Question:
Is adj band a good technique & do you lose all the weight?

   — Paula P. (posted on May 19, 2003)

May 19, 2003
Our adjustable lap band patients have not experienced as significant weight loss as our RNY patients have. The band has benefits and drawbacks as all the other procedures do. The band is safer, less invasive and reversible. However, overall the weight loss is less significant and requires a bit more discipline. The RNY is major surgery, has a higher mortality rate and longer recovery. For me personally, I had to choose RNY because of the dumping factor. I believe I could've figured out quickly how to "eat around" the band (such as chocolate, milkshakes, etc.). The band is more appropriate for older patients or patients who don't need to lose quite as much. I think it's what is most appropriate for each individual.
   — ronascott

May 19, 2003
May I suggest looking into the Q&A archives? Go to the search and tye in "adjustable" or "band" and you will find all sorts of comments and experiences with this type of WLS. The surgeons in my center do both types. As I have only had RNY I can ony tell you my view. But coming from surgeons and nurses: 10% of RNYers gain their weight back, 50% of Band patients do and over 95% people who just diet and exercise gain it back. But band is thought of as safer. There are many positives and negatives to any WLS. Look it up the band in Q&A and you'll find some great answers on it. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

May 19, 2003
May I suggest that you speak to people who actually have experience with the band? There tends to be a good bit of disinformation floating around about the lap band in this forum. Here are a couple of message boards where you can talk to people who chose the band. http://www.spotlighthealth.com/common/SG/topics.asp?m=1&sb=25 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bandsters/?yguid=6535337 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/?yguid=6535337
   — TMF

May 19, 2003
The RNY tends to cause faster weight loss that stops sooner, whereas the lap-band weight loss is slower but for a longer time period. There is some evidence that, after a few years, the weight loss with either procedure is about the same. The Duodenal Switch procedure is actually the most likely to make you lose all your excess weight. However, the trade-off is that the DS poses a greater risk of complications and malnutrition than the RNY or the lapband. I was just banded on Friday. This is why I chose the band: If the lapband doesn't allow me to lose enough weight to feel healthy, then I can always get a duodenal switch later on. So, I'm still leaving the options open...it's just that I would really prefer to avoid the risks of any kind of bypass, as long as there is a less invasive choice that may work for me. I don't want to have dumping, personally. I want to be able to eat an occasional sweet without being punished for it - just a lot less junk food than I used to! I've heard it said that ~1/3rd of RNYers don't dump anyway, and yet many of them are still successful - so it is my personal opinion that dumping is not essential to success. I also look at gradual weight loss as a good thing, since it means less loose skin and an easier time adjusting physically/mentally to my new shape. At 20 years old, I also feel that I am too young to take the chance that long-term malabsorption might lead to some kind of nutritional deficiency 20, 30, or even 50 years later when the lapband could be enough to lose down to a safe weight. I also would like to have children in the future. While I understand many people have successful pregnancies with the RNY or DS, and I'm happy for them, pregnancy seems a lot easier with a lapband (which can be deflated for the pregnancy). I recommend joining some mailing lists for RNY, DS, and Lapband so you can get all the pros/cons straight from the people who live with these surgeries. Good luck with your decision no matter what you choose.
   — K M.