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

I didin't write the original post but your response really helped me has I'm waiting on my band to be placed on the 28th.  I was going through some issues with not being able to eat or enjoy food anymore and was just in a bad place.  I'm on my 3rd day of liquids and last night I got so hungry and had a really bad headache so I grabbed a hand full of nuts, chex mix and then topped it off with a pack of Lance Cracker.  I felt better but really guilty and started wondering is this how it will always be; me getting hungry because I feel as though I'm starving to death and then pigging out.  Well I know it really want be that bad because I will be able to eat....but it's sad when I think of some of the things I can't eat anymore if i'm going to keep the weight away....but I know that once I start losing the weight food will become less important because I will be focusing on getting healthier and slimmer.    It really helps to see someone that has had the band for a while and still approve of it.    Thanks

Hi Tray 38 I hope your surgery went well I am scheduled for lapband surgery on 2/28/08. and am a little nervous. just wondering how things went

Good morning! Bless your heart, I understand your concerns AND your mom's.  As a "bandster", I can tell you my experience.   In August of '06, I elected to have the lap-band.  I felt it was an amazing tool and the best part, it is reversible...a very big plus to me...I'll get to that later.  Many, many people have great success with RNY.  I ruled out the RNY for several reasons.  The odds were just too great for long-term complications, the issue of hair loss (hey, it's a big deal to women) and it is not reversible.  But, when considering an RNY 10, 15, 20 years out with the malabsorption issues, I felt the weight loss was winning the battle to only lose the war of a better, longer life.  The complication rate was just too great and benefits could be attained via other surgeries. 

The lap-band surgery was relatively easy.  I was up and walking within a few hours of the surgery.  I never took any pain meds post-op, but had a terrible stomach virus just days after returning home.  I thought I would never stop vomiting.  The band stayed in place, but it really scared me.  What if the band had slipped?  What if slipped enough to erode into my stomach?  I was a looooooooong way from my surgeon.  What a wake-up call.  The other issue is, I AM still hungry! Dang - I really thought that would go away to a point.  To date, without any fills, I have lost almost 30 pounds.  The band will certainly not allow you to over do it on intake.  You can eat around it but grazing, eating high calorie foods, snacks, etc.     Now, here's the secret to losing weight with a lap-band...FOLLOW-UP!  You may need several fills to hit that sweet-spot of not too tight, not too loose, but juuuuust right.  That can take several hundreds of dollars a year for fills, unfills, etc.  When it came time for my first fill, I called the dr. in my area that I had contacted before surgery.  His practice had been sold to a corporation that would not allow him to fill patients he hadn't done surgery on himself.  It was a disheartening and expensive mistake, but I had committed to being healthy and decided to do some research and see if I could right this listing ship without going bankrupt.   I found some information about the latest procedure being offered called a "verticle sleeve gastrectomy."  The procedure removes a large part of the stomach - it seems to be the part that produces the hormore that causes hunger.  (I have read some say the hormone does return in a year or two, but hopefully, VSGers have developed a healthy lifestyle and can make wise decisions to maintain the weight loss.)  Here is the web-site that could explain this procedure best.  http://www.vsgfaq.com/  This procedure offers the benefits of a lap-band by limiting the amount of food you can take in, and the long-term weight loss of by-pass surgery. It is a tough decision.  I wish you the very best as you weight the pros and cons of all available options.  Give your mom all the information your have found and let her feel a part of your thought process with you making the final decision.  She is just worried about your well-being and is probably a little scared. Best wishes! AnnieZ

Hi Annie, Thanks for the input. How long did it take to lose 30 pounds?

