Gastric Bypass or Lap Band
Hi, I went to a seminar this week regarding bariatric surgery and was very impressed and feel pretty helpful.
One thing I am very confused about is how to make the decision of having the gastric bypass versus the lap band surgery.
I would appreciate whatever advice you can offer.
I have about 140 pounds to lose.
Thanks.
Confused
One thing I am very confused about is how to make the decision of having the gastric bypass versus the lap band surgery.
I would appreciate whatever advice you can offer.
I have about 140 pounds to lose.
Thanks.
Confused
R K.
on 6/6/09 7:11 pm
on 6/6/09 7:11 pm
Here is what I was told by my personal physician, gastroentologist and nursing friends I have. None seemed to be sold on the band because they`ve seen slipping and even some ingrowth around the band, The band also has no malabosorbtion factor.
The end all for me was my particular BC/BS does not pay for banding. You have to do what is right for you.
The end all for me was my particular BC/BS does not pay for banding. You have to do what is right for you.
*
"If I only had three words of advice, they would be, Tell the Truth. If got three more words, I'd add, all the time."
— Randy Pausch
"If I only had three words of advice, they would be, Tell the Truth. If got three more words, I'd add, all the time."
— Randy Pausch
****Note: This is a really really long response! I tend to share anything and everything...and here's a lot of it****
Well this is such a very very personal decision none of us can really answer it FOR you.
I can, however, tell you decidingfactors for me.
My factors were that I had, at some point, cheated myself out of every diet that I tried. I would eat something not on the plan etc etc etc. The fact with RNY is that you have the real possibility of becoming sick if you eat the wrong thing. Now...not everybody goes through dumping with high sugar high fat foods - but the reality is that you can. And I wanted that fear in me. I wanted something to help me learn to use the tool to the best of my and it's ability.
The second thing was that I was a pre diabetic. RNY has been shown to improve, and/or resolve many cases of diabetes in people who HAVE diabetes at time of surgery. Although I was not a "diabetic" as of yet - I couldn't help but feel as though this would be a help for me.
The third thing is that I did not want constant visits to the doctor for fills/unfills of the band. Not to say I didn't want to stay in touch with my surgeon because I did. That was one of the reasons I chose the facility I did. I felt as though they were NOT a "get you in get you out" type of place. I had follow up appointments at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos, 12 mos.
I was also concerned about increased complications with the band. maybe increased isn't the right word. Because BOTH surgeries come with some pretty steep risks. The band, however - there was cause for slipping, erosion of the esophagus, infection of the port site etc etc. Many of which can occur further down the line. I didn't want to be part way through my WLS journey and need the band taken out due to infection and have to start from "square one" all over again. NOW...rny...complications can occur both during, directly after, and later down the line. I myself had a bowel obstruction at approximately 9 mos out. It's one of the risks of RNY surgery. I, thankfully, did not need another surgery to correct it as my bowels corrected themselves before I could get into surgery.
And although many people will challenge me on the final decision point (and they have every right to) I wanted RNY because it is, for lack of a better term, "faster" Now...I'm not saying it doesn't take work. And although the weight "falls off you" with either surgery early out BOTH take a lot of work to maintain the loss, keep losing, and NOT gain it back.
But at 26 years old I was in a world of pain every night after working as a nurse due to arthritic joint changes in my spine, hips, knees, and ankles. I looked 76 walking in each morning as opposed to 26. I would literally "hobble" back into my house. I wanted something to help take that weight off and make me in less pain.
I was considered a "light weigh" with "only" 100-110 pounds to lose. Oh - and that's the other thing - my surgeon, who I literally trusted with my life, preferred RNY over the band. She made it clear she would do the band if that's what I wanted, but saw better success and liked the benefits of RNY much better over the band. Now...if my surgeon thought that...so did I. I reached goal within 11 mos and have been maintaining since Sept 2008.
RNY is malabsorptive so I must take vitamins every day, multiple times a day, to make sure I am maintaining proper nutrition. With each of my afore mentioned follow up appointments I had blood work to make sure I was within levels.
I have some days where I do not follow the program. I am human and I make poor decisions.
