I've said too much today... I had a relatively free evening for the first time in ages. I'll shut up soon, but I want to start one more topic.

Last night I spoke about my WLS experiences at a seminar that my surgeon was hosting for potential WLS patients... those in the "pre-Buffy" stage. :) I was momentarily stumped by an unticipated question:

Why did you decide to have the RNY gastric bypass instead of the lap band?

Well, after encouraging them to talk to others about their decisions, and emphasizing that it is a very personal decision, and that my reply should be treated merely as one person's opinion, I stated the following as my reasons for having the RNY rather than the lap band:

1. In addition to the restrictive benefits of both surgeries, I also wanted the additional benefit of the malabsorptive aspects of the RNY procedure.

2. I didn't want to hassle with the periodic adjustments of the band.

3. I didn't want to have a permanently-installed medical device in my body.

Don't know if those are good reasons, but they were my reasons. I asked the nurse if it is often a financial decision. She said no, that most of their patients are insurance patients rather than cash patients, and that the cost to the patient is usually the same. After hearing this question, I thought it might be a good discussion topic here.

I didn't know about the lap band, but knowing more now, think I made the right decision as the RNY makes you eat less and I needed help with the portion control! :blush:

Pooh

once they tighten the band, to the right stage--their "pouch " is about the same size as ours. I didn't have the choice--medicare paid for mine. They don't cover the lap-band procedure. But If money was not an issue--I would have chosen the RNY any way. Part of my success is NOT being able to tolerate sweets/carbs. I am like Jeff in wanting the malabsorption aspect of the RNY.

But it is a totally personal decision.

I am hoping for the RNY...I need the malabsorptive as well as restrictive. I am not in the lower BMI category nor am I physically fit enough to be concidered a "good " candidate for the band. I want a bigger loss than the band offers. RNY also offers a higher percentage of resolution for my comorbidities. My reasons...no one elses and thats the way it should be. We do this for ourselves...Our health.

I personally WANTED the lapband procedure, instead of the RNY. The main reason for this is that the lapband is less surgically invasive. NO permanent cutting up of my stomach and intestines. I mean, thinking about someone cutting you all apart inside and sewing you back together is a very scary thought. The lapband seemed to be a less drastic procedure.

The reason I didn't have the lapband procedure was simply a matter of insurance. My insurance company still considers this an "experimental" procedure and wouldn't approve the surgery. I gave up on WLS for a while, but then started investigating the RNY procedure.

The malabsorptive and "dumping" qualities of the procedure have turned out to be a great benefit to me. I have had problems with eating too many carbs and sugars in the past, and believe me.... RNY stops that cold. I got sick yesterday from eating tomato soup, and I have no desire to go through that again. It's very scary.

So this procedure is changing a lot of my eating habits. It's more than just being full and losing weight; it's a little bit of living in fear. I am afraid of getting sick if I don't follow the rules. Which is one of the down sides of the RNY procedure. This is for life. With the band, I could always have it loosened, tightened, or removed - depending on my weight loss or medical condition. RNY - well, it's non-reversible and it's with me for life.

I think that these are EXCELLENT points, and may be why my surgeon is seeing a huge shift toward the lap-band. Even three years ago when I had my first consultation, and a year and a half ago when I had my surgery, the lap-band was still not talked about all that much. It seems to me like a marvelous technology, and a fabulous alternative to those who share Andie's concerns about RNY surgery. I think that ultimately the band procedure will bring a lot of people into the WLS community who would not have had RNY.

After reading up on both procedures, I opted for the RNY. I have no will power when it comes to food and it is totally the fear of getting sick that keeps me from eating sugar.

~L

Jeff -
May I also add that FDA approval for the band is relatively new in this country which will also increase the numbers of bandits out there. Also when you look at the stats between RNY and Lapband at 5 years out the total weight loss average is the same for both surgeries. It just happens faster for the RNY folks

As you know I opted for the band, pretty much for the reasons Andie sited plus I am a former marathoner and wanted to make sure I could easily go back to that lifestyle ( Damon is in a league all by himself)

Most of the RNY folks I talked to opted for that procedure for reasons very similar to yours.

I will say when I compare myself at three weeks out to an RNY patient its a total different ball game. I am hungry, I have to work hard at it much like pre-surgery until I heal well enough for my first fill. Right now for me there is no honeymoon or easy weight loss. Its a grind it out until I get my fill. I am determined to use the tools to get through this.
Your correct most doctors mine included recommend the stages diet, I did not follow it because I was too hungry to say on liquids and my Dr. advanced my diet early.


