Lap Band more successful???

My friend just came back from a group meeting who seemed anti gastric and all for the lap band. The group leader and doctor there said that they are now convinced that patients that have lap band are keeping off the weight better than gastric bypass patients due to the fact that you can get the band filled often thru out life. They also said that most gastric patients gain their weight back and end up getting the lap band later down the road. Would like to know what you all think about this. I had gastric 3 years ago and yes it is hard to maintain but as long as I work my tool the way I am supposed to my weight is stable.

See I think that success has so many factors;  age and pre-op weight of patient, compliance to program, underlying medical conditions and meds pt is taking...the list goes on and on.  I personally know many people who have had the band who wind up going with RNY down the road.  Do I think the band is no good?  Of course not.  I do know the band would have been no good for ME.  I know some RNY'ers who are having their pouches banded.  Are they failures?  No, I really don't think so.  It is all how you look at it.  I have my days where I am certainly not a good RNY patient, like you though, as long as I keep myself on the wagon (or at least keep the wagon within arms reach) I do very well.   Every patient has to decide which surgery will be best for them and their lifestyle.  I wonder where they are getting their info that "most gastric patients gain their weight back"?  I think that is a bit of a stretch, but I don't  know what they are basing that on either.  Hard to say, Traci 303/131

Hmmm, I'm not sure about that either. I don't know that one surgery is "better" than another~I think everyone's needs are so individual and what works for one may or may  not work for another. That's why I always advise people to do their research and decide with their dr which surgery would be best for them. I know alot of long term post op rny'ers that are quite successful and I know for myself, if I work my tool my tool still works for me~I have to be good though and that's not always easy, LOL!

I know a person first hand who had the lap band surgery paid for by insurance, NEVER WENT FOR A FILL and lost about 20 lbs.  My opinion is that the band leaves too much wiggle room for human "error".  I also think he should get a bill from his insurance company and beat up by all the people who want this surgery so badly and can't because their insurance companies won't pay, but that's another story.

I have not had my surgery yet.  Having said that, I went to the 2 hour info meeting.  What I got out of that is that if you are a big SUGAR eater, the Lap-Band will not work as well for you.  You can still get Coke and milkshakes & candy through the Lap-Band; it is just like a funnel.  The Roux-n-y not only limits quantity intake, but also quality intake (i.e. dumping for most people.) Hopefully  you feel bad enough if you eat concentrated sweets or high fat foods to discourage you from doing it for a long enough period of time for it to become a habit/a way of life.  Anyway, that is what I got out of the meeting if that helps at all!

As part of a group of people who have felt judged for our size at various points in our lives, I try to find the most generous explanation for each other's behavior.  Taking someone to task for not using his band properly and only losing 20 lbs --even if you know him first hand -- may not take into account other issues he is experiencing.  I actually think that's it's not "another story" as you suggest but the story itself.  How do we support each other in our efforts.  Can you imagine how he feels having told people he had the surgery and is still down only 20 lbs? The day I had my lap band surgery, a nurse came into my room and diapprovingly told me she had a friend who had gotten the surgery and had only lost 40 lbs.  How can a medical professional express such disdain?   My weight loss has been slow and has stagnated but I am losing again.  Hopefully he'll be able to, too... I am not criticizing your opinion but just offering an alternative view....

I guess I feel more strongly for the people who struggle with their insurance companies for years and who WANT this surgery so bad that they take out second mortgages and 401k loans to make it happen than for this person who was given a gift, yet will sit at a table full of people and vomit into a cup instead of taking small bites and chewing his food so that it actually goes down.  I just think its a sin and a waste of a surgery that someone else could have put to better use because they really wanted it.  This guy thinks its a joke - that's how he feels about it. I understand where you're coming from and my issue with this person isn't the amount of weight he has or hasn't lost (we're not talking about a slip or a plateau or regain) - its that he's taking it for granted in not even going for a fill, which was my point in responding - that there's an easy way around the lap band.

What people have banded usually after RNY is the stoma leading from the pouch to the intestines. This may stretch out, especially if a person pushes their limits. For some it may just happen. The band keeps the stoma very small and prevents stretching. I don't think this is as common as band to RNY, but I have found that you can find articles to prove anything on the Web!

Just thought I'd chime in as a lapband patient...  I have lost 85 lbs. in a little less than a year.  I know I'd probably be at goal if I had RNY, but I was afraid of getting my insides re-routed and the possible complications and time to heal.  I was out of work for about a week with a minimal amount of pain and have lost an average of 1-2 lbs. per week.  I've heard of rny patients switching to the band and vise-versa.  Most research says that the surgeries are comparable over 3-5 years postop.  If you are a big sugar junkie, then the band probably isn't for you.  If you are a volume eater, then the band might be a good solution.  I like the fact that I can still have sweets on occasion without feeling horrible.  I can't eat bread or pasta, but I can still have a bite of something sweet without consequence.  Also, most doctors recommend that band patients stop drinking anything carbonated, so no soda for us either.   It all boils down to changing your lifestyle and making good healthy food choices and getting in some exercise.  Just my .02. Christine W.

Just wanted to ring the chime too. I am a major sugar junkie.  and I have still managed to lose 93 lbs with the band.  My progress could have been further along it I turned down the Golden Oreos around my TOM.  but I have had great success with the band.  Of course I had to make better food choices, but no matter which surgery you chose, you will have to make better food choices.  I believe all the surgeries are equally successful and equally difficult.  the trick is making the decision to work which ever tool you have been given.  If your weight loss stalls out or starts to move back up.  evaluate your behavior, and adjust accordingly.  If you know you are not excerising like you should, start.  If you know you are eating high calorie, low protien foods.  Change that. No matter which WLS you get, you have to do you part to make it successful.