Lapband vs RNY
I got the book "Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies". Found it very helpfull. Also, go to support group meetings and talk to people, listen to people, 
and research, research, reaearch
. Good Luck!
it would really depend on how much weight you have to lose and whether or not you have other co-morbidities that would benefit from you losing the weight faster etc... band is a steady loss but slower than RNY and most surgeons will tell you once you get above a certain BMI that you would be far better off with the RNY than the band. With the RNY you have to take a daily regimen of vitimins because your absorption is permanently altered but its a small price to pay. Consult with a surgeon and see what they feel is best for you and your current situation
The longest of Journeys start with a single step
(90 lost pre-surgery)
I would also say to research research research!! I was on the fence for awhile but did online research, asked my doc a million questions and went to various RNY and lapband support group meetings. I even made a pro and con list. In the end I chose the lapband because that was the best choice for ME and I am glad I did...I am down 40 pounds since surgery 9 weeks ago and 51 pounds all together and still have not gotton a fill. Good luck with your research!!
~Michele~
Do your research and remember to honestly take into consideration your lifestyle and your ability/willingness to follow the rules required for any surgery you choose. Like someone said already, RNY will require a strict regimen of vitamins, otherwise you could end up really sick. The band will require you to have some self-control and to be committed to getting regular fills. Each surgery has its advantages and drawbacks. No one surgery is right for everyone. Take a look at whats required and decide if that surgery will work for you and your lifestyle.
Personally I was terrified of the thought of having my insides rearranged. It was an easy choice for me. Low risk, and if anything ever goes wrong, I can have my band removed without further consequence. Even if my band were to fail me (god forbid) I wouldn't convert to RNY - I would probably look at the sleeve because there is no rearranging. But thats me. I'm young and I have a lot of life ahead of me. Too much to put myself at risk. Spend a lot of time talking to people, honestly, about their surgeries. Spend time on the boards and don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a very important decision but its also a personal one. You're the only one that can decide whats best for you. Good luck!!
Personally I was terrified of the thought of having my insides rearranged. It was an easy choice for me. Low risk, and if anything ever goes wrong, I can have my band removed without further consequence. Even if my band were to fail me (god forbid) I wouldn't convert to RNY - I would probably look at the sleeve because there is no rearranging. But thats me. I'm young and I have a lot of life ahead of me. Too much to put myself at risk. Spend a lot of time talking to people, honestly, about their surgeries. Spend time on the boards and don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a very important decision but its also a personal one. You're the only one that can decide whats best for you. Good luck!!
342/325/237/150
Consult/Surgery/Current/Goal
4 fills/2 unfills - 4 cc in my 10 cc band
Consult/Surgery/Current/Goal
4 fills/2 unfills - 4 cc in my 10 cc band
You definitely need to research the various surgeries...LapBand, RNY, DS, etc. Go to each of the surgery boards. Read up on the procedures and ask questions of the people that have had surgery already. There is alot of information out there, but only you can decide which surgery is best for you.
Rachelle
Looking for a possible revision.
257/190/150
Well since you asked, I personally wouldn't have either. I think the lap band is a waste of time and money (long term). Statistically you will (on average) lose only about 50 percent of your excess weight, meaning if you have 100 lbs to lose you'll lose 50 and stay 50 lbs overweight....NO THANK YOU!!!! Then there are of course the mechanical failures of the band. It can slip, and errode into your stomach, fuse to your liver, etc. It's not a "lifetime" system, which means you'll have to have an operation to put it in, and sometimes down the road (unless you're old) you'll need an operation to take it out.
The RNY is slightly better, but I honestly think the technology is outdated. The use of a stoma (a man made opening from the pouch to the intestines) can stretch out, which will leave you physically hungry all the time. The food intolerances would also annoy the crap out of me, and don't get me started on dumping!!!! Why would anyone in their right mind want to dump? I personally do not like to feel sick from eating something; plus what i've read it can be very disruptive to peoples lives....imagine being at work and feeling like you're heart is going to jump out of your chest!!!! Yeah that will go over big.
I had the Duodenal Switch, it's one of the 2 surgeries I recommend to people. The DS has the best of both worlds, restriction and malabsorbtion. Yes, you have to take vitamins, but you will also be able to eat normally. Statistically it has the best long term excess weight loss, and comorbidity resolution (i.e. diabetes going into remission at a 98 percent level) out of all the WLS currently available. It isn't perfect, vits, regular blood work every 6 months become requirements to maintain your health. BUT 15 years out from the DS, most people maintain their weight loss.
The other surgery I suggest is the VSG. While this surgery was insufficent for my needs (i had to lose 300 lbs), restriction only surgeries work for some people. The only issue I have with this surgery is that there is no long term data, and some suggest that it will have the same success rate as other restriction only surgeries...about a 70 percent failure rate...again that is a guess based on other restriction only surgeries, but no one knows.
Hope this helps.
Scott
The RNY is slightly better, but I honestly think the technology is outdated. The use of a stoma (a man made opening from the pouch to the intestines) can stretch out, which will leave you physically hungry all the time. The food intolerances would also annoy the crap out of me, and don't get me started on dumping!!!! Why would anyone in their right mind want to dump? I personally do not like to feel sick from eating something; plus what i've read it can be very disruptive to peoples lives....imagine being at work and feeling like you're heart is going to jump out of your chest!!!! Yeah that will go over big.
I had the Duodenal Switch, it's one of the 2 surgeries I recommend to people. The DS has the best of both worlds, restriction and malabsorbtion. Yes, you have to take vitamins, but you will also be able to eat normally. Statistically it has the best long term excess weight loss, and comorbidity resolution (i.e. diabetes going into remission at a 98 percent level) out of all the WLS currently available. It isn't perfect, vits, regular blood work every 6 months become requirements to maintain your health. BUT 15 years out from the DS, most people maintain their weight loss.
The other surgery I suggest is the VSG. While this surgery was insufficent for my needs (i had to lose 300 lbs), restriction only surgeries work for some people. The only issue I have with this surgery is that there is no long term data, and some suggest that it will have the same success rate as other restriction only surgeries...about a 70 percent failure rate...again that is a guess based on other restriction only surgeries, but no one knows.
Hope this helps.
Scott
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