lap band vs rny

hi people i'm new to this message board. but thought you guys could give me the best input on this. dr told me it would be my choice as i have no real health concerns. i'm at 350lbs. how much can you really lose with the lapband? rny just seems so scary. i know put on my big girl panties and be brave.lol. but as a single parent i have to think of my kid too? am i being irrational? can i even get to 200 lbs or under with the lap band? thanks for any input you guys can give me.....sue....

I started at 303 and my highest weight was 319 (I'm 5'2") and I would not even consider a lapband. I really felt with my BMI being over 50 that I needed the malabsoprtive component as well as restrictive to have the best chance of success - lapband only restricts intake. In addition, I needed the threat of dumping from sugar and from too much fat hanging over my head to help me change my behavior permanantly. I didn't trust myself with a lapband because I was afriad that I would find ways to cheat. Of course, people find ways to cheat with a RNY, but it's more difficult and the consequences of cheating are more severe. I don't think anyone can tell you exactly you will lose with one surgery over the other. you know yourself better than anyone else and what kind of controls you need to have in place to give yourself the best chance at permanent success. Good luck! Tracy

Sue, I started out at 328 and like the other poster I chose the RNY for basically the same reasons. I knew that with the band I would over time find a way to cheat the band. I needed a more drastic surgery to provide me with the best chance of long term success. I do know of several people who went with the band and have had great success with it. Success depends on you, the changes you make to your lifestyle, the effort you put into it, and the determination you have. That goes for any WLS, none of them are fool proof. Losing weight with WLS isnt a given, you get out of it what you yourself are willing to put into it. Only you know what is best for you. You have to determine what you need to reach your goal. If you need just restriction then the band would work great for you. If you feel you need malabsorbtion and the possiblity of dumping to help you make the lifestyle changes then RNY would work great for you. Each surgery has pros and cons.. I went from 328 down to 137. I have bounced myself up to 142 over the holidays by making bad food choices and not getting my exercise. So even with RNY it is possible to gain back weight! I wish you the best of luck making that decision. Which ever surgery you chose, or if you chose not to have any surgery at all, we are all here to give you support. Amber

thanks guys your input really helps alot.also both of you have described me to a tee . i think i would start cheating with the band over time. i think i need something more restrictive and life changing. thanks again ..sue

You have to consider also if you have any "autoimmune" disorders that might flare with the permanent introduction of foreign substance in the body. Some physicians have advised me against this surgery for that reason. B