Question:
Any suggestions on which WLS is the overall best?

Before I started reading about WLS' I was really wanting to do the lap band then I was told it doesn't work that well... but I am quite nervous about the actual GB procedure... any suggestions?    — Heyitzmejen (posted on March 2, 2010)


March 2, 2010
Have you checked into the Doudenal Switch. You should go to that forum.
   — Nikki W.

March 2, 2010
I did lap band and I am perfectly happy. In five months I have lost 54 pounds. Everyone is going to have a different opinion about what you should do. Do what you are, ask questions and do reach, look at the numbers. GB loses it faster but over all at five years out they results are the same. Some people see GB as more invasive surgery and it is. So just look at all the numbers and stats for all types and decide what you can live with. Goo Luck with whatever you decide
   — Barb Jones

March 2, 2010
I had lapband surgery 8 days ago and did a ton of research on both the lapband and gastric bypass. I was going to have the bypass 3 years ago but kept doing more and more research and decided to do the lapband this year finally. As the other poster said, you have to find what is best for you and what type of results you are looking for and how fast. I made my decision based on a lot of different things. You have to weigh your options. Good Luck in whatever you may choose.
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 2, 2010
You've already received a lot of good advice which is research and choose the best procedure for you. I chose open RNY because I need to lose over 200lbs, want the quickest method possible and like the benefits of the procedure. To get the benefits I had to accept the risks that come with them. Good luck!
   — KiaSunRay

March 2, 2010
I chose lap band and am very happy with it, I am 2 1/2 mo out and have lost 43 lbs, I just didnt want to reroute my intestines, I have done very well. Good Luck and God Bless
   — T R.

March 2, 2010
Please consult with your surgeon. Remember one surgery fits most...not all.
   — Caribou ME

March 2, 2010
I originally wanted the lap band as well. Then I went to my doctors and they told me about the vertical sleeve gastrectomy VSG. In this procedure they simply make you stomach much smaller. They don't reroute anything. This surgery has the least amount of complications and a is close to the RNY or Gastric bypass in success rate. I have lost 90 lbs in the past 11 months. I have a friend that had hers on Aug. 4 and she has lost over 100 lbs. I am very happy I chose this surgery and would choose it again. I would suggest looking into this surgery. My doctors highly recommended it over the lap band due to the complications and low success rate of the lap band procedure. I hope you have great success on your wight loss journey.
   — Lisa von Wallmenich

March 3, 2010
I chose RNY because of a close friend who had Lap Band and didn't lose ANYTHING. Of course, she didn't "work her tool" well... she changed from a binge eater to a grazer, even after several "aggressive fills" from the surgeon. All of the surgeries do require you to change the way you eat, and the surgeries offer you differing amounts of support for your changed behavior. I elected RNY because I wanted the extra support of malabsorption (the intestines part of the procedure) in addition to restriction (the stomach part of the procedure). One criteria I've heard is that it depends upon how much you have to lose. If you have a BMI over 50, like I did, I'm told RNY is a more effective procedure over the long haul. Smaller than 50, lap band begins to become reasonably effective. To my way of thinking, I had never had surgery, and if I was going to start, I wanted to go all the way, no baby steps. There are trade-offs with every procedure out there. The Duodenal Switch (DS) gives the most rapid and most permanent weight loss, but with highest amount of vitamin challenges and possible chronic diarrhea. It is often recommended for people with very high BMI's, 60 and above. RNY has been called "the gold standard of Weight Loss Surgery" perhaps because of how often it's performed, but it has challenges. RNY offers both restriction and malabsorption. Some people experience "dumping syndrome" after eating too much sugar or fat... a very unpleasant collection of symptoms including dizziness, sweating, pain, diarrhea. I haven't had it yet (hope to avoid) but I'm told you just have to lie down and pray to God it passes! Some people like the prospect of dumping syndrome as a way to curb a sweet tooth. Sweets were never my downfall so that part doesn't concern me as much (giving them up a year before surgery was no biggie for me). RNY folks do have to take vitamins and watch protein & get lab work to check for nutritional deficiencies, but the problem is not as severe as DS. However, the problem is more severe than with lap-band. Lap Banders are eating much less than before, so do have SOME nutritional challenges, but they don't have malabsorption so their vitamin challenges are the least of the surgeries. Some people really like the "adjustable" part of the lap-band surgery... if they lose too much, the surgeon can adjust the amount of liquid in the band to increase the stomach size and help regulate weight loss. You should also read up on the gastric sleeve... they just make your stomach smaller, but that's all. It's actually the first part of the DS surgery, but without the intestinal bypass portion of that surgery. Hope some of these thoughts have been helpful as you make your personal choice. No one can tell you one surgery is "better" than another... there are so many variables that you and your surgeon need to work together to pick what's right for you. Just remember not all surgeons offer all the surgeries. For example, my surgeon doesn't offer the DS, and I didn't want to travel too far to get the surgery, so that was off my list. You may decide that you want a specific surgery badly enough to choose your surgeon based upon that choice.
   — Greg K.

March 3, 2010
Definitely check VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy). I had it almost 2 years ago, lost all my excess weight, 135 lbs, and can eat what I want, just in much smaller portions. Understand, I do make wise choices, just as you would any WLS. I don't have problems throwing up, dumping, or food getting stuck. Food goes in and out the same way as before, just a much smaller vessel. Good luck.
   — corky1057

March 4, 2010
I had a Lap Band in 06 and lost 80lbs and stopped. Food was always getting stuck, I was throwing up daily. I had a revision to the RNY an I have lost 105lbs with that. I am 15 months out with a total weight loss of 190lbs. If IU had it to do all over again I would have had the RNY first. I did not like the Lap Band, however that is my opinion. I know there are alot of people who love the Lap Band. Everyone is going to tell you what they like, you just have to do what YOU want. I had people trying to change my mind and I decided what I thought was best for me. I initially wanted the by pass but my iron was a little low and my surgeon would not do it, so I went the Lap Band. Good luck in whatever you choose, remember it is a personal decision!
   — srdaugherty




Click Here to Return
×