RNY vs LapBand

Anyone have any information on the comparrison on these two types of WLS? I have been planning on the RNY and have submitted my insurance info and I am still waiting to hear something. But some family members have been asking why not the LapBand? They feel it may have less risks. I am having a hard time finding information on both with pros and cons. Seems like most people on the boards have had the RNY. Thanks

lap loses slow, and rny will loser faster, but the bottom line would still be the same in the 18 months..........it is to each their own...so you need to see which works for you...

There are pros and cons to both, and I weighed each option. I chose RNY because it's permenant and less maintenance. A lot of people feel that the lap band is less invasive, but it is still a surgery. What concerned me most is slippage and erosion of the stomach surrounding the lap band. It is also easier to get insurance to pay for the RNY.

You can loose just as fast with the lapband as with RNY. The lapband is permant. It's not "loose weight and then remove" item/tool. It is there for the rest of your life or if (god forbid) it is ever medically necessary for it's removal. The only basic difference between the two is that the band is a consistent follow thru post op, ie: the fills. You will hear people give a lot of pros and cons to either one but being a lapbander and having my son's step mother and several close friends (plus the ones I have made here) being Rny'ers, I can tell you that that's the basic difference. There is a band forum that you can visit to read banding journeys if you are interested. But the best reading comparison is done on the Regret's Forum. There you will find the personal con's of all the WLS options. Most insurances approve the band or in the process of writting it as an acceptable payable wls option by the begining of 2007 (this is because Medicare has accepted as an acceptable option and most major insurance carriers follow what Medicare guidelines state for their policies). I suggest that you take the time to read, read, and re read all the forums for each wls option, individual profiles, make a list of questions and ask, ask, ask, ask away on the forums or to individual people . No questions is every a stupid question, only an unasked question. Do yourself the biggest favor and educate yourself on all the possibilities, ins and outs of any proceudure, and anything else that could come to mind. Good Luck

I will add......i am very happy with my weight loss, with the rny...............but if i were having surgery today i am thinking i would lean more towards the lapband.........reason being..............it is a slower loss, but you will lose the same amount just takes longer, this is per dr clark......and other things i have read about the band.....the band has come along long way

Thank you all for your replies. I think I really lean toward the RNY, but I am going to do some more research to be sure. I really appreciate all of your help. I will let you know what I decide.