RNY or Lap Band Pros and Cons

Hello~

I am trying to decide on which surgery to have.  My options are the Lap Band or the Gastric Bypass.  I thought I would turn to those who have the 'inside scoop' on this.  I know in the end it's my decision, but I feel I need more info on which to base my decision.
I'm 44 yrs old and am completely sure this is what I want.  I do like sweets from time to time and yes, they were usually on my binge list.  I was told once that with the Lap Band, if you stretch your pouch, you can get a fill.  If you stretch your pouch with the RNY, you have to live with it....

Thanks a Bunch!

Your best bet is to attend an information session and few support groups.  The lap band is a great tool if you don't have a lot of weight to lose.  It can be much slower and you can still have sweets, so if you can't live without them....  RNY (gastric bypass) is much faster at initial weigh loss and you tend to lose about 65% or more of your excess weight, so if you have a lot to lose it is a better option.

I went in to this looking at the lap band and changed part way through the procedure.  My surgeon's office said I had too much weigh to lose and they wouldn't do a lap band on me.  That being said, I know several people who have had very successful weight loss with the band and have kept it off.

Other things  you need to consider are the pros and cons the side effects and complications.  They both have complications and side effects. I also decided that knowing there was a piece of plastic around my stomach and a port under my skin was something that would really bother me. I haven't regretted my decision to have RNY and it has been almost three months. But, I haven't had any complication either, so take that from where it comes.

Read on the surgical boards for both and see what people post and what their pros and cons are.  That should help you make your decision. 

Good luck and keep us posted along your journey!

I too had RNY and I have no regrets with that decision.  I had over 100lbs to lose and needed a permenant fix to my weight loss. I wanted to have more restrictions of what I could and couldn't eat...food is what got me morbidly obese to begin with.  I was also turned off by the idea of having a machine inside me with a port that would require being stuck with needles a lot, but that's just me. It's probably really not that bad.

I haven't had any complications either...my surgeon's office did a wonderful job with the education piece as well as the procedure itself and I believe I chose the right option for me.

The down side is that I wasn't on any medication before surgery, but now with the RNY procedure and the malabsorption of nutrients that we all have I am taking vitamins and supplements on a daily basis, 9 pills.  With Lap Band all that isn't necessary because you still get what your body needs from food. 

RNY pouches do stretch over time naturally, the pouch doesn't stay that small forever.  Not every person dumps on sugar or fats, I'm one of those people.  I can eat anyting I want and do on occasion but it's knowing that better choices can be made because you get full quick and you need to feed your body before you give in to cravings.

And Shell, you are looking good too!

Thx Kelly...I love your new avatar pic as well!

just an FYI, my band is not a machine, it is no worse then having 100 staples  in my gut,  and alot of people are affraid of fills, I would rather have a fill, then blood taken.  it really does not hurt "AT ALL"

The definition of a machine is...any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks, so yeah a plastic band that requires to be filled and unfilled by a doctor is a machine.  That was how it was explained to me at my first consult appointment.

This wasn't my post so I'm not trying to start anything, just tired of being negated by you all the time. 

Hi, I won't get into much detail because so many believe their surgery is the only way to go and I'm over the controversy of it all. 

I guess you get my point !!

Ewww... never thought about that!!  I mean, I must have known they would be there, just didn't think about that!   Well, I had no choice anyway, they wouldn't do the band like I wanted.

Hi, I won't get into much detail because so many believe their surgery is the only way to go and I'm over the controversy of it all.  BUT, I had the band, in April of 08 and have had a long year of frustration trying to keep up with the other who lost so much weight so fast.  But I knew from the beginning it was going to be slow.  I only had to be true to myself and stop comparing myself to everyone else.  I was pretty much on my own, as far as the Band. other then a few people who dropped in from time to time.  the Band forum was very helpful with Band information. I FEEL GREAT, don't have ulcers, low blood sugar, vit defficient in any thing.  I understand that like in all surgeries there are possibilities that some things can go wrong, but I believe the band is alot safer and less invasive.  IF I had to have my band removed I still would not have RNY.  I have lost 40 lbs and started off with a 40 BMI.  Best of Luck to you and as they said, doyour homework and go with what is right for you.