I need advice, lap band or RNY ?

I have been going to Dr. Brooks for sixth months now, that is so the insurance will pay. Today was my last visit with her and now my paper work goes to Amy in Dr. Gupta's office. I keep reading and reading everyones journey and I can't make my mind up. I thought I was set on the RNY but then talking to a friend that had the surgery a little over a year ago,he had lost 150#'s with the RNY and now he is starting to eat mindlessly, and his wife is worried he will gain the weight back. So I was thinking if I do the lap band then if  I start falling into bad habits then I can go in for a fill . I know the results are faster with the RNY but I can wait if the lap band will help me restrict longer. Please give me your thoughts on the band or RNY and how it is working for you. Iam sure I will have to make up my mind soon. Oh yeah and now there is this surgery that is called the sleeve that is supposed to be really good, but I don't see any doctors at St V. that is doing that surgery.  HELP!                                Thanks in advance for your help, Tracey

Hi Tracy!  My $.02 worth here....  It doesn't matter if you chose the RNY or the LAP BAND - either one is only a tool.  YOU still have to be in control of what goes into your mouth, and how you USE THE TOOL. That said,  I thought long and hard about this to, and this is why I chose RNY : I cheat. I know that about me.  I knew that with the lapband, I would be able to eat anything and not suffer the consequences that I would have with RNY, such as dumping if I try to eat ice cream.  I've watched co-workers with a lap band eat all the things we eat before surgery and not suffer any ill effects other than lack of weight loss/weight gain. With the RNY, I will SUFFER the consequence of bad choices - ultimately what I've needed all along!!  Just like the drunk with the hangover, I need to feel like crap one way or another if I'm going to make poor food choices. My belief is that this is the opportunity to make LIFESTYLE changes  - to see food in a different light and find the inner strength to see that food is for nutrition purposes mostly.  You will always get "guilty" pleasure from food, but you need to see it primarily as a form of enegy/subsitance for your body. Keep thinking about what it is you really want out of this, and make sure you are being honest with yourself.  Do you know YOU?... You know how to reach me if you have more questions!  {{[hugs }}} Lori

Lori,   Thanks for your words, I was beginning to think no one would respond to my post. What you said really rings true for me as far as the needing the complete restriction from bad foods. I will make a informed decision becasue there are people like you that are willing to be there for us that are just starting the journey. Thank you so much! Tracey

Hi and Good Luck to you, no matter which journey that you choose! I chose the RNY one because that is all that my insurance would cover BUT I do feel alot of the same advice that Lori had stated! I cannot afford to be able to work around my tool and I did believe that would be the case for me if had the choice to choose the LAPBAND! Yes, I have made some bad choices along my journey and I have paid the price for it! That is what I need! I know when I have had enough! I follow the RNY guidelines for the most part! I am one that believes in MODERATION! I wish that I had never tested the waters so to speak- but I did and now I must pay close attention and know that I have had my 3-4 bites, if it was not an appropriate choice! I am 2 1/2 years out and NO I haven't gotten down to 160 lbs, but I am happy for the weight that I have lost and know that I would not be enjoying my life right now without the opportunity that this new life has given me! I wish you the best- no matter what decision that you make! It is a personal decision and ultimately it is yours to make! We are here for you whenever you need us! Feel free to keep posting! Hugz Dawn

Dawn, thank you for your response, I have been on this web site a lot and have read your journey as well. I am not sure how long till I get my surgery but I am glad that you and others like you are willing to share your journey, and to be there for us as we emark on our journey. Thanks, Tracey

Hi Lori, Since your surgery, have you cheated and it made yourself sick?  I didn't know if most people stick to the diet completely.  I know it will be very hard to never cheat at all.  On the most part, I don't think I will have any problems.  At least I hope not.   Thanks for all of your help!

Sherry, I have been sick - mostly from eating too quickly and not chewing enough.  But I've experienced 2 episodes of dumping and they weren't pleasant.  The first time I ate some filling from birthday treat that was brought in to my work for coworked - I thought since it was cream cheese based filling it wouldn't be so bad, but the sugar didn't take long to hit me and I was cramping pretty badly.  The 2nd time was really a pretty innocent mistake... I had bbq pork for dinner.... the next afternoon I had labor pain and ended up in the bathroom a few times that afternoon....YUCK!!  The best i've been able to come up with is that there was too much sugar in the bbq sauce. My Dr's post op diet plan is pretty strict - I'm only allowed protein for the 1st 6 months - this is pretty tough, so yes, I have cheated.... I ate a couple of grapes and a strawbery and I had 1 brussel sprout the other night at dinner. I think I fear failing my Dr (and me too...) and that he would know if I ate something wrong - but I also want this to work for me, so I try to stick to it daily. Good luck to you all! Lori

I would have to agree pretty much with what Lori said. Either option is ONLY a tool and well you do depends on your dedication of a lifestyle change. Both physically and mentally on how you deal with food and eating has to change in order for any WLS option to work.

However, I'd like to point out something that is a misconception about the band. I'm one of the few (just like RNY) that dump and I have the band. That's right. I dump. I can't eat sugary carbs or natural fruit juices. I've also become lactose intalorant because of choosing the band. The odds are variable on both options on whether or not you will dump. It is NOT a guarantee that you will dump just because you chose the RNY. The only guarantee is your choice NOT to put those cheating foods in your mouth.

Good Luck
Jodi

My advice would be to talk to your surgeon about what your eating downfalls are, and have the surgeon help you choose which would be the best tool for you. That's what I did. I was originally thinking of the band, but ended up with RNY. I'm glad for it.

Tracey, I think this is a very personal and individualized decision. The reasons I chose as I did, may be totally different that the ones which are important to you. That said, I would recommend your first finding out what your insurance covers. There's no sence in building up your hopes on one WLS to learn they only cover a different one. Next, go to the information sessions that the surgeons have. Bring someone with you (dh, significant other, friends, etc). Ask questions! Then at your personal consult with the surgeon, ask even more questions. I would concentrate on risks and success.  Depending on your age, you may also want to discuss planned parenting and which would be easier for a future pregnancy. Listen to what the surgeon says. Honestly, I made the decision I did much because like you, I know a 'failure story'. This person had the lab band and failed..and had a revision to RNY..and ate till that one failed as well. I had decided to jump straight to the RNY. I also had alot of false ideas of the lap band. It wasn't until I met Jodi (Jo-Mac) that I learned just how good a lap-band can work. I'm not trying to encourage either type of surgery...I'm just saying that you should be sure to get in all the facts before making that decision.                                         

A question was asked by someone else about 'have you ever cheated'. I never have purposely. Does that mean that I haven't had a dessert in 3.5 years? No way! I do enjoy my Splenda!! As you get further out (+1 yr), you start to learn that 3 bites isn't what got you obese...a half of a cake topped with triple hot fudge ice cream was! 6 french fries isn't what piled on the pounds...2 Big Macs with a Super-large order of fries and a jumbo milkshake was! In other words, you learn moderation. Even with the sugar free stuff...moderation! I'm ok with 2 sf chocolates...a 3rd? Queezy city! some people say 'darn it! I don't dump!!'. Me? 'Hmmmm don't know if I do or not, but gonna assume that I would!'.                                                                  Sherri