Feelings

send me a personal message with your email address and I can send you the meeting dates. I have them typed up on microsoft so it's eaiser to just email them

I started out set on the RNY but changed my mind after research.  My doctor told me that a higher percentage of RNY patients do lose quite a bit of weight very quickly, but it is easier to gain back in a few years (easier to stretch the pouch).  Lap band, on the other hand is a slower process, your body/skin has more of a chance to rebound, and if you need the band tightened in a few years because you see some weight returning, it can be done with ease. My thoughts- For quick, drastic results -- choose RNY For slow, longer lasting results -- choose Lap band

Tracy,

Thanks for the info. I am going to talk to my surgeon and see what he says. I spoke to the nut and she said the RNY is better. That some people do not loose with the Lap Band and that some people can not stand the fills with the Band. I will say that I have 5 months left with the diet and then I have to wait until the end of Sept until I have a weeks vacation. It is not going to be until October more then likley before I do anything. So I have plenty of time to think things through.

Kellie

FWIW, he told me that an RNY would be better for me because I had (note the past tense) type 2 diabetes.  I also had to lose about 150 lbs.  Because I have a very young child, however, I have a low tolerance for risk, and both my PCP and my shrink encouraged me to look at the lap band.  Both had patients with serious RNY complications.  Also, my husband was dead-set against any malabsorptive procedure.  Not that Dr. S. probably wouldn't have been able to help him feel better about it, but Kevin's mental health was one more consideration. I did a lot of reading, asking people here, and soul searching and realized I probably could make the band work for me.  I had a few nagging doubts about my sugar addiction, but interestingly enough, not flooding my body every day with soda pop did wonders for my sugar cravings and I can have a sweet on occasion and not want to stuff my face with more.  As for the diabetes, I was one of the lucky ones (there are a lot of us, actually), who has been medication-free since surgery. I've also dealt with envy when I see the RNY'ers or DS'ers losing faster than me!  What I wouldn't give to be in size 16 jeans like my friend Kristen here!  But I'll get there eventually. You have a few more months until you have to make up your mind.  Keep reading and asking questions.  I don't assume the band is the best for everyone, and I don't like to see any surgery bashed.  Every procedure has its value for some group of patients.  Every  one has been a lifesaver for someone.  You just have to figure out which one is the best tool for you. Edie

Everybody is different and has ato find what is best for them.  I started out wanting the lapband and then decided on the RNY.  I have no regrets.  I am healthier than I have every been.  You need to soul-search, listen to all the pros and cons, and do what is best for you.

Trish,

I am glad to hear that you are doing so well with your surgery. I remember when you had your surgery. I come on the site everyday just did not post anything was to afraid to.

Kellie

Hi Kellie, I hope you post more often now.  It's true everybody is a different individual with different needs for lifestyle after surgery.  I think it is completely normal to want to think good and hard about which surgery is right for you.  This is for life.  For me, I was originally going with RNY mostly because that was the one all the doctors were doing. I needed malapsorption to keep my weight off and so lapband wasn't for me.   I since learned about DS and I felt it was a better fit for me, ecpecially because I can still take my arthritis pain meds afterward.  With RNY I could not.  Since you are in the preop phase, it's a great time to learn about all your options.  As you get closer to the time to submit your docs for approval bu insurance, you will be able to decide what's right for you and your life.  Keep us posted.

Hi Kellie, You have received a lot of really good input on your doubts and questions.  I wanted to add my two cents worth.  You likely do not recognize me because I am not on the boards very often anymore.  Life is very crazy for me right now and work (where I access the internet the most) is really busy.   Anyway, I had RNY almost 2 years ago.  It has been a wonderful success for me.  I chose RNY because I knew that with my eating habits, love of sweets and my tendancy to eat emotionally I needed all the help I could get.  RNY for me meant that I  was not only restricted to how much I could eat, but what types of food I could eat.  I have been forced to make better food choices or be sick from making poor choices.  These restrictions keep me in check.  That being said, I am now at a point in my journey where I can eat just about anything I want.  I am still very limited in amounts.  Sweets are okay but not too much - I can eat 2 cookies (like oreos or Chips ahoy) without getting sick, but eat one more than that & I know I have over done it.  I can have about 1/4 cup of ice cream before getting sick.  I still limit my carb intake a lot and think that is good for me.   I can eat regular size portions now as well.  So I practice portion control all the time.  It is very easy for me to eat when stressed, bored, tired, angry or even when I am really happy.  I have found myself eating (snacking) even after I have just had a very filling meal an hour ago.  With ANY wls you have to make changes to your lifestyle.  Nothing is a quick fix, all of the surgeries require us to not only work on our eating but on our minds as well.   I disagree with the comment that RNY = faster, drastic results and LapBand = slower longer lasting results.  Studies has shown that a higher precentage of RNY patients maintain most of their weight loss over LapBand patients after 10 years post-op.  Those are published studies which doctors should know about.  Either way you choose, you will need to make lifestyle changes and mental changes to be successful and STAY successful.  One surgery over the other will not guarantee success over the long haul unless you are 110% committed to the changes you need to make.  The surgery is only a tool - no matter which one you choose. I wish you all the best in your journey.   Hugs, Robin

Robin,

Thank you for your reply. I agree with you on the comparison. I have read alot with the end results and my nut told me the same thing.

I am glad to see that you are doing so well with your surgery 2 years out I will be there some day. I am hoping to have my surgery around october. Have to wait for vacation pay or have surgery sooner and not get paid for the time that I am out. So I am choosing to wait for the vacation pay. As I am also engaged and we are trying to get a house, so no pay would not be good this time in my life.

Hope to see you around more.

Kellie