HOWEVER - best decision I ever made in my life was to pursue this avenue. I now hold down two jobs and am not sore. I go to the gym and LOVE spin class and weight lifting. I have recently started rollerblading which is something never in a million years I would have thought I could do. I have more energy and "love for life" than ever before. I don't feel ashamed of my body or the clothes in my closet. And for the first time in my life, I just bought the preverbial "little black dress" that was always an unobtainable piece of clothing.
Good luck! Please make sure you read read read READ about BOTH surgeries and really think about your decision. Make sure you know every single risk of each procedure, the complication rate, what YOUR job will be expected of right after surgery and for life afterwards and are ready to make that committment. It's one HELL of a ride and I never ever want to get off! There are "main forums" here on OH for each surgery - band, rny, and then things like VSG and what not. Obviously people on each board are probably sold on "that" surgery and will give you why they went "that" route. However, it may be a place to start getting info on both besides just your surgeons orientation program.
Pam
Well this is such a very very personal decision none of us can really answer it FOR you.
I can, however, tell you decidingfactors for me.
My factors were that I had, at some point, cheated myself out of every diet that I tried. I would eat something not on the plan etc etc etc. The fact with RNY is that you have the real possibility of becoming sick if you eat the wrong thing. Now...not everybody goes through dumping with high sugar high fat foods - but the reality is that you can. And I wanted that fear in me. I wanted something to help me learn to use the tool to the best of my and it's ability.
The second thing was that I was a pre diabetic. RNY has been shown to improve, and/or resolve many cases of diabetes in people who HAVE diabetes at time of surgery. Although I was not a "diabetic" as of yet - I couldn't help but feel as though this would be a help for me.
The third thing is that I did not want constant visits to the doctor for fills/unfills of the band. Not to say I didn't want to stay in touch with my surgeon because I did. That was one of the reasons I chose the facility I did. I felt as though they were NOT a "get you in get you out" type of place. I had follow up appointments at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 mos, 6 mos, 9 mos, 12 mos.
I was also concerned about increased complications with the band. maybe increased isn't the right word. Because BOTH surgeries come with some pretty steep risks. The band, however - there was cause for slipping, erosion of the esophagus, infection of the port site etc etc. Many of which can occur further down the line. I didn't want to be part way through my WLS journey and need the band taken out due to infection and have to start from "square one" all over again. NOW...rny...complications can occur both during, directly after, and later down the line. I myself had a bowel obstruction at approximately 9 mos out. It's one of the risks of RNY surgery. I, thankfully, did not need another surgery to correct it as my bowels corrected themselves before I could get into surgery.
And although many people will challenge me on the final decision point (and they have every right to) I wanted RNY because it is, for lack of a better term, "faster" Now...I'm not saying it doesn't take work. And although the weight "falls off you" with either surgery early out BOTH take a lot of work to maintain the loss, keep losing, and NOT gain it back.
But at 26 years old I was in a world of pain every night after working as a nurse due to arthritic joint changes in my spine, hips, knees, and ankles. I looked 76 walking in each morning as opposed to 26. I would literally "hobble" back into my house. I wanted something to help take that weight off and make me in less pain.
I was considered a "light weigh" with "only" 100-110 pounds to lose. Oh - and that's the other thing - my surgeon, who I literally trusted with my life, preferred RNY over the band. She made it clear she would do the band if that's what I wanted, but saw better success and liked the benefits of RNY much better over the band. Now...if my surgeon thought that...so did I. I reached goal within 11 mos and have been maintaining since Sept 2008.
RNY is malabsorptive so I must take vitamins every day, multiple times a day, to make sure I am maintaining proper nutrition. With each of my afore mentioned follow up appointments I had blood work to make sure I was within levels.
I have some days where I do not follow the program. I am human and I make poor decisions.
HOWEVER - best decision I ever made in my life was to pursue this avenue. I now hold down two jobs and am not sore. I go to the gym and LOVE spin class and weight lifting. I have recently started rollerblading which is something never in a million years I would have thought I could do. I have more energy and "love for life" than ever before. I don't feel ashamed of my body or the clothes in my closet. And for the first time in my life, I just bought the preverbial "little black dress" that was always an unobtainable piece of clothing.
Good luck! Please make sure you read read read READ about BOTH surgeries and really think about your decision. Make sure you know every single risk of each procedure, the complication rate, what YOUR job will be expected of right after surgery and for life afterwards and are ready to make that committment. It's one HELL of a ride and I never ever want to get off! There are "main forums" here on OH for each surgery - band, rny, and then things like VSG and what not. Obviously people on each board are probably sold on "that" surgery and will give you why they went "that" route. However, it may be a place to start getting info on both besides just your surgeons orientation program.
