Question:
I'm sure this question has been asked before
but I need to know the pros and cons of the lapband and the RNY, the REAL pros and cons, without baised judgement, I'll be choosing between one of thoes and its hard to decide especially when I was aiming for the DS but my insurance won't pay for it anything you've guys got is a big help thanks! — lightburn (posted on September 17, 2006)
September 17, 2006
I can only be biased because I am not a doctor and do not know all the
sides both surgeries. I can tell you I did the RNY because of the mal
absorption that the lap does not have. RNY keeps me from eating things like
sugar and far that LAP does not. I kind of think of it like anabuse but for
food. Also the studies I read in my research along with my doctors agree
that the success rate of LAP is much lower and doesnt work as well in the
long run. But I have seen many people who it has worked wonders for. It's
really something you should pull out the books and search the internet and
sites like this on to make your own educated decision. Highly recommend
sitting down with your surgeon and going thru it with him/her.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 17, 2006
I looked at both. I chose the RNY because the lap band has a higher
infection rate because of a foreign body in your body..Secondly, it has a
high matenance...you have to go in to have if filled for now on....what if
the doctor moves or quits??? so any way I am happy with my choice....July
11, 2006 RNY open 62 lbs down with no complications
Rawnie
— southernnmdreamer
September 17, 2006
Listen, I am a huge proponent of the RNY. I think that for those of us
with food addiction issues and who engaged in habitual over-eating, all the
disincentives built into the RNY (most notably dumping) cause the RNY to
work better for us. However, and this is important, many LapBand patients
will tell you that they have had great weight loss success and weight
maintenance. Therefore, assess the path you took to obesity, your
willingness to engage in the lifestyle changes necessitated by both
surgeries and recognize that both surgeries are permanent (whether
permanently having the band in your system or permanently having an altered
anatomy).
You can go to the ASBS site and find some reports of the surgeries as well
looking on this site. Also, you can always do a search under Google
Scholar and find medical journal articles which will detail the differences
between both. Lastly, go to Inamed's own website (Inamed is the company
that makes the LapBand) and review their literature the details risks and
benefits of LapBanding.
— SteveColarossi
September 17, 2006
I had GBS almost 3 months ago and chose that one over the lap band because
I didn't want to have to go in for $200. fills and go around with an
opening on my side and a plastic tube in my stomach. My surgery was done
laproscopically and went so smooth with no complications...I've lost almost
60lbs. already and know the weight loss goes faster with this procedure
too...just one person's opinion...good luck!!! :O)
— zoeysgrami
September 17, 2006
Make an informed decision. Go to the library and check out all the books
on wls that you can find. Do your own research. Every answer you get here
will most likely be biased, I know mine is. If you wanted the DS than you
would probably be happier with the RNY, since they are similar in how food
reduction and mal. I had the lapband and I am happy with it. Yes I go get
fills, but I don't have to take supplements for the rest of my life either.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 17, 2006
Biased here too and I don't think you can find someone who can really come
in without a bias one way or another. Initially I wanted a lapband but my
hiatal hernia excluded me from that option. I'm glad it was. Because over
the years although I have seen people do quite well with the band, I
definitely see a higher failure rate...especially with those who have more
than 100 lbs to lose. I think it is a great option for many people, but I
think a majority of people (not implying 90% majority but more than
50%...probably much more) would be happier with an RNY over a band. The
band I think is great for those who are generally very rules oriented
people who can diet but just need extra help. For those who have serious
obesity problems and have problems avoiding sugar, the RNY I think is best.
Obviously dumping is great aversion therapy, but also the malabsorption
does help get it off quick. The key to wls is that you get the weight off
quick while you can...before you fall into life as usual. With the band
you have to get fills, which really isn't an issue, but I have seen many
who have had problems getting the right spot on a fill. Some swell and
nothing can go through, while others don't feel enough restriction. The
fills are finite as well. You can't have an unlimited amount of fills, so
if at some point it gets stretched out too much, you can't get more
restriction. These are all things I've read from people who have had the
band who have struggled with it. Not my personal knowledge. Figure out
what you need for long term success and figure out your frustration level
and how it will play in. If you don't mind taking longer to lose the weight
and just need the restriction of the band, lap band may be right for you.
