Band or RNY

Feeling very confused about my choices I have allot of questions about the band but dont find much information about it. Has anyone on this message board been banded? I was certain that RNY was the way that i wanted to go, but after some thought I find myself thinking more about the band. I know that it allows you to eat sugars and such. Which really isnt my problem I dont eat many sweets now. With the band it is more a tool for portion control. Do you still have to take all the vitamins and protein drinks, since the food that you eat is actually making it to your stomach? Just a few questions that I have. Thanks in advance for your comments. Stacy

Try this forum for LapBand info also http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand Joh

Stacy - I don't know much anything about the band because it wasn't an option for me. But my girlfriend was going to get the band done, then the day before her surgery date her surgeon called and said they had to cancell because the insurance company refused to cover it!!!! Oh horrible!!!!! I guess they'll only cover RNY for her. So my advice is check with your insurance company FIRST!!!! Find out what surgical options they will cover. Best wishes to you, Laurie

Hi Stacy I will be banded by Dr. Schram on the 18th of April. I can't tell you which is best for you, but there are many "bandsters" on the Lap Band forum that will tell you that they can't eat sweets or fatty things like potato chips. I am not sure if you are getting the correct information on that subject, but I can tell you that the appealing part about the band was that it can always be adjusted (and removable) if medically necessary. I am sure that Dr. Schrams office will quickly let you know if your insurance won't cover the procedure. Most of the information I have found about the Lap band is on this site. Once you go onto the Lap Band Forum you will see a link for more information about lap bands and the message forum. Tons of nice people on this site to help you out with any questions you might have. Everyone is different with this procedure and I am sure that there are people (just like RNY) that test the "sugar and fa****ers" , but the band is just a tool to help aid in the amount of food you eat. It is up to us to use that tool correctly. Also I just put Lap Band in my search engine and you get a ton of information on the internet. Hope this helps you find some of the answers you are looking for. Sandi - Cadillac, MI

Stacy: I had the band five years ago in the research studyfor me the biggest mistake...it did not limit my ability to eat.I am now looking at the other procedure as I have actually gained weight ...The decsion is yours and I wish you well...My personal opinion is that the RNY is probaley better for long term results..

I had the Duodenal switch and I love it... need anymore info on it go over to the duodenal switch forum good luck

I also would have preferred the lapband, because of less risk...doesn't seem as drastic, etc, but from what I've been able to gather, it seems as though the lapband would not give me the results I want.....it seems you lose at a much slower pace and a lower percentage of total weight lost. So, for me. who has LOTS of weight to lose, I didn't think it would work well. I think it depends on how much you have to lose and if you can afford to lose it slowly (which if you don't have tons to lose, might be beneficial for you) Good luck in your decision.