How did YOU choose RNY or Band?

I came to the decision for WLS seeking the lapband, then switched to RNY,  now am back to my original decision to have the Lapband. What influenced your decision as to the band or bypass? Please share if you don't mind! :)

I originally wanted to have RNY.  My reason was that it seemed to have better results and since sweets are one of my downfalls the fear of dumping seemed good. Due to having stomach polyps and IBS my surgeon said I was not a good candidate for RNY and that he recommended lapband.  At first I was crushed, but then after doing research on the lapband I am very pleased with doing lapband.  It gives me the option of having restriction or not having it if the need arises later in life.  I can always go back to having more restriction and losing some more weight if down the road I regain some weight. It seems like it's a lot harder for RNY patients to lose more weight after the initial 18 months. When I have an important decision to make I commonly make lists of pros and cons of each one.  Somehow seeing it on paper brings it more into focus for me and I'm able to make a decision with more confidence. Good luck.

I personally never considered RNY, only because I didn't want my insides rearranged, the risks that accompany such a surgery, the amount of time I would have to take off work, and unfortunately I know quite a few people who are bigger now than they were when they had the surgery!   But I personally know one person who has done an awesome job.  In fact, she was always after me to have RNY, but she is very happy for me now that I have had the lap band! The Lap Band seemed a safer alternative for me and you're right - at the last 2 support group meetings, they divided the room up between those that have had RNY or want RNY and those that have had Lap Band or want Lap Band - and I was very pleasantly surprised that the Lap Band side had way more people.  When I went to my first support group meeting in January, I was the odd man out - and now, just six months later it has all changed! Do what is best for YOU!  Good luck in whatever decision you make!!! Hugs, JoDee

Pinkone, When I was researching this 4 years ago, the lapband was not even an option around here. We were told that they wouldn't offer them at Mercy Capital due to the low success rate of the band and insurance companies were not covering them either. So RNY is what the option was. Looking back is always 20/20 and if I had the choice I would have done the lap band. When you have RNY you have to deal with the long term effects of malabsorbtion, which is what I am doing now 4 years later. I am still down on my weight. In fact I am losing again, which I am really thrilled with, however all of the other complications are concerning me at this point. Granted some people do great and don't have complications. When I had it done it was still so new that drs now are finding out some long term effects of the RNY which is so unfortunate for some of us. The things that I am thankful for is that I am at a healthier weight and was able to have my son. I am just now need to get this excess skin removed and I will be done with my tranformation. Good Luck in whatever decision you make. I have also heard horror stories about the band as well so you will have to really weigh your options. Stephanie

I went with the RNY.  My reasons included my age, my level of obesity, how long I had been obese, the typical percentage of excess weight lost, the rate of weight lost, and the change in digestive processes.   I have been obese since early childhood and had a BMI over 60.  I had enough weight to lose that I needed more to come off and come off quickly.  All of these things supported the RNY over the band.  My surgeon does the RNY laproscopically, so my recovery time was just about a week more than the band would have been. But actually, while the other factors were really important, the thing that really sold me on the RNY whas the research I read about how it changes the digestive process.  I personally believe obesity is a disease and not just a result of overeating.  If it were, than restrictive diets would work.  What I read about the hormones grehlin and leptin and how they are different after RNY helped me understand that I needed my body to change how it processed food in addition to there being less food.  So I see the RNY as a surgical treatment for a disease in the same way there are surgeries to address cancers and other diseases.   With either surgery, you will have to control your eating--both quantity and quality--for the rest of your life.  Success is largely a matter of compliance.  You can eat your way back to obesity with either surgery. I will admit, the rearrangement of my "guts" didn't bother me, and I felt very confident about my surgeon so really didn't fear either surgery.  I can be pretty fearless once I decide to do something. I don't know if your program has a counseling component to it, but you might think about talking with someone who  deals with food issues as part of therapy.  They may be able to help you identify behaviors which would help or hinder your success with the different surgeries.  Behavior is so important to this whole process. Good luck deciding. Sally 398/162/170

I never even considered lapband, mainly because my father had RNY in December of 2003 and has been very successful and at the time of my initial consult with Dr. Eibes, I don't think they were doing lapband quite yet, just getting ready for it.  I also have a friend whose mother (who I've never met) had lapband.  She said her mom was totally unhappy with it and then got RNY.  Now I don't know the reasons or anything because this was before I knew anything about lapband and I had already made my decision so I didn't ask questions.  It was probably a personal preference, like maybe she needed the sugar & fat dumping reactions, who knows?

