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

Hi Anne, I had a revision to the lapband in 2006, from the VBG I had in 1987.  In almost 20 months I am down from 251 lbs. day of surgery to 127 lbs. and the band has been a godsend to me.

Hi, This message was encouraging--but just made me waver more! I do have a precious 3 year old son *****ally needs me, and my family relies on me. I'd hate to trouble them will illness and they'd be devastated without me. At the same time, I've spent 31 long years being overweight. I really want to be thin again! I figure if I have regain from the RNY 3-4 years out, I could always afford to do a lapband over the bypass myself--it's only 7000 per the ad on this site! I can't afford to do the RNY out of pocket if I am a failure at Lap band. What to do, What to do!!!!

I was in the same boat as you.  I met with my surgeon for the first time yesterday.  He does both LapBand and RNY.  He explained that with RNY you may "burn bridges" as far as not being able to reverse it.  He said LapBand works well, but if there is a problem you have not cut your insides up and could then choose to get RNY or DS or VSG.   I liked that thinking.  I decided to go with the LapBand and work it the best I can.  I will know there are other options if for some reason the band doesn't work for me (which is VERY rare!) There is my opinion - good luck - it's a hard decision!

Hello, I'm in the exact same spot as you...I keep wavering back and forth.  I'm scheduled to have a lap-band done on the 19th and am still not sure it's the right one for me. I know I need to get surgery, but just don't know which one. I've weighed the pros and cons of each and they pretty much even out for me - I have a 4-year old at home so I lean toward the Lap-Band (mortality rate), I think about the aftercare and fills and lean toward the RNY (cost/hassle), I think about the hair loss, dumping and other issues and lean toward the lap-band, i think about my hobby (martial arts) and worry about damaging the lap-band port/tubing so i lean toward rny... As with you...i still don't know which to pick...so i'll probably pick the lap-band simply because if the medical community ever develops some new "wonder" procedure (hey, we can dream!!), i can have the lap-band removed. I know i wasn't much help, but I DEFINTELY feel your pain!! George

 I'm waivering also. Lap or Rny? What you wrote is  exactly how I'm thinking and the same reasons. We are not alone and it is so great to be able to get soo much great advice without the pressure from this and other boards. JUST WANT TO SAY A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE HELP> LOL JLYNN

Hi, I have found VSG a good sounding compromise...however insurance may not cover it...too new...the board on OH is great!...I have found the vsg to be a good alternative for me...just thought I'd mention it...I was like you...set on the band...then I would sway towards rny...band...rny...then I recently started researching vsg... Take care, Tera

I had the lap band in 9/05 and have lost 130 pounds.  Hubby had the band in 7/05 and has lost 120.  I am still 35 pounds from normal BMI but still slowly losing which I haven't been exercising lately and could use another fill so it is my fault that my weight loss has slowed down.  Even if I never lose another pound, I will be happy as I have got my health and life back.  Plus I have not had one complication from the surgery.  Research done in the past year showed that after 3 years, percentage weight loss for RNY and lap band was the same.  As far as regaining weight - no matter what surgery you have it can happen.  The surgery is just a tool.  If you do choose the lap band surgery, make sure you do NOT compare yourself to RNY patients as majority of the weight loss for RNY is in the first 6 months so you will get frustrated and think the lap band is not working for you.  The band does not wor****il you have it filled to the right level for you.  That is what I like about the band - that it is adjustable.  You are doing the right thing - researching to ensure you are making the right decision for you.  Best of luck!

It doesn't seem to be getting easier. I used to be 90 percent RNY and 10 percent Lap Band. Now with more research, I'm about 70 percent RNY and 30 percent Lap band--becoming more open minded. I just want to get 150 pounds off within 1.5 years. I know that will be tough with the Lap Band. However, I'm a mother and my kid really needs me. Does insurance cover the Lap Band fills?

If your insurance covers the gastric banding (lap band), it should cover the fills also as that is the only way the surgery will work.  What you are going through is perfectly normal - I struggled with making the decision on type of surgery also.  You might want to attend support group meetings for both the RNY and the lap band patients in your local area.  That helped me to talk face-to-face with other patients.  Good luck!

You need to check the cost for fills and aftercare with each band surgeon.  I paid $16,000 for my band and that covers all my fills at the clinic for lifetime.