Thinking about backing out of RYN for LapBand

The more and more research that I do on long term complications with RNY, the more nervous I get about having it done. The nutritional complications have been the main thing that's kept me from going for this procedure for the last 5 years. I finally get through 4 of the 6 months of supervised dieting required by my insurance company, and now I'm getting chicken. This is partly because my friend who had the surgery 4 years ago needs iron infusions every 9 months. Her iron was only 4! She had to have 2 units of blood infused last week because her hemoglobin was 6! The results of the surgery are immediate, but not too many people talk about the long term complications - and that worries me. I'm at a loss here. I can't lose the weight on my own. I need some kind of help, but I don't know what direction to go any longer.   At first, I didn't think restriction alone would help me much, because I don't eat much to begin with.  But now, restriction is looking like the safer route. To Band or not to Band....that is the question.

Good Morning!  I can only speak personally for the band, I had it 2 years ago and I have been very happy with it. It is for sure what was right for me. For the last 2 years I have had my labs done and everything is GREAT and what is sad is this year I haven't even really stuck to my vitiamins like I was suppose to and they were still good. :) Of course I have started taking my mulit-vit again daily so will just be better next year.  If you have dedication and change the way you now then I say go for the band. With the band you don't have the malabsorabtion so for a bandster you have to do the "head" work from the begining. I have lost over 100 pounds but I knew this had to work for me. I knew this was the last thing I could do to loss my weight.  I have seen studies that over a 5 year time and RNYer and Bandster will end up at the same place when it comes to weight loss. A RNYer will have a quite and steady weight loss the first 12 - 24 months but after the honeymoon period they stall or gain a little or some even continue to loss, where a banster will have a slow and stead weight loss through that 5 yr time w/ a few periods of slower weight loss or stalls or even a little gain. So see to me really it's just did I want most or all my weight loss in the begining or could I work w/ it and loss it slower over the next well whenever I stop. :)  So see the choice is yours you are right when it comes to complications and long term problems the band is the safest way to go. But it's a personal choice and what you feel comfortable with.  Good Luck Also there is a group of us getting together today actually @ James Dorton Park for a picnic here in Concord, but we actually get together each month so if you would like to join us a month or two we would love to have you.

I chose rny because I knew I needed the malapsorption.  Restriction alone would not do it ofr me long term.  But that's me.  I would also mention that for every situation, the problems are much more talked about than the positive issues.  So you may well read a disproportionate number of problems with rny than are really representative.  (The same phenomena would apply to lap band, too).  Talk to your doc, is the best recommendation I have.  Good luck!

Good luck with which surgery you decide on. So far (surgery May31st) I love my band. My surgery was easy and uneventful. The weight loss is slower, but I'm ok with that. I think they both are great tools. It's for you to decide which one will work the best for you. =0)

you should only do what you, and only you, are comfortable doing. personally i had the rny because that's what was recommended and after looking at it, it made sense. i'm only 6 months out, but things have gone very well so far...knock on wood or my thick wooden head :) hey, so long as you realize that you need to make a choice, you're already ahead of the game. best wishes. joe