Why did you choose RNY or Lap band?

I have noticed that most posting on the Kentucky board have had RNY. I think if I'm found appropriete for surgery I will be having Lap Band done. What made the difference for you? I'm interested in Lapband because of the ability of being able to have it removed if I ever need to if my health would require it. I spoke with my Gastroenterologist the other day about her feelings on the surgery and she felt like the Lapband was a better option for me because of the Multiple Sclerosis. I have enough trouble as it is.... she was afraid that the bypass would be too much for my system due to malabsorption. She was quit positive about the Lap Band though. Would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. I am going this TUESDAY the 22nd to Dr. Gellers Seminar. He said there is a support group afterwards. IS anyone here going? It's at Norton Suburban Hospital but I don't know what time. I would love to meet you all. I know I'm new here but I'd love to be active in the community. I think there is such power in numbers and good friends. Take care Sweeties. Kathy W

Hi Kathy, the is definately a personal choice for each of us to make...I believe because of your MS you should do what your doc and Dr. Geller think is best. It's true you will not have the malabsorption problem and chances are the lapband will be there for life..I have only known of one person that had it removed, when the patients dog jumped on her belly..ouchkers..that was just a freak accident, I am not really sure what damage was done perhaps it was the port, not sure but I do know she was having some pain with it....but the doc and the patient had all intentions of having it placed back in..she loved the band and did great with it.. You may want to go to the lapband forum and see if you can speak to folks there, you may find patients with the same questions or cir****tances. I had RNY because it was the only thing offered, also I was very, very ill with diabetes which was doing some serious damage to my kidneys. I have never been sorry for this surgery and would do it again in a heart beat...I feel it saved my life. I have known several lapbanders that have done excellent with it, you will do great! Just do your homework and stay compliant you will do just fine. take care Brenda

Hi Brenda, I've been spending a lot of time over on the Lap Band board. I just noticed that most of the people on the Kentucky board have had the RNY. Being curious I just wondered what made the difference for you all in your decisions. I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling well and that you have done so wonderfully with the bypass. Thanks again. Kathy W

When I made my consultation appt. I had full intentions on getting the lap band. Dr. Sonnanstine explained both surgeries to me and I changed my mind and decided on the RNY. I didnt like the idea of having a port. Just my personal preference. In addition to that. I needed something that would keep me in line... no room for cheating. I also wanted to lose extremely fast. I am the type of person that wants immediate results... With all this being said... I also watched my aunt lose weight very rapidly after having RNY and I like her results... in her over all health and everything. I dont think RNY is for everyone... If you are happy with your choice then thats all that matters!

I chose RNY because I have a significant amount of weight to lose, and it seems like the Lap Band allows more room for error. I don't trust myself enough for that. Like Sarah, I wanted quick results, too. Good luck in making your decision!

Thank you all for replying. You all look beautiful. I love reading your posts and even though we might not have the same surgery we do have a lot in common. You all are an inspiration to me. Thanks Kathy

I agree.... we do all have alot in common... the surgery we choose/chose is what was right for us but all together we have alot of the same problems, concerns... Its definately great having wonderful people to talk to that understand! I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.

I had no choice unless I wanted to pat for the band. I originally wanted the band 100% but my insurance told me it was exploritory so therefore they would only pay for the BYpass. Now I am so glad this was my track. No regrets ....ron

Kathy, I just had my lapband surgery last Wednesday, so I don't have the experience or weight loss to cite as others on this board might. What I can tell you is how and why I made the decision to get the lapband rather than have the bypass. First, I wanted a safe (as possible) surgery. Because the bypass requires that the stomach and small intestine be cut and reattached, it has the potential of greater risks (such as leaks and infections). There are more deaths from the bypass than the band because the bypass is more serious, complicated surgery. Second, I wanted a healthy way to lose weight. The band allows that. It limits the amount of food I can eat, and that's all. I don't lose any nutrients or calories, so whatever I eat, I get the benefit of. Even though weight loss with the band is slower, there is no malabsorption and no fear of malnutrition. Third, I like that the band is adjustable. As I lose, I can get fills to continue my food restriction. If I need or want a break from the restriction, I can have the saline removed and eat as though the band weren't there. If I need extra help, I can get a fill. I like that sense of control. Fourth, I like that the band will allow me to eat all kinds of food without fear of dumping. I know that dumping provides negative reinforcement for RNY-ers, but I don't want to experience that. I want to be able to eat anything, knowing that my band will limit the amount for me. Fifth, I like the idea of "normal" rate of weight loss. Losing slowly seems to me to be a healthier way of losing, and there is less risk of gall bladder problems. Losing slowly also will allow my mind and body to adjust to the changes. With the band, I'll lose more quickly than I did with a diet (such as Weigh****chers), so I should be able to lose all of the weight I want to lose in 3 years or less. And the great thing about using the band is that I will never regain that weight as long as I let the band restrict my food volume. When I started reading about WLS, I assumed the only option was the gastric bypass, and I knew I would never have--or consider--bypass surgery. But when I realized there was an alternative, I saw a way for me to have surgery, lose weight, and save my life. The band isn't for everyone, but neither is the bypass. Each of us has our own reasons for our choice, and we need to be supportive of each other. I'm excited about my band and feel it is the best option for me. Kathy

Hi Kathy, I did alot of research for the past 2 years, I went to seminars in Lexington,Louisville and Ashland, and every seminar seemed better than the one I had been to before, every Doctor seemed to talk alot about things that were very important. I was still confused and afraid, I wanted a safe operation. The Doctors in Lexington thought RNY would be my best bet, then I seen Dr. Shina, and I deceided to have the Lap Band, he said that my insurance (Medicare) wouldn't pay for it,because it wasn't approved yet. So I was going to have RNY. But things did not go well there, I had most of my test done and 3 Doctors wrote letters, but every time I called they said they never recieved any of the letters from the doctors, and it seemed like the office girls gave me the run arounds, this went on for about 6 months, and I guess you could say I lost faith in them. So in June I went to Ashland, and heard Dr. Wheeler speak and was very impressed with him, and I spoke to him that night and asked some questions and he gave me the answer I was hoping to hear, I said have you ever done WLS on any one paralzyed? And he said YES! He is the only Doctor that I have ever found that has done surgery on some one like me, I have been confined to a wheelchair for 28 years! So I thank God for sending me to him. I feel so relaxed and calm, I am not afraid or have the fears that I did. I just went for my first Doctor appointment, and all this time I had it in my head to have Lap Band, but now I think I will go for the RNY. Dr. Wheeler thinks I won't be happy with the Lap Band, He said I wouldn't lose very well with it,because my limit on exercise, he ask me why I wanted Lap Band and I told him, because it was less cutting, and he said they really are about the same amount of cutting. I was afraid I would pull some thing lose, see I have to swing myself into the bed and over on the comode, I have to use my arms, I can't stand at all, no feelings from the waist down, so I was afraid I would tear out stitches, and he told me I could do more damage with the Lap Band, where the port was just under my skin. But he told me I could think about it,it was my choice, and I liked that. So this wednesday I have 3 test to do then on thursday I have 3 more! Gosh things are going fast! I am really happy. Kathy I hope you do alot of research, and do what you are doing, ask all of the questions you can. Leatha