RNY versus Lapband... Is everyone out there RNY?

I've been lurking here for a few weeks now.  I am probably going to pursue either the Lap band or RNY.

I attended an info session in December, and am in the process of filling out my paperwork for Healthpartners.  I haven't yet met with a surgeon.

I can't help but notice that it seems like only RNY people post here.  Why did you choose to go with RNY versus lap band?  The invasiveness of RNY bothers me a little bit, and I am currently leaning towards the lap band.  When I attended the information session, they said that in the long term (over 3 years out), the average results for lap band versus RNY are very similar...  so that makes me think, why would I want to go with something so invasive, if the average results are very similar?

I would appreciate any comments/thoughts on RNY versus Lapband.

Thanks!!!

 No matter what your choice, any weight loss surgery is a diet and exercise program, not a quick or easy fix. In our South of the river group, wee also have a couple of VSG people, so there is another option.
  The plus side for surgery is the greater possibility of success as measured over 5+ years. The key here is possibility, not guarantee. the work and changes required are up to the participant. This is not a cure or easy fix, Just a good tool to help you on your quest for better health and happiness.
  The reason some go with the RNY is that is seems to help with some health issue such as diabetes, but the reason some chose it is because of the insurance or the surgeon's directions.

I think that each person considering WLS has to research each surgery to understand how it works, what it takes to maintain, and do their own comparison.

For me, the RNY just made the most sense.  I had diabetes - the bypass portion of the surgery has been shown to 'reverse' diabetes, and is used in Europe for that alone, without the creation of a pouch for people who don't even need to lose weight but just have type 2.  The whole malabsorption aspect of the RNY just clicked with me.  I read that two people can eat  identical diets and do identical work outs, yet one maintains while the other gains.  Why? Some people are just hard wired to only absorb maybe 60% of the calories they consume, while the other person may absorb 95%.  Guess which one I related with?

The surgery being more invasive?  I don't know - either way, they get in there and re-arrange your guts.  Sure, the band is more easily reversible, but - I personally didn't WANT that option.  Yes, you can tweak your band to suit your needs, such as going on a trip and wanting to be able to eat more... but frankly, I find that ridiculous.  Flexibility was NOT why I wanted to pursue WLS.

Ialso heard of a number of complications from bands - twists, leaks, breaks...  the nurse who lead the info session I first went to had actually been through a revision from band to RNY herself.  That spoke loudly to me.

And finally, I had NO interest in the maintenance that comes with a band.  Go in for fills, unfills, all that just turned me off.  I'm more of a one-stop-shopping kinda gal.

That having been said, I may have pursued the DS if it had been an option for me and my insurance situation, but it wasn't.  And I don't want to come off as if I'm dissin' the band, I could identify a LOT of people who have one and are thrilled with it!  (Look up Elena K.  Blew my mind seeing her last night!)  It just wasn't for ME. 

And if ever there is a time to do something for purely selfish reasons, THIS is it.  So do your research, and figure out which surgery clicks for you. 

Nope!  I'm a VSG.  It's been around for many years, just not called VSG.  This is a procedure also done on people who have stomach cancer and 80-85% of the stomach is removed.  The stretchy part is taken out and you're left with the rest.  I can eat the same amount as an RNY'er, and I can eat anything without dumping.  I didn't want the band because I didn't want a foreign object inside of me or the maintenance of having to get the band filled time and time again.  I didn't do RNY because I have had alot of abdominal surgeries and my intestines are already in tough shape and I didn't want the malabsorption problems.  I'm happy so far.  Granted I'm fresh out 2 1/2 months, but if you go on the VSG forum, you can ask alot of questions.  It's good to be informed about every option out there so you can make the best decision. 

I had a band, had it removed by emergency surgery, had rny very happy!!

I had VSG recently too, it is kind of right between the Band and RNY. I also had HealthPartners, let me know if you have any questions.

I'm going to have VSG, too. One of the reasons I rejected the band is grehlin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grehlin. With the band grehlin is still produced. In my mind, not having grehlin produced is a good think. I could be wrong about that. I opted out of RNY, too, because of the malabsorption issue. Didn't want that, either. Insurance companies are starting to approve VSG more and more. Because my insurance now covers VSG, I'm going with it.
I'm going to repeat what others have already said. Do your research. Use Google or your favorite search engine. There's a wealth of information available to you. Find out what works best for you. Talk to your surgeon. Make the best decision for yourself.
All the best.

I debated the band for a long while during my decision making process.  My Surgeon is really pro-band, and it gave me much to consider.  In the end, I went with the VSG.  I did as much research as I could, and while the less-invasive nature of the band was appealing, frankly, I knew myself well enough to know that I needed something non-reversable.  Plus, with my family situation (2 of our 3 kids have autism), I felt the maintenance aspect of the band was just too cumbersome for me.  I'll admit the first 6 weeks were very hard for me, and I thought I had made a big mistake.  Major acid reflux, pain with every bite and even drinking.  But, at the same time, I needed to go through that in order to have a physical reaction to end my old lifestyle.  Now, I am so grateful for every step of this process, and look forward to this year and my new healthier lifestyle!  This choice is all about what works for you!  I wish you the best.