Not sure what surgery to go for

Hello all, I met with my surgon a few weeks ago and i am stuck on what surgery to choose. I have weighed in on both and still cant deciede. anyone else have the same problem?

hi joshua, I had no choice. The program I was in only did it one way and it was the open rny. I have no regrets and a big ole nasty scar to remind me every day of where I came from and what happens when you lose perspective. Hope you have a good day and good luck on your decision...if you wanna talk feel free to email me at [email protected] Paula

Joshua, I looked at both Lap Band & RNY, but for me there was no hesitation. From the start, I wanted the RNY. I liked the restrictive nature and the additional help that the dumping syndrome can provide. Jim

Joshua- I originally started considering the lap band, but ultimately decided on the RNY. For me I only want to have surgery once and I want to minimize the risks of regaining all the weight (possible with both proceedures but it seemed more so for the lap band). The surgeon recommended the RNY, and I had several friends who had it done. After looking at both it seemed to make the most sense for me, although most who have the lap band would say the same for their proceedure. I guess it is a personal choice. Read, talk to your surgeon, and look at the pros and cons of each. As I said, I had the RNY and am extremely happy (4 months out). Now down the road who knows what they will learn about each of these operations and the long term issues/ results. Good luck with the decision. Eileen

The struggle with choice! I also chose the RNY, I have arthritis in both of my knees and decided I needed the weight off sooner rather than later. I also got concerned when the surgeon said if the band doesn't work. We could always do an RNY. I kept thinking about that. And decided let me do the one surgery, the weight will come off. I have lost 150 lbs and feel good! Now if this was 10 years ago and I wasn't having the knee problems. I probably would have tried the Lap Band and see if it worked. It is a big decision and a tough decision. Ultimately, follow what your heart is saying! Good luck!

Hi Joshua - Got to get a plug in for the lap band. I had my surgey January 25th and have been incredibly happy with my band, surgeon and support team at Emerson Hospital. My decision for the band were as follows: lower risk of death, faster recovery, same weight loss over a 2 yr period, slower & healthier weight loss, no dumping, can have occassional snacks, no malabsorbtion, customized per patient with fills, and it is reversible if necessary. Yes, there is a foreign body around my stomach but you don't even feel it. The band teachers you when you are full and if you eat too much you are uncomfortable. If you love chocolate frappes, the band is not for you because you can drink your calories easily. I started at 250 and am now down to 210 in 3 months. I own my own business and was back at work the day I came home. I make good choices (protein first, then veggies, then carbs) and am succeeding with this surgery. Best of luck with your decision. Feel free to e-mail with any other questions. Leslie 250/210/150ish

Hi Josh I live in Rhode Island and I have been doing all of my work up for an RNY I see the Dr. on May 9th. In the last couple of weeks after months of research I have decided to go with the Lap Band. Unfortunatley they only have one Dr. in Rhode Island who does it so I have decided to come to Boston. I may have to start all over again but I really feel it is the procedure for me. less risk; Donna

I've decided on the lap band. One reason is I want to work for my weight loss. I'm too young to be re-routing my intestines, and I would feel better that I got off of my BUTT to work to lose weight. I couldn't deal with the dumping. I would rather lose my weight slowly anyways. I also take Depo whi*****reases the risk of osteoperosis, and so does the RNY. So that's just a no-no. lol ~*Nicole

My PCP talked me into looking at lap band and it's where I started investigation and educating myself on all procedures. Both have pros and cons and it then becomes a personal decision for anyone choosing either. At first it was lap band all the way for me but after much thought and planning, I am now 100% going with RNY. For me, it was getting results quicker so that I would be mobile enough to do the things I need to get the rest of my body where it needs to be. After many years of doing various diets and having slow progresses with them. With that said, it's knowing what will make you successful and maintain your goal. It's more than just losing the weight, it's becoming healthy and keeping it off. Good luck with either decision as there is success with both. Hugs, Lorraine

When I first read your post, Joshua, I thought you couldn't decide between the RNY and the Duodenal Switch....didn't even enter my mind you were considering the lap band until I started looking at the responses. When I went to the original seminar at one of the hospitals here, they went over each type of surgery and told us the good, bad and ugly about each.....while everyone has to do what they are most comfortable with, I didn't like the idea of only having a restrictive device, having to go to the doctor on a regular basis to get "fills", having to - at some point in life - be re-operated on, since I have a hard time believing a piece of rubber is going to last a lifetime. In fact, the doctor advised that if it ever needs to be removed, the patient is "very likely" to regain all the weight that was lost. Say what you will about "willpower"......we don't have it, or we wouldn't be here in the first place. For all those reasons, I opted for the RNY. I WANTED an element of malabsorption, because all the calories we eat aren't absorbed and pass through the system rather quickly. I also WANTED the possibility of dumping syndrome - I can still have a fun size Snickers, but I can't break the bank on them without getting sick! I didn't want a foreign device in my body, like a band or a ring. So, the lap band wasn't even on my radar. I'm now a year out of surgery and if I had it to do over again - I would still go with the RNY, and I am very happy with the results..... but I would also take a hard look at the DS, which is just now becoming more widely accepted for WLS by many doctors. Good luck with your decision. MJ