Lap band or Gastric bypass
Kristina, I highly commend you on even taking the time or bother to ask the question. If you are like me, you might have started this thing not even aware that there are other WLS procedures than lap band or roux-en-y (popularly called gastric bypass.) I learned that there are several other procedures, and all bear careful investigation before you decide what to do with your body. Your behavior for the rest of your life will be dictated by the decision, so it's important! In addition, it's important to understand ALL of the benefits, limitations, and complications associated with the various procedures before you commit to one.
Please explore the various surgery forums at OH. In addition to a couple of different types of lap band procedures, there is also the duodenal switch, the vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and the Fobi pouch. There are a few others but they are mostly variations on one or another of the more common procedures. Once I did all of this investigation, I realized that DS (duodenal switch) was the one procedure that will be right for me for the rest of my life. You might come to a different conclusion, but you will have done so in the most responsible manner. Your questions as to what is the right choice for you will be over.
If you enter into the other forums, you'll find people who will explain things about their experiences with the particular procedure and they will not only be able to answer your initial question, but also the other questions that the answers bring back to you! I can only speak for the DS forum in this regard, but there you'll also find a wealth of information based on the research findings of surgeons in the bariatric field. Perhaps the people at the other boards are just as knowledgable and can steer you to the right places to look.
WLS is a HUGE deal, a massive change to your body, and has ramifications that will follow you for the rest of your life. The only way to weigh things is to be familiar with how each procedure works and what the statistics are for both success or possible complications. You also want to know what each will require of you in the long term. For example, all of the non-restrictive procedures will require you to still follow a low-calorie, low-fat, low-carb diet forever to avoid regaining the weight, but you won't have to use any protein supplements once you're past the hard and fast weight loss phase. Another example is that RNY requires forever after avoiding NSAIDS for pain management. Not a big deal if you just take an ibuprofen or aspirin now and again for a headache, but if you have arthritic problems that Tylenol doesn't touch, it's certainly a restriction that you don't want to find out *after* the fact.
It makes me cringe every time I see another example of someone who just says, "My doc told me to have weight loss surgery so I did" and they don't know another thing about this major change to their body. Go and go and go again - keep asking questions of EVERYONE you can find who should know what they are talking about. Talk to the docs - even PCP's who don't actually do the surgeries. Get on the forums and talk to the people who are actually living with the surgeries. Even go to Yahoo! Groups to the gone_wrong lists and turn a hearing ear to their regrets. Once you come to a conclusion, you'll know in your heart that you did everything possible to make the most responsible decision you could make. Life doesn't offer any sure bets, but it helps a lot to at least know a little something about the road you're traveling, and why you chose it.
Denise in Ark
Here is some info posted through our support group:
Hope it helps
Are you questioning if RNY is for you or should you consider the Lap Band?
Read on for some great information to consider.
Please note that this is not to be considered as medical advice & that you should consult your surgeon for more information
Either procedure is a tool that can help you live a healthier life. There are several things to take into account in determining which procedure is right for you. This isn't a one size fits all.
What is your current physical shape?
Can you withstand major surgery and the recovery/ physical therapy afterward?
Do you have Type 2 Diabetes or Acid Reflux?
How disciplined are you about sticking to a routine?
How committed are you to a lifestyle change?
What will your insurance cover?
Do you have the private funds to pay for anything that they will not cover?
Answer each of these questions for yourself before you make a decision on which procedure is right for you.
Other thoughts to ponder:
Roux-en-Y is a major surgery that does have more of a recovery time.
Roux-en-Y is a 98% cure for both Type 2 Diabetes and Acid Reflux, Lap Band can actually make Acid Reflux worse and its only effect on Diabetes is as a result of the weight loss.
Roux-en-Y patients go home from the hospital possibly needing little or no diabetic medication even before the major weight loss occurs.
Also Roux-en-Y patients produce much less ghrelin hormone post op and are therefore less hungry.
The Lap Band patient is less hungry only because of the pressure around the stomach, however many patients have learned to eat around that by 2 years and can start to gain their weight back.
The Roux-en-Y procedure creates a dumping syndrome to sugars and therefore teaches the patient by negative reinforcement to eat the right things.
This does not happen in Lap Band.
So, technically a person could still eat 5000 calories and gain weight as long as they did so within the restrictions of the band.
(Milk Shakes have a lot of calories especially if drunken all day long).
The Roux-en-Y procedure starts you all over again like a 6 month old baby just learning to eat.
It gives you an opportunity to use this tool to make a lifestyle change.
You are less likely to overload on sugars, your body will dump the first few times and you will learn to stay away!!!
The Lap Band is a tool to loose weight that has less effect on how your body metabolizes food and more on how much you consume.
Which is right for you?
Only you can answer that.
The other consideration is cost.
The Lap Band does tend to be cheaper if you have to pay out of pocket, but remember the effects may not be long term if you don't commit yourself to changing with it and force yourself to eat the right things.
Originally posted by Sherry Gates High 1/28/4
What is your current physical shape?
Can you withstand major surgery and the recovery/ physical therapy afterward?
Do you have Type 2 Diabetes or Acid Reflux?
How disciplined are you about sticking to a routine?
How committed are you to a lifestyle change?
What will your insurance cover?
Do you have the private funds to pay for anything that they will not cover?
Answer each of these questions for yourself before you make a decision on which procedure is right for you.
Other thoughts to ponder:
Roux-en-Y is a major surgery that does have more of a recovery time.
Roux-en-Y is a 98% cure for both Type 2 Diabetes and Acid Reflux, Lap Band can actually make Acid Reflux worse and its only effect on Diabetes is as a result of the weight loss.
Roux-en-Y patients go home from the hospital possibly needing little or no diabetic medication even before the major weight loss occurs.
Also Roux-en-Y patients produce much less ghrelin hormone post op and are therefore less hungry.
The Lap Band patient is less hungry only because of the pressure around the stomach, however many patients have learned to eat around that by 2 years and can start to gain their weight back.
The Roux-en-Y procedure creates a dumping syndrome to sugars and therefore teaches the patient by negative reinforcement to eat the right things.
This does not happen in Lap Band.
So, technically a person could still eat 5000 calories and gain weight as long as they did so within the restrictions of the band.
(Milk Shakes have a lot of calories especially if drunken all day long).
The Roux-en-Y procedure starts you all over again like a 6 month old baby just learning to eat.
It gives you an opportunity to use this tool to make a lifestyle change.
You are less likely to overload on sugars, your body will dump the first few times and you will learn to stay away!!!
The Lap Band is a tool to loose weight that has less effect on how your body metabolizes food and more on how much you consume.
Which is right for you?
Only you can answer that.
The other consideration is cost.
The Lap Band does tend to be cheaper if you have to pay out of pocket, but remember the effects may not be long term if you don't commit yourself to changing with it and force yourself to eat the right things.
Originally posted by Sherry Gates High 1/28/4 
The best way to determine which is best for you is to attend the support gruops that Dr Keith has. There is one for the RNY and one for the Lap Band. The RNY Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 6:00pm - 7:30pm The Meetings for the lap Band are held every 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Anyone can attend.Both are at 3400 West Te****eh Norman. 3rd floor. call Dr keith's office for more info at 405 3607100.
Hi Kristina,
I am just checking and reading about the WLS, I am most interested n lapband also or so far.......Dr. Holesaeter has been my surgeon for misc surgeries I have had, last one was Oct, 2005. I had to have gallbladder removed. I told him I wish he could have just done lapband while he had was in there. He is a great dr...Good luck with appointment.
Stephanie
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