Lap-Band versus RNY

I have noticed several  people have had RNY.  Just wondering, since I am beginning my process, if anyone chose Lap-Band over RNY (or vice-versa) and why? Thanks, Laurie

Laurie,

I had planned to have the Lap-Band, but I have a condition called hemochromatosis where my body stores iron. That's not normal and is very dangerous. Because the RNY tends to cause malabsorption issues, it's a great side affect for me. I also had been diagnosed with diabetes. There are a number of papers out looking at the efficacy of RNY on Diabetes. They think that there may be some sort of change that occurs in patients that have the RNY that positively affects the the way a person handles glucose.

Another reason that I thought that the RNY might be better for me, is that I have a terrible sweet tooth and I think I could reasonable be classified as a "carb addict". I understand that people that have a strong sweet tooth often do better on the RNY because of the dumping syndrome ... That said, I'm not sure that I have that.

I am now off all my diabetic meds and my fasting glucose is running an average of 93.  I just had my serum ferritin (iron) and it was 24 which is at the low end of normal ... right where I want it.

I think that either procedure has it's pro's and con's. Keep researching and talking to people.

Barb

I researched both and chose RNY. I wasn't fond of the port and foreign object idea and having to have it replaced. I liked the RNY stats better and felt it would work better for me. In the end, insurance made it simple... they wouldn't cover anything but RNY! Good luck with your decision.

I am the odd ball here, although I am seeing more banded folks out here.  For me the band was my only choice. My DH and I were both kind of scared of the RNY. You know all the stories you hear about things going wrong so it scared BUT I had to do something so when I found the band I thought this might work. So far I have lost over 100 pounds. It's been 2 years and I have kept it off. I am very happy w/ my choice.

It's a personal choice for everyone and everyone will have their own reasons. You have to feel good w/ your desicion and you have to use your tool to the best of it's abitly. To me no choice it's wrong, so no matter where you head the choice will be right for you and your journey will be fun. Good Luck!!!!!

Laurie, Time to hope in here with a Bander's opinion. I feel really strongly about my Band- Love it and love how it fit my needs. I have had numerous abd. surgeries with a long history of adhesions- thus concerned about removing such a large portion of my stomach and possible additional adhesion. I also have the opposite of Barb- frequently anemic over the years so the thought of chronic malabsorption and anemia was a big NO for me. I feel soooo sluggish when anemic. My 2 biggest deciding factors are it is  100%reversible- in the event it ever had to be removed or the band deflated ( such as for aggressive cancer treatment needing optimal nutrition status), this was a possibility. I also like that it is adjustable, so through the fills I can get my "sweet spot", allowing for proper nutrition without overeating andcontinuing to loss wt. But my main factor was it's wt loss through restriction- I have allows eaten relatively healthy foods, just in very unhealthy quanitities.For me, I did not need the dumping syndrome, I need simple restriction. I know that I always have to eat my protein first, then can have fruits/veggies/carbs if there is room left. I needed wt loss through restriction and specifically wanted to avoid malabsorption. I worry about questional osteoporosis at an early age due to malabsoption- wonder what bone density ( even with the supplements) will be like 10-15yrs post-op???? With the above being said, I think we all are incredibly fortunate to have the tools of WLS and it is a very personal, individual decision- so I wish you great luck on your quest and this journey called wt loss! Sheila

I origianlly started out looking into Lap Band, that's why I chose dr Bauman in concord.  I research Lap Band to death and the bottom line was it just wasn't for me.  The lap band was covered 100% by my insurance which is great.  However, I didn't understnad how they handled the cost of maintence fror the lap band.  I felt that the committment to the maintence appointment, the cost of the fills and the chronic worries about keeping it filled and slippages were too risky and that I couldn't understake all of that.  I made this decision in 2005.  Dr B was the only lap bankd dra tthat time. I choe RNY  nad submitted my approval for RNY.  i don't regret my decision, not for 1 day. I am glad that I have made an stuckw with my deicdiion.  I chose the RNY, I have had complication and great sucess.  I do feel that I made an educated decision, picked the right doctor for me and know that the lap bad would not have been the best decision. Only you can make the bse deciison for yourself.  Good luck with what every you choose this is not an easy journey.

I had a banding done.  It was the worst thing I have ever done.  I initially lost weight, then had a slip.  All the fluid out, then despite that another slip.  Now my band is causing the stop have of my stomach to die.  I am awaiting a very serious revision.  I sure wouldn't recommend the band.  I agree with the posters above as well about malabsorption helping with weight loss, which you don't have with the band.  After a few years you get so tired of fills, saline in - saline out, problems slips.  The nationwide operation rate AFTER 4-5 years is as high as 20%.  This is MUCH higher than any reoperation rate for RNY.  Also, the states are not nearly as good in terms of long term weight loss.  I get blasted on this board a lot when I try to say what happened to me with the band because so many people don't want to think it can happen to them, but it can, and it does.  I try, where I can, to ask people to really do there research.  They have cut way back on doing the band in Europe where it started, because of long term complications (years after your surgery) and lack of long-term efficacy. I am SO so sorry I didn't pick the RNY.  I thought the band was safer, and I was very wrong.  Long term safety rates are about the same.  Long term reoperation rate with the lapband is MUCH higher.

I would suggest that you research each procedure and decide which you think is best for you.  I went to my doctor's information session and had decided before that I was having the Lap Band.  After the session, I changed my mind and decided that the RNY would suit me better.   I did not go with Lap Band because of the port, the needles,etc.  I just thought that RNY would serve me better.  :)  But we each have to research the procedures and apply it to ourselves. 

Thanks for all the fantastic information.  I can do lots of research on both, but, it really helps to hear it straight from someone who has already made the decision and how they feel about it in the long run.  Thanks!

Hi, The main reason I chose the Lap Band over RNY was because it was less invasive.  I work fulltime and I am a grad student.  I didn't have the time to take off work and school.  This was my first surgery and I was already nervous, but I felt better doing something that wasn't permanent.   I don't have any major health problems other than being overweight, so I wasn't looking for the quickest weight loss.  Also, I was self-pay and the lap band was a lot cheaper. Good luck w/whatever you decide.