Now having done the RNY and looking back and thinking "what if?"  Would I change my decision?  Absolutely not!  My reasons:  I like the fact that I might possibly dump on too much sugar - I haven't really tested the waters yet but the fear of getting sick is enough for me.  Does that mean I have absolutely no sugar?  Nope.  It's just that now, a little bit will satisfy me.  For example, I might snatch a hershey's kiss from my co-workers desk....yummy, that was good and I don't need any more.  Before, I would empty the whole jar in a day or 2 and then go buy her more!  My mindset so far has been that I can have anything in moderation.  Others are very strict and say no "bad" foods, very little carbs unless they're whole grain, etc.  Those people are the ones who can't eat just one and be ok, that's what works for them.  I'm hoping my way of thinking will continue - if it doesn't I may have to make some adjustments. A couple other reasons I'm glad I had RNY rather than lapband is that I don't think I'd be too excited about having to go in for fills so often.  Again this is just personal preference. I don't want you or anyone to think that I'm bashing lapband because it might just be what works for you.  All of it is about personal preference.  I would just say that if you have ANY doubt in your mind that you might be a sugar/carb addict and need the fear of dumping with the RNY then think really hard about it. Hope this helps and if you have any questions or need advice, please don't be afraid to ask or PM me. Best of luck in your decision! Carrie

I made my choice for an odd reason but it worked for me.  The only place near here that does Lap Band in Cedar Falls and that's over an hour drive.  I have 2 very small children and having surgery so far away just wasn't an option.  I went to Iowa City whichis 30 minutes away and they don't do lap band because it isn't as successful as RNY so they have never considered it.  Being only half hour away from my doc was a much better choice for me and I am glad I made the decision I did.  I still have fears about complications down the road but I will deal with those when and if they arise.

I did a lot of research...and everyone kept telling me that the RNY gives results faster, it is permanent, and better for people with a sweet tooth.  I wanted it to be permanent!!!  And I wanted the RNY surgery to be the end of the procedure, meaning  I didn't want to have to go in for fills or adjustments.  So far, I am very happy with my decision.  The most important decision is what Dr. you choose...and how much faith you have in him and his abilities.  Best of luck to you! Sharen

Thanks for sharing, ladies! In terms of risk and recovery and all that, I'm much more comfy with the lapband, because for years I've feared being one of the tiny statistics, ya know? But then I read mroe and learned more about the RNY, and decided I'd much rather have that more permanent procedure and not have all that follow-up, the medical follow-up, I mean, the fills. I know there is after-care with both. THEN, I go in for the consult, and the surgeon is telling me that Lapband is all the rage now, esp for anyone looking for lower risk. He said that you can always go back and do the bypass if Lapband doesn't work, but he said he'd want to know why it didn't work first...cause it should if you're compliant, just like with the bypass, you have to be compliant. So, there are so many lapband successes on the Lapband board here. Then I see posts of people saying they've heard it doesn't work as well. I mean, really...I'm sure insurance will only pay once, so how do people "go back" and get a bypass after a Lapband? So much to consider! At this point, I'm down for Lapband. As of this morning, it's not submitted to insurance yet, but is on the list to be submitted. I've turned in everything, so now it's just a waiting game.

I came to the decision of lapband because I just couldn't see RNY as an option for me.  There were just to many risks and the malabsorbtion factor.  Don't get me wrong. I have done my homework.  I know of all the risks with the lapband also.  I researched the lapband and RNY and they success rate is the same for both surgeries at 3-5 years out.  With lapband you do have to go in more often and have fills but I made the decision to put my health first.  I am ok with seeing my doctor and following up as often as needed.  I think it will better keep me on my toes.   There was one time through the process of insurance approval that I considered RNY and that is because the insurance had approved the RNY or lapband but I just could not get myself comforatble with the idea of having the RNY.  I know for my I made the right decision.  I read several statistic reports and talked with my doctor and I was told by him that they both do the same thing but RNY works faster but also has more risks.  I am ok with it taking longer to loss it. I didn't gain it all at once so I am fine with taking more time taking it off.  They both take dedication to work. One of the other deciding factors for me was I know a few people who have had RNY and they have regained their weight. As a matter of fact I have 1 friend that had RNY and is now scheduled for lapband in September.  Please do not misunderstand me I know that there are many people very successful with the RNY.  For me it just was not an option I considered.  I am confident with the decision that I made.   When you make your decision you will choose the right one for YOU.  Good luck to you!!!