lap banders please .......

Hello again all. I've been busy looking things up and still no calls or email from RNY support. that's ok. I went to my dietist and talked to dr. and was asked to check out the band too. I choice thurs. I was wondering though - I know in the RNy there are problems sometime with saggy boobs. (and tummy drains) and lot seems to be getting lifts. BUt if band is slow do you still loose your boobs and sags? A lot? How is the sex drive on this type too? How about the type of creams for skin dryness if you get it- what do you use? How is the sickness after operation? RNY you got to watch out for dumping ect.. I worry on band though heard it can cause problems. Does the band help out on asthma? and reflex (heartburns)? due to over weight. I know the RNY does help but I was wondering. Now how long does a band last before you may have to get new one? Oh, I heard a lot of good on band don't get me wrong but I was wondering on little stupid things. I go see my doc thurs. and wil ask him to. but I wanted to know a little ahead. I don't know but I go to main site and see a lot of questions there and problems not big problems. But i go to lap band site and not as bad. I think is telling me more on which is ok. Or are there problems and no one saying on band. i know it's kinda new compare to RNY. I hope some pro's can answer for me. Thank you. all. I'm sorry the other side here in Maine isn't email me but it's ok. i know a lot when I go to doc. but I like the band so far. but either way. I want and need to be able to go on the losing side. I'll let you all know thurs. thanks

Hi Kim, I have been banded since 6-8-04 and have lost 53lbs since then. I have one fill of .5cc's and have had no complications at all. The lapband is a lot less invasive than the bypass. I never even used the pain meds that were avail. at the hospital or at home. I didn't get sick or have any problems. I am very happy with my choice. You do need to remember that with the band the weight loss is slower than RNY so if you are looking for quick results Lapband is not for you. It takes a lot of work to stay on track in the begining because you will have little to no restriction at first because at surgery your band will be empty. Because you loose slower with the band you don't have as many people going for plastic surg after but there still is a fair share depending on how much you loose, how old you are, how much ex. and toning you do while excersing. there is no set answere to that question. You do not have a drain as nothing is rearrange inside that would need to drain. Sex drive is better and so is the sex I don't know about asthma but the acid reflux is helped greatly with the band. No one is sure how long the band will last but it is thought it should last a great many years. Hope this helps! Good luck with your decision Michelle J 294/265/212/150

Have you thought of switching programs? You might want to check out the one in Bangor, it is not that much further for you and they have excellent surgeons there. The program is run very smooth. As for your questions, you sag no matter what if you have LOTS of weight to lose. Though of course age and the amount you work out have a bit to do with it also. I had Open RNY and did not have any drains. My sex drive is the same as it has been since my twins were born 3 years ago, not much there. I had no skin problems from wls. As I said, I had RNY but if I had to do it over again I would have LapBand. I had no problems with RNY but there is a surgeon in Bangor that does LapBand now, and I trust her. They also have a great program there. But there is also a set of surgeons in Augusta now that do LapBand, my mom in law had it done on 12/30 and is doing wonderful. Not all RNY people dump, I do not dump on anything cept old fashion icecream. The Lapband is permanent, you can get fills to get it working again if it slows down. Of course you lose slower with the LapBand but you can lose for a longer period of time, like 3yrs compared with 1.5 yrs with RNY. BY the way, my mom in law use to be on TONS of medicines for almost everything you can think of,she is now off all but 2!!!! She feels wonderful! Good luck! Theresa