Question:
differences between Lapband and RNY

Hi, I've been thinking about getting the Lapband procedure, but there were a few things I didn't think would work for me, now I'm thinking about the RNY, if someone could tell me the REAL pros and cons about them and how their procedures are working for them that'd be a great help. thanks~    — kickstyle (posted on November 3, 2005)

November 3, 2005
Keesha, Hi. I had the RNY 7 months ago. I have had no complications in regards to the surgery. I want to very honest and not seem like I am telling people to have the surgery. It was the right decision for me and I would do it all over again. There is nothing out there that will fix your life or make things easier for you, this surgery is in no way a quick fix and you will continue to have battles but you will have to learn new coping mechanisms because the best friend that you made in food will never be there again. With that being said, I would have the surgery all over again. I have a life that I could only dream of. I love the fact that I don't stand out anymore, I fit in and it's the best feeling in the world. If you have direct questions you would like answered feel free to email me. Good Luck with you journey and give yourself the chance to figure out what is truly the best decision for you. Denise
   — dlryanoates

November 3, 2005
while your learning about wls, check out the DS, at Duodenal Switch.com and the ds forum here at oh, comuninty surgery types. hard to get, but easiast to live with. no pouch rules.
   — walter A.

November 3, 2005
DS and BPD surgeries are by far the most effective surgical methods of weight loss, but they do come with the most complications. It is simply not fair to tout them as "easy" to follow because patients must be rigorous about nutrition given the extent of the malabsorption. LapBand is ofter described as "reversible"-- you can not maintain your fills which will loosen the band, but the band is not designed to ever be removed. Also, banders (to be successful) require particular diligence in avoiding their old trigger foods (which for many of us involved white carbs) because their is no built-in mechanism to deter the small tastes of items that can lead to a return to old bad eating habits. RNY, if performed by inexperienced can be dangerous--- surgeon inexperience is the leading cause of mortality. Also, RNY permanently alters your digestive system so you do need to commit to lifetime changes in eating behaviors. For some the dumping syndrome of the RNY is a negative-- for me, it was and is a plus-- for you see, I ate and overate (and, quite frankly, was a tad gluttonous at times) with chocolate and ice cream and cake. I need to know that my system just can't process concentrated sugars without making me sick. Successful lap banders will tell you that they enjoy being able to have small tastes of the foods they once loved. For me, I knew that being allowed those small tastes would put be right back to the slippery slope I traversed all those years I struggled with my weight. Which brings me to the tough decision that people need to address when deciding upon a surgical means of weight loss-- you need to take a personal inventory of the behaviors that contributed to your obesity and try to assess (which is tough, particularly to imagine life after RNY because the feelings of hunger are not felt for weeks to months following surgery) how your life can be different with a different relationship with food. Then, after you've tried to imagine the role you want food to play in your post-operative life, you can start to decide which weight loss method is best for you.
   — SteveColarossi

November 3, 2005
I am going to tell you why I did RNY not Lap Band. The weight loss with RNY can be 70% of your overweight number or better depending on individual. I did not have to have a fill done. Its a one time thing with RNY. I am not crazy about getting all kinds of procedures done on my body! I liked the dumping syndrome because like Steve, I could eat a lot of ice cream, candy and cake....Now I have SF items but they are limited to what my pouch will accept. RNY changes the way you have to think about foods. I also met someone at a support meeting who told me from overeating she messed up her band. After hearing that the RNY seemed like the logical choice for me. Although you can over eat and mess of RNY too! I would also look at DS did not have a surgeon appt that was doing these so it left my equation real quick. But I have heard long term its a better solution. I committed to RNY so I have to deal with malabsorption issues for the rest of my life. Vitamins must be taken always. Although I must say it was the quickest way I could have dropped that 200+ lbs. I feel like a normal over weight person now....Yes I am not a skinny mini by no means but I look like the average person. Something I always wanted to say about myself.
   — dcox94

November 3, 2005
First thing, find a good surgeon who offers a free seminar before sugery. In that seminar a "good surgeon" will explain all the different types of surgery. My surgeon explains the pros and cons of each. I didn't really have a choice my insurance would only pay for RNY. But for me it was the best decision I have ever made. This is not an easy decision, it is life changing. But for me it was the right one. You need to find a surgeon who offers these seminars and go. Then you can make up your own mind. If you live near Huntington, WV, Dr Blaine Nease holds these seminars monthly. He doesn't sugar coat anything and is always there to answer your questions.
   — Patricia C.

November 3, 2005
I had RNY July 26th 2005 and have had no complications or problems at all. I have lost 70 pounds my first 3 months post-op. I recommend this procedure to all my friends that are looking into having something similar done.
   — LadyNRed1973

November 3, 2005
Hey Keesha. Good for you that you are taking this decision seriously. I have a LapBand, and I agree with you that the procedure isn't for everyone. For me, personally, the pros of the LapBand outweighed the pros of the RNY or DS. As another poster suggested, keep educating yourself and find a seminar with a doc who does all the procedures. If you know yourself well and ask good questions, you will come to the decision that's right for YOU. Good luck!
   — Jeanie