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
My choice did not come without a ton of research on both surgeries. I read articles from many physicians and just did not rely on what an Internet message board was telling me. Not to say you cannot find a ton of information here, it is just that everyone has a different experience with different surgeries. Once I settled on the band, I picked up a few known books and read them all. My surgeon also said the band was right for me and discussed it at length.
Why the band for ME!!! I really liked the slower weight loss and how it forces you to take control. The band is always referred to as a tool to help you lose weight and it does take a lot of care on your part to make sure you eat right, drink right, and not cheat it. You will find this true of just about all weight loss surgeries. Also, I was not too up on the idea of getting my insides rearranged, but that is just me. The band is removable if medically necessary and in the long run seems to have just about the same success as RNY or other surgeries. It is slower than other surgeries, but that is what made me like it.
Why the band for ME!!! I really liked the slower weight loss and how it forces you to take control. The band is always referred to as a tool to help you lose weight and it does take a lot of care on your part to make sure you eat right, drink right, and not cheat it. You will find this true of just about all weight loss surgeries. Also, I was not too up on the idea of getting my insides rearranged, but that is just me. The band is removable if medically necessary and in the long run seems to have just about the same success as RNY or other surgeries. It is slower than other surgeries, but that is what made me like it.
As everyone mentioned, this is a personal decision and it drove me crazy. I was committed to the band until my final visit with the surgeon and my nutrition group. For me, Roux en Y made for sense for my comorbidities--I have diabetes and I want to get that under control, I have a hiatal hernia, which I was told could be aggrevated by the band. But the main point that made the difference for me was the compliance factor. You MUST follow up with the band fills until you get it to that sweet spot. That can take some time and then some people never find it. I was afraid I would not be compliant with the frequence visits since I live so far from my surgeon. Also, mentally, i did not like the idea of having a forgein body inside me. One more thing that worked for me is I accessed the type of overeating I do and I decided that the idea of vomiting when I overate or ate something I shouldn't would be great behavior modification because I would do anything not to vomit!!! Go over to the band forum and ask them why they made the decision they did and hear some of the success stories--then make a list and weigh your options. As Mr. Green mentioned above, an Australian 10 year study has shown that after 5 years, both bypass patients and band patients even out and end up losing roughly the same amount of weight. I have that study if you'd like to see it. That;s what I did.
Bonnie
HW 248.9;SW 221; CW 138.7
HW 248.9;SW 221; CW 138.7
the nurse who came to see me today to chenge my surgical dressings told me she had had the band put in last July. She has lost 71lbs and looks as if she still easily has 100lbs to go. I felt bad becasue here I am with less time out and I'm almost at goal and she has a long way to go. I of course didn't want to ask her why she decided to or was advised to go with the band, but I just have not heard of great success with the band if you have more than 100lbs to loose or long term success.
I too was signing up for the bank originally until Dr. Marymor said he didnt do bands and explained to me why. Pretty much what everone else has said.
good luck with your choice.
I too was signing up for the bank originally until Dr. Marymor said he didnt do bands and explained to me why. Pretty much what everone else has said.
good luck with your choice.
I had gone to a seminar back in February with the intentions of having the Lapband. I am currently going through the 6 months process that my insurance needs to approve. I am meeting with my surgeon next month. After all the research and info, I am leaning now towards the Gastric Bypass Surgery. I have been down this road before in 2004, to have the Gastric done, but my insurance had changed, and out went that idea. Now 5 yrs later, here I am again. I have many comorbidities that I am dealing with. Diabetes, heart desease, sleep apnea and so forth.
I don't have family that is supportive of this surgery, and I haven't told too many friends of mine either.
But this is my decision to make, and mine alone. And yes you have to weigh the factors, and decide for yourself which one is the right choice for you.
Good luck your journey, and I am sure you will make the right decision for yourself.
Terri
I don't have family that is supportive of this surgery, and I haven't told too many friends of mine either.
But this is my decision to make, and mine alone. And yes you have to weigh the factors, and decide for yourself which one is the right choice for you.
Good luck your journey, and I am sure you will make the right decision for yourself.
Terri
Most Active
Recent Topics
