Lap-Band vs. RNY

I am having second thoughts about the Lap-Band vs. the RNY surgery. Can someone give me pros and cons. My surgeon says he will do either and I am scheduled for a Lap-band on July 6th. I am confused. I want to loose weight but am so scared of getting my insides rearranged. I know with the Lap-Band it will take longer to loose weight. Can someone tell me why they choose one over the other? Thanks!

Hi Alaina! I'm pre-op also, but I decided on RNY. I'll get my surgery date tomorrow! This is just how I see it and the info can vary a little, depending on which surgeon's office you're talking to....I've talked to a few so I'll try to incorporate it all into this: RNY Faster weight loss that banding...first 1/2 typically lost in 1st 6 months, next 1/2 in the next 12. I'm tired of being overweight and having all the problems I have associated with it! I want it of now, lol! Banding I have heard there may not be much weight loss at all in the first 6-12 months because the band needs adjusting. I've also been told it can take up to 5 years to achieve your maximum weight loss. But, to be fair...I have spoken to people who've been banded and while it's slower, they are actually losing right out of the gate. But I have not spoken to anyone who's had one long-term. RNY Yes, the innards get re-arranged much more so some people may have a longer recovery time than w/banding. I also believe it depends on an individual pain threshold and outlook on the surgery....if you expect it to hurt alot or take a long time to heal, I believe it will, from my experiences with surgery and seeing others. I am fortunate to have a high pain tolerance and bounce back pretty easily, barring complications. I hiked to Bagby Hot Springs in snow, just a week after my son was born. And, I walked the entire airport the day I was discharged after a week in the hospital for ovarian cyst surgery. Others do not fare as well, they just go home and sleep and keep taking meds for pain, but I truly believe attitude, etc. makes a HUGE difference is experience! Banding Much less intrusive! And I guess there's a plus side to easily making adjustments. I have read of other people ending up with pouches that were bigger than they expected with an RNY and they are somewhat disappointed by that. I will also say that I'm probably a little weird about "feeling" the port on my side. I didn't consider Norplant birth control because I thought it would bother me. I've heard most people have to "try" to feel it, but it still "weirds me out". It's such an individual decision, but I hope my ramblings help a little! Michele

Hello Alaina! I had RNY (open) in January. For me it came down to statistics. The RNY is considered the "Gold Standard". This is the procedure that has been performed successfully for 30 years. It's success rate is phenominal. This is the first major surgery I have ever had and I honestly was not interested in any chance of failure. In my thinking...if I am going to opt for surgery to lose the weight...I want the best possible chance at success. If that means a big ol' nasty scar down my torso...then so be it. Anyway...that was my thinking. There are pros and cons to both, to be sure. Bottom line for me was statistics and success rates. Its a really heavy decision....but I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you! ALSO.....I think it's normal to freak out the month before surgery and rethink EVERYTHING!! Good luck to you! -Mary P

Hi Alaina, I am right there with you, and Dr. Hong is my Doctor too. They did the same thing by the way with my choosing of a Dr.. I called for Dr. Patterson, they told me to attend the seminar. Dr. Patterson was not there but I did meet her husband, and Dr. Hong did the presenation. I think they do that purposely to get him some business. Then I submitted my appl. and they set my appt. with Dr. Hong. Well, I am now thinking that as nice as Dr. Hong is and even though he has done a few girls here on this board, if I am going to have the RNY I want the Dr. who has done the most. You might want to read my profile too. Dr. Hong has done about 50 of each surgeries, and Dr. Patterson about 400-500 of each and she has had I think 2 deaths which I am not sure what they were from. I am now meeting with her in a few weeks and will find out all that info. If you want to leave me your number or email me directly I can answer anymore questions you may need. I am trying to have the Lap-Band first then if my Insurance doesn't approve I may have her do the RNY. Best of luck in whatever you decide..... Nadine

Thanks for all the help you guys. This board is just the best. I am still debating the whole thing but have pretty much decided to stick with the Lap-Band. I am just thinking with little ones at home I need the least amount of recovery as possible. Thank you all so much again!

Alaina - I hear recovery for lap band is indeed much quicker, so you may have something there in your choice. I might have tried the lap band had I the right cir****tances, but now that I have had the RNY I'm happy that is what I have had done. Thing is, you can always do the rny later if you need to.... Dina

I just now made my choice, the Band! My reasons are: You have a life long steady weight! With the RNY you could gain weight back many years down the road. With the band, you can just go in and get another fill! Loosing weight slower is healthier and you won't be on vitamins for the rest of your llife, since you will abosorb everything you eat. It's less intrusive. With exercise and healthy habits, and fills, there is no reason why you wouldn't loose all the extra weight. With the RNY, you loose til you stop and thats it. you could go underweight, overweight, whichever. The band you can have filled and unfilled til you reach your healthy weight and stay there! Hope this helps. I was seriously considering the RNY but after research, I decided this was for me. Brandi

Well, I just had my meeting with my surgeon today. He does both surgeries. He told me that complications of the RNY are that you could leak. Complications of the RNY are found out prior to leaving the hospital. With Banding, you may have to have it adjusted 2-12 times per year. The band may also deteriorate. Just a few more tidbits!

the band deteriorates??? HUH?? This is news to me! Oh my go****hat doesn't sound good at all! Do you have any details on that? Does your body just absorb the material?

He just said it can....he didn't say it definitely would. It can errode through your stomach and then you have to have your stomach repaired. There are also chances of slippage. www.lapbandsupport.com www.lapbandcenter.com Slippage of additional stomach tissue under the band Erosion of the band into the stomach Infection and/or breakage of the injection port (rare) Gastric symptoms But, there are complications with RNY as well! My biggest reason is that I don't want it to take 3-5 years to lose this weight, I want it off as quickly as possibly. The complication rate with RNY is very low, as it is with Banding. Michele