Question:
why did you choose one surgery over the others?
i see from the profiles that most people had rny surgery done. then when the band came out, people started to get them. from what i see, most people still choose rny over the band. why is that? is it an insurance issue? i would think the band is a safer option. i have read where people want a band years after a rny. wouldnt it be better off to go right to band and not have to worrie about weight gain or alot of those long term ailment associated with rny? — chickie_mama (posted on January 29, 2009)
January 29, 2009
In my case, I decided on getting the realize band because I did not want
any body parts rerouted, plus from family experiences with gastric bypass,
I did not want to go through the problems they had and are having. But not
everyone is suited for a band, it is between the doctor and what he feels
is best for the patient. Farmgirl58
— Farmgirl58
January 29, 2009
I had the band and thought that I should have gotten the RnY because you
lose weight much faster with the gastric by-pass. The band will keep you
restricted years out and nothing is cut and it is reversible if you need
surgery. I am an impatient one so the band was way to slow for me. I will
have to admit that I have not had the horrible problems that some of the
RnY folks have had, but then everyone with a RnY have not all had those
problems. I guess it is a personal thing. I think the more weight you
have to lose, the more drastic measures people are going to. My Dr. felt
the band would take off the extra weight but had I been over 300, then the
band would not have been good for me. I hope that you check into the
different procedures on line. They will explain exactly what to expect so
you can make an informed decision as to what surgery is best for you. Good
luck, Susan
— susangielda06
January 29, 2009
In my case, because I have such a large amount of weight to lose, my
surgeon refused to do the lapband on me because it would be completely
useless in my case because the lapband would never allow me to lose the
weight I need to. And since my insurance company only pays for ONE
surgery, if I would have had the lapband first and not lost the weight I
needed to, I would be screwed and have to pay for RNY anyways, out of
pocket. So I was very thankful for my surgeon being upfront with me about
the best procedure for me. I did want the lapband in the beginning, but
was put in my place by my surgeon very quickly.
— bicngillette
January 29, 2009
Everyone is different and has a different amount of weight to lose. So
perhaps you should do some research and talk to some docs and see what they
recommend. Good Luck and God Bless,
vinnigirl, retired RN
— vinnigirl
January 29, 2009
For me personally, it was a question of how fast I would lose the weight. A
year before my surgery, I was over 400lbs. I was 393lbs when I started
going thru the process so I could have my surgery, and I was 360 at my
pre-op appointment. I wanted to lose as fast as possible - I am not patient
and I knew weight loss with lap band would be a lot slower. My health was
also a concern; at that weight, the longer it took me to lose it, the
longer my health would be in jeopardy. I have been very fortunate that I
haven't had any major complications and I truly feel that I made the right
decision when I chose RNY.
— lauren_marie
January 29, 2009
I chose the RNY for various reasons:
1. The amount of weight I needed to lose and the time frame of losing it.
2. I knew that with the lapband, I could "cheat" with few, if
any, complications. (I have friends with band and RNY, so I saw what they
were doing) With the RNY, I feel more accountable and dont cheat.
3. I prefer a surgical procedure (re routing) over having a foreign object
in my body. I was very fearful of the band.
4. I did alot of research prior to my surgery and RNY was my best option.
I have not had any complications from the surgery. I am doing very well
with my RNY and do not regret it at all.
I am eating healthier, taking my vitamins, and following the rules to a
tee.
Research as much as you can. Do what is best for you and your health.
Everyone is different.
Good Luck with your journey!
Lisa
Re: RNYers wanting band later on: Actually, I have read where it is the
opposite. People with the band , not having much success, wanting the RNY.
(revision)
— tchrlisa
January 29, 2009
I chose the Duodenal Switch weight loss surgery.
I wanted to be rid of the weight and diabetes once and for all. I didnt
want dumping as with RNY.
Research ALL the WLS!
— SameButDifferent
January 29, 2009
My DR. would not do lap-band as I had Diabetes and he said I would not lose
enough weight, 244 at highest and 5'6".
I researched originally and had decided on band because of non-invasiveness
etc. But I am SOOOOOO glad that Dr. Coster advised me on the reasons that I
needed to have the Lap GBP instead.
— *****GIGS *******
January 29, 2009
I chose the RNY for various reasons also, I needed to lose the weight quick
for health reasons. I was 427 on 10/30/2006 now 2 years later I am down to
172. My Dr. told me that with the lapband, it would be a much slower
process and me I am afraid of needles. So, he suggested that the RNY was
the way to go for me. I have had no complications what so ever. It saved
my life. I have friends with the band and RNY, and so far the banders are
wanting the RNY revision. With the RNY, I feel more accountable and dont
cheat. I did not want to put a foreign object in my body. I am doing very
well with my RNY and do not regret it at all. I am eating healthier, taking
my vitamins daily. Everyone has a different opinion so do your research.
