Lap Band vs Lap RNY

Happy Saturday to Everybody! My mind has been working over time these past few days. I had originally decided to do lap band then changed my mind to the lap rny. Now I'm beginning to think I should have stuck with my original plan. I know there are a few of you out there who have chose or will be having the lap band. I would like to know your specific reasons. Those of you who have chosen the lap rny please tell me your reasons. I know this is a very personal decision and each one of us has to figure out what is best for ourselves. I am 43 years old, about 110 lbs overweight, suffer from high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. I do not have to take insulin just Avandia. I also suffer (on and off) with gastritis. That's where my stomach digests food slowly. There were times I would be really sick to my stomach and have the dry heaves...was horrible. Took about 3 months to figure out what was wrong with me. They had be fast for 12 hours then go into hospital and eat a scrambled egg. They then put me under some type of xray machine and watched how my stomach processed the food. It took about 2x as long to process as it actually should. The tech told me he had patients whose digesting process was so slow that the food would ROT in the stomach before it was digested. Yuck! They prescribed Reglan for it. Praise the Lord I rarely have problems with it now except if I get the stomach flu or something then it flares up for a few days. So I have some idea of "dumping" and I really don't want to have to go thru that. Do you have dumping with the lap band? My gastrologist said lap rny could make my condition worse. Not sure if he realizes I hardly ever have that problem anymore. Deb M. I couldn't find one of your old postings but I think your profile says you will be having the lap band. Did Dr. H say that was best for you? He told me I'm a perfect candidate for the lap rny. But like I said when I had my initial consultation with him I had already changed by mind to the lap rny. Sorry for all the questions. This is just one of the biggest decisions I will ever make in my life and I want to have all the information I can. I agree with Everybody else, the Missouri Board is the best! Debbie D.

Hi Debbie....yes I have gone back and forth over which one to do, RNY or LAP Band. Originally, my Micro-surgeon is the one that told me that I needed Lap Band done. He didn't say "weight loss surgery" and I trust this Dr whole heartedly! So, Lap Band it was! Then, I see all the peeps on here getting the RNY and the weight just falls off them and sometimes, their clothes too....lol. I want that!! ....the weight falling off, not the clothes! ...lol With Lap Band, the weight supposibly doesn't come off as fast and I may not be able to lose all the weight I want. I, myself would be happy just getting under 200lbs. I could live with that but 160 to 170 is more what I'm looking at . I also ask myself, does that mean that I will have time to work my muscles back into shape where I won't have so much loose skin or the other side effects of RNY? Then, I get to thinking that RNY is permanent and if they have to go in to fix any of it (God Forbid), it will probably be major surgery for them! A lot of the peeps that are having the RNY done told me that one big reason for going with RNY is because they don't like the idea of have something foreign in their bodies, I can understand that! With more thought, I came back to Lap Band Surgery due to the fact that I will probably be needing at least 4 more surgerys in my lifetime....not counting the wls or tummy tucks. During those surgeries they will be putting tubes down my throat and this may not be possible with RNY. The Lap Band on the other hand can be removed or drained to where it will be wide open and can be filled again after my recovery. Also, I told Dr. H that I have had 8 surgeries already and that they had taken enough out, it was time to put stuff back in...we both laughed!! The final conclusion (so far...lol) is that I will be having the Lap Band... (1) because my back Dr.(micro-surgeon) said that's what I need. My PCP agrees totally with him. (2) It's less drastic of a surgery. (3) If I get the Lap Band and it doesn't work for me I can always go back and have the RNY done. (4) What I said above about future surgeries. (5) If something does go wrong with it in me, it usually easier to remove. This post is NOT to talk you in to or out of Lap Band or RNY! It just tells you my choices and decisions. Hopefully, it will answer some of the questions, that you are asking yourself! Good Luck with your decision and May God Be With you and yours! Deb M.

