Question:
Any suggestions on which WLS is the overall best?
Before I started reading about WLS' I was really wanting to do the lap band then I was told it doesn't work that well... but I am quite nervous about the actual GB procedure... any suggestions? — Heyitzmejen (posted on March 2, 2010)
March 2, 2010
Have you checked into the Doudenal Switch. You should go to that forum.
— Nikki W.
March 2, 2010
I did lap band and I am perfectly happy. In five months I have lost 54
pounds. Everyone is going to have a different opinion about what you
should do. Do what you are, ask questions and do reach, look at the
numbers. GB loses it faster but over all at five years out they results are
the same. Some people see GB as more invasive surgery and it is. So just
look at all the numbers and stats for all types and decide what you can
live with. Goo Luck with whatever you decide
— Barb Jones
March 2, 2010
I had lapband surgery 8 days ago and did a ton of research on both the
lapband and gastric bypass. I was going to have the bypass 3 years ago but
kept doing more and more research and decided to do the lapband this year
finally. As the other poster said, you have to find what is best for you
and what type of results you are looking for and how fast. I made my
decision based on a lot of different things. You have to weigh your
options. Good Luck in whatever you may choose.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 2, 2010
You've already received a lot of good advice which is research and choose
the best procedure for you. I chose open RNY because I need to lose over
200lbs, want the quickest method possible and like the benefits of the
procedure. To get the benefits I had to accept the risks that come with
them. Good luck!
— KiaSunRay
March 2, 2010
I chose lap band and am very happy with it, I am 2 1/2 mo out and have lost
43 lbs, I just didnt want to reroute my intestines, I have done very well.
Good Luck and God Bless
— T R.
March 2, 2010
Please consult with your surgeon. Remember one surgery fits most...not
all.
— Caribou ME
March 2, 2010
I originally wanted the lap band as well. Then I went to my doctors and
they told me about the vertical sleeve gastrectomy VSG. In this procedure
they simply make you stomach much smaller. They don't reroute anything.
This surgery has the least amount of complications and a is close to the
RNY or Gastric bypass in success rate. I have lost 90 lbs in the past 11
months. I have a friend that had hers on Aug. 4 and she has lost over 100
lbs. I am very happy I chose this surgery and would choose it again. I
would suggest looking into this surgery. My doctors highly recommended it
over the lap band due to the complications and low success rate of the lap
band procedure. I hope you have great success on your wight loss journey.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
March 3, 2010
I chose RNY because of a close friend who had Lap Band and didn't lose
ANYTHING. Of course, she didn't "work her tool" well... she
changed from a binge eater to a grazer, even after several "aggressive
fills" from the surgeon. All of the surgeries do require you to change
the way you eat, and the surgeries offer you differing amounts of support
for your changed behavior. I elected RNY because I wanted the extra support
of malabsorption (the intestines part of the procedure) in addition to
restriction (the stomach part of the procedure). One criteria I've heard is
that it depends upon how much you have to lose. If you have a BMI over 50,
like I did, I'm told RNY is a more effective procedure over the long haul.
Smaller than 50, lap band begins to become reasonably effective. To my way
of thinking, I had never had surgery, and if I was going to start, I wanted
to go all the way, no baby steps. There are trade-offs with every procedure
out there. The Duodenal Switch (DS) gives the most rapid and most permanent
weight loss, but with highest amount of vitamin challenges and possible
chronic diarrhea. It is often recommended for people with very high BMI's,
60 and above. RNY has been called "the gold standard of Weight Loss
Surgery" perhaps because of how often it's performed, but it has
challenges. RNY offers both restriction and malabsorption. Some people
experience "dumping syndrome" after eating too much sugar or
fat... a very unpleasant collection of symptoms including dizziness,
sweating, pain, diarrhea. I haven't had it yet (hope to avoid) but I'm told
you just have to lie down and pray to God it passes! Some people like the
prospect of dumping syndrome as a way to curb a sweet tooth. Sweets were
never my downfall so that part doesn't concern me as much (giving them up a
year before surgery was no biggie for me). RNY folks do have to take
vitamins and watch protein & get lab work to check for nutritional
deficiencies, but the problem is not as severe as DS. However, the problem
is more severe than with lap-band. Lap Banders are eating much less than
before, so do have SOME nutritional challenges, but they don't have
malabsorption so their vitamin challenges are the least of the surgeries.
Some people really like the "adjustable" part of the lap-band
surgery... if they lose too much, the surgeon can adjust the amount of
liquid in the band to increase the stomach size and help regulate weight
loss. You should also read up on the gastric sleeve... they just make your
stomach smaller, but that's all. It's actually the first part of the DS
surgery, but without the intestinal bypass portion of that surgery. Hope
some of these thoughts have been helpful as you make your personal choice.
No one can tell you one surgery is "better" than another... there
are so many variables that you and your surgeon need to work together to
pick what's right for you. Just remember not all surgeons offer all the
surgeries. For example, my surgeon doesn't offer the DS, and I didn't want
to travel too far to get the surgery, so that was off my list. You may
decide that you want a specific surgery badly enough to choose your surgeon
based upon that choice.
— Greg K.
March 3, 2010
Definitely check VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). I had it almost 2 years
ago, lost all my excess weight, 135 lbs, and can eat what I want, just in
much smaller portions. Understand, I do make wise choices, just as you
would any WLS. I don't have problems throwing up, dumping, or food getting
stuck. Food goes in and out the same way as before, just a much smaller
vessel. Good luck.
— corky1057
March 4, 2010
I had a Lap Band in 06 and lost 80lbs and stopped. Food was always getting
stuck, I was throwing up daily. I had a revision to the RNY an I have lost
105lbs with that. I am 15 months out with a total weight loss of 190lbs. If
IU had it to do all over again I would have had the RNY first. I did not
like the Lap Band, however that is my opinion. I know there are alot of
people who love the Lap Band. Everyone is going to tell you what they like,
you just have to do what YOU want. I had people trying to change my mind
and I decided what I thought was best for me. I initially wanted the by
pass but my iron was a little low and my surgeon would not do it, so I went
the Lap Band. Good luck in whatever you choose, remember it is a personal
decision!
— srdaugherty
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