God Bless you on your new journey!
— sparkle8062
January 29, 2009
Hum....I don't want to put down anyone here cause it is not right. However,
it isn't a contest to see how fast you can lose the weight, but to do it
and do it in a healthy way. Of course we all want to lose it overnight but
that isn't realistic. Remember it took a long time to gain it, not
overnight. Research the different surgeries, ask questions and then discuss
it with your doctor. Maybe even go to more than one doctor for a consult.
Everyone is different. I was 297 & have a band. I thought the gastric
was too drastic for me. I didnt want a major surgery and was afraid of the
complications. Perhaps if I were heavier I would have considered it. The
band is reversible. The idea after is to change your ways. Read
up...online...on this site, etc. Ask questions...the more you learn the
easier it will be to make a decision and feel good about it. Good
luck...whatever you do it will be life changing. I am so glad I did it and
personally I wish I was further along at this point, but I am not giving
up.
— Linda R.
January 29, 2009
Originally when I started researching the surgeries, I wanted the RNY.
Then the more I read and talked to people, I thought the lap band would be
best as I had heard of some of the problems people who had the RNY had, and
was worried about malnutrition/malabsorption issues. When I talked with my
surgeon, and learned there was another option called the sleeve (VGS), I
researched it and decided (along with my surgeon) that it would be the best
choice for me. My surgeon's thoughts were that I had over 200 lbs to lose,
and the lap band isn't always that successful for people with that much
weight to lose - my thoughts were more along worries of it slipping and
having a foreign body inside me. With the sleeve, you have about 90% of
your stomach removed - the portion that remains is harder to stretch
because it is a long tubular shape and that part of the stomach doesn't
stretch as easily (but it is still possible to stretch it!). Also, ghrelin
is a hormone produced by the stomach that sends messages to your brain
telling you that you are hungry. With the portion of your stomach that
produces this ghrelin being removed, those hunger feelings are greatly
reduced. The VGS is between the lap band and the RNY in regards to how
quickly you lose weight. All 3 can be successful, but it depends on how
well you use your new tool! I've never been sorry I chose the VGS - I am
doing well and have lost a total of 84 lbs - 15 in the 2-week pre-op diet,
and 69 since surgery on 9/5/2008.
— Wendy M.
January 29, 2009
My surgeon does both, but said that they are not happy with the results
that they are seeing with the bands (they do both types of band). He also
said that the bands have been around in europe much longer than here and
that most doctors in europe will no longer do them since they don't seem to
work very well. He also said if you are diabetic he would not do a band
since it will not "cure" the diabetes and RNY generally will. I
am a diabetic and what I wanted most was to be off all the medicines that
made me feel horrible so I opted for the RNY. My Dad is a surgeon as well
and he said absolutely do not attach a foreign object to your stomach wall
which is what a band is. He said he has had to remove too many of them
when they have caused ulcerations and the surgery to repair those problems
is very dangerous due to septicemia. Anyway, I am 6 weeks post-op and off
all medications and I feel better than I have in many many years. At
almost every support group meeting I have gone to there is someone there
who has just had a revision from band to RNY because they have not lost
hardly any weight. Most insurance companies if they pay at all will not
pay for both so for me this was a very easy decision. If you do the
research and look at the statistics you will see that the vast majority of
RNY patients have no long term problems from surgery. I know being on this
website it sometimes seems like most people have problems, but that is
because the people who don't have problems don't generally post questions.
Good luck, I wish you all the success in the world! Cathy
— brindledanes
January 29, 2009
There are complications with any surgery.In the end it becomes what YOU
feel safe with and will get the job done. Yes RNY is very popular right
now. It has been done many many times and the insurance companies do feel
safer with this surgery because of this fact. Me, I had VSG (sleeve) done
and am glad I did. It dose not rearrange your insides and only the size of
the stomach is reduced. There are complications with any surgery so U
really need to research it all very much and in detail.
— chell1957
January 30, 2009
I originally went into the program thinking I was going to have lap band.
