Open RNY or Lap Band

Hey everybody, What surgery do you think is better? According to the center i'm going through it's my choice. Thanks, Renee

If i was in your situation... I'd personally chose Open RNY.... just beacause i dont like the fact that you have to keep gettin the band filled and that you can "cheat" with sweets. Meagan

Ditto. I got the RNY and it was done laproscopically. Basically you have 3 days of recovery in the hospital.... you're walking up and down the hallway on the same day as your surgery. No sweet cheats and as Meagan mentioned theres no refilling a band..... If you can have this surgery I would really recommend it.

Hi Renee... Well I was 18( recently turned 19) when I had my surgery and I had the Lap-Band. Reasons because you have a quicker recovery rate plus there is no re-routing of your anatomy, etc... One big myth about the band is that you do not lose as much weight. Im 7 months out and have lost 85 lbs...If you follow the diet and do your exercise, you will lose the weight. It may be a "little slower", but its not that much slower, my personal opinion. In fact, Ive lost more than some rny'ers by this time post op... I think it depends on the person...are you willing to have a surgery that is more complex and the equivelent of open heart surgery? The band is much more safe and all. With this time post op, without even trying, i automatically lose 5 lbs each month. And on the issue of the dumping....I will dump if I have something with too much sugar, or eat too much your food will get stuck and it will come back up...its not pleasant, but there are some side effects. And with the fills.....you only get a fill when you lose your sensation of fullness..plus, when you lose alot of weight the band will get looser around the stomach, so thats another reason for getting a fill. Good luck.... Megan

Open heart surgery????.....LOL..... I'm just gonna ease out of this one..... because everyone has their preferences......

First off, thank you Tina for your praises...I appreciate them! Congrats to you too, you seem to be doing great!! Secondly, yes Dennis, RNY is the equivelant as to open heart surgery. I have been to many seminars and all the surgeons have agreed that these two surgeries are the same level of intensity; so forth. So take it for what its worth..you dont have to agree with it. Renee, surgery is surgery. Its not easy but everyone bounces back at their own speed. Alot of people seem to not know alot about the band because it is "fairly new in the U.S." and that many ppl just chose the rny because it is the most well-known. Whichever you choose, I hope that you do your research before making a life changing decision. *Megan*

Renee, It doesn't matter what procedure u get..the risks are still there. Some, granted, more serious than others..but there's nothing stopping something little from turning into something big. What you need to consider is what's best for your body. If you're under 300, i think the band would be ok...the loss is slower, you have a little more control, but you're still kept in line. I've known many who take it for granted and cheat. If you're not a person with enough willpower to avoid bad things FOR GOOD, then a few years down the road you'll regret things. For myself, I chose the rny..i'm still pre-op but i'm getting there. I've seen 3 doctors to make sure my decision is right..I've hit the point where it's not my eating, my body itself has taken over and it won't let me lose the weight on my own. The band would be a disappointment for someone like me. Being larger, I'd have to work a LOT harder with the band, the loss is slower, and I might not reach my goal because I know I might give in sometimes. I need something stricter that will keep me straight, and help me lose the drastic amount needed to stay healthy. I feel that the RNY will help me build better habits, moreso than the band. Either way, things are going to have to change. But if I can find ways to cheat with the band, it's not for me. I need to do a complete 180, and the band would allow even the littlest things to slow me down. It's all about how you deal with it though. Those who have been banded are happy, it seems. I say GREAT, good for you, I'm glad you're happy with your decision. Still, no one can tell you what's better for you. When time evens out, the results for rny and band are similar...it's immediate loss that's different. Whatever procedure you choose, the results are created by YOU, not statistics. Everyone's different.

Renee~ Personally, I went with bypass, done lapro....however, I'm 30. If i was in my teens I would choose band, only because you have control. You can get it tightened, loosened, or removed. It's a big step and a pretty big decision to make. Good luck in your journey~ Liz 289/164/140'ish