RNY or Lapband?? 2 months to decide

I'm 42, 311, 5-10" and have the choice of either RNY or Lapband.  I have no other comorbities other than sleep apnea and slightly elevated BP.   Neither procedure scares me or makes me hesitate to have it done, but I am looking for opinions. Believe it or not I'm still somewhat athletic, it's just not a pretty site.  I play hockey, full contact flag football, and I lift as much as my family lifestyle allows. My problem has always been "bulk" eating, not sweets.  I am rather content to drink Isopure drinks for breakfast 5 days a week, have  a light lunch and the same for dinner.  But the weekends always seem to sabotage my diet efforts. Just looking for suggestions.  The doc says either procedure would allow me to get down to a respectable weight.

Look into VSG The more I studied, the more I was sold on it. Seems hard to find anyone with complications from it. 

I had similiar stats to start.  5'6" 326 - Sleep Apnea and slightly high BP.

RNY Surgery 10/25/06  Today 1 year and a week later lost 158 lbs - weight today 168.  No Sleep Apnea - no meds at all. I too considered the Lap Band - I chose the RNY because I felt I needed the more serious surgery that not only changed my insides, but changed my head and it has.  I wanted  RNY hoping  that I would get dumpng from sweets and carbs, but I don't.  Nonetheless this was the right choice for me. Folks I know that have had the band love it as well.  Both surgeries are serious and need to be considered carefully.   You are not the only guy on THIS board - you found the MEN's board - Welcome to the locker room.  Feel free to ask any question here.  Looking forward to having you on the losers bench. All the best Chris

No really, my name is Guy.  So I've got a shot at being the only "Guy" on this board.  Thanks for your advice.

The only thing that I can say is that the lap band can and will slip the RNY is a permanent change to you inside and I had no choice in what I had done I'm 15 months out from a full open surgery and I down 340 pounds so my suggestion is RNY!

The Band, RNY, DS, and the others are all God Sends to be honest. Each have very good results and merits, All have certain advantages and disadvantages and are all just tools. You be be as successful as you want to be.  A couple of things to throw in here. I had the band. It was the only choice my family supported and since my wife wears the pants in the family, thats what I went with. lol Any way, the statement quoted that the band can and will slip is not accurate. It can and does in about 2 to 4 % of band patients. Depending on which study you look at. And even slips are usually corrected pretty easily.Also, It is possible to loose just as fast as RNY or DS if you put your mind to it. I lost 150 pound and reached goal in 9 1/2 months. Thats compares very favorably to the othe types of WLS. Again, with any WLS, you will get out of it what you put into it. Good luck with your decision and regardless, I know you will be a success

Hi, As with any surgery there is risk with whichevr procedure you pick, so you mustdo your homework before you decide which surgery is right for you. I'm sure each person is particular to the surgery that they have had. Each has it's pro's and con's.  I saw to no one replied about the lapband so I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. You will not lose as fast with the lapband as with the rny. However it is not as serious a procedure because you're not rearranging your plumbing as in the rny. I knew this going into it and I'm ok with it. I had the lapband on Dec. 4th 2006 and as of now I'm down 85 lbs. But I have to tell you I am really don't feel deprived about anything. I know if I got more strict with myself, I would lose faster. Also I have very bad arthritis in both knees and this seriously limits my exercise that I get and I know I would lose more if I exercised more. However so far I'm very happy with my results Sometimes I think losing a little slower is good, it can give your skin a chance to catch up with your smaller body.   As I said each to his own. Just do your homework and find out all you can before you make up your mind. Whatever you decide, the results are worth all the effort. Good luck. Dan

Your doing the right thing to ask around, getting more information.  Have you looked into other procedures? Taked to another surgeon?  Each surgery has its own benefits, risks and side effects.  I had the DS and love it, but it may be more drastic than you need.  Vertical Sleeve might be another option for you. Good luck on the journey.

the good thing about the VSG is that, it in it's self, requires no aftercare, no expensive vitamins to combat the malabsorption of RNY no expensive refills or removal from erosion with the lapband the VSG is simply taking part of your stomach that produces the Ghrelin hunger hormone and the stretchy 'fill er up' part of your stomach, everything else is left intact
so once you get on your feet postop, that is it, no more expense
from the VSG itself hang in there,  this time will pass you are on your way to who you will become no you can't eat a large pizza at one sitting anymore but you can have a slice and feel satisfied!