GASTRIC BYPASS OR LAPBAND ??????????

Help!!!! I need as much advice as I can get.. Im battling between the decision of bypass or the lapband. I was supposed to have bypass this month but my surgeon is moving out of state, so I will see Dr. Cheu in lafayette this week. I still want surgery and have done all preop stuff already. Im just sooo scared about the bypass and it's not reversable. I am so hoping to make the right decision.. Thanks ,,,, kateri

Hi Kateri, I am going to just tell you why I chose the RNY vs. lapband....I can always find a way to cheat on a diet...I found a way to get my points with Weigh****chers but it was not healthy...I needed something to keep me discipilined (sp) and felt this was for me. I am 12 weeks out and have done wonderful. I am terrified to dump so I am sticking to the diet my doctor has recommended to a t. You know the decision has to be yours, and I know plenty who have done very well with the lap band...Talk with your new doctor and I hope all goes well. Jodi

The lapband should be considered irreversable as well! It CAN be removed but RNYs CAN be reversed. Most of the Lap Banders that I know who have had it removed did it to convert to the RNY. Only you and your doctor can decide what is best for you. Also, visit the LapBand forum for answer from actual banders. Best to you, Vanessa

Don't overlook the duodenal switch. Dr Chu and Dr. Stevens did mine in november 2005. It was done laproscopically. I am very happy with my decision. There is a forum here on the subject. Check it out. Thelma

Hi Kateri, I'm probably be the only lap bander here at times. There are more in the state, but not active on the forum right now. Here's a link to the place where you can find lots of lap band experiences both good and bad: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/posts.html I hope you give yourself plenty of time to find out what's best for you. My blog is at the "www" button below. It's mostly recipes and food pictures these days, but there's stuff from the very beginning of my lap band journey. If you have a specific question about the band, you can email me. I'm very happy with my lifestyle and band results, but that should have very little weight on what's best for you. I wish you well, Frances

Hi Kateri, Everyone will tell you theirs is better. You and your doctor will have to decide what is best for you. There are things you have to worry about with each type of surgery. No the RNY is not reversible but why would you want to reverse it anyway? If something goes terrible wrong they can reverse it, if its an emergency. Also you have to worry about dumping but if your careful with what you eat you may never do that. I've only done it a couple of times and it was my fault I ate something I knew I shouldn't eat and I paid for it. As long as you take your vitamins and your get in your protein the RNY can be a very successful surgery. With the lap band you stand the chance of it slipping then it has to be reposition and most insurance won't pay for this. Also you have to have fills with the lap band and insurance will not pay for that. It is a lot easier to cheat with the band and you don't lose as much weight. Unless you can stick to the doctor's orders and if you could do that you wouldn't need the surgery anyway. Some people are successful with the band and some are not. The success rate is higher with RNY. You should do as much research on them as possible. You can get opinions in here but you need to get hard facts and make your decision. I hope this has been some help. Tina

Hi Ashlee, You posted to Tina, not to Katera. I wanted to add that the averages aren't the same as "can only loose X" amounts. The stats says that the average weight loss is 40-60 percent of excess weight. That takes the highs and lows of a given sampling of patients into account. Some lose more and some lose less. I lost 50 percent of my excess weight in one year; now, I can still lose the rest and I'm still losing. The bandster process should take 2-3 years as opposed to 1.5 years. I was reading an RNY thread on the main board where veteran postops were explaining to a newbie that closer to a year down the line, the hunger does come back after RNY, but it doesn't seem like it will at the beginning. Doesn't mean that RNY is any less affective cause one gets hungry again. Hunger is a basic human instinct and we have it for a reason. Learning to control the hunger instead of being controlled by it is the challenge for all surgery postops in the longrun. It doesn't mean lap band surgery is "great" and I wouldn't dare say it's best for anyone, but numbers are averages, not hard and fast "onlys." I started 10 pounds heavier than you and I too believe in going all the way. It's just a different way. All my best in your journey, Frances

This might help to see how long-term RNYers prepared for the time when the hunger returned: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/postdetail/1818578.html?vc=0 It's good to be prepared and poised for your continued victory. Onward! Frances

I had Lap Band 02-23-06 Dr. Drake Bellanger is my Dr. I would recomend you have a consultation with him and have him take care of you. He is so wonderful.Very professional,caring and so sincere. I have lost 18 lbs. His office is in Baton Rouge,La. 9094 Perkins Rd. 225-819-0986.His office is in the same location as The Vista Hospital.It was like being in your own little world.all of the staff and everyone there was so good to me.By the way I was scared to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!.He will help you to make the right decision for your needs. Happy camper.