How did you decide?

How did you decide between the lap bad and bypass?  I have three kids and am worried about the recovery and possible complications of the bypass.  I would like to hear about others experiences with both. 

Hi.
I researched 3 surgeries: lap band, RNY, and VSG. I didn't think I could stand to know there was a foreign object in my body, and I didn't want the extra cost of fills and unfills. I didn't want my intestines reworked, nor did I need the malabsorption. I decided on the VSG because the intestines are kept in tact, there's no malabsorption, but there is restriction.
I was self-pay, and it was worth the $9,995 I paid (for the surgery and 1 year of follow-up visits).
Good luck in your decision.
Blessings,
Mary

I've not yet had surgery I'm waiting on my official surgery date, however I have chosen to have the DS.  i have researched the lap band, RNY and DS and felt the DS was the best choice for me this is why: First,  I was afraid the lap band would not work for me, it didn't have the long term statistics that I was looking for.  I only want to have WLS once.  I was also concerned with the foreign object in my body and the possibility of rejection. Second,  with the RNY I didn't like the idea of dumping and not being able to enjoy certain foods in the long term. I also worried about ulcers with a pouch and not having a fully functioning stomach.   I was also concerned with the number of revsions that people had.  It was actully the revision board that lead me to the DS.    Finally I looked into the DS and for me it was the gold standard of WLS.  I will be able to eat with moderation all foods.  I also will have a fully funtioning stomach with no blind stomach.  For me the DS will provide the best of both worlds restriction with a funtioning stomach and malabsorbtion from the common channel and can still be done lap.   I know that any idea of WLS is scary (I have 2 young kids) and the recovery with any takes time, however make sure you research everything and decide what is best for you and your lifestyle.  I found all the diffrent forums here a great help in my decsion making.  Good luck and if you have any questions PM me!

I had the bypass.
I had a few reasons. For one, many people at my place of work had it done with fantastic results. Another was the amount of weight I needed to lose. Not say that folks with Lap Band don't lose lots of weight, but I just haven't seen that many IRL that have had GREAT success like many bypass patients I know. For another, I didn't want to be bothered with band maintenance...fills/unfills mainly, but also didn't want to have to worry about erosion or slippage. I wanted the bypass also because it was permanent AND drastic. Although it was not available to me at the time, if I would have had the choice, I likely would have opted for the DS.

Research, research, research.  Then I attended a seminar in OK that gave all 3 options (they don't do DS) and weighed the pros and cons of all 3 and came to the decision to do the VSG.  You really just have to gather as much info as you can and then sit down and see which one works best for your situation.  It is a big decision and one that only you can make.  Good luck.