Confused Newbie

I know this is a personal decision but I would like to know what made you choose Realize/Lap-Band over RNY. I was so going towards the Lap-Band/Realize until I attended a seminar and now I am not so sure if I am really against RNY, I had many fears b/c the stomach was being cut. So yes this is a personal decision but I would like to know your opinions or better yet your reasons for selecting Lap-Band/Realize. Thank You in advance.

Hi Roxy, it is a personal decision, but for me I chose the realize band because I only had to be out of work about a week and that it is reversible. You aren't supposed to go into surgery thinking it may have to be reserved, but just knowing it can made me feel better.  I am only a month out but so far so good.

Take care,
Brenda

i am a single parent and can't afford the time off work,but i just really didnt like the whole cutting thing, i am a cancer survivor and have had 9 surgeries since 2004.....all related somehow to the breast cancer.
so realize is the way for me to go
lori

My age was a big factor for me in deciding on my surgery- it seems like it was the conservative choice so I should try the least invasive that will work, and the lowest mortality rate,  and I know later if it doesn't work I can look into other options. I also had an issue with the commitment of taking vitamins for the rest of my life. Honestly, people say that banding turns them off because of the fills- I'm like, yeah, once or twice a year versus EVERY DAY (vitamins). I also liked the idea of knowing shortly after whether it would work- I know way too many stories of people who had RNY and didn't address their eating habits properly or whatever and got way thin and then started gaining it all back. That was terrifying to me, considering that its basically irreversable and I could end up back at the same place AND have the vitamin issues. Finally, with me, I was self-pay so it was cheaper and I didn't have to miss any school.

I had the same feelings but someone I work with gave me some great perspective on Banding vs. RNY......  if the band doesn't work or you have issues, you can change it and have the RNY.... if the RNY doesn't work or you have issues - what choices will you have then after you've already made a huge phyical change to your body.  That being said, I know there are other options out there, but at the time, I was only considering the RNY vs Banding. 

I am very happy with my decision. For me, I consider the band a tool and without using the other tool (my brain), it won't work for me.  So, it forces me to be "aware" at all times of what I am eating, how fast I am eating it and I think about what it will do to me physically (i.e, will it cause discomfort or get stuck, etc.).

I started my journey in June 2008, had my surgery in September 2008 and I've lost 49 lbs since the start (27 of that since surgery on 9/25). 

I struggle with the head hunger but that's what I wanted to happen - I don't want my stomach to do all the thinking and decision making for me - I want my head to make the right choices and use the gift wisely.

That is how I made my decision.

Whatever you decide, you're halfway there and are taking the right steps.  Use the site as much as possible- I have learned SO much on here from reading posts and the people here are so very supportive.  It's a wonderful place to be.....

Good luck to you.

Kelly

I like that.. thank you so very much!

I choose the band because of the flexibility. If you become seriously ill (i.e. cancer) or get pregnant, the band can be emptied of saline to allow you to eat almost normally, then refilled when it's safe. My secondary reason was dumping syndrome, while common with bypass is not nearly as severe for bands. I have diarrhea the first week after surgery but that was due to the liquid diet. Since then I have no diarrhea and very little stomach discomfort. I am very happy with my choice. As other people pointed out, then band is less invasive, with a lower chance of complications and mine was even done as an outpatient procedure. I was only at the hospital for 5 and 1/2 hours. I returned to work after a week, but probably could have gone back after 3-4 days if I hadn't scheduled the time off in advance.

Hi Roxy-You came to the right place!  RNY was something i considered 5 years ago, but after much research i choose the realize band.  REalize over lap band because the port is a smidge wider and its a bit lower profile, other than that they are basically the same.  I have compared them in my hand side by side. 

RNY I plan on loosing as much weight as a RNY patient, jut not as fast.  I want to loose it over time.  giving me more time to work out and build muscle before any plasitc surgery.  Also, i love my hair!  I dont want to loose it due to malabsorbtion, i dont want a lifetime of tons of vitimans just to keep my energy level up, i am a suger NUT, with the band i can still have tiny bits of sweets and not feel deprived!  I know i would NEVER be able to give up sweets 100%!!!!!!!

Hope this helps!
Renee

Renee,
I too am a suger/sweet nut. I want to bypass Thanksgiving dinner and just can't wait for the dessert time.. yummy.. The Dr. I am consulting in his seminar stated he prefered the realize band and passed it around.

Thats the thing to do!  compare them side by side-and if you are a praying woman (i deffinatly am) pray about it.  I really feel like God lead me every step of the way with my entire process!
 

Either way ya cant go wrong!!  As long as ya end up a "looser'!!