undecided...RNY or Lap

I am new to this forum but I am hoping to have WLS.  I keep going back and forth with the RNY or the lap band.  Depending on the day, one minute i am leaning toward RNY and the other Lap band.  I am nervous about the RNY and for that reason looking into the LAP band. But after reading and researching the lap band, I am concerned I might not be successful. I've heard that african american women aren't as successful with the band.  anyone on this site have the band and what is your opinion.  or anyone know someone that had the band.  How did they do?

I am also African American, and I had the realize band done on 11/11/08.  However, I have 3 friends who had very good success with the band.  I was never in favor of the RNY, and I have known a dozen of people and family who has had it and had excellent results as well.  It is a personal choice, but I choice the least invasive surgery since I only have hypertension. I am pretty active eventhough I am more than 100 pounds overweight.  I do exercise daily and strenght train.  So you just have to do the research, good luck. I hope this information was helpful.

Hi!
I noticed that your BMI is 39.4 and if you aren't already a member of the Lightweights, you might want to join. Yes, you are a lightweight!
A friend of mine that is african american had the lap band and then the day after I had my surgery, she had the RNY done. In 2 years she only lost 60 lbs. Now, I personally think this is a personal decision and as long as you are honest with yourself, you will make the right decision. I chose the RNY for the following reasons...
1)  With the lapband, it can take several fills to get it right. (a friend has gone 4 times and she still doesn't get full.)
2)  I didn't want to have to get the fills.
3)  There's no long term info for people in their 30s as to the safety of the band when we are in our 70s.
4)  I read one person's message that her port leaked (5 fills, wasted) and then if she wanted it repaired, she'd have to pay for the surgery again! She was self pay so you can imagine, she was not happy.
5)  I knew that I would cheat!

Again, this is just why I did it. I'm not trying to influence your decision at all.

Good luck and much success!

Thank you for the help.  this seems like a coincident that you replied today!   I had my appointment today with the surgeon and I took my boyfriend as my support person.  This turns out to be a big mistake.  I was hoping the surgeon could help me make a decision one way or the other.  Lapband or RNY.  While the MD was describing the procedures and the risks so on and so forth my boyfriend starts to act up  and starting trying to make my decision for me saying I am having the lap band because they don't have to cut into my stomach and it is safer.  When I was trying to tell the surgeon that I am leaning more toward the RNY the man is not letting me talk and it just turned into a disaster.  The MD finally gave me both consent forms the Lapband and the RNY and told me to go home and think about it some more and call them back later.  I was so upset. 

I've had other people on OH tell me that this is my decison and not to think about what other people think.  you and they are so right.  I have decided to do the RNY for pretty much all the same reasons you listed.  the biggest one being I know I will cheat!  Thank you again.

I'm sorry that your 'support' person gave you a hard time. If the two of you live together, you will need his support. Honestly, my bf lives with me and I told him that I'd had the lapband because he was concerned since he's known others that had gastric and have had issues. I figure, it's my body, my decision and he could be here today and gone tomorrow so I wasn't about to let his opinion influence my decision. Now that you have taken him with you to your appointment, you probably can't do that though and he'll probably give you a hard time.
The first 2 to 3 weeks I was really sore and it was hard for me to lay down in a bed so I had to sleep in a recliner and needed help getting up. Most people don't have this issue though. My surgeon had to keep me in surgery longer and so that could be why I took longer to heal. But, just in case this is why you need the support. My sons were both a tremendous amount of help to me and my bf was too. Not sure that would've been the case if he knew that I had the RNY though. Oh well. Like I said, here today, gone tomorrow...

Good luck and don't forget to join us on the Lightweight Board.

Rhonda

Yes, we live together and that is why I wanted to include him as a support person so he could help me through recovery.  But like you said he is just my BF not husband.  The relationship will probably not last long after the surgery anyway.  I heard that a lot of marriages end after someone has the surgery.  So the odds are definately against me.  Thank you for the advise.

Check out the VSG (vertical sleeve gastectomy) board.  I was really debating between the vsg or rny. I finally decided with the sleeve after much prayng and fasting.

Thank you.  I will have to look into that more.  I heard about it but I don't think a surgeon in my area does that one.  I probably will have to travel if I want that procedure.

I asked the same question not too long ago. I have read that if you are 100 pounds or more overweight then the rny is for you so that you will lose 80% of your body weight and if you need to lose 50% or less then the lapband is the way to go. I forgot where I read it at. It's on here somewhere but I'm leaning towards rny too.

Sheena,

Just cruising through the site and found your post and thought I'd tell you what my surgeon said to me when I on the fence about the lap band and the RNY.  "Do you like sweets and will you be happy with yourself if you ONLY loose 50 pounds?"  My answer was no and she told me most people will loose 50-75 lbs with the lap band.  I had the RNY on 8/8/8 (I picked the date ) and I've lost 84 lbs as of today.  A coworker had her lapband on 11/11 and she's lost 14 pounds but she doesn't follow the plan. 

I've attended support groups for about 2 years now getting through the insurance process and I can say I've met ONE person in her early 20's who had the lap band and she's lost 95lbs.  I haven't heard of anyone else loosing more than that and she said she follows her plan to a "T" no cheating, no sweets, etc.

I hope this helps you in some way with your decision.  Also, wondering how much your boyfriend's imput will sway your decision.  My husband was in full support of my surgery until I had it.  Now he can't handle me loosing the weight and the reactions I get from men.  He asked for a divorce the week before Christmas and moved out the same weekend.  After 15 years together I thought we'd be ok and I was wrong.

My best advise, pray about it and God will help guide your decision!

Frankie