Lap-Band vs. RNY

Hey Brandi! Oh girl! There are so many things that I want to say about Lab Band that I just felt I really couldn't....I guess because it seems a little rude to me....that it might seem that I am sort of "dissing" another persons decision...especially when it is such a difficult one to make!! There were a couple things about your post that led me to believe you might have stumbled upon some misinformation somewhere. Firstly I wanted to say that, with RNY, it is not a gamble as to how much weight you will lose and when you stop losing. You can gain the weight back...that goes for any WLS procedure. With RNY, weight loss is acheived after the first two years by diet and exercise. Just as your ability to gain the weight back doesn't go away...neither does your ability to lose weight. Many people who have had RNY and gain weight back, are able to lose it again with diet and exercise. Also I wanted to point out something about the "fill" with a Lap Band. You only have the capability to go back and adjust the band with a "fill" (the band actually being filled with saline in order to restrict food intake) two or three times (I think two). So...adjustments are not available for a lifetime. I can say that many doctors suggest Lap Band for women who may want to have babies down the road. I guess the ability to adjust the band will take a lot of the risk of malnutrition out of the pregnancy. However, there are many people who have successful pregnancies after RNY. Anyway....I think it's a good idea to do a little more research. I knew that the Band deteriorated and sometimes caused infections. I was a little concerned that the information you had seemed incomplete and enven inaccurate. Please know that I mean no offense by this post. I am certainly not all-knowing and am no expert. It's hard to know how to post my thoughts without offending. Either way, Brandi, you're on an awesome journey...and we're all behind you and supporting you. That goes for you to Michele! Rock On! -Mary P

Only 2 or 3 fills? I was told you could for sure go back at any point in time, whenever you hit a wall in weight loss that lasted a month or more. Eek! Now I am confused again! LOL! I thought the great benefit was that you could go in for fills for a lifetime if needed.

Again....I'm no expert, but from what I understand, the effectiveness of the band is comprimised every time you go in for a "fill". Also...the risk for complications is higher with each fill. Something to consider: Michele seems to have gotten different information from her surgeon that I have gotten in my research. So....I would definitely delve further into the research if I were you. Don't freak out, though! Plenty of info out there!

Hey Mary and Brandi, The wealth of sharing is one of the great things about this board. It seems that every person has a little bit different information. Even between the doctors, it's different! I've gone to orientation for two different surgeons and some information was consistent but some of it differed. I had not heard there was a limitation on the fills or that the # of fills can affect your WL. The first surgeon I spoke with never said anything about deterioration, but he is a huge proponent of that procedure. The surgeon I saw yesterday spoke about it, and also told me you could end up having fills 2-12 x's the first year, but he did not go into the limitations after that. I too was under the impression you could have them later on down the road if needed. I just think that if we all put out the info we've gotten, it gives everyone more to think about. I don't think you can ever get too much info! This decision is such a personal one...and I'm in agreement as far as not wanting to ever come across as being biased towards a particular procedure. I think they are all pretty good, but have enough differences between them that each person will find the one that best fits what they need from this. Best of Luck in your journey! Michele

Hi, Just adding my 2 cents worth. I had the lap RNY, 5 little tiny scars 3/4", I really never felt like I had anything done. Recovery was great and fast, and I had never had major surgery before. I had a friend have the band and it absessed after 9 days, she borrowed the money from a family member $12,000. She had to have it removed 9 days later, and since has put on lots more weight, and is clinically depressed. She was pressured into it by her insurance. You weight all the options and decide for yourself. Good Luck

I love this site as well, because it really does help to hear so many different stories and advice and what not. It has helped (and confused, LOL) me alot, but I honestly wouldn't even be close to getting any sort of WLS if it weren't for this site. I have met so many groovy people on this website, it just rocks! I am still leaning towards the band, but I for sure see the draw of RNY, which I was going to have up until very recently. I have heard the good, the bad and the ugly about every surgery out there and keep learning more every day. I did find out that there really isn't a limit on the fills during your first year, or any other time, which is comforting to me. I just spoke with somebody who has had 5 in her first year alone. It really does depend on the Dr. operating on you as to what the rules will be for you. Thankx everyone! Brandi

Alaina, I'm scheduled for the Lap-Band with Dr. Patterson on June 21. About a year ago I consulted with my PCP, and he gave me some information that had come to him about Dr. Patterson and the Lap-Band procedure. The fact that there was an option available where I didn't have to get me insides rearranged was what started me on this journey. Now, with more knowledge under my belt, I have had similar thoughts about whether this is the best way for me to go. I still think this is best for me, and that a tentative decision is better than no decision. One thing that has happened is that Dr. Patterson required me to have parathyroid surgery prior to her surgery because my blood work showed I was producing to much parathyroid hormone. For those who don't know, there are four parathyroid hormones about the size of a pea located near the thyroid gland. She told me that most of the time there might be a little tumor on one of the glands, and by removing the gland, the parathyroid hormone level usually went down to the right level. I had surgery on May 28, and ended up having 3 parathyroid hormones removed. I was in surgery for 4 hours! It's been about 2 weeks since the surgery and I still feel the effects of the anesthesia. I have an incision on the base of my neck that's about 3 1/2 inches wide that is healing nicely and has caused me little discomfort. Its the rest of my body that has had all the aches and pains. So, needless to say, having the Band sounds even more appealing now because it will hopefully take a shorter amount of time in surgery. But I don't take anything for granted at this point, and just hope for the fasted recovery possible so I can get on with my life. I know that regardless of which option I choose, it will take a big mental change on my part, using the surgery as a tool for lifelong changes in attitutes and habits. I appreciated reading your posts. Good luck with your surgery! Barb