50+ LapBand vs RNY success stories

Hello all,
I have started the process for WLS and am still undecided about LapBand vs RNY.  I see most of the 50+ folks have gone RNY, but they are a few I am seeing that have opted for the LapBand.

I am wondering if there was some particular reason that moved you to choose one or the other as it related to your age.  I am 52 now and am worried my metabolism isn't as it once was, not that it was ever that great.

Thanks for all the information and support I have gotten from so many already that you don't even know.

Hobbitzz

Hi--I'm 59 ad will have RNY on Aug. 19th.  My surgeon said he considers lap to be too new and does not get as much weight loss as RNY.  He gave me a target of 200lb which surprised me but he said 80% of patients at my age and weight could achieve that goal within one year.  So I started at 359lb 15 months ago and after jumping through all the insurance stuff I am at 335lb--soon to be less.  I have Weight Loss for Dummies--got it used at Amazon.com.  You might want to get a copy.  It has good basic info.  Helga

Thanks for the information, I will check into getting the book.  So many posts on this message board and others have been helpful providing good information.

Hello,
21 months ago, at age 59 and weighing 320 pounds, I had RNY.

My age had nothing to do with my decision for this type of surgery. The thought of having a port and needing fills for the rest of my life was the deciding factor.

I knew it would drive me crazy to have a foreign object just under the skin and I am deathly afraid of needles.  It took 3 years of research to make that decision.

I lead  lap-band & RNY  support groups too. More of the over 50 people have decided to have the lap-band rather than the RNY though. Their reasons all vary. It seems to depend on their personal life style, wanting a less invasive surgery, plus a million other reasons.

Not once in the two years that I have attended the support groups have I heard anybody say they made the wrong surgery choice. They did their homework, attended BOTH groups to ask questions, and have all done very well.

RNY was a good choice for me. I have lost 207 pounds and weigh 113 pounds.

Do your research and attend a support group if that is possible. Either way it is a tool and you will have to work the tool.

Good luck
Annette

I was all set to have lap band surgery and when my surgeon and I discussed the issue, he truly lead me to believe RNY was best for me. One of the reasons was the frequent trips back to have fills.....I live 105 miles away from his office. Also, he felt at my age (68 at time of surgery) the RNY would be the most successful, and it has been. I've not had any problems at all......came thru surgery just fine and had an easy recovery. The only thing I've found is that at my age I seem to lose a lot slower,

however, I am very pleased to have 88 lbs gone in less than a year. It may take me another year to lose the last 55 lbs, but I am happy losing it slowly. Before surgery I took 11 meds, now I only take 5....no more diabetes meds and no more blood pressure meds.....what a relief.

This surgery has given me probably another 20 yrs on my life span and I am truly thankful to my wonderful surgeon and his support staff, but most of all to my Savior, Jesus who has walked with me the whole journey.



Best wishes on your decision.

Pat R.

I'm really pretty new at this having had surgery June 5.  That makes me 8 weeks along in this process.  I waited a full year for my surgery while going through all the required insurance process. 

I didn't want the foreign object of the band as well as the fills.  Like Annette, I don't like needles.  I don't live quite as far from the surgical group but it's still a distance.  Also, my insurance doesn't pay for the fills and I would have that expense on my own.

My surgeon considered me a "lightweight" and felt that lap band was more minimally invasive than RNY but accepted my reasoning that I didn't want to have to go through a second surgery if lap band wasn't all I needed.

My eating/weight problem was more than just a feeling of fullness with food.  I like that fact that now I could care less if I ever eat again and RNY has given me that feeling.  I've never felt that before.

I have a good friend who chose Lap Band and is dong GREAT with it.  It took me a solid 6 weeks to recover from my surgery and I have had problems with maintaining my protein level after surgery but that's comin' around now.

Good luck with your decision.  It's a tough one. 

Kathi

Well, I was 59 at the time of surgery.  Now 10 months later, I am 60.  I chose lap band because I wanted to keep all my innards where they are and intact.  I have to drive 250 miles for my fills, but I'v only needed 3, so I'm happy.  The needle part isn't a problem, I close my eyes, and I can't feel it.  My year anniversary is soon and I am trying to schedule a trip back to Mexico for a fluoro and a look at everything.  Just to be sure all is running smoothly.  My DH will be 67 (or 68 if this process gets any slower) when he gets his band.  I have lost 81 pounds in 10 months.  The last 2 months I have slowed down quite  a bit.  Part of it is, I am getting used to seeing the new me in the mirror and I'm happy with her right now.  I'll continue to eat right and exercise and I know it will keep dropping until I get the last 19 pounds off.  I started a 267, want to get to 167.  If it takes another 10 months to get there it's all good!

I was 54 when I had lap-band surgery 10 mos ago.  My age had nothing to do with my choice of surgery.  I didn't want to have my innards rerouted, so the band was the only choice for me.  I have been very successful with it.  I have lost 95% of my excess weight and am still losing.

I don't mind having the band and port in me any more than I would mind any other kind of medical implant (heart pacemaker, artificial joint, whatever).  My fills are quick and don't hurt at all. 

I think the band takes more maintenance than RNY because of the fills.  It can take several fills to achieve optimal restriction.  The rate of weight loss is slower with the band - an average of 1-2 lbs/week.  If you have obesity-related medical conditions that need to be resolved quickly, RNY might be a better choice.

When making your decision, consider what type of eater you are.  I was a volume eater, so a purely restrictive WLS procedure has worked well for me.  But if you are a snacker or grazer, or addicted to sweets, a malabsorptive procedure like RNY might be a better choice.

I have 2 friends who have had WLS in their 50's - one who had lap RNY at age 53, the other who had lap-band at age 53 - and both have done very well.  None of us had any problems recovering from surgery.

Good luck!
Jean

I had LAP RNY at age 59. When I started the pre op process I weighed 345.  On surgery day I as 318. In 7 months I was down to 222, lower than my initial target wt of 225. I now weigh 187, some 27 months post op. RNY is better for larger wt losses, lap band for those that only need to lose 60-80 pounds or a little more. My profile page might help you understand the process. DAVE

Thanks again to all that have posted.  I am happy to see that for the most part age was not the determining factor in your choice.  i will find a couple of support group meetings and attend those for additional information. 

The members of OH have helped me tremendously telling your stories.  I have yet to complete my profile and start a blog page, but will have that coming soon.  Thanks again for all the support.  It is good to have a community of people to turn to.  regarless of the situation, there seems to be someone here on OH that has been there.