Lap Band Success?

To make a long story short I've been told that my doc won't do RNY for me now, so chances are it's going to be Lap Band or nothing. How many of you have had Lap Band and how do you gauge your success in comparison to others who have had RNY?  I know it's slower but I also hear that Lap Band works really well for men. Input?

All WLS today works well if you use the tool given you.  If not RNY, could you get a DS in Canada?  Here on the boards many Canadians get DS's.  The draw back of the Lap Band is that you have to make adjustments (refills) and there could be slippage of the band.  Also many have said it may be easier to cheat (eating the wrong things) with the Lap Band.  And many Lap Banders gain a large percentage of the weight back again.  Just my thoughts.  Brian

 After talking to my surgeon today I'm much more happy with the idea of the band. I can't wait.

Jay, I've seen people just as successful with Lap-Band as with other procedures. Sorry to hear you have had yet another setback. Did the doc give you good reason for "Lap-Band Only" option? All of the procedures require a lifestyle change, just different ones. How goes the ongoing delayed diet-run-to the ever-moving-finish-line? As ****ty as it is, keep your head up! Hope you get what you need soon. Best Wishes- Dx Oh! and - Checkout Neal-R's-Profile.

Hey DX. I haven't talked to the doc yet, just the nurse. I see the doc today. after posting over on the lap band board I think I'm a bit more okay with it. If it's my only option, so be it. My girlfriend is much happier with the idea too since I'm not "re-wiring" my insides. She was scared about everything.

My girlfriend was scared about everything too before I had my RNY and I was just like listen, if I die you get to have my PSP and Nintendo Wii and all my books so just hush! I would strive for the RNY/DS if I were you buddy, but then again we all have opinions like we all have a**holes. Good luck either way!

PSP Wii and books! Good deal! lol

At first I was Lap-Band all the way...I did more research and went to two orientations and after that I knew RNY was the better choice for me with regard to the health issues I have. Also after meeting with the surgeon I am going with, he said he wouldn't of done Lap-Band on me...it isn't a strong enough tool for my situation. I think you really need to see what , if any, health issues that you have right now and how much you need to lose to be healthy....that could be your case when you speak to the Dr why you feel that one surgery may be better than the other one...I took this appraoch and my surgeon completely agreed that RNY is the better choice for me. Also you may want to grab the WLS book for Dummies(yellow book series) it is FANTASTIC for just starting out...just my .02 -Rob

Could you see another surgeon maybe? It's your decision, not his.

That being said, there is no reason you can't make a band work for you. You also need to talk to your girlfriend and educate her that the band is considered as permanent as the RNY. Both procedures are reversable, but you better not get them with reversibility in mind as a criteria. This is a big decision with lifelong ramifications. I just got mine a week and a half ago and I'm still coming to terms with the permanence of my decision, everyone does.

Like everyone has said, a band can work fine for you, you just have to have a stronger commitment and a little more patience. Good luck either way and don't be a stranger.

I can't gauge long term results, but I will share my experience so far.   I am one month out from my lap band surgery, and it seems to be doing me a world of good.  I am 98% recovered with only a large scab over my port incision left to heal; I am able to exercise regularly w/o difficulty; and, most importantly, I feel great!  I have more energy than I've had in a long time.  I have lost 30 lbs. over the last month, but I can't imagine I will keep up that kind of rapid weight loss for long.  It definitely keeps me from eating too much; 3 small meals a day with maybe a protein shake in the mid-morning, and that's it. Anybody other banders out there?