Banded in Mexico

Well, obviously I didn't chose the RNY, but I can tell you my reasons for choosing the band were simple. Less risks, slower weight loss so less chance of skin hanging, & with the band you don't have to worry about a "window" of opportunity, it is with you always, giving you a much better chance of keeping the weight off. TTYS Candi

Hi Tricia! I had the RNY because of the rapid weight loss, and a failure I saw personally. My friend Dan had the Lap Band a year and a half ago...He weighed 540 lbs. In a year and a half, he's only lost 70 lbs. I've lost 79 lbs in a little over 3 months, and I started out at 315... I made the decision for an RNY based on my eating habits and my mental disorder (ultra-rapid cycling bipolar affective disorder, mixed) There isn't any way possible for me to monitor myself closely enough and "diet" right with the band, so I needed a hard-hitting surgery that combined restrictive AND malabsorbsive techniques. I've been overweight (read: MORBIDLY obese) all of my life. I've been over 300 lbs since I was 11...So I want this weight off, NOW! Lol. Good luck with your surgery, and God bless! ~Sabby Lap RNY 05/18/04 315/236/160

Hi Tricia, I am pre-op, but have known several who had the lap band, in about two years the band and staples start to break down. One said the insurance wouldn't cover the $800 to have a fill in. with a lap band it's too easy to gain the weight back on, with the Rny, your pouch is small allowing you to have better control of what you eat and shouldn't eat. It's also permanent. Lapband isn't. But I wish you good luck in your journey. I'll be in Antioch the weekend of Sept. 18, my son and his new wife live in Antioch. Kathy

Hey & Welcome bandster sister !! It's so great to have another bandster on board! I am scheduled to have my band done on 9/9 in Nashville, but there are plenty of people on the lapband board that have gone to Mexico. So glad to have you here. And don't let me hear you say you've "only" lost...11 lbs in 4 weeks is great, right on track! Which band did you get, the smaller one or the bigger one? Well, have fun in Mexico & post away! TTYS Candi

Hey Candi! Great to "meet" you as well! I know how excited you must be about your upcoming surgery. When I made the decision to have surgery, I couldn't have it done fast enough. The thought of losing ALL of this excess weight was such a wonderful feeling. I wanted to start the process yesterday! I have the Swedish Band. It holds a lot more saline. My husband and I researched the two bands extensively. There are some downsides to the Swedish band, a lot of doctors in the U.S. won't fill them because it won't be FDA approved until December. Fortunately, my doctor (In Mexico) has a couple of doctors that perform fills on his patients in the states, so after my trip back to Monterrey tomorrow, I'll have my future fills done in the U.S. Where are you going to have your surgery? Will it be performed as an outpatient procedure? Let me know if I can help answer any questions you have. I've learned that everyone has a different experience, but I'll be more than happy to share with you about mine. Tricia

I am soooooooo excited, I start my pre-op diet today & am a little worried about that, probably more than the surgery itself! I am having my surgery w/Dr. Morton in Nashville @ Southern Hills & yes it will be outpatient. I am scheduled as the last case though, so hopefully I'll still get to go home afterwards, but if not hanging around the hospital a little extra time can't hurt right. Thanks for your post, TTYS Candi

I really admire all of you that chose RNY. Personally, it scared me a "tad" to read about about the differences about RNY vs. the Band. The Lapband is a lot less invasive. I admire all of your that have chosen RNY, it's a bit risky, but you obviously made a life changing decision to change your lives for the better. Bravo!