After talking with people on both sides of the surgery option and taking a
good look at myself and my personality, I changed my mind and went with
RNY. I don't want to have to see a doctor all the time for fills...I don't
want to have to go through the what can I eat now that I got a fill.....I
want this to be permanent and I don't want to be able to cheat. I want
this once and done and I want to change my life and be healthy. Those are
the reasons I went with what I did. Yes, I heard horror stories of friends
of friends who had RNY, but to be honest, most of the horror stories were
either from surgeries done 10 years ago with staples, or they were horror
stories because the person didn't follow the doctor's instructions and did
it to themselves. I am 100% happy with my decision and glad that I changed
my mind.
— Ursie77
January 30, 2009
At my first appointment my BMI was too high for my insurance to cover a
band, which was what I really thought I wanted. That made me rethink
things... and when all was said and done I had the RNY. My main reason for
wanting surgery was our family history of diabetes and high blood pressure,
now I don't really have to worry about either. I want to be as healthy as I
possibly can, and if it means using dumping (or the fear of at least) to
keep me on track, so be it. The fact that I am expected to lose more with
the RNY and that the stats for keeping it off are better also played a
role.
— snickersblk
January 30, 2009
I decided on the band for several reasons...
First, being that it was reversable. Not that I ever intend to have it
removed. (you will have to pry it out of my cold dead body LOL.)But for me
that allowed me to feel like there was an "out" if it wasn't
working or I found the lifestyle something I sould not endure.
Second, the weight loss is slower and while to some that is a downside to
me that was a plus. It is allowing me to make the changes in my lifestyle
more permenant. For every surgery there is a "window of
opportunity" and then your body adjusts or accomodates for the changes
you have made. This is why you see alot of people gain some of there weight
back. This happens in every surgery including the adjustable band, but due
to the nature of bands being adjustable you have a longer window of
opportunity. This does not mean that you can't lose weight further out from
surgery, it is just harder to do. (I think of it as the
window slowly closes until it is only open a crack) If you don't make this
a permenant lifestyle change you have a very good chance of gaining some if
not most of your weight back. I felt for me personaly that the longer the
window was open the more time I had to adapt these changes into my
permanent lifestyle.
Third, the band doesn't rely on malabsortion. My body can absorb all the
nutrients from the food that I eat. So, that I must learn to eat right. I
know that some people want the negative reinforcement of
"dumping" to help them change their behavior and I truly believe
in doing whatever works. For me I knew that would be a challenge because if
I am told I can't ever do xyz then you can be pretty sure that I am going
to try to prove you wrong. Also, when I try to
completely abstain form a certain things I have a tendancy to break down
and have tons of that forbidden thing. I also know that there is a large
number of people who don't have dumping at all. So far there is nothing I
CAN'T eat. If I chose to have it I have a bandster portion and then I am
done.
Fourth, for me the rerouting of my intestines was a major con.
Fifth recovery time was shorter for the band. Since I work for an agency I
don't get sick or vacation time so, I can't afford to take much time off. I
had surgery after I left work on a wed morning (I work nights) and I was
able to return to work Sunday night. In all reality I could have returned
to work Saturday night but I had already traded shifts with another nurse
and I liked the idea of having that extra night of sleep lol. I had surgery
at approx 10:30
in the morning and was haome by 5pm that same day.
These were my reasons for choosing the band. Everyone needs to look at
their own personal set of circumstance and choose what fits best for them.
I know that some insurance companies still don't cover the band. There is
no one right way to do this it is all very individualized.
~Heather~
Banded 8/13/08
H288/S266/C218/G150??
— caitsmom94
January 30, 2009
I had RNY four months ago and have been very pleased. No problems
whatsoever so far. I went into the doctor's office thinking I would get
lapband and he strongly suggested to me that I get RNY instead. It's
because I had a lot to lose and because he said that he's seeing less
hunger and more success with the RNY, plus various other reasons. He just
wrote a book on the subject. He's the doctor who did the show "Big
Medicine" if you've heard of that. His name is Dr. Garth Davis and
the book is called "The Expert's Guide to Weight-Loss Surgery: Is it
right for me? What happens during surgery? How do I keep the weight
off?". I've seen in at Target.com and at the Barnes and Noble store.
It's probably online everywhere. Knowing him, it's probably a great book.
— Andrea F.
January 30, 2009
Each person's decision is so personal that it really is between you and
your doctor. I decided on the Realize band after a LOT of research . . .
almost a year's worth. I have 175 pounds to lose and no major health
issues--yet (no diabetes, no blood pressure or cholesterol problems).
