RYN or Lapband?

Hi, I am new at this and have a couple of questions.  I noticed alot of you chose RYN and not the lapband.  Is there a reason you chose one over the other.  I go for my initial doctor visit tomorrow and hopefully be right there with you all soon!

I've opted for rny because of the amount of weight I want to lose and I just wasn't comfortable with the thought of having the band and injection port left inside me. That's just a weird little me thing - plus I really don't like needles for the fills. YUCK!!! - Iris

Congrats on your choice to pursue weight-loss surgery!  Hope your appointment goes well. I chose Lap Band over RNY because I have a chronic leukemia and can't afford the vitamin/mineral malabsorption issues that can result from RNY.  

Thanks to both of you for replying.  I am looking for ALL the info I can. 

My insurance didnt cover lapband at the time I had surgery, so I never looked into it.

I made my decision based on what I knew my discipline was.  needed all the help i could get getting the amount of weight off needed. 

I chose lap-band for several personal reasons.  I am happy with my decision.  The port is not an issue and neither are the needles.  You have to weigh the pros and cons of each and see which is best for you and your lifestyle.  Would be glad to share any info if you need it. Laurie

The band for me seemed right and a 100 pounds later it's was the right now for me. Everyone is so different and you have to go with what is right for you. Studies now show that the band and the by-pass produce about the same results @ year 5.....so good luck with your choice and good for you on taking control of your life. :-)

Marie -

First of all ... Welcome to the NC forum. I hope that you will find the support and friendship that I have been so blessed to find here. I hope that you will share your questions, concerns and observations ... We will all learn from them.

Secondly ... There is no right or wrong answer re: which surgery to have. I had originally wanted to have the lapband, but switched to the RNY after talking with my surgeon. I had the surgery because I had been diagnosed with diabetes and it scared the heck out of me. About 85% of RNY patients have their diabetes resolved or significantly improved ... That was it for me. There are new studies out showing that lapband is also showing significant improvement for diabetes. The other issue for me was that I fell into a "low risk" category for the RNY, meaning that chances were good that I would do well with the surgery and not have serious complications. Both turned out to be the case for me. I think that there are positives and negatives to each surgery and you have to weigh those with the advise of your surgeon and go from there.

Wishing you success on your journey to a healthier you,

Barb

Thanks....I do appreciate everyone's responses!  I don't have any major health issues that I am aware of but the history of the diabetes, heart problems and hypertension is unbeleivable.  I feel like a walking time bomb sometimes.  I am off to the doc this morning and I guess will go from there!  I am a little nervous for some reason.