Do any of you Banders wish you had gone with the RNY?

If my only 2 choices were band and RNY I wouldn't do either of them, the band is totally useless and on its way out as a weight loss surgery. It IS NOT reversible the damage it does is permanent! It is removable but usually by then the damage is done. It is adjustable until the cows come home but many of us never get a decent restriction level it's either too loose or too tight no matter how it is adjusted,  let me get those things straight right off the bat. The band is the least effective surgery and only 30% of RNYers dump so one can't count on that to lose weight. I also don't want the malabsorbtion that can cause serious issues down the road. I know you don't have the option of a sleeve but in all honesty if those were my only choices I would wait until I could get a sleeve because that is a permanent solution and you don't malabsorb with it. Also with the RNY many are developing reactive hypoglycemia down the road. While no surgery is perfect to me the sleeve is about the closest in my personal opinion. Myself I am sitting here with an empty useless band because of my issues with it. I AM waiting until I can get the sleeve because for me that is the only option I will consider.

Almost seven years with my band and  would do it again in a heartbeat. For me, there was no alternative. Back in 2006, no-one offered VSG and several of my family have needed oral chemo for cancer which is problematic with surgeries which cause malabsorption like RNY.

If I had to choose between a band and RNY I would go with the band, and I did. At the time my insurance would not allow me to have a sleeve done so band was my choice. I loved it. I had to work very hard but that was good. I lost all my weight and at times gained some. Both ways I learned valuable lessons. This past year I had trouble with my beloved band and had to have it out. I was heartbroken but chose to revise to a sleeve instead of not having a tool.

One suggestion; you can fight your insurance company on the RNY/Band issue. Even medicare is covering vsg now. My insurance is now covering it at a lower bmi, now, which was the reason they denied me in the first place. Appeal, appeal, appeal. Never ever let them dictate to you. Many people succeed with appeals. The RNY malabsorption of calories goes away after 2-3 years and the pouch tends to stretch, leaving people gaining weight and very difficult time losing again. Of course the malabsorption of nutrients stays for life. It is your choice and no one can tell you what is right for you. Just be sure you have researched well and are certain of your choice. It is not impossible to change surgeons, either. I started in one practice and later discovered that the best surgeons in the practice had left and formed their own group. When I found this out I went and picked up the records of all the testing I had done so far, took them to the new practice and went through their orientation. Because I had some testing done and had been attending support group meetings I was able to get going quickly.

Good luck with what ever you decide, Sue

There's NO way I'd ever have a band knowing how painful and damaging it is. It was the worst decision I ever made. I wouldn't have RnY, either, though. If these were my only two choices, I'd not have surgery.

With the band, you're guaranteed at least another surgery down the road... and that's IF you don't have too much damage to be able to revise.

Even the US government has stepped in and subpoenaed Allergan due to the alarming failure rate of the Lap Band. Allergan finally divulges that it's not meant to be a "lifetime device." If a person makes it to 10 years with the band, it's a minor miracle. Quite often it's around Year Two or Three that the scar tissue has built up significantly and starts causing issues.

It's difficult to describe just how awful my experience was with the lap band... impossible, really. I wish I could fully explain it to help someone else avoid going through the same thing.

I have to agree with the others, if those were my only two choices, I would do nothing.  The RNY comes with so many complications post op and 5 years down the road that I wouldn't consider it a viable option for me.  If you read their board and on the main forum, you will hear about very serious complications.

As you have read here, the Band comes with problems too.

I know your insurance doesn't cover the Sleeve, but I would - if I were you, check into affordable surgeons in your area and have that surgery instead.  This is your life - you need to have a surgery that will work for you, without causing lifelong complications.

I don't wish I had picked RNY, but I do wish that I'd skipped the band and gone straight to the sleeve. The band was a waste of time and it was miserable having a band. I wouldn't suggest it for anyone.

I'd fight your insurance company for a surgery that you do want. It's your body and your future!

Best,

Lindsey

I love my BAND! It does require the most work from you from all the WLS. You really have to make the permanent lifestyle changes to get to the best healthy results. I wasn't looking for a quick fix. With a BAND, you lose slower  (i got to goal under 2 years, BUT, I totally commiitted and changed my lifestyle with exercise and clean eating PLUS seeing an Eating Disorder counselor). I had lost 120 pounds in 1 year and it took me another year to get to MY goal, I lost 130 pounds. The last 10 pounds my head seriously was sabotaging me. I am 5 years out.

With ANY of the surgeries YOU can have complications. SURGERY is SURGERY and WE all take chances. SURGERY weather its for your Heart or a BOOB job or any P.S. can have complications, either immediately or further down the road. Some surgeries permanently alter your insides, with a strong family history of cancer, I did not want my innerds rerouted or removed. Again, surgery is surgery and NOTHING is 100% fool proof.

ANY WLS you can regain your weight and be obese again. I know many who lost immediately, but after the honeymoon period are struggling ( a WLS friend with the SLEEVE and several RNY friends too, they are still obese). THERE is WORK to be done with any WLS period!

Your after care and support is vital! Attend support group meetings prior to making your decision. It will give you insight into the type of committment the doctor has to their patients and other services they provide to their patients. See if you get a feel for a good fit. No need to rush into a decision, go at your own pace.

good luck,

prek3

I am 74 and high risk so I have to have the band tomorow-looking forward to it.

I have friends who had RNY. All of them have gained 20+ pounds back. I have been banded for 5+ years and have gained 7+ pounds back and I have one friend that has been banded and I don't believe she has gained any of it back, but she works very hard at it. I know a couple of people who had the sleeve, but it is too early to say how well they will do long term. I really think it is a personal choice and something you need several professionals to help you choose (doctor, counselor, etc.). I think a large portion of your success depends on how well you care for yourself long term. Will you follow the guidelines, change your eating habits, life style, etc? Will you dedicate yourself to workout long term and get aftercare help? I think it plays a big part in your success. However, no surgery is without risk. They all seem to just aide in our new life. Best wishes to you!!!

I had my band for almost 6 years....I wish I never had it...waste of time, money, and teeth.....I couldn't eat healthy foods at all...only slider foods. After about going to the docs being filled, unfilled....and remember...6 years....6 years is a long time. I wish I had the DS from the get go....I have lost more with the DS in the last 3 weeks than I EVER did with the band. The band reversible? Yes, you can get it taken out BUT the scar tissue, any type of damage done around the band is permanent. Are you in this WL journey forever or only temporary???? I wish I would have asked myself that back in 2007. I truly believe I would be at my goal weight at this moment. Good luck to you...hope this helps;)