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 I have found what you have stated to the case as well. Any surgery is work.  In my research I too have found the band to have many unique complications.  My medical team genarlly uses band when there is less weight to lose and on a limited basis.  I have found no absolutes in any meetings. Surgeries and outcomes can vary as personalities, addictions and lifestyles do.  I have come to terms with what I must do and just hope I do not have too many complications.  I am looking forward to what I hope will be improved health and decreased dependency on medications. I am also hopeful that the surgery can help me retrain my body and mind to accept certain limitations and embrace new opportunities.  I am determined to succeed.

So you're working on the tough choice "What surgery should I have?"

But don't forget the second challenging question of "Who am I going to employ and allow to splice and dice my guts?"  I saw you said you don't want complications (who does?), and locating an experienced, above-average surgeon will somewhat lower the odds that you'll have a complication.

Complications depend upon:

- Your determination and your ability to adhere to "the rules"
- Your surgeon's level of skill and experience
- Luck / chance / odds

If you'd like help on "retraining" your mind, you might want to check out this book.  I found it really helpful to prepare me for the mental changes that come with WLS.

 It definitely does depend on your lifestyle. Sounds like since you like activity and healthy food, that you might be able to go with either RNY or DS. 

It's just my opinion that active obese people and maybe those who start out with relatively low BMI's can have at least as much success with the RNY. Didn't mean to criticise your current lifestyle or eating habits or anything. 

Dave

 What a great conversation this has turned into.  I'm really enjoying it!!!

 So far all the doctors I have met face to face only offer the RNY, band, or sleeve. It has been recommended based on goals that the RNY is where I need to be.  I have controlled really bad hypertension.,  I take like 9-10 pills for that and diabetes.  I have trouble avoiding sweets but love all healthy foods and would love to just get moving again but worry about bp.  All other major systems currently are ok had heart catheterization, head scan, ultrasound, a billion blood tests, liver tests, kidney test, all ok I guess im just fat and as a result blood pressure is horrible when not on meds.  Exercise is exhausting and painful but I pray for the day I can do at least semi vigorous exercise again.  My weight has really affected my hunting and fishing the last 2-3 years, as well as biking and camping, and school.  I withdrew last semester I got so sick and went into the hospital 3 times for bp.  I am now going back but taking online courses so I am hoping to finish surgery within the next 60 days so by the time summer is here I can get moving and get ready for clinicals again.  Not sure if there is a question in here somewhere but just felt the need to spill my guts.  I now really hate being fat.  My kids asked me what I look like in shape and I realized they have never seen me at a healthy weight.  I really felt aweful at that realization.  Next week I ,meet the surgeon and the dietician one on one hopefully for the last time before surgery.  The insurance company case manager assures me that things should go fine with submitting case and she will get it through in under two weeks.  Imagine an insurance company calling and asking you to submit so they can get me taken care of.  

 Interesting discussion.  Just wanted to mention that RNY is the "Gold Standard" for Weight Loss Surgery with 40+ years of history and research and with it now being done laparascopically at most places is safer than it ever was.  I had my surgery done at Tufts and this is really the surgery they pushed and have pretty much perfected it there.  I have lost almost 200 pounds with my RNY 11 months ago. I now jog 15 miles per week and walk another 9, coach my girls softball, help out in softball clinics, basketball and on and on.  RNY has definitely given me life back now and I agree with others that it is just a Tool to accomplish what you were having trouble doing on your own.  Whatever your decision it is well worth it and I wouldn't have changed a thing!!

 I am amazed at your accomplishments as well as your appreciation of them.  I dont think most people realize what it is like to lose yourself inside a person you do not want to be.  My hats off to you on yhour success.  I am shooting to hit 150 pounds which would put me at my Army weight.  Have you had time to set a goal for yourself and are you doing anything different at 11 months then you were say at six months to keep yourself heading in the direction you want to go?

 Thanks, it is truly a remarkable thing and I still feel like I have a long way to go!!   I am not setting a numerical goal, more of a feel right goal.  At six months, I hadn't truly embraced the exercising.  Was doing it but it was more of a chore than anything.  Now at eleven months I have finished the c25K.com program and am in the gym at least 5 times a week running and loving it.  Just a whole new take on life.  I am totally heading in the right direction.  Where it leads is anyone's guess.  Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint and have slipped up from time to time but in general I do the right thing!!  I've donated all my 5X-7X clothes so those are out of the house.  I am in the process of bagging up my 4X stuff because I am pretty much wearing a 2X now.  Crazy ride!

I think that with any surgery, what is important is changing your eating and lifestyle.  You must come to grips with why you eat too much.  As Americans, we eat too much and the wrong foods.

Almost four years out, I know I have stretched out my pouch a little.  I can eat about 1/3 to 1/2 of a restaurant serving.  It is funny I will order something and think that is not much food and then will only have a small amount.  I still have the restriction, because I make a point of not stretching out my pouch and eating healthy amounts.

By eating the wrong foods, snacking, drinking calories, you can bypass the bypass.  It is all about eating right, exercise and developing a healthy lifestyle.