Hi there!  I am currently in the same point you are. I am 31, 5'8 and 325 lbs... this same time last year i was on WW and at 279 lbs... I always thought i would never need surgery and could do it myself.. Ive been overweight since I was 5 yrs old.. My etnire famiy is overweight with my dad being the only one bigger than me.   I am in the middle of going through pre-surgical testing for approval.  I wanted lap-band, but i have a feeling i will end up with RNY. My bariatric surgeon told me i could expect a 40-50% weight loss with Lap and up to 80% with RNY. you need to look at why you are overweight... you need that full feeling? if thats it then id say go for lap band... i realized i dont i general eat too much, i just dont eat healthy enough and my body just loves to absorb it all so i believe that RNY is what i need to help me to prevent my future of diabetes, heart problems etc... sit down and figure ou**** you need to correct your issues before choosing

I'm 5'5" at 307 (start) and am now at 293.  I was banded Monday.  Would I do it again? Yes.  Would I do RNY?  No.  Why? 1.  Morbidity rate is higher 2.  Weight loss is too fast for me -- I need slow and steady to relearn how to eat.

3.  Reversible 4.  I am a volume eater.  Long term, RNY would not help be control my eating.  Yes, I would have immediate results but in the long run, the band control will help me have control over the volume. Do a self assessment, attend support meetings, and ask questions on both boards -- do your homework.   Of course, people are going to be for their surgical choice.  You are better off to determine what your issues are and which surgery can be the best help to you.  Good luck!

The more I read, the more I can't make up my mind. I'm leaning toward the RNY just because I figure if I have to have surgery, might as well go all the way.

I had the same problem and really couldnt make up my mind.  Then I started reading posts here, starting at the oldest and read and read and read.  What I've found is that ALOT of Banders eventually get RNY.  I eat because of hunger, my belly rumbles all the time.  I needed to know that I would have about a year of NO hunger to re-train myself and my eating habits.  All procedures are dangerous, I think its a personal choice.  I believe that RNY will give me a chance to live the rest of my life without food being the center of my universe.  Good luck in making a choice!  Keep reading! Shell

And a lot of RNY'rs get the DS.

The RNY is reversible.  I don't know who keeps saying it isn't but it is.  Even the switch part of the DS is revsersible.  Only the stomach portion that is removed is not reversible. 

Hello -I was in your spot a year ago -and I  have done extensive research on both the surgeries... I think I have my own personal library - I have bought so many books.  When I do something I tend to "research" it to death.  I like to be informed of all the pros - cons - and I want to know what to expect.  I am 43 and have 3 children - the youngest is 6.  I decided that I needed to make the decision that would be the least dangerous to me - I need to be around for a while for my kids.  I have about 125 lbs to lose.  I decided on the lap band.  To me it just made sense.  It was less risky - I have always KNOWN what to do ... I just couldn't do it.  I feel the lap band has given me a tool to do what I need to do.  I didn't have to change my whole way of life...I could still eat some of my favorite foods without the fear of "dumping" on sugar overload.  I don't have to count my sugar intake.  I don't have to take a bunch of supplements.  I can have an alcoholic drink if I want one.  My body still absorbs the same as it did.  I just am not hungry like I was.  I have only been banded 3 weeks  - and have lost 21lbs.  I just really don't want to eat.  And when I do eat - I only have a little bit - a few bites - and then I am stuffed.  I truely don't want anymore.  It is really amazing to me.  I eat what I want - just very limited quanitites - and of course paying attention to nutritional needs.  Protein first - then veggies, then carbs.  I felt fine after surgery - and I was back at work in 5 days.  Go to the lap band site and read - the people on there are great - and there are tons of success stories - people who are at goal - or close to it.  It may take a little longer - but isn't it the tortise who always wins the race?  If you go to the WLS graduates page - you will see that many RNY are struggling with weight regain at the 3 and 4 year mark.  Their body gets used to the malabsorbtion  - and starts to rebound.  With the band - if I start to be able to eat too much - I go get a fill... tada - eatting is restricted again.  I am not saying the RNY is bad - but it just wasn't for me.  I am thrilled with my band - so I suggest - go to the library or local book store - or on line store - and look up wls - and start reading.  Most people who have had RNY think it is the best - and most people that had the band think it is the best - you just need to decide for you!  Good luck!  Anne