Question:
Any regrets? Has anyone wished they had the lapband instead of the rny?
I started with the lapband and now am leaning towards the rny. Whoever can please reply. Thank you — angel4 (posted on March 6, 2007)
March 5, 2007
Hi Constance,
I went back and forth when making my decision too, and it is a big
decision, but I found that the more research I did the RNY was more for me,
I needed to lose about 130 lbs and wanted this surgery to be permanent. I
have had absolutely no regrets in my decision. I have been lucky and have
had no complications whatsoever. I have heard good and bad about both
surgeries, just do your homework and research both procedures. You will
find alot of good input on this website from everyone.. I know I have.
Whichever procedure you choose will change your life for the better!! Good
luck!!
— April
March 5, 2007
When I examine the food issues that contributed to my super-morbid obesity,
I know that only the RNY (or the DS) would have given me the permanent
solution that I needed. For me, I had a problem with sugar and white
carbs, so I needed the incentive of dumping (which, fortunately, still
effects me over 4 years out).
— SteveColarossi
March 6, 2007
When I first got the RNY, I was so angry with myself because I was so
miserable. I wished I had just gotten the lap band. It wasn't covered by my
insurance. BUt now that I am about 3 months out, and I have lost 69 pounds,
I am so very glad that I did it. I am no longer a slave to food. Eating for
me is a chore. I always thought that I didn't want for eating to be so
difficult because I felt that we should always enjoy our food. But now that
I am feeling so good, I love the fact that I must only eat to survive. I'm
not really ever hungry, but I know when I must eat because of how I feel.
Plus, since I have been keeping a record of every little thing that goes in
my mouth, I am able to see the benefits and reprocussions of certain food
decisions.
I can definitely say right now, with no reservations, that I would
definitely do this again.
— Cheriehott
March 6, 2007
As with everyone, I wanted the less invasive route. After comparing the
two, and looking at how I ate, I knew that I could easily defeat the
lapband. I like sweet liquids. Chocolate milk, milkshakes, etc. I used to
drink a shake a day at one point pre-op. I knew that with taht behaviour I
would never be successful with just the band. So I went the whole way. I'm
almost 9 months out, over 100lbs lighter just from surgery and 155 from my
lifetime high, and feel good. I can eat what I want, within reason, and do
allow myself a little taste of not so healthy stuff once in a while. If I
didn't, I'd go crazy. I know my limits though and always focus on the
changes I needed to make in my own habits. In order to make this a long
term solution, I know that is where I have to keep my focus.
Good luck and hope this helps!
— oceanrayne
March 6, 2007
Well Constance, I'm 5 months out with RNY and it was my doctor who made the
decesion for me. I have had 3 sisters, 1 nephew, and 1 niece has had the
RNY and 1 niece with the Lap Band. As you can tell "fat" runs in
our family and the eating habits were pretty much learned from past
grandparents. That is hard to change and if you have trouble staying on a
program then the Lap probably be better but with a small pouch for a
stomach it's like your hands being smacked when you overeat or don't eat
the right thing. Remember surgery is just a tool and you have to learn how
to use that tool. And, it's a lot easier than a diet!
— Virginia M.
March 6, 2007
I also chose RNY because of my diabetes. My doctor said that only RNY
would make it better, plus lapband was less restrictive and i wanted
something that was very very restrictive. I didn't want a port in my
abdomen either.
And running to the doctor for fills every so often didn't seem like much
fun either. So those are the reasons I chose RNY and I am not
disappointed...53 lbs off in 16 weeks!
— Sheri A.
March 6, 2007
Thank you to all, everyone's reply is very helpful. Your answers is what i
am beginging to see, and i do appreciate the input. I can honestly say i am
somewhat relieved that i am leaning toward th rny.
— angel4
March 6, 2007
Hi, I had RNY Dec 27, 2006... I, too, was leaning towards lapband at first,
until I realized that I would have no problem "out-eating" it and
I have no willpower. I need to have the dumping syndrome and I need it to
be permanent. I have no intentions of ever abusing my "tool".
It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I am almost 10 weeks out and
down 69 lbs... 86 lbs since the start of my "journey" in
November, 2006. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Plus, the thought of a port that has to be filled all the time really
freaked me out. Best wishes and if you have any more questions feel free to
ask me!! Aaryn :)
— airbear762000
March 7, 2007
Hi Constance, thanks for writing. I think a lot of people bounce back and
forth between the two surgeries. I read books, went to the classes every
month for 9 months to learn about the differences and listen to others ask
questions about the surgeries. I learned a lot on obesityhelp and other
websites and prayed a lot. For me the right decision for rny was made. No
regrets. When I prayed about it and thought about it, it came down to my
own habits and what I felt deep inside I needed. I thought, prior to
surgery, that I needed the malabsorptive quality of the rny because I
thought I would fool myself with the lap band and cheat much more than be
faithful. I know that my mind plays games with me about food, and in a
perfect world, I would just eat the right amount of stuff, all the right
stuff and chew very carefully every time. No sticking, no problems no head
issues. That is in a perfect world. Not the case, me being perfect that
is. I need the negative reinforcement I get with the stretched pouch and
nausea. I needed to throw up a french fry or two to remind me to chew
(several months after surgery). I needed the dumping syndrome (I don't get
it often, but I did get it a few times, especially early on) to remind me I
had a new tool and to respect it. I needed the rny to remind me the tool
was there, and don't get lazy and forget what I did and why I did it. Even
at 3 years out, I still battle brain issues with weight loss. It is a
daily battle and I am glad I have my rny tool to work with me on these
things. You have to know yourself well, and face the truth about your own
habits. Even though my tool helps me, having the rny will only work if YOU
work with it. It is not a miracle it is a tool. It is not a toy. Obesity
is a head issue with a body consequence, and if you don't use that tool and
keep it in good shape, you will regret your decision. Is weight loss worth
giving up soda? Is it worth water, protein and exercise for a year? Is it
worth giving up some personal liberty and gluttony? Are you really gonna
take it and submit to the rules or fight it all the way? You have to ask
yourself some tough questions. You don't owe me any answers, but before
you allow someone to cut you open and rearrange your body or add a tool to
your body, be sure you are willing to change for good! I have seen a lot
of people just get what they "want" in surgery and never really
take off any weight, and whine the whole way and then regain. Don't go
through any surgery like this without a lot of self examination. If you
face the truth, you have a better chance of making the best decision for
yourself than if you lie to yourself about anything. I hope you do well
and that your research will lead you to a good decision. I did a lot of
research, but got final peace in prayer with God and my relationship with
Jesus Christ. I had all confidence that He would see me through. I am
glad to report that God is faithful and the peace He gave me is still with
me today. If you would like to know more about Jesus Christ, just ask. I
will be glad to share. Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
March 7, 2007
I had the choice of the band or Roux-en-Y (RNY). I chose RNY because I
wanted to "go all the way" and commit to the thing that had the
greatest probability of helping me to get my life and lifestyle changed
around. The band is more easily reversible than RNY and I did not want to
have an "escape hatch" available to me down the line if and when
things got a little tough. Also, although it was not a factor in my choice
prior to surgery, I now know that the dumping syndrome and MY DESIRE TO
AVOID IT has helped me to lose weight after RNY surgery. My understanding
is that there is no dumping syndrome with lap-band. GO for the gold. GO
RNY!
— [Deactivated Member]
March 9, 2007
I have chosen RNY, and my surgery is this coming Tuesday. A big aspect for
me is that I found out that frequently if you have problems with the lap
band, and have to have it removed, many times the insurance will not pay
for you to do RNY. I also didn't like the idea of a an implant.
— David S.
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