Lap Band or Gastric ByPass????

I just completed all my pre-op stuff today and met with my Dr. During our conversation I starting having doubts that Lap-Band was the best option for me and began thinking that I may need to do Gastric ByPass (RNY). My brain is so confused right now and I have to decide which surgery to have. If I chose to do RNY I will have to re-submit to my insurance and that can take possibly up to 30 days!!!!! Any opinions from members who have had these surgeries will be greatly appreciated:-)

This really is one of those decisions that is deeply personal. If you honestly thing that the RNY is the way to go for you then what is 30 more days to wait to get approved? Go with your gut instinct and your surgeons opinions. Best of luck

Hello,  You, need to make the dicission, you will be the one living with it.  However, I can tell you it depends on the way you eat.  Lap- band would not have worked for me because I was a sweet eater, ice cream, chocolate, etc.  with the lap- band anything soft passes through it.  And if I could not control that before surgery why would I think I could after.  So for me the RNY was the best choice.  I am 7 years out.  I do not and will not eat sugar.  I tell myself if I do I will get sick.  I really don't know if I will but I don't want to find out I don't.  Because if I did, I would probably eat a snickers bar everyday.  (smile).  Which ever one you choice, start from the beginning make healthy eating and exercise habits.  This is a Lifestyle change not one of those many diets we were on before.  If you do this, you will be successful.  Take care,  Ginger

You must have patience with the band. The weight will NOT come off as fast as RNY and it shouldnt. It is not the type of surgery that allows you to lose alot at first. So Patience is very important. Both surgeries you have rules you must follow but I think with the band there is more dieting you have to do. I know if I had to lose more than 125 pounds I would go with a different WLS but that is my opinion and no one elses. Phyllis

You know I am kinda in the same boat but opsite of where you are.    Maybe we should talk and bounce things of fof each other.    Ginger

Don't forget to check out the DS!!!  It's an excellent option!!

 

Is the DS the sleeve? I believe that my Dr. said that most insurances are not covering the sleeve yet. Any information you can give is very appreciated!!

no the DS is not the sleeve.  Click the links in my siggie line - post on the DS board and ask questions....

research, research and research more....not just DS but ALL the surgical options...the best WLS patient is an informed one

GOOD LUCK!

You are making a lifelong commitment to a surgical intervention.  I think whichever surgery you feel you can adhere to post-op is the one for you.  They all have their pros and cons.  In the end, it truly is a personal decision based on a variety of factors.  Does a month delay really affect the rest of your life?  No.  What is more important is selecting the surgery you believe will give you the best results, not just right away but long term.  Which one can you follow the eating plan?  When it comes down to it, there isn't much difference.  They all require you to:  - Measure portions - not eating to feel full  - Not driink and eat at the same time  - Wait about 60 minutes after eating to drink  - Eat healthy well balanced meals - variety is the spice of life!  - Take vitamins/supplements each day (varies by surgery type)  - Incorporate daily exercise into your life  - Drink 64 oz of fluids a day / with 2 - 8oz glasses of skim milk  - Eliminate carbonated beverages (bubbles can stretch pouch requiring more food)  - Get your daily protein (60 - 80grams)  - Attend post op support groups (studies show patients who do have far greater long term results) There are probably a few more.  RNY has some issues with sugar and other foods that cause dumping.  Lap Band has some issues with breads, rice and pasta which can clog the port. Is there a food you cannot live without?  How long will you live if you keep eating the way you are?  You have to make a real commitment to lifelong change to make any WLS a success.  Lap Band is adjustable and some people love that.  RNY tends to help people lose quicker initially which some people prefer.  I say... its not the destination but the journey and what we learn on the way that's really important!  How you get there (healthy living) isn't nearly as important as finding a tool that you can live with, leverage it's capabilities to the fullest and adhere to the post op eating instructions long term. The #1 issue facing all WLS patients is weight regain in years 3+ post op.  That's because we get complacent.  We stop measuring, we stop exercising or never even start.  We just eat less to weigh less.  Eventually, we stretch our new pouches out, we need more calories to feel satisfied and more calories = weight regain.  I strongly encourage you to search your soul and resign yourself to making real change in your life.  Read the blogs on here and learn from other people's mistakes.  Don't be one of the patients *****gain weight because they didn't change their eating habits and start to exercise on the way down.  It's alot harder 3 years later. Congratulations on your approval!  I am excited for you and your journey.  Whatever your choices it, make the best of it.  It's got to last you a lifetime!

Mick, You are so motivating and informative. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with me. I really appreciate it. I feel that the surgery that will give me the best results is the RNY, but I am so afraid of the malabsorption and dumping issues. My whole purpose of starting this process was to make a healthier me. No weight loss program has worked for me long term. I would do great for a little while and then would plateau and end up gaining all that weight back PLUS more each time!!! I just pray for a mind changing experience for me. I need to take time for me (which is so hard with 6 children!!!) and be more disciplined. I wish that I was able to do this without WLS, but know that this a wonderful tool that will help me be more successful with weight loss. Thanks again for all the support. I'll keep you posted!!