If You Had to Do it Again, Would You?
My insurance only pays for the two, also. I have never wanted RNY, just not the choice for ME. Would I get it if I had to revise, yes. Would I choose Lap Band again, yes. I actually didn't have any co-morbidity's. But have, now, been able to do so much more than before WLS. I went skydiving, on a plane (after not being on one in 15 years) meet up with old classmates, went snowboarding, jump on a trampoline, etc. I am still not at goal. I lost 86 lbs in 8 months, then sort of slid of the wagon, so to speak. Stopped eating right, stopped exercising. So my WL really slowed down. But then again 4 of the 5 people I know who've had RNY have all gained their weight back.
Choose what is right for YOU, keep researching and good luck with what ever you decide!
Choose what is right for YOU, keep researching and good luck with what ever you decide!
Mari Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!
Yes. It has been a struggle but I am not as big as I was or could be. I recently refilled my band after having it un filled. It is work. Some people that have gastric by pass have a band put back on their stomach. I did not have a lot if pain and it can be removed. It is not perfect. I had a great surgeon who has the band. I think the surgeon matters a lot. I had morbidities. One is gone. I still have about 83 lbs to go. I had many adjustments. I think I found the right tightness. It's not easy but it helps. I am learning that I have to also be caloric restrictive. All in all each person has to choose.
rebecca110
on 3/1/12 9:49 pm - Milledgeville, GA
on 3/1/12 9:49 pm - Milledgeville, GA
If I had a choice, I would go RNY after seeing first hand in my support group the difference in the two results. As someone said, it is a personal decision, but before deciding be sure you check out the % of weight loss with the options and the problems. If you talk with 10 to 15 people in a group you will see many outcomes. I really didn't have a choice because my doctor didn't want to do RNY because I was 68 and only had a BMI of 36 despite having many co-morbidities.
One of the biggest struggle with the band is finding the right adjustment which can be costly and time consuming if insurance doesn't pay and you have a long drive which I do. Most doctors charge $300 for the adjustments. So check that out.Also, most people I talked with still have cravings and hunger.
Neither choice is perfect and both require really hard work by the individual related to nutrition and various food.. I have more problem with liquids than I do solids. The nutritionist and the psychologist told me RNY would be better becaues I was a snacker not a binger even at meal times. They were right because you will still be able to snack too much. Apparently, I have no self control, and I am addicted to dark chocolate..
I lead a support group made up mostly of people who had RNY, with one other bander.The other bander has never been back to see her doctor and has lost about 100 pounds, but seems to be stalling now. Her doctor included no free fills, and her insurance won't pay the $300. It takes over a month to get an appointment to see my doctor for adjustments which is a problem too..
My biggest surprise is that I I did not know that the lap band seems to be a short term solution and most people don't seem to reach nearly their goal. It seems that about 5 years is the max people are able to tolerate before having it removed, and then rapidly gain weight back. I understand that RNY people regain after about the same time as well if they don't stay on a strict diet. So, there is no such thing as a perfect long term solution without a lot of hard work.
Two women in my group with RNY have never even had a return visit, but others have had problems with not getting proper nutrition and not wanting to eat at all. Most of the people with RNY are reaching their goal within a year, however several have had severe problems to deal with. such as strictures in the esphageus, stomach ulcer, one accident in surgery with a ***** in the colon causing a massive infection that is still not healed, but he is loosing lots of weight. One just had her RNY redone due to the above problems. They both say they would do it again.
I did have apenea, diabetes, edema, BP, and cholestrol co-morbidites. They are all either gone or much improved. I have oste-arthritis and it is less painful because of the weight loss, but will never be okay.This seems to be true with all of the surgeries at first. So, I wouldn't let that influence my decision. The more you need to loose, the more I would recommend the RNY.
One of the biggest struggle with the band is finding the right adjustment which can be costly and time consuming if insurance doesn't pay and you have a long drive which I do. Most doctors charge $300 for the adjustments. So check that out.Also, most people I talked with still have cravings and hunger.