Because of how much I have to lose, my doctor initially talked to me about
gastric bypass, but after I discussed with him my reasons for the band, he
had no problems my decision. I wanted to lose the weight slower so that
(hopefully) I wouldn't have as many issues with saggy skin. I also have a
major issue with re-routing the way my body works. The fact that the
surgery is reversible, if medically necessary, was also a factor (that was
really important to my husband, who is an EMT). Even though I knew the
decision was the right one for me, I still had the normal "OMG what am
I doing?!" moments. For me, it all came down to literally writing out
the pros and cons of each one and then making the most logical decision.
— Linda J.
January 30, 2009
Well, I did not read all the answers because it is a decision you have to
make. I did rny w/ fobi band because my Dr said it has the highest sucess
rate for maintaining wl, but I went rny because I needed to remove the
option to eat certain foods. I know nothing about lap band so I can not say
anything about it, but I have had the sucess I wanted, I follow my rules, I
have been size 14 since 2003 & know what I can & can't tolerate, it
takes away the ability to even cheat because you will get sick. Not to
scare you, but I liked certain foods & now I can't eat them, I was a
cookie monster, now I am healthy, I eat healthy, I take my vitamins &
life is grand. You will do your reasearch as we all did & decide what
is best for you & your lifestyle good luck too you & bless in
whichever choice you make.
— Faerydust1313
January 30, 2009
I had started this whole journey thinking I would get Lapband. I went to
my doctor's information night and then started reading everything I could
get my hands on. These are my reasons for choosing RNY:
1. I am a sweet eater. The fact that I have to worry about Dumping
Syndrome helps to keep me a little bit honest. Dumping Syndrome goes away
eventually for most people, but I feel it helps me make better choices and
solidify the healthy eating habits I've been working to cultivate.
2. Lapband is a foreign appliance dwelling inside your body, and as such
is subject to removal at some point in the future. Typical reasons for
removal would be band slippage or erosion (it's irritating your stomach).
I don't know the percentage of Lapbanders who have to deal with this
problem, but I wanted something that nobody could take away from me. I
don't know if my medical insurance would cover another WLS.
3. I am a past master of the mind game, and a grazer. Lapband is not the
best choice for grazers, because it's easy to eat around the band.
Yes, I have to take vitamins. But, I should have been doing that years
ago. I don't worry about weight gain, because I make healthy choices, and
my tool will be with me forever. I made the choice once, forever, so yes,
my choices in the future are maybe a little more limited, but I don't have
the pressure of choosing so much every day.
This is just my journey. I wish you good luck in finding your path.
Whatever you choose, remember, it changes your stomach, not your head, so
participate fully in whatever psychological services are available to you
from your bariatric practice.
— Shirley D.
February 2, 2009
My surgeon informed me of the many varied types of surgeries available, and
the pros and cons of each. Then he explained how some help for certain
types of eaters, while others wouldn't. He helped me narrow down to which
would work best for me, and then I chose from those three. I didn't like
the standard band because of the constant maintenance required afterward
and because of the actual increase in possible complications (slippage,
etc.) and the idea of having a foreign object in my body. I ultimately went
with VBG, and have been very happy with the results. I've lost 106 lbs
since March 4, 2008. Best of luck.
— suezahn4me
February 3, 2009
I'm a little late in responding to your question, but I'm still going to!
When I first decided I needed to do something about my weight issue, I was
sure that I was going to have the RNY surgery. I attended the 3 hour
informational seminar that is required by our Bariatric Center and during
the entire seminar, I was not 100% comfortable with the idea of the RNY
surgery - - I wasn't sure if I could handle the lifestyle it would make me
live for the rest of my life.
That was in June of 2007 and until I attended a WLS group meeting in
October, I still wasn't convinced that I could handle the RNY. At that
October meeting, one of the Bariatric Center's doctors did a presentation
on the Lap Band. After about 10 minutes into the presentation, I looked at
my husband and said "this is for me". I knew I could handle the
lifestyle the band provided.
On April 29, 2008 I was banded and I have never, ever regretted it nor have
I had any issues at all. As of today, I am down 81 pounds! I was
discharged within 24 hours of being banded off my diabetes medications. By
September I was off my blood pressure and cholesterol. All of my blood
tests have come back very good - all I take is over-the-counter calcium and
a multi-vitamin.
Obviously, the choice is a very personal one - everyone has their reasons
for choosing the surgery they chose. All I can say is that I would highly
recommend anyone to look into being Lap Banded - - my results are as good,
if not better, than a lot of RNY patients.
I wish you the best in whatever surgery you decide upon. Whatever, you
choose, your life will be so different than it is today.
— Monte57
Click Here to Return