Question:
Lapband v.s. Gastric Bypass-which one to chose?
— JadedJassy (posted on December 24, 2008)
December 24, 2008
Hi Jessica,
I am 24, and I had the same concerns as you when I was deciding which one
to choose. I ended up choosing the LapBand for all of the reasons that
your doctor mentioned. I had the surgery done a week and a half ago, and
things are going really well! Hope this helps!
Brooke
— Brooke O.
December 24, 2008
According to the research that I have done, many doctors who perform BOTH
surgeries recommend the lap-band for women in your situation PRECISELY due
to the very issues that you mention. Many surgeons feel that the lap band
is better for women of child bearing years and for people who may be
suffering or may suffer from cancer. They feel that the Lap-Band allows
for more flexibility and would allow them to increase the amount of
sustenance available when needed for pregnancy and nursing mothers and
those who are going through chemo-therapy. Not ALL surgeons recommend
this, but MANY do. Once you are past your child bearing years you may want
to consider a revision to a gastric bypass or a Vertical Sleeve
Gastrectomy. I PERSONALLY would recommend the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy,
since I have had one myself. My research has found the VSG to be one of
the SAFEST surgical options for weight loss, if not THE safest option
currently available. It is ALSO one of the most EFFECTIVE, being NEARLY as
effective as the Gastric Bypass without most of the nasty side effects. If
you want to find out more about the different options available for weight
loss surgery, check out my research on my post called "Surgical
Comparisons" at my blog on my home page at
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/. If you can't find it on the
main page, look for it in the March 2008 archives.
— hubarlow
December 24, 2008
It is a very personal choice. As far as price goes, it's not that much of a
difference between both procedures depending on the hospital and the
surgeon. Check with your insurance to get the exact information. Having
children after weightloss surgery has the same risks for any type of
weightloss surgery. If you choose to have RNY should not be a problem at
all. Good luck.
— maria09elena
December 24, 2008
Just be aware that insurance does not necessarily cover the cost of
adjustments to the band.
— ezehkef
December 25, 2008
Please ask your doctor about the possibility of developing a latex allergy
to the lap band. I am allergic to bandaids and other surgical tape,
etc...so the lapband was not an option. I also have a friend who had RNY
in her mid 20's. She had her surgery 8 years ago and it has been very
successful. She has also had two children after RNY and both pregnancy's
were successful and without any problems. Every body is different and you
need to make the choice based on what you and your doctor discuss, though.
My message here is only one example so best to you! Happy weight loss and
Happy holidays!
— spicymama
December 25, 2008
I had my lap band at the end of January '08. Here it is almost one year
post band. I have lost somewhere between 75 and 80 lbs. (at this time). I
have lost 13 inches in my waist alone and look totally different. I do
recommend that you listen to your dr. and have the lap band. First of all
I had been scheduled for gastric bypass 5 years ago. It took me a year and
2 appeals to get my insurance to cover it. On the day of surgery
everything was perfect. I was all prepared, had the foods in my house I
would need to drink and eat for the first 4 weeks and my husband completely
supported me. When I went into the operating room, the dr. found that my
liver was too damaged for him to do the surgery. He closed me back up and
told me I couldn't have the surgery. To see a liver specialist. Two days
later he sent me home to recover. It still took me six weeks to recover
and I suffered my horrible pain and I was extremely depressed. When I saw
the liver dr. he told me that I should have the surgery and my liver was
damaged because of my obesity. Now I was really depressed. I did manage
to pull myself together and lose 65 lbs. on a weight loss program. But the
weight came back and I even gained more. Finally, I had had enough. I had
seen the ads for lap band and did some research. I HAD MY SURGERY and have
been jumping for joy ever since. First of all, there was absolutely NO
PAIN. I had my surgery on a Friday morning and was home and resting by
noon that day. I was driving my car 3 days later. Lap band saved my life.
I am NEVER hungry or have cravings for anything anymore. Unlike gastric
bypass, there is no dumping and you can eat all the foods you could eat
before. I no longer wonder what I'm going to eat next and when. I KNOW
LONGER LIVE TO EAT. I eat very small portions of food (about 1/4 to 1/2
cup of food at a meal. Most of the time, I forget to eat. The only
problem I have is that I probably don't eat enough protein. My drs. are so
pleased with my results. I am looking forward to hitting my goal weight in
the next 3 to 4 months and then having plastic surgery. Yes, you do lost
weight more slowly but that helps your skin to shrink back too. My own dr.
says that he plans to take me off some of the medicines I have been taking
for the last 10 years. (I take over 10 medications a day) He no longer
considers me diabetic and he may even take me off my blood pressure
medicine. I am so happy about that. I feel so much better and I do now
take pride in the way I dress. (never used to before) Do not spend the
rest of your life living in a prison of obesity. Take what ever steps you
need to take and take care of your problems now. Don't wait until it
becomes a life or death situation. I wish you lots of luck and good health
for 2009.
Shirl
— shirl45
December 25, 2008
I actually started my 6-month program thinking I was going to have the lap
band. About three months into the program, I changed my mind and decided I
was going with the RNY gastric bypass. I wanted it to be permanent and not
have to continually visit a doctor for fills. I thought I was too young to
see a doctor all the time. I'm 31. No kids, but I don't plan on having
any. They told me if you wait at least 6 months, it is perfectly safe to
have children. And there are some who get pregnant before the six months
and are fine. The reason they make you wait is because your body needs to
get back to normal first. My surgery was approved with no questions asked
- paperwork went it and was approved. I think it all depends on your
doctor and what he feels more comfortable with. The place I went did both
procedures, so they had the pros and cons of both surgeries that they knew
about. If you want any more specific questions answered, feel free to send
me a message - I'll share anything I know.
— Ursie77
December 25, 2008
I was a self pay two years ago and had LapBand which was $19,000 at that
time. This is a decision that is very individual and should be researched
in great detail before you make a decision. Attend seminars for all WLSs,
go to support groups, talk to people that have had both and you should get
a feel of what might be the best thing for you. You didn't write how much
weight you had to lose and if you had diabetes or not. Having had LapBand,
I would like to make it very clear that I am pro- WLS of any type, I am not
just pro band. If you have a lot of weight to lose and/or have
uncontrolled diabetes, RNY might be the way to go. If you have less to
lose and don't have as many co-morbids, perhaps the band is the way to go.
I had my 3 children way before becoming obese so I can't speak to that.
However, I have known several people after the band that after losing
enough weight found it easy to become pregnant, had the fluid removed from
their bands and were able to have a normal, healthy pregnancy and baby.
Once the baby was born or after completion of breast feeding, they were
able to re-start the process of restriction and losing the "baby
weight". There is some concern after RNY with pregnancy as there is
the malabsorption portion of the surgery, however, there have been many
people that have done just as well. I would recommend you go to the
pregnancy forum on this site and surf around there and ask questions as
well. Best of luck to you.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
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