Question:
Lap-Band Success?

I had RNY almost 2 years ago and did great with it. My husband is intrested in having the lap-band surgery. I am wondering what the success rate the lap-band has vrs RNY. Also, anyone that has had the lap-band how longis the recovery time, how long could he plan to be off work for, how was the healing process in general. My surgeon does not do the lap-band and I would be greatful if anyone could point us to a trusting surgeon in the Detroit area that does. Thank you for your help!    — KimY (posted on August 29, 2007)

August 29, 2007
The band surgery like any surgery requires your work. The nice thing is that it is adjustable. You can go 5 yrs down the line, get an adjustment and pick up more weight loss. We actually have had quite a few in my online support groups that I belong to that have had the band placed over their GB/RNY's. The band remains adjustable. The recovery time...that's really based on how fast they heal, and what job they do. If they do a desk job..they could be back to work in a couple days.... I was back taking care of my kids and normal house hold activities in less than a week...just very minimal swelling remained at the port site. I'm 4 yrs post op....I'd gained a little bit back but found out I needed a port revision, as I had a manufacturer defect in the older style band/tubing......but I'm also very conservative with my adjustments.... I like to go without them as long as possible, then get adjusted when I feel I am not losing on my own. There are so many people here to offer their advice and their hands on experiences. Good luck to both of you, no matter what choices are made. :) Becky
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 29, 2007
I think of og the great things about the lap band procedure is the short amount of down time. I was uncomfortable for about 2 days is all, could have gone back to work in 3-4 days to an office job. No much to the healing processs - 4 small incisions, and one about 2-3 in. long for the port. Really no incisional pain. Mostly just getting the foods down the first couple of days is the worst. But all in all = no hospital stay, home within hours after surgery, walk walk walk to get the gas out and follow the instructions. No big deal. Good luck to him. Guys ALWAYS lose weight faster no fare! :}
   — beckiemclarty

August 29, 2007
I had RNY a year aog and my husband had Lap-Band this past May. He is down 68lbs. He was home the same day and back at work at his very physical job in 7 days. He has not had much discomfort at all. The biggest thing is he can cheat more with the Lap-Band. He is having a problem breaking away from sugar where if I have sugar I get sick as a dog. He has said he kind of wishes he had done RNY instead. Good Luck and Happy Weight Loss!
   — Lost4Ever

August 30, 2007
Their have been several long term studies done concerning the band. The first that comes to mind was done in Australia on around 700 or 900 patients (can't remember which) by a Success Rate: Dr. O'Brien. They found there was NO statistical difference in the weightloss between the RNY & Lapband after 3 years time. It is a very interesting study, you should be able to find it on Google. Recovery Time: I went back to work a week later but could have gone back to work in 2 days if I had needed to. Ofcourse I do have a desk job. I had my gall bladder removed about a year before the Lapband and thought the Band surgery was much easier. Me - I had the band Sep 05 - Starting Weight 255 - Size 24/26 - Current Weight 165 - Size 10 * Maybe I could have lost faster with RNY but considering it took me 20 years to get this big is it so terrible that it took me a few months longer to take it off? I am very happy RNY worked for you and believe the choice of which surgery to have is a very personal choice. For me I was afraid of the possible complications of RNY and the stories of people that had streched their pouch and regained the weight. With the band, the pouch does not strech and if I start to regain weight I can just have the band tightened up a notch. Most people that do not do well with the band are either "grazing" which I believe can also be done with RNY or they are not getting properly adjusted. Most of the adjustments are done in the first year while the bulk of the weight is coming off. There is even some fatty deposits under the band so as you lose weight you can lose some restriction. Think of a funnel with a larger or smaller hole in the bottom. The bigger the hole the more that will fall down to the lower stomach before you fill the top portion up and feel full. After a while you don't really need to get adjusted near as often. I know a couple gals 6 years out that haven't been adjusted for years and are still at their goal weights. I was adjusted more than most the first year (14 times - all FREE) but have only needed one "fill" in the last 12 months.
   — TheGh0st

August 30, 2007
I had the RNY on the 20th of this month and while I was in the hospital, the attending nurse had had the lap band surgery the prior week. She was back to work full time on 12 hr shifts and looked great. She said she felt great, too. She said the only restriction was that she was not allowed to lift anything over 2 - 3 pounds.
   — BonnieP

August 30, 2007
I am 4 1/2 years post-op with the band. I have lost all of my excess weight and have maintained the weight loss. I am 5'4" and weigh between 127 and 130 - depending on the day of the week. :) Recovery time, if it is only the band, is minimal. I also had my gall bladder out, so recovery was longer. Actual comparisons between the band and bypass vary, but the my surgeon shows an excess weight loss of roughly 60% with the band and 70% with the proximal RNY. All of that depends on the patient though, you can have 100% weight loss with either surgery.
   — VickiStevens

August 30, 2007
I'M 4 WKS POST OP AND HAVE LOST 37 LBS SO FAR AND HAVE NO REGRETS ON MY BAND...I WAS READY TO RETURN TO WORK 5 DAYS LATER AND THE PAIN WAS NONE FOR ME JUST INDIGESTION AND IT MOVED WHEN I ATE HOT BROTH. THERE ARE 3 DOCTORS FROM HARPER...DR. NUNN AND DRS. WOODS AND TAYLOR ARE FROM ABMI IN WARREN. THE STAFF AT HARPER IS GREAT. THERE IS ALSO A DR. GENAW FROM HENRY FORD. HOPE THIS HELPS!
   — MZ DEAN