Neither choice is perfect and both require really hard work by the individual related to nutrition and various food.. I have more problem with liquids than I do solids. The nutritionist and the psychologist told me RNY would be better becaues I was a snacker not a binger even at meal times. They were right because you will still be able to snack too much. Apparently, I have no self control, and I am addicted to dark chocolate..
I lead a support group made up mostly of people who had RNY, with one other bander.The other bander has never been back to see her doctor and has lost about 100 pounds, but seems to be stalling now. Her doctor included no free fills, and her insurance won't pay the $300. It takes over a month to get an appointment to see my doctor for adjustments which is a problem too..
My biggest surprise is that I I did not know that the lap band seems to be a short term solution and most people don't seem to reach nearly their goal. It seems that about 5 years is the max people are able to tolerate before having it removed, and then rapidly gain weight back. I understand that RNY people regain after about the same time as well if they don't stay on a strict diet. So, there is no such thing as a perfect long term solution without a lot of hard work.
Two women in my group with RNY have never even had a return visit, but others have had problems with not getting proper nutrition and not wanting to eat at all. Most of the people with RNY are reaching their goal within a year, however several have had severe problems to deal with. such as strictures in the esphageus, stomach ulcer, one accident in surgery with a ***** in the colon causing a massive infection that is still not healed, but he is loosing lots of weight. One just had her RNY redone due to the above problems. They both say they would do it again.
I did have apenea, diabetes, edema, BP, and cholestrol co-morbidites. They are all either gone or much improved. I have oste-arthritis and it is less painful because of the weight loss, but will never be okay.This seems to be true with all of the surgeries at first. So, I wouldn't let that influence my decision. The more you need to loose, the more I would recommend the RNY.
c_cubed
on 3/1/12 9:34 pm
on 3/1/12 9:34 pm
Yes, I would do it again.
Biggest struggle is accepting the fact that there are certain foods that I just cannot eat anymore such as pizza or bread.
The biggest surprise is how easy it is as along as you put in the effort and follow the rules.
I hope to be at my goal weight by May or June-- keep in mind, I only had 80 lbs to lose, so my weight is coming off slowly. I'm averaging about 8 lbs per month. I had surgery in Oct/2011.
No co-morbidity's.
Look, every type of WLS has it's good and bad. I know folks that have had gastric bypass, lost tons of weight, and are now gaining it all back. How does that happen? Lack of will power, no doubt, and allowing old habits to take hold again. WLS is not a cure.
The band will work, just as other WLS, as long as YOU realize that it's only a tool. You have to put in the work. You have to exercise. You have to eat well.
Good luck with your decision!!
Biggest struggle is accepting the fact that there are certain foods that I just cannot eat anymore such as pizza or bread.
The biggest surprise is how easy it is as along as you put in the effort and follow the rules.
I hope to be at my goal weight by May or June-- keep in mind, I only had 80 lbs to lose, so my weight is coming off slowly. I'm averaging about 8 lbs per month. I had surgery in Oct/2011.
No co-morbidity's.
Look, every type of WLS has it's good and bad. I know folks that have had gastric bypass, lost tons of weight, and are now gaining it all back. How does that happen? Lack of will power, no doubt, and allowing old habits to take hold again. WLS is not a cure.
The band will work, just as other WLS, as long as YOU realize that it's only a tool. You have to put in the work. You have to exercise. You have to eat well.
Good luck with your decision!!
rebecca110
on 3/1/12 9:50 pm - Milledgeville, GA
on 3/1/12 9:50 pm - Milledgeville, GA
The thing to take away from all of this is: ALL WLS IS A TOOL NOT A SOLUTION ALONE.
I would have to COMPLETELY agree with Rebecca. There are no promises with any weight loss surgery or results when you have any procedure.
