Question:
Why did you choose gastric banding? Why did you choose RNY?

Just curious as to what other's reasons were. I chose RNY because of the reasearch I had done. What I gathered was that the RNY was more successful with long-term weightloss. I also chose this because I feel that I need the negative reinforcement about dumping and the food restrictions. I wanted to make sure I am successful. I am dealing with the other issues (Emotional Eating etc.) in therapy. Thanks    — armonce G. (posted on January 21, 2003)

January 21, 2003
I chose the RNY over the band too. True, you don't have to worry as much about vitamin deficiencies with the band, but I just knew that high-calorie liquids (which slip right through the band) would be a problem for me. But what really helped me arrive at my decision was a study published by Dr. Louis Flancbaum. He said that purely restrictive surgeries (like the VBG, and like the band too, presumably) tend to lead to a significant metabolic slowdown, which is very common with 'regular' deiting. However, for some reason, ppl who've also had an intestinal bypass DON'T experience the same metabolic slowdown as ppl who've had the purely restrictive surgeries... That little tidbit was what made me chose the RNY over the band.
   — Patricia E.

January 21, 2003
My Kaiser No. CA doctors only did the open RNY (I hear they now also do Lap), so I didn't have to make a choice...it was made for me. Although at the time I was not happy about having it done open, I'm glad now because I have had no complications to speak of and feel my surgery was done "right". Also the open RNY is known as the "Gold Standard"...so this put my mind at ease. I do like the fact that I dump, as I fight a sugar addiction. Down 94 lbs. in 8 months
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 22, 2003
I chose RNY because when my doc does it open he puts a ring around the area where the pouch hooks to the intestine so it doesnt expand and you can eat more food. Not to mention that the success rate is beter with RNY in the long run.
   — Angie L.

January 25, 2003
Here are some of the reasons I chose the lap band (adjustable gastric band) over the RNY: 1) permanent cutting and sewing back together of the intestines with the RNY 2) much higher rate of death during surgery with RNY 3) worried about how a future pregnancy would be with RNY 4) wanting to try something less radical than RNY 5) not wanting to dump-wanting to be able to eat normally just in smaller amounts 6) not wanting to have a limited "window of opportunity" in which to lose weight like with the RNY 7) not wanting that typical weight regain that occurs about 2 years out with RNY 8) wanting to lose more slowly so I can psychologically adjust to my new body 9) reversibility of the band 10) no worries about malabsorption of vitamins and malnourishment with the band like with the RNY 11) the adjustability of the band 12) easier, quicker surgery with quicker, easier recovery time 13) wanting my weight loss to be at a natural rate so I could keep the surgery to myself 14) sick feeling I had in my stomach constantly when I was thinking about the RNY that was replaced with a feeling of peace when I decided on the band 15) my mother had the RNY 6 years ago and still vomits everyday
   — M. B.

January 25, 2003
Also, I trust myself. I know it may be harder work over the short run to get the weight off with the band, but I know I can do it. And at the two year mark, the weight loss with the band is equal to that of the RNY.
   — M. B.

January 29, 2003
My surgeons did both banding and LAP RNY. I had Lap RNY 8 months ago (now down over 100lbs.) My reason was the weight loss issue. I hear with the banding it takes alot longer to lose the weight and not as many people are successful with it. I'm sure there are different statistics, but the office told me that lap-bands are only 50% successful, where as RNY is 90% successful, and normal diets w/o WLS are about 5% successful. ANd I am used to taking tons of pills and vitamins, so that issue wasn't a problem for me with the RNY. That was my reason, good enough for me!
   — Lezlie Y.