Good luck in your decision!
— Dinka Doo
September 18, 2006
I wouldn't give up on the DS. If your insurance will pay for WLS of any
type, you can probably get them to cover the DS. You can ask for help at
the OH DS forum or go to the www.duodenalswitch.com site and you can get
information from many different people who had to fight to get what they
wanted. Personally, I'm thrilled with my DS and my quality of eating is
awesome compared to what I have seen with other surgeries. Would insurance
cover the VSG portion of the surgery at least? Insurance coverage is
changing since Medicaid decided to cover the DS... just last week Aetna
decided to cover the DS too, citing the Medicaid decision! So, our choices
for WLS coverage are getting better!
— [Deactivated Member]
September 18, 2006
I have to address this: " I didn't want to have to go in for $200.
fills and go around with an opening on my side..."
What opening? The Band is accessed by a subcutaneous port, which means it
is under the skin and fat layer of the abdomen. Yes, there is a tube
connecting the port to the Band, but you don't feel any of it. And not
everybody charges for fills, or charges the same amount. Mine are $90.
Some surgeons include them with the price of surgery.
Now for the question .. I agree with the poster who said that if you wanted
DS, RNY might be more comfortable for you. I also agree that only you can
answer this question for yourself, based on your individual expectations
and level of commitment, and the amount of sacrifice you are prepared to
make. All surgeries work, but they are not 'one size fits all'. Do your
research. Search yourself. You'll arrive at the right answer. Me? I
love my Band. :)
— Jeanie
September 18, 2006
"Ditto" on all the postive input on the RNY. I had it, too, and
so glad I did. I had my surgery done March 2005 and have just reached my
goal of 145 pounds. I've had such a success, several of my +++ pound
friends and my own 450 lb sister are going to have the RNY done.
Now a few negative issues: At 6 weeks I developed a stricture in the
opening from the pouch and small intestine and had projectile vomiting
every time I ate more than a teaspoon of solid or pureed food. I had to
have the opening "ballooned" stretched. It was quick and they
gave me Versaid through an IV and I never knew what happened and hve had
only rare incidents of vominting since then and usually it's becasue I ate
something know good and well I can't tolerate anymore.
Cramping after a high sugar meal!!!!!! However you can get this with both
procedures, it's worse with the rny becasue of the dump into the small
intestine. My dear husband was scared out of his wits the first time a was
in the bed rolling and screaming in pain from the cramping. I immediately
scratched milk shakes of my diet forever. Even the low fat, artificially
sweeten kinds are killers for me.
B-12 shots. My iron, B-12, and albumin levels are very low. I have to do
monthly B 12 shots. Not too bad as I'm a nurse and draw them up myself and
taught my dear husband how to do them. I really hate meat now......never
was much of an meat eater before the diet and now, I can't eat enough meat
to keep up my albumin levels. My cholestrol is still high becasue of all of
the cheese, eggs & other dairy product I eat to try & get enough
calcium & protein. My osteoprotenia has advanced to full blown
osteoprosis in my back & hips now.
I hate pills and it's darn chore to try & remember taking my calcium
pills, vitimins, Fosamax along with my regular meds.
I'm definately a pro-RNY fan.
Becca
Holton, KS
— Lilkonza
September 18, 2006
Yes but surgeries are good but the real question is what is your insurance
saying if it's absolutely no on the DS . Are they saying yes on rny where
they saying yes on lap . mostly discuss this with your surgeon is your
final decision on which one you go with . Yes one has faster weight loss
and shorter amount time . The other is a slower weight loss over a longer
period to get to the same point of weight.
— lou1425
September 19, 2006
If you are a diabetic, your diabetes could be gone with RNY. My
endocrinologist explained to me that because of the bypass the bowel
doesn't come in contact with food, therefore, the bowel doesn't secret
hormones that create the high blood sugars. She told me not to even
consider LAPband. Hope this helps make your decision easier.
— Othin1
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