Decisions decisons???

You don't say anything about comorbidities - but I'll throw this out.  I love my RNY because it essentially cured my downward spiraling diabetes.  Before surgery, I was on a handful (literally) of meds and still not considered to be under control. Now I am on no diabetes medicines (waits and lets that sink in for himself cause even after 3 and a half months it's pretty cool) and have blood sugar readings in the mornings under 90.  Also the permanence, for me, was a big plus - I mean I didn't trust myself enough not to make a permanent change.  I couldn't be happier.  I'd say my biggest down side to the surgery is, shall we say delicately, "irregularity."  Never ever experienced that little joy before - but if that's the worse thing - it's all good.

Good luck on whatever you choose - once you have the tool the biggest factor is how you work it!

I did leave that out...I have no comorbidities.  I did read some about "irregularities"  I also read some about some people having some pain, when they were about to poop, but that it subsided within months.  Right now I'm leaning towards RNY, for the permancy...but I change my mind daily.  And like the person before said, I don't really want to have control of it.  If I had self control, I wouldn't be in this situation to begin with. ya know?

Just for the record...the band is Permanent.  It is not removed easily - it requires another surgery.  You can have the saline taken out of it, but it is still a permanent fixture in your body.  I chose RNY for the same reasons Russel did....I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes (on 5 insulin shots per day and one oral med) and heart disease.  All of those have resolved themselves with RNY.

I won't begin to direct you towards one surgery or another.  We have a few bandsters on this board - some do amazingly well (Sugar-free Candy is at goal - you go girl!) and some struggle.  You can still eat what you ate before, just smaller quantities.  I wanted the restrictions that came along with RNY, but mostly I researched resolution to my co-morbidities.

For me, the band didn't provide me with those fast resolutions.

I have issues with my RNY when I eat things I'm NOT supposed to eat.  I do dump.  Not everyone does.  As you see here - some can have sugar.  I can not.  Some can eat fat - I can, but my body doesn't process it.  I can tell when I've had one bite too many, but you get that with the band as well.  I can tell immediately when something is stuck - that also happens with the band.

Prior to surgery, my body had no concept of enough.  It had no sense of right or wrong.  My RNY now tells me, "Hey dumba$$, I told you not to eat that, and now you'll pay."  So, it's a learning tool.  I eat the wrong thing just one time and I know, "Ok, that's off my list."

I still see the doctor often - follow up care - but now I don't see as many doctors for as many things.

No matter what your surgery - you need to research what YOU need to do to be compliant.  If you know you have weaknesses for sweets and carbs, then the band is going to be hard.  The surgery is just a tool, and you have to use your tool to your fullest advantage.  Be compliant, follow the rules, and know what your boundaries are.

I wish you the best of luck no matter what surgery you chose.

Hi, I saw the pm you sent me but didnt realize that you are also a patient of Dr. Li's...
     
With that being said Im sure she has explained the pros and cons for your particular situation (she is wonderful that way)...

When I first started the process I was certain that I was getting the lap-band, however upon speaking to her AND doing my own research I realized that Lap-Band was not for me, I have two co-workers with the band ( one a patient of Dr LI's ) One woman is doing awesome ( Dr. Li's patient) and the other regrets everything about it, (back and forth for fills, starting the eating pattern over everytime she gets a fill, and being physically uncomfortable when she eats) Now she could be doing something all wrong I dont know, but I do know that I went to the Lap-Band Forum and there were some unhappy people there, I asked enough questions to people with the band to know that it would not work for ME...

(NO DISREPECT TO ANYONE MY PERSONAL CHOICES ONLY)

The rny has never been a choice for me due to an unrelated medical condition ( I cant have the malabsortion) so my personal decision was to get VSG (on Monday...YAAAAAHHHH!!!!)

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH after that follow your own instincts, this is your decision,your body, and your life...

I pray that all works out well for you and maybe I will see you at a support group

I too am/was a sweet eater, and therefore I knew the only way for this to be successful for me was RNY that forced me not to be able to eat sweets.  And now 1.5 years out I love the decision I made.  I CAN'T eat sweets it forces me to stay away from them and that has led to my success.  I'm down 125 lbs and so happy, been maintaining the same weight now for 8 months.  Oh don't get me wrong I still crave sweets, but the fact that I can't have more than one bite or one cookie is my blessing.  I do still have them, like I said one bite or one cookie and now that is enough for me.  It forces your mind of matter situation, and that is what I needed.

Good luck with your decision.

Good luck sweetie. I so LOVE my RNY!! Best gift I coudl have EVER given myself!! And I mean that!!! You have to make the right choice for you and we will all be here to back you up!!!! 

I just wanted to add my 2 cents in. I originally wanted a Lap Band, but being a carb-a-holic, I knew that I would be able to eat around it. I needed more than that for me to be successful. I've lost 141 lbs in 7 months and I'm still losing. I have absolutely no regrets and am thankful everyday for my RNY. I just turned 30 and I feel like I am truly living life for the first time.

Think about your eating habits and what you need to be helpful long term. Both surgeries can be very successful if you work them properly. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide!

Hi and Welcome to the Md Board,
I think most of us have this issue with making sure that we decide on the right WLS that will work best for us. I had VSG 2-24-09. I also had the fabulous Dr Li as my surgeon. If you have already met her, then you know how wonderful she is as a person as well as a Dr! Have you considered the VSG aka Vertical Sleeve? I think that this would be fantastic for you especially for your age. I feel that out of all 3 options this one is really the easiest as far as aftercare. There really is no malabsorption and malnutrition issues. I think it is the easiest to live with the rest of your life, especially if you want children etc. It's very obvious that I love my sleeve, but that doesn't mean that this is the one for you. You have to make your own decision, but asking others and gathering info is the way to go!  The more?? you ask the more info you collect. I do know for a fact that Dr Li loves VSG. I will also tell you that the pre op diet is easier and the recovery period is minimal.   Good Luck. If you have any more ?? feel free to PM me......................Leslie:)

Thanks Leslie, I'm pretty sure they said my insurance doesn't cover the sleeve, but I should probably double check on this now.  I see so many people that have had it done and love it.  I feel like a lot of what I see on here is people who havne't had much success with the band, and honestly I been leaning towards RNY, but I think I'm gonna look more into the sleeve now.

I also love my RNY, the recovery was fairly easy. I feel I could have gone back to work in 1 week but I did go back in 2 due to MD restrictions.  The hardest part is the liquids then mushys and for me I do occasionally miss some sugar but I wasn't a big sweet eater to begin with.  I did love, love, love (ok, was addicted) to sweet tea but I have been able to manage without because my will to get healthy is currently stronger then my want for sweet tea. 

Best of luck, we will all be here to support whatever decision you make.