How did you choose between RNY and the Lap Band?

I will be having weight loss surgery in the next few months and really would like to do the gastric bypass surgery.   But with lap band out in the last few years and not as permanent, I wonder which one would be better.   With the lap band, I have heard of things getting stuck in the top part where the band is and people vomiting (because they can't ingest due to the blockage) and also band slippage.   With the Bypass, you don't have to worry about things getting stuck and also going back a bunch of times for "fills" from the dr.    So how did you decide which one to do?   My Mom had the RNY a few years ago and suffered major complications, but I know she is in the smaller % of people that have that happen.   She had pnuemonia, collapsed lung, had to be on a feeding tube, and all sorts of stuff....So it scared me a little, but now I'm at the point where I don't want to live in this fat body anymore and I'd go ahead with the surgery, risks and all.    I've tried so many diets over the last 9 yrs with no success and am sick of trying.... but I'm going to have to pay out of pocket for the surgery (my husbands insurance doesn't cover it), so it has to be something I really want- and I do!   It's going to cost somewhere around $19,000 for me to have it!!    Thanks! Christie current weight 255/goal wt 130

Hey Christie,

                 I had the same problem trying to decide what to have, the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, or the RNY.  After talking to people on here, and going to the class/seminar things I decided that the RNY is more for me.  The biggest reason is from what I heard on here and in the classes that with the VSG you can eat anything you want, sweets, fat foods, etc.  But with the RNY you are more restricted, mostly with the fats and sweets. This is from what i have learned.  So to me, the RNY just sounded better, expecially long term.  This is a huge life long decision. But like everyone will tell you, your success will depend mostly upon you. excersizing, eating right, etc. And if you haven't chosen a surgen, I strongly reccomend Dr Simper or Dr Smith from Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians @ St Marks Hospital

Christie, I had the VSG Feb 6th and love it so far. My BMI was lower as yours appears to be. And it turns out that vsg is a safer route to go for lower bmi patients. Also i had my surgery done in Mexico and it cost $10,500.00 which was a big deal to me cus im also a self pay. I chose the VSG because i like eating. Everything. And diets and exercise arent ever going to do it for me and i know that. With the VSG i'll be able to eat whatever i want just in smaller portions. But ill tell you what the "deal maker" was for me. With the removal of the bottom portion of the stomach they take the portion that creates the hormone ghrelin that makes the "im hungry" sensation.  I just imagined not being hungry ever again and said sign me up scotty.. I also had the lapband 4 years prior and had to have it taken out due to slippage. Ugh. Hope this info was helpful!? g

As far as the part you said about the hormone Ghrelin, I was told that it was basically the same with the RNY.  That your ghrelin level is dramatically decreased.  But lets not fool ourselves, from the research that has been done anyone can become hungry again, and at any time. 

Yes, you all were very helpful with the info you gave.  I have heard a lot of good things about RNY and good AND bad about the Band, so I think I'm going to opt for the RNY.   I am set up to go to a WLS seminar soon, so I'll be able to get going soon on my wl journey! Thanks! Christie

I knew RNY was for me because the band left me too many choices. I heard my own voice saying, "Hey, it's November. I'll skip my fill." If I knew I was going to have wiggle room, I couldn't go that direction. Another reason was for speed. I started at 384 and needed to chunk off as much as possible and fast. I knew the momentum was needed to carry me to goal weight and without a quick slice off the top, I wouldn't go far. Those were MY reasons and my ONLY change would be in researching the switch more so I would have known, up front, about another choice. I would have had to travel, but had it been my choice I would have done so.

I have a lap band.  It is wonderful that so many people have been successful, but I have not.  I paid cash and went to Mexico.  My surgery was fine, but about a year and a half after the surgery I had a second fill which vanished after about a week.  My port has flipped over and now I would have to have a second surgery to fix it which I can't afford.  I lost 70 pounds in a year, but for me having the band was painful.  Each time I swallowed it hurt.  I had a lot of things get stuck, too. My experience is my own and others have had great luck.  I decided that I need a GBP partly because I have so much weight to loose.

Good Luck

 

Ok, I just wanted to update my thread and let you all know I had the RNY done on June 12th and feel great!   I've lost 44 lbs so far and am so glad I did it!  Woo-hoo!!!

Christie