Paula

I chose RNY for much the same reasons. I wanted the fact that I could not change it because temptation would be too great for me and I would have likely allowed myself too much leeway. Also, I had read that lap band was not as successful long term and I opted for what seemed to have the greatest success with the most potential for me to stay successful long term. This info may not have been correct--perhaps there is no difference at 5 years, but my preference would still be RNY. I have not "tested" myself to find out if I can tolerate sweets--I've made it 15 months now and still have no desire to experience dumping nor do I want to know if could get away with it and not dump! I am better off staying away from those temptations. I know myself well and if I knew I could fully tolerate sweets, I would not be as diligent with my diet and would likely have ended up where I started. I'm just glad there are different options available for people to choose what suits their lifestyles and emotional strengths the best.

Paula,

I dont know what I would have done had the coice been offered to me because at the time cycling wasnt even on my mind.Now had it been offered and I was doing it with endurance athletics in mind I more than likely would have chosen the band if I was told that RNY may prohibit my participation.Why I have not experienced the problems that all said I should is a mystery to me also.This is why I want to get someone to do some study/research on my path to where I am.I would like to believe that I am not a special case in the physical sense and that the limitations are only ones of willpower and desire.This brings me to a thought:It seems that no matter which path you take it all comes down to this,it's all about choices good and bad.If you choose to eat foods that could cause weight gain you need to offset those choices with exercise that will burn them.A simple fact that is true for everyone is that if you burn more calories than you consume you are not going to gain weight.I understand that there are psychological situations that come into play but if your mind set is right and you have no physical limitation this truth still holds true.

Paula I know that when things settle down that you will see the progress you were hoping for.I am looking for the post that says "I just finished my first Marathon Paula".

The most profound truth is this:Everyone here has been given a second chance and what we do with that chance is our responsibility and I would pray we all would choose to be healthy.

Beautifully said, Damon. Thank you.

I choose the RNY because I wanted the smaller pouch as well as the malabsorbtive properties. My research showed that the lap band did not do much to alleviate your feelings of hunger. Also, if the band did not work it would be harder to go back and do the RNY (scar tissue build up). My only issue with the RNY was I wanted the doctor to go more distal with my intestinal bypass. He would not. He stated his research showed there was no hard evidence that weight loss would be improved the longer the bypass was. That's not what I had come up with from my research. However, I think he had a standard length of bypass that he used. So far my weight loss has been really good. I am down 40 pounds and I am about 6 weeks post op.

Sharon aka NewBeginnings

Are you in the "considering surgery" phase in your fight against morbid obesity? Weight Loss Sugery is a common name for surgical procedures that restrict food intake and result in weight loss. Presently there are two procedures that account for 95% of all weight loss surgeries in the United States:

Gastric Bypass Surgery, most commonly Roux en Y
Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band)

Please link to these brief, but informative videos, to learn more about these procedures to help you know what is right for you.

Understanding Gastric Bypass Surgery and Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery

What Are the Different Types of Surgery for Obesity?

The LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood is funded in part by Healthology, a leading producer and distributor of physician-generated health and medical information on the Web.

Well, this is very interesting indeed! I, for one, heavily researched the surgeries for over two years before even deciding. And, I am NOT in any way bashing any particular procedure, however, if anyone will take a look at the white papers on this topic, i.e. clinical trials, MedLine, etc., it has been historically shown that people who undergo the LapBand are, overall, not as successfull as those with RNY, partially because the lapband still allows almost anything to be consumed, just in much smaller quantities, and also because of the lack of malabsorption. Weight loss has been shown, again overall, to also be much slower on LapBand, and the total percentage of weight loss is less. Again, I am not in any way bashing on LapBand - two of my very best friends had lapband, but I wanted a bigger impact and something more life-changing. I thank god every day that I dump horribly on sugars, too much fat, etc.

I think a factor in determining which surgery to have should also be how much the patient needs to lose. I was over 400 pounds, so medically, the RNY just made more sense...

Michael

Micheal--it's hard to picture you being over 400 lbs.....



But Being a heavy weight myself the RNY was the right choice. But it boils down to what each individual wants...

BUMP...

In response to a thread that asked this question. I'll post a link to this thread as a reply to that inquiry too.