If You Were Goiing for Lap Band Then Changed to RNY WHY???

I have chosen Lap  Band however just recently after reading so many posts on here I am thinking about RNY.    Tell me if you changed your mind from Lap to RNY   What was the reason for you? Thank you...

I was thinking Lap Band over RNY.  Then I went to the information seminar with my support person and realized Lap Band wouldn't work for my life style.  Plus not all the fills were covered by my insurance.  Talked with support person and hubby and we all decided RNY best fits my life style and needs.  Everyone is different.  I have friends who have done both (1 lap and 2 RNY) and all are doing great.

Hello... I was originally going to get a LapBand but changed to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (both very similar as they are restrictive only surgeries).  In the long run I just felt the VSG fit for my life better. Good luck on your research. Ms Shell

I chose lap band originally, but have switched to the RNY.  For me it was more of a lifestyle thing.  I know Lap Band is only "restrictive"  and eventually that wouldn't be enough for me to be completely successful.  I need the fear of "dumping" to keep me on track.  I have researched both, and for me, I just felt that the RNY was a better fit for me.  I have heard that the lap band can erode over time (10 years) and then you either have to have it done again, or you could gain all the weight back. Its a personal choice I guess.  You will just have to do your research and choose what will be best for you.  I am still waiting on my surgery date.  I am supposed to hear back from my surgeons office by Wed. of this week good luck to you Linda

Hello, It is great that you are looking at your options. I am still in the pre-op status and waiting for insurance approval. I looked at 4 options (Lap, RNY, VSG, & DS). Finally decided upon the DS (duodenal switch) as the surgery for me. Not only do you have restricition but also malabsorption. Good luck on your research until you find what works best for you and your life style.

There were a lot of reasons I ended up going the RNY route but here are some of them:

1. No need for fills. I just wanted to have the surgery and be done with it and not have to worry about getting fills or having fluid taken out.

2. Similar recovery times. Originally I though that the band was just a quick weekend surgery and I'd be back to work on Monday. But the surgeon told me that both surgeries would require me being off work for about 2 weeks.

3. Port issues/pain. I hated the thought of having to deal with pain or issues at the port site. I'm one of those that it would really bother me if I could feel the port and I did not want that at all.

4. Long-term reliability. Since the band is still fairly new there aren't any studies showing how long they can really last inside of you. Being only 30, I needed something that had a proven record of being okay 30, 40 or even 50 years down the road.

5. Faster results. I am the type of person that needs to see results in order to stay focused long enough. Although both surgeries tend to even out at the 2 year mark (as far as weight loss), RNY patients tend to hit their mark much sooner.