Both lap band and RNY will help you lose weight if you use the tools correctly. 

I had Lap Band and have been very succesful with it but I know quite a few people who have not been.  It all comes down to what you want out of the surgery.  In my opion if your problem is self control then you may be better of going the RNY route instead of the lap band.  RNY has more physical consequences ie "dumping" that may help you correct those bad behaviors.  Lap band does not have the dumping and there are more slider foods that you can eat and get away with such as Ice Cream.  If the volume of food you eat is your only problem and not sugary foods and carbs maybe Lap Band is the way to go.

Knowing what I know now about WLS I think if I had to do it all over again I would actually choose the DS.  Have you looked into that surgery at all?

As far as the extra skin is concerned I don't think it really matters which surgery you had the extra skin will be there when you lose the weight.  Of course that varies by person and elasticity of skin but when you stretch out your skin as much as most of us have there is no getting around the fact that when you get rid of the fat your skin will sag.

Bottom line is that choice of surgery is a very personal decision.  Ask a hundred people and you will get a hundred different opinions.  Just try to choose the one that is best for you and your lifestyle.

Good luck.

Todd

so i met with a doctor today to discuss getting banded. i have two insurance companies... one of which is great and i definitely qualify!  (BCBS of AZ [PPO] and United [PPO]) but my issue is, i want a doctor that isn't so much concerned on what i'm paying out of pocket... and would rather see it happen.

any suggestions? i just didn't feel like he was interested in my best interest, moreso how soon i could come up with the money.

I mainly go to lap band groups but for rny there is tuswls they have a yahoo group you should sign up for.  They meet 2-3 times a month and I sometimes do the activities they have.  also carondelets meets I believe the first tues of the month and last sat and that is mostly bandsters but is open to every surgery. 

Hey Mike!
You can google "dumping following weight loss surgery" and get some info.

As has been said, it varies for individuals but .......

1.  heart palpitations
2.  cold and clammy
3.  hot flashes/ dizzy
4.  feel "spaced" or disoriented
5.  can feel nausea
6.  can feel chest pain
7.  one can get the foamies:  ho****er rush in mouth and need to empty tummy contents.
8.  delayed dumps can be upset tummy and explosive diarrhea, gassy
9.  delayed can be vomitting
10.  sleepy, can't focus

Most common is the dizzy, clammy and quickened pulse.

Sometimes you feel like you want to die......lying down and sleeping it off works well!  Flushing your system with water and walking works well.

Avoiding the culprit that triggers the "dump-o-meter" works the best!

I will be spending Thanksgiving at my sisters house.  With us and our friends being from out of state.  We all bring a dish and have a get-to-gather.  We will eat and play games.  There will be 2 dogs that will demand walks so we get are exercises as well.  I will bring the deviled eggs.

I weigh 89 lbs. less than last year. 
Down several sizes in clothes.
Even though I don't have any babies to hold, I still notice how my lap has expanded.  Wonderful!