RNY Vs. LApband

Why does it seem like more people on here has the RNY then they do Lapband?

I personally had the RNY because I felt that I could "defeat" the band. With the RNY you body will tell you "Hey, you can't eat that and I'll show you how sorry you'll be!!" and this will help remind you that you should not eat certain foods. This reaction is helping chhose healthy foods right now and retrain my mind to choose those first. I felt with the band I would still drink pop, milkshakes, eat fatty and fried foods, and generally eat very bad. With the band you can still do these things, just in smaller amounts, and I don't have the willpower to say no. Later, with the RNY, I'll be able to eat more types of foods. Also, I don't know if this is good or bad, the weight loss is usually much faster with the RNY. Everybody chooses their surgery that fits their lifestyle the best, there are alot of people who have had each and are very happy with their decision. I would think about the type of eater you are and speak with your surgeon. He will discuss good and bad about both and help you choose. And good luck!!!

ditto - just like murph said - also the surgical risks for both are the same - also I want to add that you need to educate yourself about both surgeries, talk to your surgeon about both and make up your own mind.

You are correct, the risk of surgery is the same, however the risk of complications is not.

it is a big decision, just wanted to say good luck. Miranda RNY 12-29-2006 299/189/150 surg/now/goal

Good Evening, I just want to share with you a few of my thoughts. 1. I too have Dr. David Geller as my surgeon. He is awsome both as a surgeon as well as a person. Dr. Geller is very into the lap-band and it may seem he "sells" them more than the RNY. 2. Dr. Geller respects YOUR decision. 3. He will not do surgery on someone that is having second thoughts. 4. He wants you to be informed and sure of your decision. 5. He is easy to talk to, and will answer all your questions. I agree with the people that replied before me. I too wanted to be sure that I had the surgery that was best for me and would be the best tool and would allow me the greatest chance of success. You need to talk with Dr. Geller and be very honest. Good Luck in your journey, Katherine

RNY is generally better for people who eat a lot of sweets.  It limits your ability to eat sweets by making you dump.  Once a food has caused you to dump, you aren't likely to be attracted to it again. The band is better for people who tend to eat large volumes of food.  It limits your ability to eat more than a cup or so of solid food, and it keeps you from getting hungry for several hours. I chose the band because I like that it has fewer complications and feels "safer" to me.  Th stomach and intestines are left intact; there's merely a little belt around the top portion of the stomach.  I also like that the weight loss is slower, although over a 3-5 year period, the losses are the same.  I also like that the band is adjustable, so I can continue losing for as long as I have restriction.  Another positive for me is that there are no vitamin/mineral deficiency risks with the band.  What I eat is what I absorb.  I get all of the calories, vitamins, and minerals that I consume, and I have to take only a multi-vitamin daily. I have 3 close friends who had RNY, so I have heard their stories, and they feel they chose the better option for them.  But for me, the band is the better choice, and it's working extremely well for me. Your doctor should help you decide which surgery is better for you.  Good luck! Kathy

I personally chose RNY.  Originally I was going for the Lap-Band, but after researching it had a change of heart.  Why?   First and foremost, I was a serious sugar addict.  No band was going to get me off sugar.  It just was not going to happen.   I knew I would fail because the sodas and milkshakes would just slide on through. Second, after my research I decided I did NOT want the extensive follow-up required with the Lap Band.  Some people do not mind that.

Thirdly, if I was going to risk my life with ANY surgery, I really wanted one that I knew I could suceed with because, as my surgeon put it, choose wisely because Good Luck getting your insurance to pay for a second surgery!