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

Just to add my two cents,,,, Although some say other procedures are reversable,,,,,,just try and find a surgeon willing to reverse a RNY.  Even if you could,,,,,if you have no insurance, how would you ever pay for this? (Not you specifically,,,just 'you' in general).  As if WLS didn't come with enough risk on it's own, a revision doubles the risk,,,, What you are doing is important.  Lots of great posts here.  Research, research, research!!!!!

I know I"m late to the conversation here, but I was at a similar place.  I went in for my initial consult planning on lapband - my surgeon does both - and came out feeling the RNY is right for me.  The reason is because my surgeon said that for people with BMI's over 50, the success rate with lap band is 20%... I am self pay, and i didn't want to spend that money on something that I would only have a 20% chance of succeeding with... also - my surgeon said with lapband success is defined as losing 40% of excess weight, whereas with RNY it's 60% or more. They said it was my call and they would do either one... but, my surgeon has done so many RNY's and his mortality and complication rate is actually the same as the lapband rate, so he's way below the national average for death/complications... that made me feel much better about it.  They also have tracked their patients and have been doing the RNY for years - so do have many patients who have kept the weight of with rny for over a decade.  I have read the boards where people regain after RNY - but i've also read a lot of success stories.  I was over at lapbandtalk.com reading too, and there were a lot of people who weren't losing with that.  So that's why i am having the RNY on July 30th.  I am also working on my food issues and love to work out - so am hopeful that I will be a success story -- but I also feel better knowing that if I am not, the stomaphyx procedure is starting now - which is an endoscopic procedure to reduce a pouch that has stretched after RNY.  A surgeon in my area is one of the few trained to do it.  I don't plan to ever need this - but it added another layer of comfort to my decision for me. Good luck in whatever you decide! Mary

Hi. I am having the DS with DR. Schweitzer in Balto. He is an excellent surgeon with amazing results as regards safe surgical outcomes. You owe it to yourself to investigate all the options. I thought I wanted te lapband too at first but after my research there is no question in my mind that that at the weight I am at DS is the way to go. Please check out my profile. I have tons of information and comparisons. Jo

Good luck with your choice. Here's an article you might want to read in regards to the 10 years out of rny. http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/inside.asp?AID=635&UID= Dawn

Loved that article.  I printed all 22 pages out to give to my PCP.

I have heard great things about Mini-gastric bypasses. There is alot of info. on YouTube on all the different types of WLS.

 Ilove2read, I have heard great things about mini-gastric bypasses. I learned and watched individual diaries of many patients on YOUTuBe.Make a wise choice for you not for anyone else.Kristin

Honestly, the Lap-Band, in general, doesn't work as well for higher BMI people.  It's rare to meet Bandsters who lose 160 pounds.  There are those who do... but once again, it's rare. Have you looked into the VSG? (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy)?? Has a similar safety profile to Lap-Band, but looks to be a bit more successful for higher BMIs.  Was originally conceived for super MO people who were too big to do a DS on safely... so it was split into two parts.  Found out that many people lost so much that they didn't need/want the second part (rerouting the intestines).  You can find out more on the VSG forum, www.lapsf.com, or at vsgfaq.com

        Help - I'm in the same boat!!        I have 214 lbs to loose, and I know that's a lot for the LapBand - but I'm afraid of the risk with the Bypass.  My Mom and Step-Mom are both VERY supportive of the surgery, but are both pushing for the Band, because they want the safer surgery for me.   I've talked to two doctors and they both said that with the lapband, it will be three years ... THREE YEARS, before I hit the goal ... and I think they mean the hospital's goal of loosing 50% of my excess weight.   Well, if I'm going to go though all this for 50% ... I want a much healthier life.  I want less back pain, to run when I get caught in a downpour, to climb stairs with out moving both feet to one stair, then the next, etc!!! One doctor recommended bypass (due to my weight, the speed of loss, and not having to deal with port fills, etc), and the surgeon that I will probably go with recommended Lapband.  His thought was other than my back/joint pain, I don't have other serious health issues yet, so why take the added risk of bypass.    But three years ... I just don't know!!   I don't have a medical degree ... how in the world am I going to decide??      ... Does anyone have a Magic 8 Ball I can borrow??? I was sold on the LapBand, but now I'm leaning toward the Bypass. What are the current mortality numbers for bypass???     1 in 100??    1 in 1000???    My Doctor said the chance for "complecations" with the bypass are 3-5% (and I honestly don't  know if that's high or low, but 5 in 100 sounds a little high to me)!! Thank You!!!   (Not only for your help and support, but for letting me rant a little)!!  

I know it's an amazingly tough decision... and there are no Magic-8 balls. :) I think one thing to know is what the doctor considers a complication.  A lot of people view vomiting as a complication, so every Lap-Bander who PBs is viewed to have this complication.  That's a heck of a lot... but really, it's not the same as a slippage or erosion, KWIM?  As for mortality, the national average won't matter... what does matter is your surgeon's rates, experience combined with your risk profile. With either operation, losing 50% is considered a success.  And believe me, it can make a major difference in your health, self-image, etc.  Of course, we all want to lose 100%, but no operation offers that.  Closest is the DS, but then, the risks are a bit greater. I think you need to decide what is most important to you.   Is #1 weight loss or risks? Amount of food one can eat? Type of foods? Potential bowel issues? Etc. Once you decide these things, it becomes easier to see which surgery is the best match. If you're in Michigan (based on your name I think you are), you may want to try Dr. Pleatman in Bloomfield Hills.  He's having a lot of success with the VSG, and does the RNY and Lap-Band too! (Only operation he doesn't do is the Duodenal Switch.)