Can't Decide Between Lap Band and Bypass...OPINIONS, PLEASE!!!!

Well, here I am at 31 years old, standing 5'8 and about 305 pounds. I'm really, really struggling here. I find it hard to get the cold hard facts on both surgeries. There is a lot of propaganda online--either surgeons who do the Lap Band and say how great it is and how bad the RNY is, or vice versa. I can't seem to get a straight answer. I need to lose about 160 pounds to get to goal. I originally wanted the RNY. Then, my mother hounded me for the 'safer' option with less dangerous complications, so I reconsidered fro the Lap Band. Then, I said, screw it the RNY is probably better for someone with so much weight to lose. Now, she came over and tried to force me to do the Lap Band again because it's so much safer. She put the doubt back in my mind. I don't know what to do!!!! PLEASE tell me what you think. Also, why are there no released reports of what happens 10 years out of the RNY plus?

Well, I am 28, 5'2" (barely) and 289 and I am getting the Lap Band in less than two weeks.  To be honest, it was really the only option for me, though I have a lot of weight to lose (about as much as you).  I have to work at it and change my mind then my body.  I don't want to depend on more of a major surgery for the sake of a quick loss.  Everyone's reason and health are different, so I am not knocking other surgeries.  I say if you are healthy, go for the Lap Band.  And then change everything that comes along with it.  Lap Band is a tool...not a guarentee.  You still have to work with it...exercise, eat right, all of that fun stuff.  Good Luck & let me know what you decide. xoxo

Hi Fashionista, It's so hard! When I look at the before and afters, I see about 95 percent RNY folks, if not more. A few people who have had the band who have spoken to me, I would say the majority had not met goal. Even the ones who HAD lost 150 pounds were still about 200 pounds or so! To me, that doesn't seem an acceptable result. That being said, I would hate to be the one who gets the dangerous life threatening complications.

Hi.. I had lap band 18 mo ago and am currently looking into DS.  I thought the lap band would work for me (had 150lbs to loose), and it turns out that I had issues with it being too tight and then a slip. I also have a hard time with keeping under the 1100 calorie range... so.. I am doing lots of research now and decided against RNY (lots of regaining after that surgery it seems)..... Keep on reading on this site.. lots of good info here :)  Check out the DS boards if you haven't already. Good luck Catherine

Catherine, I would be interested in the DS, BUT: My surgeon doesn't do it and I don't know anyone in my immediate are who does. It's very high risk even more so than the gastric bypass. I figure if I do have regain (which I would pray would not be a problem for me) then I would consider putting the band on top of the bypass rather than go for something like DS. I would wait for DS to become more widely spread and if it's the wave of the future, more surgeons need to learn about it and perfect it, IMHO.

I hear ya.. I didn't even consider any other surgery before the band b/c I thought it was going to work for me and I didn't want anyone rearranging anything inside....   Now that I am considering revision, I have been researching both RNY and DS. It seems to me they are both serious operations but I see lots of issues w/ complications from RNY so I decided against it... there are cons to DS too, but for the most part, people seem quite happy with that.  My insurance does not cover any WLS so I will be going out of the country to get it done. Again, something I never thought I would do... but I have found a top notch surgeon and feel quite comfortable with that choice. Now I just have to gather up the cash :)  

Dr. Schweitzer in Baltimore does the DS.  He's one of the best.  You can check out the real DS surgeons at this website:  http://www.duodenalswitch.com/surgeons/surgeons.html

Hi Catherine, May I ask which country you would go to? I've heard of people doing RNY in India and also in Mexico. I've been to both countries. Personally I would probably rather be in Mexico in case of serious complications, it would be easier to be transferred to a US hospital, God forbid.

Come to the DS board and post that question there are several ladies there who have gone to Brazil or Spain

I WILL ALWAYS VOTE FOR LAP BAND! I am almost 3 years out and it has been a tool to help me however I have not had to lose hair, deal with malnutrition anything. I can give my body everythign it needs. Look at my pics and see how far I have come and if you have any and i mean ANY questions please ask!!!!!!!!!!!