That being said, I will 100% admit that I was not at all prepared for my life after the band when I did this. All I knew was I didn't want RNY at the time and the sleeve was not as popular then. Had I waited, I probably would have chose the sleeve over band just due to the fact that there is maintenance involved that can be costly and time consuming going back and forth. Since that was not an option the band it was!
My misconception of the band initially was that I would be able to pretty much eat what I wanted but in smaller portions...and to me that meant everything. I never went into WLS thinking I was ever going to have give up all the foods I loved and that I wouldn't have to be on a diet - I just would have smaller portions. My thoughts exactly were ...well ok...I can still go to McDonalds and maybe just get a kids meal or 2 dollar menu items and that will fill me and I will still be able to enjoy even the "bad" foods...WRONG! I can count how many times I have had McDonalds since my surgery and when I do try and splurge, it's a small fry with lots of ketchup and a 4 piece nugget with lots of sauce and still then it takes me no less than 30 mins and up to an hour to eat it. So that was the biggest misconception for me. For one year after surgery even though I lost about 80lbs, I struggled with the loss of food. I was angry when I was around people who ate things I could not. I pushed my limits often which I am lucky did not affect me adversely. Sometimes I even lived on sliders. I did not go to the gym ever or exercise other than housework or walking the dog or something. I kicked and screamed and although the scale was going down I felt all my comfort was taken away not being able to turn to food.
I also had gall bladder complications from loosing weight and 2 months after surgery I began having attacks for months and was in an out of the ER - test after test after test....I ended up having GB removal surgery only 8 months after being banded. 2 surgeries in less than a year...STRESSFUL....at least for me!
It took me awhile, clearly, but I no longer mourn food or am jealous of what people eat in front of me. However, I do not deprive myself of the things I can still eat either. I eat carbs and I eat sugar - I have good days and bad days like everyone else. I try to make better decisions even with that in mind. I do not count anything. For me the more food consumes me the more I want to consume. The less I think about food itself the better off I am and I just eat when I am hungry not because the clock says so or someone else says so.
There are many foods I don't touch because it's not worth it - not the calories mind you, I mean the pain or discomfort from eating it. I have attemped to eat steak twice in two 2.5 years and it's just something that doesn't work well for me. Things that slide for others don't always slide for me. Everyone is different. And I personally do not keep a tight band at all.
I considered getting a revision about a year ago and I decided that for me, knowing my life long battle with binge eating, that if I got RNY, I would end up like 95% of the people I know who had it....WORSE off than they were before surgery. I know a woman who was in the 450 range and she lost close to 200lbs with bypass...she gained every bit back and is now over 500lbs!!!! She lives on fast food and can eat burgers, fries, pasta, pizza - anything in large quantities. She has so many health problems and it will be a miracle if she makes it to 50 years old. She is 37 years old and can't even walkl! Like many of us, it is mental for her and this proves that no matter what surgery we all have to do our part too.
Overtime I have seen bypass people be able to change eating habits as soon as a year out...they lose all the weight in the first year and then it becomes easier for them to start eating more types of food and in larger quantities. That I can't handle. For me, I thought of it as, well, I always have the option with the band to adjust it - even though that is the pain in butt part, it's the only surgery that has the ability to do this should you need it. For me long term, I have felt this is the only thing that will keep me from binging.
I have not been without struggles along the way both physically and mentally. I'm in a better both in both but I'm still not at my goal. Had I done RNY, I would have been there a long time ago but I had many quick fixes before only to have failed myself shortly after and I didn't want this to be a quick fix like every other effort I made.
I have learned to accept my own life with the band but I guarantee you not one single person on here is the same post-op...we have similar issues/experiences but we all end up in different places. I personally have never had a gain at all in this process. For my first year I saw my doctor every month! Now I only go when I need a fill/unfill or to discuss some other issue and also to keep track of my weight and my loss.
