Did you think about Lap-band first?

I am still struggling with what procedure I want done. At first I was dead set on having lap-band done. Now I see all the success you ladies and gents are having and I'm reconsidering RNY. Did any of you go in with the mind set of lap-band and end up getting RNY? Maybe I'm thinking too much and should wait until I have my consult with Dr Byrne? hugs, Teresa

Hey Teresa! I knew from the start that I wanted RNY. I am a "grazer" and lap band doesn't help too much. I needed the malabsorption factor to go along with the smaller tummy! It has to be your decision. Talk to the doc, and research as much as you can. Melissa

At first I did. Once I learned more about everything, I knew I couldn't go that way. I knew the Lap-band would still allow me to drink soda's, eat Little Debbie cakes, and not eat right at all. I needed something to help make me stay on track. After going to group and being on this board I have learned so much about each of the sugeries. I don't want to have to go back in every month to have the band tightened. Alot of people end of going the gastric by pass way after some time. I didn't like the fact on how slow you lost either. I am so glad I didn't choose the lap-band. It is a personal choice. You must learn and do what is best for you. Deb

i knew i did not want gastric bypass due to the death factor and the rerouting of all my bodily parts. im not a surgery girl and in fact this was my very first, at the age of 34. i highly recommend lapband, but it must be your choice. good luck! shelly

hey! I see you did have your surgery. How did it go? I hadf mine on march 21st and I am loving.

I was very afraid of the RNY, but after talking to Dr Byrne and hearing about the differences between the surgeries, I choose RNY. I have a big self control problem and I knew that if I could immediately eat bad things, I would not make the right choices. Personally I had failed at so many diets and programs that I knew I needed something to force me to eat healthily. After a few months of that, Now I LOVE salads, lean meats, vegetables, and fruits. I freely admit cheating, but chocolate and stuff doesn't taste good, its just a bad habit that I have to break. My advice is to go prepared with all of your questions when you meet with Dr Byrne. He is very upfront and will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and tell you what he feels will be in your best interest Mary

I know it's just me, but the thought of having the lap-band and assorted stuff in my abdomen permanently makes me queasy! I can deal with a few titanium staples, though. In general, RNY is much more successful for weight loss, and has fewer side effects, believe it or not. But as others have said, the decision must be yours! Lisa

Hey Teresa, Yes the lap-band was my first choice because my youngest sister and a friend of hers both had it and they are doing wonderful, but my insurance would not pay for the lap-band so I started researching RNY and Im very happy I did. I had my surgery Jan 16 and have never felt better. I have lost 45lbs so far and my sister has lost 55lbs but she had her lap-band surgery LAST SUMMER. It takes longer with some people if they have the Lap-band but RNY you see much faster results. I have aways to go but very happy with the results and I would recommend RNY to anyone. Its changed my life for the better. Good Luck to you Denise

Thanks everyone! I hate telling people I'm thinking of getting RNY because everyone has "a story" of someone they know or have heard of. I'm about to quit telling people I'm thinking about it! People w/out weight problems can be so judgemental. One person told me by having RNY I would be taking the easy way out. What could be easy about surgery to have weight loss. I guess I think if I have the lap band I will end up failing and have to get RNY anyway. Boy May 24th (to meet with Dr. Byrne) will be FOREVER away! hugs, Teresa

You should ask that person what part of RNY is easy...Is it the part of only being able to eat a few bites per meal, or the part of where you forever give up soda's and sugar, or the part of where when you eat too much or something doesn't settle, you throw it up, or maybe it's the exersizing or the surgery. Nothing about this is easy, it is just a tool to help you stay focused. People who say that kill me, have they had it, nope, but they will pass judgement based on crap they have made up in their head. Years ago, more people had complications and even died. The fact is, if you look at Dr. Byrne's profile, he has done way more RNY than lap band. All of the US has done way more RNY than the lap band. The lap Band is a new procedure. More is known about RNY than the lap band and Dr. Byrne will tell you that in his siminar. People have died, very very few. But there is more of a risk of us dying by being over weight, from a heart attact, or stroke or complications of high blood pressure or high sugar or just plain ole risk of being over weight. I also hate the thought of something "plastic" being in my body. They just don't have enough long time results from it for me. I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound like I was going off, I wasn't. I just can't stand when people tell you hear say as though it was truth. I have some friends and family that are negitive also. I just removed myself from being around those people. I had a relative that I had not seen in a few months, and she told me, "I heard what your dumb a$$ went and did" That made red fly into me. I was 6 weeks out, and I told her to start with, I wasn't a dumb a$$, but my a$$ had lost then 38 pounds in 6 weeks and it looked to me like her dumb a$$ was just sitting there getting fatter and fatter. She didn't know what to say then. You have to do what is right for you. Do your friends or relatives come to you for approval on what they do in their life? Pray, you'll get the answers you need sweetie.