Questions about which surgery to get.

Lap Band or roux-en-y...  I know every person is different.  The band sounds like a pain with fills and unfills?  I see that many of the people who have had the RNY still have sweet craving?  Do you have to run to the bathroom often or is that a myth?  I know everyone is different, but I'd like to know your thoughts on this!  :O)   Thanks

My consideration for this was all the research I did. I started out thinking lap band; but changed my mind after doing some research. I had too much weight to lose. So, only the RNY would really do it for me.  My advice, do your research. Good luck making your decision. Lori

For me rny was the only way.  But, I have friends who are so happy they did lapband and its working for them too. We'll all tell you to research and its such a personal decision we can't tell you what to do.

I have no desire for sweets anymore, no cravings. However, yes, if you eat something that has too much sugar in it, you will regret it. Some peope think this is a good thing because it keeps you honest. You can't eat it, so you can't get the empty calories from it. There are benefits and drawbacks from both surgeries. You can have bad complications either way, although if you have a good surgeon and understand the risks and benefits, that chance is much lower. Read people's profiles and get a little more personal take on the surgeries, and talk it over with your surgeon to be. RNY patients usually loose around 75% of their excess weight. Lapband usually about 50%. Both amounts are huge if you haven't been able to loose the weight on your own. As far as going to the bathroom, not any different than it was before. I have never thrown up after surgery from eating.

Isnt it amazing how the farther away from carbs and sugar you get the less you crave them??

I am with Nicole on this one. I have never thrown up and I don't have any bathroom problems. Everything is the same as usual in that department. I don't crave sweets at all. I bought sugar free candy thinking I would need it around the holidays...I haven't touch it and have no desire to do so. I just keep the thought in my head that if I eat sweets I will be sick. That works for me. As far as deciding on which weight loss surgery is best....you have to make that decision with your surgeon. Weigh out the pros and cons of both and go from there. I had Lap RNY and don't regret it at all....I would do it again in a heartbeat. I haven't had any problems since surgery. Good luck.....connie d

If you haven't looked into the duodenal switch, you might want to consider that as a third option.  I'm almost 4 years post-op and I facilitate the local DS support group and I have a local online DS support group as well.  I'd be happy to help answer any questions you might have or help you with research.  My next support group meeting is Monday night at the Perkins restaurant on 494 & France Ave. in Bloomington at 6:00pm.  The meetings are open to anyone interested.  We always start by having dinner together so it's a great opportunity to see how DS post-ops at every stage of post-op life really live (eat)!  Let me know if you have any questions! Tammy

RNY for me~ No objects unknown in me... no running back and fourth for fills... no eating around the band and no slow weightloss! This is just my honest personal opinion is all. If I get a sweet need...I eat one hershey kiss and its enough.  I dont run to the bathroom all the time, cos I dont eat what makes me run to the bathroom.

Its kinda like... Dr when I cut myself I bleed!  Ok dont cut yourself... ie:   dont eat what makes ya dump...its easy

It is a really personal decision that only you can make for you. I had the band and am thouroughly happy with it. The fills are not a problem (I've never had an unfill), and I actually like touching base with my surgeon once in awhile. I didn't want my insides rearranged - just wanted something that would make me full faster. I also like the fact that the band will still be there to help when I get into the maintenance phase. Weight loss with the band is definitely slower, but studies show that after 3-4 years, total weight loss is about the same. I would suggest you go to some support group meetings for each of the surgeries and talk to people who are living with it. Good luck with your decision. Jean B.

I think that every person is different~I have no problem if I do eat sweets.  I never have had to run to the bathroom.  But again everyone is different.  I personally started thinking Lapband but after researching for myself I decided on rny.  It was the right thing for me but I needed to lose about 200lbs to get to where I am considered a healthy weight.  So I had a greater amount to lose than some.  But read about both surgeries, look at the effects that both of them have on your body and than you have to decide what you can live with.  I started my process in December last year and I had surgery in August of this year.  Not because the insurance was slow or approval was slow but simply because I wanted time to make sure this was the right decision for me.  I didn't want to jump into something and than regret it later.  But now here I am almost 4 months out down from 352lbs to 240lbs~a total of 112lbs~and feeling better than I think I ever have.  I hope this helped and didn't confuse you more!!  Good luck with your decision  Kristi