Unfortunately some people do have medical issues with the band and their bodies just don't do well with it and while that is extremely disappointing for sure to not know if it will at least work if you work with it too, but unfortuntately that is a possibility.
So to finally answer your questions - would I recommend or not recommend the band to someone....My answer is neither. I only share my experiencesm my results and my banded life and who ever is asking is free to make the decision on their own. I will add that friends and family around me who see the work I have to put into it and the adjustments I have had to make with eating because of the band - they all say, I don't know how you do it.....So to hell with anyone who says it's the easy way out. It's most definitely not!
Good luck in your decision. I would take what you learn from people and write the pros and cons of what you think each surgery has or may have for you and then discuss with your doctor. Take the time to make your own decisions based on who you are - do not let the doctor, your family or anyone on these boards make that decisions for you.
All the best, Linda!
That being said, I will 100% admit that I was not at all prepared for my life after the band when I did this. All I knew was I didn't want RNY at the time and the sleeve was not as popular then. Had I waited, I probably would have chose the sleeve over band just due to the fact that there is maintenance involved that can be costly and time consuming going back and forth. Since that was not an option the band it was!
My misconception of the band initially was that I would be able to pretty much eat what I wanted but in smaller portions...and to me that meant everything. I never went into WLS thinking I was ever going to have give up all the foods I loved and that I wouldn't have to be on a diet - I just would have smaller portions. My thoughts exactly were ...well ok...I can still go to McDonalds and maybe just get a kids meal or 2 dollar menu items and that will fill me and I will still be able to enjoy even the "bad" foods...WRONG! I can count how many times I have had McDonalds since my surgery and when I do try and splurge, it's a small fry with lots of ketchup and a 4 piece nugget with lots of sauce and still then it takes me no less than 30 mins and up to an hour to eat it. So that was the biggest misconception for me. For one year after surgery even though I lost about 80lbs, I struggled with the loss of food. I was angry when I was around people who ate things I could not. I pushed my limits often which I am lucky did not affect me adversely. Sometimes I even lived on sliders. I did not go to the gym ever or exercise other than housework or walking the dog or something. I kicked and screamed and although the scale was going down I felt all my comfort was taken away not being able to turn to food.
I also had gall bladder complications from loosing weight and 2 months after surgery I began having attacks for months and was in an out of the ER - test after test after test....I ended up having GB removal surgery only 8 months after being banded. 2 surgeries in less than a year...STRESSFUL....at least for me!
It took me awhile, clearly, but I no longer mourn food or am jealous of what people eat in front of me. However, I do not deprive myself of the things I can still eat either. I eat carbs and I eat sugar - I have good days and bad days like everyone else. I try to make better decisions even with that in mind. I do not count anything. For me the more food consumes me the more I want to consume. The less I think about food itself the better off I am and I just eat when I am hungry not because the clock says so or someone else says so.
There are many foods I don't touch because it's not worth it - not the calories mind you, I mean the pain or discomfort from eating it. I have attemped to eat steak twice in two 2.5 years and it's just something that doesn't work well for me. Things that slide for others don't always slide for me. Everyone is different. And I personally do not keep a tight band at all.
I considered getting a revision about a year ago and I decided that for me, knowing my life long battle with binge eating, that if I got RNY, I would end up like 95% of the people I know who had it....WORSE off than they were before surgery. I know a woman who was in the 450 range and she lost close to 200lbs with bypass...she gained every bit back and is now over 500lbs!!!! She lives on fast food and can eat burgers, fries, pasta, pizza - anything in large quantities. She has so many health problems and it will be a miracle if she makes it to 50 years old. She is 37 years old and can't even walkl! Like many of us, it is mental for her and this proves that no matter what surgery we all have to do our part too.
