Are you all Lap Band...

Are you all Lap Band or are any of you RNY?

I am going to be RNY KD

I think we're a pretty good mix of both! There's several representatives of either type here. I hope they'll pop in and help answer your questions! Welcome to the board!

Thanks for the welcome, I look forward to learning more and can then in turn help others as well!!

I had lap RNY October 5, 2006. Post away. I'll answer any question you have that I can.

Mark M......I am 2 days from my nutritionist and psych appt. I thot my mind was made up for lapband. Now I am wondering if rny is the route for me. I am a 52yr old female with about 140lbs to lose. Any thoughts on 1 surgery versus the other? Thanks

Boy that's a tough question. Making the decision between the two is a personal one. I don't like telling people to do something just because I did. I chose rny because statistically it is more successful than lapband. I had 161lbs to lose when I was making that decision. I was going down hill medically and I knew that my insurance (Medicare) would likely only pay for 1 surgery. I had to get it right the first time. People who do rny lose weight even those who aren't entirely compliant. Success was important. The one thing to remember is that you must balance your need/desire to lose weight versus your ability to accept any changes that having any given surgery will bring. RNY means faster and long lasting weight loss but also means I can never go sit down and eat a hot fudge sundae ever again, even after my weight is "normal". High carbohydrates like in sundaes can make me sick. On the other hand with lapband I can have that sundae but I also get the calories from eating it. The changes that surgery will make are life long changes. You must be able to live with them. As for myself. Since October 5, 2006 I've gone from 386lbs to 260lbs. My bmi has gone from 50.9 to 34.3. I'm no longer diabetic, I have no acid reflux, my knees and back don't hurt much any more, I take no medications for any of these things at all any more. I have absolutely no regrets and I would do it again in a second.

Believe it or not..... I am neither, I am a "DSer" I had the Duodenal Switch. I think I am the only one in Kansas to have it. Or I haven't heard of any other kansans having it anyway. I think it's funny that when I come over here I see posts asking about the "RNY" or the "Lap Band" It seems no one has even heard of the "DS" The DS gives you restriction plus malabsorbtion. It also leaves you with a fully functioning stomach and not a man made "pouch" of the RNY with a blind stomach just hanging out in your abdomen. It is a 90 some % cure for type 2 diabetes. There is no Dumping. So you wont be punished for enjoying a few sweets now and then. There is no going to the Dr's office once a month to have a needle shoved in ya for a saline fill. No foriegn objects attached to your stomach, which can cause all kinds of problems. The DS is also has the highest success rate of all the weight loss surgery's for the high BMI patients.More normal stomach allows for better eating quality, drink with meals No dumping syndrome because the pylorus is preserved Minimizes ulcer risk Very effective for high BMI patients (BMI>55 kg/m2), but can be done on lower BMI just as effectively The intestinal bypass is partially reversible for those having malabsorptive complications Laparoscopic approach is offered by some surgeons There are a few drawbacks. But I figured they were worth it Chance of chronic diarrhea, possibly more foul smelling stools and gas. This can be due to dieting intake, but for the most part can be controlled. Sh*t stinks no matter what. Malabsorption can lead to anemia, protein deficiency and metabolic bone disease in up to 5 percent of patients . So supplements are neccesary Carbohydrates can be well absorbed and if eaten in significant quantities lead to inadequate weight loss and cause the foul smells This procedure is the most complex surgical weight loss procedure. As with any of the surgeries listed complications can occur in high risk patients. (heart failure, sleep apnea) Just a little FYI for my fellow Kansans

Heehee! I think its great that we have a rep for all types of surgeries. You being here to share your info and experience is vaulable for all of us! Just be careful what you say about surgeries you haven't had. ;o) I would be interested to know if you really are the only DSer in Kansas. That would be quite remarkable!! Thanks Hubba! ~Tiffany