Deciding between RNY or LapBand?

I am in the initial preop testing phase for a LapBand. But, I'm not completely sold. How do you decide between the two options of RNY or LapBand? I initially feared  gastric bypass because of the risks of complications and the fact that I am only 30 years old. I will be living w/ this decision for a long time, hopefully! But, now I am worried the LapBand will not help me loose ALL of my weight as gastric bypass would. And, RNY seems like a more popular option here at ObesityHelp from everyone's profiles. I just don't want to make the wrong decision. Please Help...

Hi there and welcome to the boards. I cannot tell you how to come to that conclusion. For me, I originally wanted the band but then came to the conclusion that I wanted permanent and was concerned with the erosion issues or slippage issues with the band. I also had a surgeon in mind who was not experienced with the band. I had also heard that the band was hard to get approved but I believe that has changed now. I would just talk to people and see what they have to say. I hope that you come to the right conclusion for you. It is all just personal choice. Good luck! Lisa

Sounds like you've done some research already.  You know that the RNY is permanent and the Band is less so, there are pros and cons to both of those.  You know that you will lose more weight faster, generally speaking, with RNY.  However, when results are compared 5 years out, RNY and Band are more similar than originally thought.  Most doctors will recommend RNY for higher BMIs, but I think your's is more borderline.  There is a higher chance for complications with RNY because it's more invasive, but Band isn't without risks.  They both have the same main risk, which is DVT, or clots in the legs that travel to your lungs.  That doesn't come from the procedure itself, but from the inactivity while recovering.  You need to keep moving.  You can remedy that by walking as much as you can as often as you can pre and post op. The bottom line is to look at what you want out of the surgery.  What are your expectations?  I wanted the permanence because I wanted to know that there was no going back.  I thought it was good to get away from the whole concept of dieting.  I liked the malabsorbptive properties of RNY as well, seemed like extra insurance, so to speak.  The two main reasons that I had RNY were: That's what my insurance covered and my BMI was much higher which is better suited for RNY.  Ultimately, it is your decision.  Read everything you can on both procedures, the right one will be obvious to you after a time. Good luck with the process. Take care. Ellen

As everyone has stated, it is a personal decision.  I never considered the band for the following reasons: 1)  I wasn't comfortable having a foreign object placed in my body for an undetermined amount of time. 2)  I didn't like the idea of having to keep going back for fills and unfills (I'm not overly fond of needles!) 3)  I felt like I had too much weight to lose for the band to be effective in helping me get down to where I want to be. 4)  I like the faster weight loss results with the RNY (I have no patience and like instant gratification!!) 5)  I needed something that would make me be more accountable for the food decisions I make.  I know banders usually don't have the "dumping" syndrome and I like that I have to be more careful with the food choices with the RNY if I don't want to make myself sick.  I love sweets and know that I would be more tempted to eat those if I had the band.

Again, it is a personal decision and everyone is different.  What works best for one is not always what works best for another.  I had my RNY last week and am doing great!  I wouldn't change it for the world.  That said, there are several banders who post on here that feel the same way about their band. So do all the research you can and read the RNY and Lapband forums.  There is such a wealth of information on both forums.  I'm sure you will make the right decision for you!   Good luck!! Hugs, Donna

It really is such a personal decision. Keep doing your research! I chose the lapband for many reasons, one of which is because I'm young. Since it's reversible, I felt like I still had other options if it didn't work. As another poster said, the stats are very similar at five years out. If I didn't have the lapband, I probably would have had the DS which has better stats as far as % of weight loss. Each surgery has it's own risks and complications. Whichever way you go, please research your surgeon and make sure they are highly experienced with whichever procedure you choose. Good luck!

Ok I am always the odd person around here. haha For me the band was my only choice. I was afraid of the others and my husband didn't support me for anything but the band. So I knew that this was my one and only tool I that I had and I had to make it work. I have lost over a 100 pounds and it's been 2 years and so far have kept it off. I still loss about a 1/2 pound or s a week or about 2 - 3 pounds a month. Sometimes at this point I just maintain which is fine w/ me. I started at 316 pounds. So to see myself getting closer to that 199 mark is SO exciting. I will say no matter what surgery you go with there is going to be work. With the RNY you have the malasorbation so you will loose more in the begining but like someone said the studies show that over a 5 year period both the band and RNY you end up about the same spot. The key to any surgery is that you take use your tool to the best of your ability and succeed w/ anything you are giving.  If you would like to learn more about how us bandsters are we are having a get together this Saturday @ Ruby Tuesdays on Arrowood and 77. We meet up monthly. The time is 11:30. Anyone is welcome as we have several RNYers that join us each month. So really it's a WLS group that meets monthly we just all come from a band board so we call it a bandsters meeting.  I wish you the best of luck and really no matter what you chose it has to be right for you and you have to use it to the best of your ability and you will successful with anything. I my opinion you can't go wrong w/ any of them.

Hi there! I recently made the decision to have the lap band and actually had it done on Monday. Although I chose the band, I fully respect the decision others have made for their chosen procedures. I chose the band for the following reasons: 1. I like the fact that the band is reversible. If for some reason I should ever have problems with my stomach such as colo-rectal cancer, it won't limit my treatment options.  2. I like the fact that you can have fills whenever needed. I have a cousin who had RNY and she cannot stop loosing weight now. She said she has tried to gain weight now, but can't. She doesn't look healthy after losing 150lbs.   3. With lap band, the weight loss is gradual, therefore you don't have as much "excess skin" as you might with the RNY. I am a big girl, but very tone and I would like to keep my tone as I lose. That is a personal choice. Best of luck as you make your decision. It is a lifelong one, but I am sure you will do your homework and do what is right for you. 

Well, I've looked into both options, and there are a few major reasons why I am planning on doing the RNY. I am diabetic, and bypassing the duodenum, which the RNY does, has seemed to almost instantaneously improve your diabetes, or eliminate it completely. That was a HUGE factor in choosing RNY. Also, I am over 300 lbs, and I honestly want to drop the excess pounds as fast as I can. I am going to be graduating college in May 2008, and I want to be healthy and more prepared for job interviews and the real world. I want to have the energy and stamina I need to work 40 hours + a week. The permanence of the RNY surgery is a bit overwhelming, but for me, I need that major change, that will keep me on the right track for good. Also, the severity of the RNY is what I feel I need. Even if I don't end up dumping from sugar, I need the idea of that. I need to know that there is only a certain amount of food I can eat, and only certain kinds of food. I would do whatever research and talking that is needed until you reach a decision that you feel 100% confident with. Do not chance it, and rush into something you're not absolute about. Good luck!