Question:
lap-band vs lap gastric by pass
Can people offer what helped them decide which they choose? I was all set to choose lap band but after the initial lecture I am torn .... — up4it (posted on July 16, 2009)
July 16, 2009
Hi, I knew my weaknesses and felt I needed the possible negative
consequence of dumping to help me stick to plan and the greater initial
speed of weight loss with rny to get me over the hump of working on eating
and exercise changes. There is no "right" answer. The advantages
and disadvantages to both procedures are substantial. I had rny and am
doing well but if insurance would have covered it I would have more
strongly thought about vertical sleeve. It falls between rny and band on
risks and benefits. Good luck in your decision. Kevin
— hapkidodoc
July 16, 2009
I chose rny because of the speed of weight loss... I had originally went
to the DR requesting Lap Band, but then as I spoke with the dr and did my
own research I found that it would be too easy for me to cheat on the
band... I liked the fact that the band was reversible in case anything were
to go wrong, but have decided that the speed of weightloss and the effects
of dumping is what I need... for my rny is the right choice.. I know that
it is sooo confusing and soo much information out there and everyone seems
to have a different opinion but you are going to have to take a look at all
the information, then take some time and think about it and you will figure
out which is the right choice for you.... and listen to your doctor... have
you asked the surgeon what he recommends... he has more experience at this
then we do, I would take that into consideration as well. Ultimately this
is your choice and only you know you... best of luck... you will figure it
out.
— wendy-s
July 16, 2009
Hi! I'm a self pay, and believe me when I tell you I did my research.... I
had been looking into this for over 3 years, and read everything I could
find on all of the them. My insurance wouldn't pay for ANY of them. I went
to 3 seminars ( 3 different Doctors hosting )
I made an appointment with one of the surguns, and he took the time and
explained them all to me in detail, Pro's and con's...
I decided to go with the VSG (Verticle Sleeve Gastretomy)
And I am VERY happy with my decision. 130 pounds lost in 5 months!
But this is a personal choice, and depending on how much weight you have
to lose, which surgury will help you the best. With the VSG- it is
actually the first step to the DS. I knew I had a lot of weight to lose,
and in the back of my mind I thought that if this didn't work I could
always go back and have the second half done. But, I have made great
progress and that won't be neccesary.
Join some online groups and ask alot of questions. There is alot of
information and alot of people have their own testiments on their surgury.
Just remember whatever you chose, you still have to work at it, it's not
a miricle cure.... it is life changing.
— chancie
July 17, 2009
I have lost about 65 pounds in a year and a half. I wish I would have just
went ahead and had the RNY. A lot has to do with how much you need to lose.
I feel you have to work a lot harder with the band. I'm glad I did
something but wish I'd gone with the RNY.
— Christy Sanchez
July 17, 2009
When making my decision, I came to the conclusion that the band was for
people with 100 or less pounds to lose. I had over 100 pounds to lose with
a BMI over 50...So I felt that I needed something more substantial and
permanent like the RNY which after research I felt was for people who had
over 100 lbs to lose...I didnt like the idea of the fills and all the
maintenance that the band required and all the complications I read about
just made me feel it was more invasive and less effective for heavier
weighted people and I would have less of a chance of losing all my weight
and maintaining it, because no matter how many changes I would make, it
still depended solely on those fills for success! No thanks! I get easily
discouraged and lose confidence in myself if I had to depend on fills for
success. If I was going to make changes, I needed to be in control of
those changes and not "hope that the fill was perfect and second guess
myself. That turned me off to the band. So I chose RNY and LOVE IT! (5 +
years post op now) These days there are more surgery choices although some
of these newer surgeries are experimental right now, they look promising
and better than the Band in my opinion. The only thing I do not like about
RNY is the nutritional issues and trying to keep up with taking vitamins
and getting labs to watch my vitamin levels...I admit that is a challenge
for me...RNY was a great fit for me though and I was able to commit myself
to the lifestyle/dietary/vitamin taking changes I had to make in my
life...I am also grateful to have dumping from both sugar/simple carbs and
fats as that does helps keep me in line...although I had given up those
foods regardless of dumping, it's just nice to know that I will feel pain
if I push it my limits. I have caused myself to dump many times and can
tell you that it is quite a deterrent even though I do avoid those foods by
my own will and determination to keep my weight off. I can tolerate quite
a bit of both sugar and fat anyway! So it really matters that you make
specific changes to your eating habits and diet to keep your weight off no
matter what surgery you have....Don't worry so much about how others do,
but how well you think you can adhere to the rules of the surgery you
decide to have and can manage the maintenance of the tool you decide to
pick as your WLS. All of them have their pros and cons and you need to
find which one fits you and commit to it! Good luck!!!
— .Anita R.
July 17, 2009
I actually went into the program thinking I was going to have lap band, and
after all the discussions and research, I ended up having laproscopic RNY.
Best decision I ever made. I wanted this to be a permanent life change for
me, and with the lap band it was not - you can cheat and eat around the
band. I knew I'd find a way to cheat - that's how I got as big as I had!!
— Ursie77
July 17, 2009
I went to the doctors wanting the lap band and ended up getting the
vertical sleeve. It has the least amount of complications of any of the
surgeries and at 4 months out I have lost 69 lbs. I have not been sick and
have no real issues I just eat a whole lot less than I did before. I hope
this helps and doesn't make you more confused.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
July 17, 2009
— lieutenant-ed
July 18, 2009
For me, the Gastric Sleeve and LapBand would not have worked because I was
existing on minimal calories pre op anyway. My body does not lose weight
very easy so I needed the malabsorption the bypass would provide. I had a
procedure called Mini Gastric Bypass. True to my body's form, my weight
loss has been very slow. I expected that. The reason I had MGB over RnY is
because MGB is reversable and/or modifiable so that was a plus to me. I
still have options for my future.
— Kathy M.
July 19, 2009
I opted for the band, and had it placed in June 2007. Initially lost about
25 lbs, then the problems started. Am now told that the band has
"slipped" and it needs to come out. I've gained all my weight
back, and am now seriously considering rny. Am very sorry I didnt go that
route from the beginning. best of luck with whatever method you choose...
— peggy1011
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