Dr. Byrnes and Adjustable Lap Band

I have been reading this sites postings and I see that quite a few of you have used Dr. Byrnes from MUSC Charleston.  He appears to get good reviews, but I do have a question as to why so many of you have used the other types of surgery procedures instead of adjustable lap banding?  With the being the least invasive type of surgery why would you not use it? I have been to the seminar that Dr. Byrnes does and I now have my packet to fill out and mail back in so I can start my process.  I have been contemplating WLS for about 10 years now and I am finally going to do something.  All this time I kept telling myself that I could lose this weight on my own since I did it before.  But, I just don't seem to have the stuff it takes to lose over 100lbs now.  I am older, I have fibromyalgia, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. It is now time to live my life instead of jus****ching it!!! Thanks for any input you can give me. carolinajem

Just speaking for myself, but the lap band wouldn't work for me because when I seriously started looking at WLS (thanks to my bud, Robin), I was 384 pounds  making me super morbidly obese.  So drastic measures were needed.   That was 6 months ago today - YES! Today is my 6-month surgiversary!!  To date, I have lost about 120 pounds with at least another 120 pounds to go to reach my personal goal of 150 or 140. It is strictly a personal thing and listening to your doctor(s).  I believe in Dr. Byrne and his staff - they are awesome! Keep us all in touch - this is a great support tool!

My reasons were:

1. Dr. Byrne didn't do lap band until recently. 2.  Didn't like the idea of a foreign object that can slip and has to have a port for fills. 3.  Lap Band is not as efficient and your loss will be a lot slower. 4.  There is really nothing to keep you from eating the stuff that got your weight where it is in the first place.  You can really eat around a lap band. With your co-morbidities, think long and hard about which wa to go. Good luck.

I am a post op... so I can change my mind at any time,  BUT... When I went to the MUSC seminar Dr. Byrne made it perfectly clear that the lapband was not less invasive. He plainly mentioned that its the same type or surgery, with the same surgical risks, other than a GI leak... but that is replaced with port flipping issues, scar tissue forming around the band etc... so... when it all boiled down to it...  I decided RNY if I can find an insurance to cover it. I would only do lapBand as a self pay.  I have read the LapBand board and they have their own set of "issues" post operatively that RNY's dont have. So it doesnt really seem to be an easier route (IN MY OPINION)  Although it doesnt have malabsorption issues, it does pose a problem when you move away from your surgeon... and most banders are finding that they have to become self pays to get "fills" and some patients have found that after time, they have to have it removed... somthing about a "night cough" which I cant elaborate on (because I dont know) but the LapBand board helped me make my choice.  I lurked and read ...  I suggest the same for you! GOOD LUCK!!! GOD BLESS

I'm not sure if Dr. Byrnes said lap band wasn't less invasive.  It's a well established fact that it is less invasive.  Dr. Byrnes and his office had done 8 lap bands when I went to see him a little over a year ago.  If you decide to go with lap band, I'd suggest finding someone with much more experience.  One of the 8 had a flipped port.  You might want to talk to Dr. Balder or Dr. Anderson in Conway before you make a final decision.  I've been very pleased with my results.  BTW, after 5 years the results with RNY and LB are the same.  Weight loss is slower with LB.  Many doctors will tell you this helps with skin shrinking and plastic surgery often isn't necessary.  There are lots of variables involved with a decision like this...it sure isn't  "one size fits all".  Good luck on your journey!!