Lapband vs RNY

How does a person decide which WLS to have?  OPEN FOR COMMENTS DollyC

Hi Dolly, Everyone must make up their own mind. but, step one is go to an informational meeting from whatever group you will be using. I went in knowing for sure I wanted the gastric bypass, it was the only way to go, ect, ect , ect. I left that meeting thinking I would rather have the lapband. The main deciding factor for me was it was less invasive, and if needed to be, it could be reversed. On the down side, you don't lose as fast with a lapband, but over a 5 year study, it was found you would lose about the same. Also, you need to see your doctor for fills with the lapband. There are pros and cons for all types of wls, its up tp you tp decide what you want to do, and what your Dr wants you to do.

Good luck on your decision, just make sure it is the right one for you.

I had already decided on RNY as it is supposed to be a faster, more effective weight loss.  I have bad knees and getting off as much weight off the knees as quickly as possible seemed key to me. 

I later spoke to a woman whose dad is a bariatric surgeon.  He personally favors RNY to Lap-band. 

When I spoke to a bariatric surgeon in 2006 about Lap-Band being reversible, he warned me not to think that way.

But, obviously, the choice has to be yours.  Your bariatric surgeon can help you decide.

Hi Dolly

Lisa made some good points and since she has a lap band, she can share her experiences.   As an RNYer I will tell you mine.

I went in convinced that I wanted a lap bad as it was less invasive.  As I explored the surgery further, I started to find out the problems that could occur, slippage, port flipping, band eroding, constant fills, and for me the realization that I would be able to out eat the band with sweets.  The final deal breaker was when my surgeon pulled out a band and I saw the size of it!

RNY has it's problems as well.  But it too is reversable if need be.  It is not as easy to reverse but it can be done.  I have had no problems with my surgery.  I have not dumped or vomited.  I wanted to have the extra "fear" or mechanical will power that would force me to toe the line.  With an RNY diabetes is resolved faster, my cholesterol problem is resolved, my breathing is much easier, mobility is much better, all within 6 months. 

Go to a seminar, talk to your surgeon, read, read, read, talk to people who have had both proceedures.  Check out the RNY board and the lap band forum.  Think hard if you want to deal with a life time of fills.  Check out the revision forum and see which surgeries have the most revisions and why. 

For me the decision was about knowing myself. I become discouraged after a short period of time of not loosing so I needed to lose faster. I also need the deterent of dumping to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Now for the other side of that I lost a lot of weight up front because my Dr. and his group made me keep to the straight and narrow with six months of monthly meetings. My weight loss since my surgery a month ago has been slow, at least I think so but all in all I am satisfied.

My doubt came when I saw the recovery time of a lap band patient vs. the RNY.

Now that I'm a month out I am happy with my decision.  I have lost a total of 74 lbs since my first visit to my Dr. I am now in normal ranges with my non insulin dependent diabetes, and I have come off half my blood pressure medication.

I know you'll make the decision that is right for you. Best wishes. 

Hi!  I am a revision from the band to VSG.  Originally I went with the band because of the non-malabsorption, I didn't know about the VSG at that time.  I hated the band and had a lot of issues, so I had it removed.  I was going to have DS, but then the entire taking a ton a pills a day factor came into play.  I hardly can remember my birth control...Ha!  Anyway, the decision is completely yours, read, research, and ask a lot of questions and you will then know what is best for you.