Lap Band or bypass

Hi there, my name is Brian. This may take awhile but I want to share my reasons why I chose the RNY. I do not want to put down other surgeries. I would just like to explain why I chose the RNY. I was self pay. I could have gone with any surgery available...done anywhere in the world. About 6 months before my surgery my cardiologist came to me during my appointment and stated to me I "had" congestive heart failure. It seemed he was announcing to me a death sentence. My heart had a ejection rate of 35% (meaning the heart was pumping out the blood in my heart at that percent). Normal is about 50%. I asked if there was anything that could be done. He said weight loss may help, but once you have it, you have it for life. After much research and prayer, I decided to have the RNY. I wanted to have my surgery at a local hospital. I felt I needed to have it at a hospital that had a good cardiology department. I had a heart attack and a double heart bypass 6 years prior.
Looking at the LapBand, I felt it was too much work. Also the weight regain was a concern. I looked into the DS, also. The thought of having much of my stomach removed scared me. DS had been proven effective at the time, yet to get my surgery locally was important to me. I felt most doctors know the RNY and the complications associated with it. If I ended up in an emergency room, they would understand my situation better than trying to explain the DS. (By the way, many doctors are clueless about both.) I had to get a staph infection cleared up prior to surgery. The DS is really 2 surgeries at the same time. Right or wrong, that scared me. I also “had" Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The RNY surgery originally was designed to help IBS...They later found out it was effective in weight loss, too. With RNY they have found the sweet spot. They now know how much small intestine to remove to be effective…yet still allowing for enough absorption. I had to get cleared for my surgery by my surgeon, PCP, and cardiologist. I hurried through my psych evaluation and pre-op classes. I then scheduled my surgery. It all got done within 3-4 months (again, I was racing the clock concerning my heart). I had the surgery and have not looked back I got to my and my doctor’s goal in 6 months and 10 days (190#). My ejection rate rose to 45-50 percent (normal). The IBS is totally gone!! I regained about 25 pounds (by eating carbs and sugar). I then had a second heart attack. It was a wake up call. I worked and dropped 20 pounds using my tool (yes it is hard work…but well worth it). Every day from here to my death is gravy (well, maybe gravy is a bad analogy…more like bonus). No major complications and I am enjoying life. I can eat anything and not get sick. Yet, some things I must only eat in moderation. WLS is a tool…it is work. But I myself would do it again in a heartbeat. Just me.