confusion

Ok so I just had my first visit to a surgeon. Got all the paper work about insurance, yadda. It took me two years since my intial visit to a information session to make the decison to have the procedure done. I thought I had the right procedure picked (lap band). I figured it was less invasive, easily removed if complications arise and I liked the idea of slower weight loss becasue i wanted to prevent all that loose skin sagging that i hear and see so much about. Well, the doctor said I am more of a candidate for gastric bypass because I have considerble alot of weight to lose. More than the 100 lbs that lap band patients lose. He said most lap band patients lose 100 or less pounds. Now i am confused. I just want to feel better physically. I never really see myself as "skinny". I am ok with being a little fluffy, just not this fluffy.. I am scared! I am now confused. HELP!

Hello Andrea: All I will say is that this is a personal decision and if you would like to have lap-band surgery then I would suggest that you tell your doctor that. If he will not do it for you, then I would suggest that you go to another one that will. You have to be comfortable with the doctor and your decision. Ultimately, its not the doctors decision, it is yours. He probably suggested the bypass because of your BMI, but still, its not his decision. Personally, I got the bypass because I felt that it was right for me and if someone would have suggested the band, I would not have listened. Both procedures are the same, the only difference is one they put a band on and the other they re-route your system. For both operations, you have to be put to sleep and have major surgery. The only difference is whether they do it laproscopically or open. Doing is laproscopically, you have less of a recovery time. But both procedures can be done laproscopically. I hope this helps. Grace & Peace Treena

ty both for you reply. I am going to continue with the preliminaries because there is no doubt I will have one of the procedures done. I am not sure just what as yet.

The procedures are NOT the same; in fact, they are very different. Lap Band only creates a smaller stomach pouch. It limits the amount of food you can eat. However, because the remainder of the stomach remains in place, and food is slowed in transit to the duodenum, you do NOT gain a sense of fullness from eating. After RNY bypass, the main body of the stomach is diverted, and a loop of small intestine is connected to the remaining small stomach pouch. The pouch is about the same size as that of the Lap Band, so the amount of food you can tolerate is about the same, but since the residual pouch is now directly connected to the small intestine, you feel full right after eating (the sensation of fullness is connected to stretch in the intestinal wall, not the stomach). Also, because of the diversion, there is a degree of malabsorption associated with RNY which is missing with Lap Band; this increases the rate of weight loss, since the total caloric intake is not fully absorbed. From a practical standpoint in terms of the surgery and recovery, they are similar (if done laparoscopically), but they are VERY different physiologically, and in terms of long-term management and success.

Hello Andrea, I would have to agree with the person who sent the 1st reply. This is a decision you will have to make. I too had the RNY and and there are some differences between the lap band as opposed to the gastric bypass. Here are a few things to considered with both procedures: Anatomy: RNY: Small 1 ounce pouch (20-30cc) connected to the small intestine.Food and digestive juices are separated for 3-5 feet. Lap-Band: An adjustable silicone ring (band) is placed around the top part of the stomach creating a small 1-2 ounce (15-30cc) pouch. Mechanism: RNY: Significantly restricts the volume of food that can be consumed. Mild malabsorption "Dumping Syndrome" when sugar or fats are eaten Lap-Band: Moderately restricts the volume and type of foods able to be eaten. Only procedure that is adjustable Delays emptying of pouch Creates sensation of fullness Weight Loss United States Average statistical loss at 10 years RNY: 70% loss of excess weight More failures (loss of