lap band or bypass?

I am trying to decide if I want to do lap band or bypass. I dont know yet if my insurance will cover it but I am trying to decide which one is best for me. I am 29, have sleep apnea and acid reflux, and I weigh 362 lbs. I have heard horror stories about bypass. Like people dying and people being in intensive care for a long time and stuff like that. BUT since I weigh so much wouldnt you think bypass would be for me? I am confused. I will talk to the surgeon about it when I get an apt with him. But just wondering which one is right for me?? Any suggestions?

My surgeon was really helpful in making that decision.  My main reason for doing bypass over band was that it cures GERD -- and it did -- like I honestly felt better the day after surgery.  (I know that most folks can't say that, and I was sore, but no GERD at all.)

For me, bypass has been much easier than I anticipated.  I was sore immediately after surgery but no real intense pain.  I battled fatigue for a few months after.  But, I also took just 3 days off work for my surgery! 

Food, which I imagined would be a major issue after.... and "head hunger" can be.... is not a problem.  I just don't get hungry the same way as before.  It's hard to explain but true.

Good luck with your decision!  Do what's right for you...

Laura

Welcome!!  12 days ago I had the RNY................4 1/2 yrs. ago I had the lapband.  I can honestly tell you the surgery to have the lapband removed and the revision to the RNY was so much easier on me than the lapband surgery years ago.  I am only one story and your decision has to be made with your surgeon.  The band wasn't right for me.  I initally lost 30 lbs. but then started having trouble with fills, unfills, just never could get the right fill.  I slimed a lot and it was embarrasing for me.  Unfortunately the 1st surgeon I used only did lapbands, so his seminar was based around that.  4 years later attended another seminar and this surgeon did the lapband, the sleeve, the RNY.  He explained each one in detail before your 1st consultation was even set up.  Very informative.  Do your homewrk well, o.k.  Best of luck!!

 I was 346 at the time of surgery and my doctor suggested RNY over the band he said most likely I would NOT get the result I wanted with the band since I want to lose 200 pounds, it's not unheard of but not as likely as it is with RNY.  The complications are scary with RNY but the odds are on your side that you will be just fine and there are many complications with the band as well.  So far (knock wood) I've had no complications, I can eat anything I want and I've lost 78 lbs in 3 months!  Good luck with your decision.

The lap band did not work for me. I had it for 2 yrs and only lost 17 lbs. I learned to eat around it. So Maybe I failed it. Anyway I had the bypass done 8 wks ago and hava already lost 27 lbs. I love the bypass. I needed the restriction and the malabsorption. Good luck with your decition.

WIll you be happy if you lose 50% of your excess weight? If you do you will be considered a lap band success. For me, that wasn't enough weight loss.
Deb T.

This is just my opinion but for me, when I was considering WLS, I thought - If you're going to have weight loss surgery, HAVE THE SURGERY! Yes, they are both surgery, but if you get to the point in life where you want surgical intervention to lose weight, why go half way? Why wouldn't you choose the route that delivers the most weight loss?

After battling my fat demons for 17 years I said, "Gimme the most drastic option that will ensure I lose this weight once and for all!" That's gastric bypass. The LapBand is just another diet, IMO, and how do those work out for you?

I just made the decision myself to have RNY.  I am sure you will find a good surgeon and they will explain to you what is best based on your health and weight.  I went to a few consultations and all of them told me that I would not be happy with the band because I needed to lose close to 200 lbs.  I am around 315 and they told me that I would not lose enough weight with the surgery.  I am healthy, I am just over weight.  One surgeon even told me he refused to do the band on me but he would refer me to a specialist for the band. 

Please don't waste your time,money and a surgery on the lap band.I had both surgeries and a high BM.The lap band is not good at all.No matter what anyone told me,I figured I would get the lap band because it was less invasive.Fast forward tons of painful fills and no restriction what so ever,I ended up needing RNY anyway.Please understand if they do cover the lap band and it doesn't work most insurance won't cover a 2cd surgery.Only because I had a major brain issue from the weight was my doc able to get it covered.He really had to fight for it though.Just really research how many lap bands have failed as opposed to RNY and DS.Good luck

 I had always heard that lap band was intended as a wls for people who only needed to lose less then 100lbs.  RNY is not even an option for people who want to lose 50 or 70 lbs unless they have major co-morbities.  

You said you are over 300 lbs, if you really want to lose the majority of that extra weight and keep it off then go RNY.  Yes there are complications and yes I am sure people have died from it but not as many people die from RNY as die from being morbidly obese I would think.  

My doctor said that it is way to easy with lap band to eat the wrong foods as they "slide" down better.  That would be the kiss of death for me.  I need something to stop me from eating sugar and crap.

Figure out what you want and what you can stand.  If you want to lose 200+ lbs and you need help keeping away from sugar and fats then go RNY.  If you can do that with out help then lap band.  Talk to your doctor.  But I agree with the other person, if you are going under the knife for wls, go all the way the first time or else like others have said you will be going under again.