What to do???

Hi Everyone, I have gone from wanting to have Lap-band to wanting RNY, I have now made the decision to have the lap-band. The problem is I keep second guessing myself. I know with the lap-band, it is 50/50, you do 50% and the band does 50%. But I also know RNY does 80/20. The surgery does 80% of the work for you and you do 20%. I'm trying to figure out what will be best for me. I have some bad eating habits that will make the RNY beneficial to me, but I don't like the thought of having my intestines rerouted. The lap band itself is less invasive but I will have to be more strict with what I eat and I will have to exercise more. Can anyone share their story and let me know how you came to the decision on which surgery to have. Thanks, Wendy

Wendy; Just keep researching both procedures and you will find something that speaks directly to you and your habits. FYI, RNY is 80%/20% the first year post-op. The second year, it's 50%/50% and by the third year, your body pretty much knows what's going on and it's 20%/80%. If you haven't adjusted your eating habits in the first 2 years post-op, you will be likely to regain. Blessings, Jennifer

Do what you feel in your heart! Also how much weight do you want to lose. I didn't want the lap because I didn't think it was for me but you may be different. Just continue to research and you'll make a decision. Take care! Keke

Hey wendy, I think if you don't know which surgery you want, then you need to take a step back (even if it's a few weeks) and decide before you proceed. No surgery is worth going through, if your going to be 2nd guessing yourself for the rest of your post op life. Surgery is serious business. I'd highly suggest, you read peoples profiles. Profiles can be very helpful in letting you know what post op life is like. I suggest you read the revision board, and see why each of these surgeries failed in individuals. It's really important to understand that while a certain sugery can give you a statistical advantage, you will always have to work with your surgical tool. You can eat around the Lap band with chips and ice cream and soft foods like that, at the same time you can stretch out your stoma with the RNY and quickly regain weight. Or you can work with the Lap band or the RNY and change your lifestyle and be one of the ones that makes it to their goal weight and maintain it. Neither of these surgeries would have worked for me, so i choose the DS. Because I figured, that if i couldn't change my eating habits before surgery, surgery (which operates on your stomach and not your head) would not magically change me. When i went in for surgery, i was 110 percent sure the DS was right for me, and it's working great for me. It was the right choice. But you have to make the right choice for you, no one else can tell you what to do. So research, read, read, read, read, and read. Get 2 or 3 surgical opinions (even if you go with the 1st surgeon), just so you hear what different doctors have to say regarding you specifically. Then make a logical choice that is sensible for you. May God guide you on the right path. Scott