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

If you really want to lose the weight - all the weight - and keep it off, forever, please research the DS!!!!  Make the right choice the first time. 

ok so since the last time  posted on this I have had more testing and ive researched more. I bought a book t help me with my decision. here are a few things i am debating on. i need to lose alost 180 lbs I dont want to have a 2nd surgery if the procedure i chose didnt work. I dont want to go through the fills  worry about slippage I was told because of my weight my insurace most likely will only approve RNY i like the easier reversal of lapband- but ive been obese for 31 years- why reverse back to that? some do very well on lapband. some dont....same with RNY you need to decide what you need to help you loseweight...is it the feeling of fullness or is it the malabsorption?????? well im done rambling for now.... im in the same boat with you.... wen you find out more info pass it on.... good luck

Hi there, Good points. At the same time, one could look at it like this: Sometimes rather than pulling a tooth we could do something more gentle like treat the infection in it. I see it this way: I will probably try the Lap Band first. If it works for me, then fabulous. If it doesn't, well then at least I tried the least invasive option first before pulling out the big guns.

I am still pre op for a few more weeks but had the same set of concerns.  I am going with the rny because   1.  I don't trust gadgets...Every time I got a tummy ache or cramp I would be worried that the band was messed up... 2.  Bodys heal....After the initial recovery  my body will hopefully adapt and  be just fine...Bodies are amazing machines with lots of built in survival stuff ...It will ajust. 3.  I hate going to doctors and the thought of fine tuning the fill procedure would be awful.   I am not that in touch with my body, let alone a gizmo...how could i ever know when to stop...I would probably give up trying and accept less that remarkable results. 4.  Apparently the detached stomach will forget to get hungry and stop sending signals...A biggie!  hard enough to tell head hunger from body hunger either way... 5. I feel like I can re learn my own body ...i don't want a doctor or device in the middle of the process. 6.  I don't have time to wait and don't want to risk failure with the lap band.   I have bad knees, hips and so much back pain...Im 50 years old...I am all about getting the weight off now why I can still live to reap the benefits. 7.  If I ever felt the port or band I would probably freak and feel like something out of Alien... I have had major surgery on my spine before...It took me quite a while to trust that all the added hardwear was where it belonged and working.     I finally know now that it is ...but even the fact that it is there makes me uneasy.   Good luck with your decision...YOU  ASKED!  

OMG!  You must be my twin!  I'm 47 and have the exact same issues and you and also think the exact same way about gastric bypass vs. lap band.  How eerie!

I had the band and lost 80 pounds in just under a year. Was close to goal! Good luck!

read my profile to find out why I chose the DS for my revision from failed RNY.  I simply didn't want another surgery that could and most likely would fail again. (the rate of rny regain is huge).

Have you checked the Vertical Sleeve board?  Keep doing  your research and I know that some have said the DS but really do the study on the supplements that you have to take.  The VSG is much safer and you can always have the malabsorption part done later if needed, most do not need this.  My daughter has lost 160 lbs in 21 months and started out at 5'7 and 310 lbs.  I wish you luck in what ever WLS you choose.  Priscilla

Pinklady, Someone else recently recommended the Vertical Sleeve Gastroplasty to me as well! I would LOVE to be like your daughter and lose 160 pounds! (The sooner the weight is off, the better, in my view!) I am not sure what to do. I've really been putting this off and off and now I need to get serious and just get my surgery. This has taken 2 years this August and I still haven't even gotten surgery! The VSG sounds good, but my doctor doesn't do it. How do I find if another doctor in my area has done it?

I have a band and love it.  I've lost almost all my weight relatively quickly and am living at a very comfortable weight for the past year or so.  The best part of the band is that it is adjustable.  So when I am ready to lose my last 17or so pounds I can get another fill and lose the weight and fit into those size 6 clothes.   Right now I am just comfortable being normal and am focusing on other parts of my life - my kids, my husband, my work, my house. This would not be possible with an RnY because, as I understand it, there is a certain "window of opportunity' after which the pouch stretches and they need to rely on just dieting to maintain their weight loss.  The other thing to consider is that in every other country in the world the lapband is the WLS of choice - it is less invasive and less expensive and just as effective.  American doctors make lots more money on the RnY and they dont have to deal with following up on their patients. If you can find someone who is a pro lapband doctor and really knows how to provide excellent aftercare you will be much better off.   My surgeon saw me after a year and told me I was one of his success stories and attributed my success to the RnY.  I had to remind him that in fact I had a band..