Debbie: Thanks so much for answering my post! I have almost the exact way of thinking as you do. I'm going to email Dena next week and see what Dr. H says about me switching back to Lap Band. I don't think it should be that big of deal since nothing's been sent to my insurance company. The reason is that it changes 11/1/06. When I was first treated for Chronic Lyme Disease I had a pic line that ran up my arm into my chest. The doctor originally wanted me to be treated with heavy duty antibiotics thru the iv for 6 months. However, after the 4th one I could not take it anymore. I believe it was purely psychological but it was real to me! That pic line had to be removed asap! He tried to talk me into keeping it for another 2 months but I simply could not do it. I was sooooo sick from the antibiotics so I know that played a part in it too. That is one reason I'm hesitant about the lap band. However, I worry about something going wrong with lap rny. Plus I'm afraid it'll worsen my stomach problems. I'm going to continue to pray and ask the Lord's direction. Dr. H had said if I have the lap rny I could get down to about 170 lbs. Which sounds great to me! I'm going to ask him if I have the lap band what results I could expect and how long that would take. I would love to have the weight gone by the end of next year. I went to a seminar back last December in SMMC and there was a patient that had the lap band and had lost 90 lbs in like 10 months. That would be great too. I know the first seminar I went to said you could actually "cheat" the lap band if you drank milk shakes or ate a lot of spaghetti...would slide right thru the band. What you said about giving your body time and building muscle so you don't have sagging skin makes sense too. So many things to think and pray about. I'm thankful the Lord let me find this site and all these wonderful people to share this important journey with. Thanks again! Debbie D.

hi girls , the reason i had the lap rny was i didnt want to be able to cheat in any way. and with the lap band it is really possible. one other reason was my age.and the fact that i dont want to take 2 years to reach my goal weight. another is that if you are over 50 and have been fat for a long time then the skin is stretched out and is sort of like a piece of old elastic anyway and no matter how much muscle you build it isnt going to go back into shape. just a fact of life there. There isnt much that can go wrong with the lap rny that they cant repair thru the same lap holes that they used in the first place so i dont worry about that. I have heard more going wrong with the lap band than the rny. Im not trying to change either one of your minds that is a decission that each of us have to make for ourselves. but these are the things that made me choose rny over lap band. Jan

Hello Ladies, Just wanted to let you know what made my decision. I have been overweight, severly for about 20 years. I had a lot of health problems due to my obesity. As Jan said I wanted to lose the weight quicker than two years. I also didn't want the ability to cheat as it is easier with the Lap Band. I have lost 100 lbs in 6 months, and I feel great. My decision may not be right for you though. Also like Jan says, it will have to be your decision and your doctors. This is just my reason. Good luck in your journey. Debbie, God will help you make a decision that you will be comfortable with. Kathleen

I began my journey at 368 pounds in June 2004. After having Lab band surgery I am down to 279. I am still working towards my goal of under 200. I was origionally scheduled for rny and chose Lap Band after my insurance said it would cover it. I liked the idea of it being reversible and less invasive. I can convert to rny if I need to. The lap band is a much slower weight loss. It is hard to be patient some days. I am never nutrient deficient. The choice to have which surgery is a personal one. I have diabetes which I currently take only oral meds. I was on alot of insulin before surgery. I am off all blood pressure meds. The lap band also makes it possible for me to have a baby if I want as well since the band is adjustible. It does take alot of patience with the band. It does help controll eating binges. No surgery is a magic pill. You have to work the plan either surgery. I wish you the best of luck with either way you go! Janet in KC

I chose RNY because one of my problems with my obesity was my LOVE of fatty foods and sweet foods. Only the RNY gives you negative reinforcement for eating something like that (dumping). It's unlikely that you've experienced the "dumping" that WLS pt's talk about. It's severe fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea and rapid heartbeat. For some people, it's accompanied by vomitting and diarrhea. I haven't vomitted or had diarrhea but I feel like CRAP when I eat something I shouldn't. I've also noticed that my cravings for those foods have almost completely gone away. Gherelin (spelling?) is a hormone that's closely related to food cravings and with RNY, it allegedly drops off dramatically. Some surgeons feel it's possible related to the surgical resection of the stomach.....whatever the reason, my cravings are gone. I am down 90 pounds in 7 months and I feel great. I have some friends who have chosen lap banding for other health reasons (both related to malabsorption of proteins). One has had her surgery and is doing well. The other is scheduled in January. The decision for what type of surgery is right for you is a very personal one and one to not take lightly. Be open and honest with your bariatric surgeon. I think you'd probably get the most honest answer from a surgeon who provides both banding and RNY (as he wouldn't be influenced by a potential loss of a customer). Talk with him or her about your food choices, you personal goals for weight loss and your medical history. There is no right or wrong answer. It's your body, your life and your choice. Both are effective weight loss tools when used as just that.....a tool. Good luck! Victoria