HELP DECIDING BETWEEN SURGERIES

I have been trying to get approved for a weight loss surgery (with no luck yet). even though I am well above a BMI of 40 I have to jump through hoops to get it done (including having an IQ test!!! which was not required for any other elective surgery at my insurance company). I have been wavering between the band and the roux en y. I am a volume eater but I also eat sweets and breads. Which would you suggest? I am leaning toward the bypass because I am afraid if I have the band I will not lose the weight I need to lose. Also, has anyone else had to have an IQ test for their surgery?

Hi Jessica.............i had to have a physc evaluatuion before surgery and it was 500 hundred questions and then a 2 hr meeting with a pysch.....and personally only you can make the choice of which surgery you need, also your doc will tell you which one that would benifit you..........just remeber you might dump on sweets and maybe you wont...i have a gf that can eat a plate full of sweets and no dumping,but me i can do 2 bites and then i dump. There is one lady on here named mimi that had the band and im sure she could answer youre questions about the band,but as for the rny i that was my only way to go. I was an over eater and i would turn to food alot,but i have learned in that last yr that i no longer need all those sweets,i eat sf now. But you no what there are alot of people that fail at this......just remeber that the rny is a tool and to make the most of what we have...............i still have days that i crave junk and choc and cake and cookies but thats when i just go outside and run or read or eat sf pudding or something like that,but some days i will have a hershey kiss or a resse cup but thats my choice and thats what you need to do, do what is best for you and you will succed...........................vickie

I didn't have an IQ test but I did have to see their pychologist. I had RYN because I was worried that I'd over eat my band. I don't regret it at all. I too was a volume eater but trust me, after the surgery, a few bites & you're full. If you do overeat or eat too many sweets, you'll either throw up or get the lovely dumping. After doing this a few times you'll know what NOT too do! Today I have trouble eating bread & pasta & also I can't drink with my meals but I can eat sweets, within reason, or anything esle. It was the best decision I've ever done & I had mine at Bluegrass Bariatrics & they're super!

I have heard the IQ test is a new one that Insurance are wanting to require. depending upon your IQ you are more aware of the seriousness of the surgery and what all it requires for the most success. The lower the Iq the more chance of WLS failing I believe.

Hi Jessica I had Lap Band. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. However, having WLS is a very personal decision. Only you and your doctor can decide what is best for you. I can tell you about my experiences with Lap Band and many on here can share their experiences with RNY. There are Pros and Cons to whatever you decide. I chose the Lap Band because I didn't have that much to lose (

I chose the RNY because I was a bulk eater (I could eat a lot of pizza, chicken, steak....), and also a grazer and a chocoholic. I could eat a meal and then eat again in what seemed like a pretty short while. I knew that I could not go the band route because I would still be able to have milkshakes and chocolate etc...I knew that I would most likely, eventually thwart the band. I have lost big and regained a few times, so I felt like I knew me pretty well Good Luck!