New to forum need advice

I did a lot of research on both bands.  What I liked about the realize band is that it has less complications than the Lap Band...erosion, slippage etc.  The R band is one complete balloon where as the L Band has 3 (I think) balloons.  The R band port is less noticeable and is clamped to the muscle where as the L Band is stitched...which is more likely to flip.  I hope the doctor you choose is not in Somerset NJ.  Research, Research!!!!!!

I appreciate your feedback. I am not doing the RNY as I am way to afraid and I have had other complications during a previous surgery (not regarding weight loss). I understand the band is not a miracle and you have to work at it the same as you would a weight loss program.  I am just looking for a tool to help me acheive my goal. 

I got the band originally, and it caused me awful reflux (I had reflux before the band) and after the adjustments started, it was unbearable.

Got the band out last March and now have RNY and LOVE IT!

I know many who have been and continue to be successful with the band though.  

Research, research, research!!!

If I am correct you have RNY which is gastric bypass right? I am too worried to have such an extensive surgery at this point. I do not suffer from reflux thank god. I know my husband does and it is terrible at times.  I have a first appointment with the Dr next week and I am looking into the less invasive option there is.  I am hesitant but need help. Thank you for your input.

I have the lap band system band and had a prolapse , my band was too tight and I was so far away from my doctor (Trenton to Livingston NJ) I waited until my next appointment to have the adjustment and I was eating and getting sick (vomiting) which caused the prolapse.  This is one reason that you pick a surgeon near your home.  I now have a doctor which is within 10 minutes of my home and am able to get to him if there is a need to be adjusted.  You are right when you say it is just a tool.  It will be 3 years in May and I have lost 77lbs so far and have about 20lbs to goal.  Remember you did not gain your weight overnight and it may take time to loss but if you are determined to follow doctors advice the weight will come off.  If I had to do it over again I would still choose the band.  It is reversible and the other procedures are not, you might loss faster but at least what you do eat gets absorbed into your system and there are a lot of supplements required with RNY because of not absorbing all you eat.  Really talk to your surgeon about the options he will guide you.  I had less than a 100lbs to loss and that is why my doctor advised me on the band.
Joann

I am a fan of RNY as it is the gold standard of wls and is less restrictive than the band. If you are a yo yo dieter and want to get the weight off quickly you should consider having RNY. I don't know many people who have had the band who have lost all their weight. It is hard to "cheat" with RNY and easy to cheat with the band. You need fills with the band and that is time consuming to keep getting them done. You need to find out if the fills are covered by insurance. Many people I know started off wanting the band, including myself, and changed their minds after finding out the true facts. Find out from your consultations with surgeons what the pros and cons are of each type of surgery. My surgeon did mostly RNY's as he knew they always resulted in a better long term outcome. I am 3 1/2 years post op and have lost all my weight and am maintaining.

Thanks  so much for your input Sherri...I am open to all opinions. My reason for leaning more towards the band is because I have had 2 abdominal surgeries.  I feel that the band is less invasive for me.  I have not had my consult yet so I have many questions I need to ask. I am so happy that  you have reached your goal and is maintaining.

Gia, my position is that everyone needs to be very clear about what life will be like post-op, and be willing to deal with whatever that reality is. Personally, I chose RNY and I've been very happy with that decision. Given my physiology and history, the band would probably not have been very effective in my case.

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but I never really understood why people think that a lap band is the "less invasive" choice. You are inserting a foreign object into your body and leaving it there. I guess what they are really saying is that it is more easily reversed if there are complications. However, it would seem that if the band had to be removed, the weight would likely return.

I'm not suggesting that the band is a bad choice, and I know many people that have had great success with it. I just believe we all need to be realistic and think these things through completely. Every surgery has its own inherent "invasiveness," so that factor alone is not really a reason to choose one over another.

I understand you completely and like I said I am new to this whole idea and forum.  I am looking at it from my point of view as I have had 1 major abdominal surgery with many complications (not weight loss related at all) because of that one surgery I ended up having another big surgery....I had depletion of vitamins, malnutrition, anemia, etc....so I am apprehensive to begin with.  I am not certain which direction I will be heading but at this point in my life I want to proceed with whatever the Doctor feels is better for me.  I am all for the surgery that works best for each individual.

I am not against either position anyone seems to take. I am new here and have yet to consult with my physician. I feel whatever works best for each individual should be the way for them to proceed.  I hope to be well informed when I proceed on my Weight loss journey and whichever way the Doctor feels I should proceed is the way I intend to go.  I have alot more to learn before making this life altering decision.  I do appreciate your feedback and honesty.