Question:
How can I decide on lap band or Roux-en-y? I have done my research.
— suegrib (posted on July 1, 2009)
July 1, 2009
Only you can decide that. Noone else can. If you are a God believing
person you can pray about it, but ultimately only you can make that
decision for you. What is right for you maybe wrong for me and what is
right for me may be wrong for you. Good luck.
— southerngeorgiagirl
July 1, 2009
Assuming that your research included speaking with your doctor and mental
health provider, I would just suggest 3 additional considerations: 1. Are
you self pay?
2. Have you polled some patients of both surgeries? 3. What do you think
is best for you? I had a lapband 23 months ago and have lost 107 pounds,
which is a few pounds more than I actually needed to lose. My therapist
suggested that I have the RNY because I am a chocolate eater. The band
doesn't offer the physical issue of dumping with sugars, so I can eat it.
I have to be the controller instead of the chocolate. Since I paid myself
the 15,000 dollars was more doable than the 23,000 for the RNY. But, more
than that, I didn't want to reroute and cut what God had put there. After
my surgery I have met many lapband patients. Some are VERY successful, but
some didn't lose as much as they wished or have regained the weight. I
walk 5 1/2 miles 5 days a week and I weigh everyday. I want to be able to
get a handle on any weight gain. These strategies are working for me. I
LOVE my lapband and am thrilled that I chose it. Whatever your decision,
get plenty of support-surgery clinic, support group, OH, family, and
friends. WLS is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. I love it!!!
Good luck!
— gouldsfiya
July 1, 2009
I strongly suggest you consider the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). I
think it is the best procedure for people who do not have a tendancy to eat
sweets. I had mine about 10 months ago and I am very happy with the
results.
I think the band is mostly ineffective at best. From what I read, I
understand that about 60% of the people who have bands have no weight loss
long term and get complications that need surgical intervention to boot.
Some of the complications include erosion to stomach which causes
complications in revision surgery, GERD where the constant reflux ruins the
esophogus, and constant vomiting -kinda like having your jaws wired or
being locked in the house for weeks with only Gerb*r to eat...
If you can only choose between the band and RNY because of your insurance,
RNY is DEFINATELY a better choice, but take into account that there are a
lot of possible complications with RNY. You can Gd forbid have an
intestinal obstruction (which is life threatening) even many years down the
line. That is more rare, but malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies that
cause awful diseases are now popping up right and left with people who had
RNY years back. If you do it, you must make sure to take a lot of vitamins
- forever.
Good luck to you in making your decision. I hope this helps.
— zimra
July 2, 2009
I faced that same situation. I prayed and the good Lord probably got tired
of me going from one side to another. This is something you will have to
decide on. Good luck on the decision.
— alaskaman
July 2, 2009
I too started off wanting to go Lap Band, and after research ended up with
RNY. Dumping is the worst/greatest thing I've ever had. NOw at 3.5 years
out, I still get it, but not as stongly as I did in the begining. But it
reminds me about portion control and bad foods. Keeps me in-line and I can
easily push away the things that I had NO control over before. Yes, it
changes your "plumbing", but I figured if the MD was going to but
three little holes in my abdomen - he may as well do it for RNY, versus the
possibility of converting to RNY if my band method didn't help me achieve
the 100+ lbs that was a my goal.
Plus, I'm impatient! I wanted weightloss to be fast! I had a friend who did
the band, (she was s very big girl) and she learned how to "eat
around" the band, and eat nasty stuff, sweets, and carbs, all day
long. Needless to say, she did not lose what she wanted to. And got
frustrated and started the whole "stress eating" event again.
I hope you go to a few bariatric group sessions and ask those folks the
same questions. Good luck, you'll do what is right for you if you ask
enough questions before hand.
— dadebrito
July 2, 2009
I agree with the previous post. I had the Vertical sleeve on March 25 and
have lost 65 lbs. I originally wanted the lap band and my surgery assistant
explained to me the VSG and how it has the least amount of complications
and a great success rate. Your stomach still functions the same as before
and you don't have to worry about restictions. Also if you need to you can
proceed to the RNY. I have been very happy with my choice of this surgery
and I am doing great. I hope you do great as well with which ever you
choose.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
July 2, 2009
If you click on my profile, in my pics section I have uploaded a Surgery
Comparison Chart and it has all the info you will ever need to help you
decide which surgery to have. It has all the pro's and con's of each one.
If you can't zoom it good enough to see, email me and I will talk you
through the way to the website. www.lapsf.com check there and if you can't
find it I will help you. The way I choose my surgery was #1 My insurance
wouldn't cover the lap band and I didn't like the fact that there is
slippage of the band and scar tissue grows over the stoma (opening to the
stomach) and then you really have problems. #2 I had less than 100 lbs to
lose only by 10 lbs but people that have less are recommended to have the
RNY. Best wishes to you.
— Kristy
July 2, 2009
I would add consider your pre-existing conditions. I started out wanting
the lapband but ended up with RNY. I had a sense of peace about the
decision but now am struggling. I am a rheumatoid arthritis patient for 20
yrs and now the lack of anti-inflammatory medications is really making my
life miserable. I have a wonderful RA doctor who is trying to manage me
with injections but those take up to 3 weeks to build up in my system.
Until then I am in constant pain. No fun! Think of those pre-existing
conditions when making your surgical choice.
— pdgiff
July 2, 2009
— Gail T.
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