research, research. It's a big decision that will change your life. Remember that we are all so different - for me, open RNY was the right way to go. Best health (and probably otherwise) decision of my life - but not an easy one. My life was good before, it is great now. Best of luck and keep us posted! Bette RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Becky M at 11:08 AM PST on 04/23/2005 Up North, WI - RNY (07/20/2005) I too looked into the Lap-Band. My insurance doesn't cover it either. I was even considering self-paying and going to Mexico to have it done. I went to a seminar that covered both the lap band and RNY and all of the surgeons there agreed that the RNY was the "gold standard" of WLS. With the band there are complications also. The band can slip and also there is NO dumping with the band which I think is BAD cuz what is to stop you from eating the high fat-high sugar snacks that got most of us to this point. I just feel that the RNY is more permant. I have young children ages 8 and 1 and I am scared to death of dying from surgery but I also NEED to get healthy so that I can be the mother that I want to be and be there for my kids and set a good example. It is a big descison. I suggest you research all of your options to the fullest before you make your choice. For me this is what I think is the best option. RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Robin C. at 12:46 PM PST on 04/23/2005 Lobelville, TN Hi Christina, My doctor said that if you live quit a-ways from your doctors office that it may not be a good idea to have the lap band due to all of the adjustments that will have to be made. I'm going with the Lap RNY because it's best for me. Doing alot of research and interacting with those on OH can really help you alot!! Take care & good luck with whatever you choose! Robin C. RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Vicky R at 11:18 AM PST on 04/23/2005 Anytown, MD I would pick the RNY, but my insurance doesn't cover ANY OF IT. :/ I'm probably in the worst position there is to be when it comes to insurance. If they only covereed RNY, that would be fine with me. Sounds like it is much better for the long term. But they don't. RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from July Butterfly at 11:30 AM PST on 04/23/2005 'Burbs of St. Louis, MO - RNY (07/06/2004) I had laparascopic RNY, and my mom had the lapband (last Monday). Her recovery time was significantly shorter (she was walking the treadmill 2 days out, while I was pretty worn out until day 7). Because I dump on excessive fat/grease and sugar, making healthy choices is pretty easy for me. I still have my issues with food, but am protected, for the most part, by the type of surgery I had. My mom may also continue to have food issues, but the nature of her surgery allows for her to make unhealthy choices without suffering major consequences. On one side of the coin, that's bad, because it takes more self-control. On the flip side, it may be less frustrating because she can indulge in certain foods that I will never be able to eat again (if I don't want to get sick, anyway). She also has the option of a reversal should she need it, which is something that is difficult for the RNY patient to have. I feel that I chose the right surgery for me. My pouch keeps me from going crazy with unhealthy foods because they will make me sick. Do I make mistakes? Of course, just as recently as yesterday. Do I pay for it? Most definitely. And I'm very glad that my "tool" serves as a constant reminder that healthy is really the best choice. Good luck with your decision! Pamela -97 RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Frances Spencer at 11:31 AM PST on 04/23/2005 Baker, LA - Lap Band (08/23/2004) Hi Christina, I chose lap band surgery because both were covered by my insurance and I felt that the lap band surgery was the best decision for my lifestyle. I liked the control that I would have with my lap band. I'm very large (top weight 350), but getting really thin was a fear of mine, not a goal. My husband likes large women and that statement was not a slam to anyone who is thin or wants to be thin. I wanted to achieve a healthy weight level and then be allowed to lead a very normal lifestyle. I have a toddler and I also wanted a plan that would allow us to eat the same things as a family. Again, in my opinion, that meant the lap band was for me. I understood the limitations of the band and that high-calorie liquids would not be a problem if I chose to eat them. Earlier, someone said they heard that nothing would stop a lap bander from eating ice cream all day long. I knew that "I" could stop me from eating ice cream all day long and that was the big factor for me. I am *not* a binge eater or an emotional eat or a grazer. I'm not saying that I'm something *better* than those people because I had a big, big problem, but those things that make the band unsuccessful were not a consideration for me. Also, I feared dumping and did not want that reaction to taking in sugar. This is probably the silliest thing I can say because I really do have an insane fear of throwing up. All those things considered, the lap band was the only choice for me. I do believe I can reach my goal of 180 pounds with the band. I have lost about 80 pounds and today is my 8-month anniversary. Eighty pounds since August is a more than fast enough for me and I don't think I've worked that hard at it because I've not been able to exercise due to an unrelated hernia/open wound issue. I'm 5'5' and I've gone from 343 to under about 265. I hope this helps you see what led to my decision, but it may not apply to your specific needs. I definitely didn't mean to say "lap band is the best route for everybody." My best to you in your journey. Frances RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Caeli B at 5:04 PM PST on 04/23/2005 Boston, MA - Lap Band (10/20/2004) The decision of which WLS surgery to have is an intensely personal one. I chose the lap band and have been 100% confident in my choice from day one. I knew that RNY was not something I was comfortable with and that getting banded would allow me to life the lifestyle of a pretty "normal" person. Six months out and I LOVE my band! (For the record, getting adjustments or "fills" as they are often called is not a big deal at all.) That being said, my surgery was covered by insurance and while I wouldn't have done the RNY if that was my only choice I appreciate the difficult role that insurance/cost plays. Many people go to Mexico for lap band surgery and most relate great experiences. Me, I wouldn't do it, no matter how great the surgeon. But I also know a bunch of people who have found a way to pay for their surgery (from surgery financing - which I did on a smaller level for laser eye surgery two years ago - to second mortgages, etc.); I know even more who were able to get their insurance companies to pay for their banding on appeal (those companies that call the band "investigational" do so only to keep people from appealing - it is FDA-approved and MANY people denied for the "investigational" denial get this reason overturned on appeal.) Bottom line, research the facts and your heart and decide which surgery is right for you. Then fight for it! Surgery of any kind is a big deal and nothing to be entered into lightly; make sure whichever procedure you choose you do so because it is what you want. Best of luck! Caeli 348/323/283/under 200 RE: Gastro Bypass vs. Lap Band Response from Lisa C at 4:35 AM PST on 04/24/2005 San Clemente, CA - DS (06/29/2004) What about the duodenal switch? I mean that is another option.. I felt it was the best surgery for me, my insurance wouldn't pay for it though, so I self-paid. Please research every WLS procedure fully before just going with one!! Good luck to you Lisa Technical Problems? Report Them Here. This site powered by ObesityHelp.com © 2005. All content is copyrighted. No duplication without written permission. All rights reserved