Overtime I have seen bypass people be able to change eating habits as soon as a year out...they lose all the weight in the first year and then it becomes easier for them to start eating more types of food and in larger quantities. That I can't handle. For me, I thought of it as, well, I always have the option with the band to adjust it - even though that is the pain in butt part, it's the only surgery that has the ability to do this should you need it. For me long term, I have felt this is the only thing that will keep me from binging.
I have not been without struggles along the way both physically and mentally. I'm in a better both in both but I'm still not at my goal. Had I done RNY, I would have been there a long time ago but I had many quick fixes before only to have failed myself shortly after and I didn't want this to be a quick fix like every other effort I made.
I have learned to accept my own life with the band but I guarantee you not one single person on here is the same post-op...we have similar issues/experiences but we all end up in different places. I personally have never had a gain at all in this process. For my first year I saw my doctor every month! Now I only go when I need a fill/unfill or to discuss some other issue and also to keep track of my weight and my loss.
Unfortunately some people do have medical issues with the band and their bodies just don't do well with it and while that is extremely disappointing for sure to not know if it will at least work if you work with it too, but unfortuntately that is a possibility.
So to finally answer your questions - would I recommend or not recommend the band to someone....My answer is neither. I only share my experiencesm my results and my banded life and who ever is asking is free to make the decision on their own. I will add that friends and family around me who see the work I have to put into it and the adjustments I have had to make with eating because of the band - they all say, I don't know how you do it.....So to hell with anyone who says it's the easy way out. It's most definitely not!
Good luck in your decision. I would take what you learn from people and write the pros and cons of what you think each surgery has or may have for you and then discuss with your doctor. Take the time to make your own decisions based on who you are - do not let the doctor, your family or anyone on these boards make that decisions for you.
All the best, Linda!
Thank you, everyone, for your honesty and your postings. They mean a great deal to me.
I am really struggling with this decision as I want to make the best one possible for me. I was ready to get RNY 3 years ago and when I went for the stress test, it was found I had a 95% blockage in one of the arteries of my heart. I got a stent in the artery. Then I was on Plavix for a year and had to wait. 9 months after that, I had another blockage, got another stent and this time in front of the original one, and had to wait another year as I was on Plavix for another year.
Now my heart disease continues to progress way too fast for me even though I've done everything the physicians say to do (darned heredity!).
I do believe the gastric sleeve will be my best option, however, my insurance company sees it as experimental ..lthis even tough it's been around for several years as the first part of a 2 part surgery.
Reading the struggles people have had with the band, and with the RNY, it seems to be the best choice for me. I already have GERD and need to take NSAIDS, so that may eliminate the band and the RNY on its own.
I really appreciate you all writing. As i was reading everyone's posts to my husband he said "do you KNOW all these people?".... I said "no, not personally, but I've struggled like they have struggled with weight issues.... so in that way, yes, I do know them...and they know me. ".
Thanks again for your input! I still have a lot of reading and thinking to do!
Linda
I am really struggling with this decision as I want to make the best one possible for me. I was ready to get RNY 3 years ago and when I went for the stress test, it was found I had a 95% blockage in one of the arteries of my heart. I got a stent in the artery. Then I was on Plavix for a year and had to wait. 9 months after that, I had another blockage, got another stent and this time in front of the original one, and had to wait another year as I was on Plavix for another year.
Now my heart disease continues to progress way too fast for me even though I've done everything the physicians say to do (darned heredity!).
I do believe the gastric sleeve will be my best option, however, my insurance company sees it as experimental ..lthis even tough it's been around for several years as the first part of a 2 part surgery.
Reading the struggles people have had with the band, and with the RNY, it seems to be the best choice for me. I already have GERD and need to take NSAIDS, so that may eliminate the band and the RNY on its own.
I really appreciate you all writing. As i was reading everyone's posts to my husband he said "do you KNOW all these people?".... I said "no, not personally, but I've struggled like they have struggled with weight issues.... so in that way, yes, I do know them...and they know me. ".
Thanks again for your input! I still have a lot of reading and thinking to do!
Linda
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
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