New to board and I have a couple questions

I'm new to this board...just found it a few weeks ago. Are there any people on this board that have had success with the LapBand with a high BMI? My surgeon said either LapBand or Rny but my PCP said he would rather me have the LapBand since its not as dangerous. I'm just worried if I do the Lap Band that I won't lose enough weight to feel better and be healthier as I have 187 lbs to lose to be at a normal BMI. Any insight would be helpful. Up until my meeting with my PCP today I was going to do Rny and there was no doubt on my part...my husband thats a different story..he's always wanted me to go LapBand.

Welcome. Why does you surgeon think that the RNY is best for you? I think he would be the best judge of what is best for you. RNY or DS is usually the best choice for most of us with a high BMI. PCPs are often under educated on weight loss surgery. Would he recommend a lumpectomy for a breast cancer patient, simply because it was less risky, without doing research on which procedure would give that particular patient the best outcome? I don't know what your specific health problems are or your surgeons records are, but the risk of death for gastric bypass surgery is 1 in 200. That is factoring people that go into the surgery very ill, and men who are a higher risk. You need to do what is right for you. Are you a big sweet eater? Are you afraid that you will "eat around the band." Visit the lapband forum and get their take on this. Give this board a little time to answer. I care, Loris

My surgeon said either one would be fine. That it was up to me. My pcp said he would prefer me go with the LapBand. The surgeon I am using only does Rny and LapBand. I was looking into the DS but the only surgeon that I have heard of doing that operation is Dr. Smith in Marietta and he is out of network. My insurance has a clause that says it has to be an in-network surgeon only. I am a big sweet eater and I feel the Rny would be my best option since it would deter me from eating sweets. But, its so confusing with everyone is telling you to go LapBand. I'm just worried I'll have it done and it not work. So thats why I am leaning toward Rny. My insurance has a 1 per lifetime limit..so I only get 1 chance to make a choice. I feel rny but my husband wants me to go lapband...so its just really hard for me. Tracy

I think the idea of the lap band being "safer" is really blown out of proportion. It is not necessarily safer, and has a list of problems that can accompany it. Besides the fact that the Lap band can slip, the port can move, your esophogus can loss it's elasticity (forgot the medical term for it), or the band can actually wear away your stomach and perferate it, there is also other issues. One of the biggest "complaint" that Lap Banders having revisions to the DS say is that the lap band became imbedded in their livers. (there were 2 Lap bander to DS revision on the DS forum who had this happen to them). In the inital placement of the lapband there is no intestinal rerouting or stomach surgery, so the chance of getting leaks or whatever have you is much much much less, almost non existant. But if you factor in that many people have revisions after insufficent weight loss, or the fact that other issues (as mentioned above) and occur, it is not necessarily the safest surgery. I think you should choose the surgery that you are most comfortable, and feel that you can do the best with. All weight loss surgeries are tools, you need to pick the tool you feel most comfortable with in your life. Scott

I'm also pre-op, trying to make the big decision -- RNY or Lapband. According to my surgeon, there's some study out there that says 5 years postop, both RNY and Lapband average virtually the same percentage of weight loss, no matter what the starting weight or BMI - RNY patients lose theirs faster, but at 5 years postop, have a higher incidence of regaining weight than the lapbanders, who lose slower and regain less. My sister was 400lbs when she had lapband surgery about 18 months ago. She has lost about 150lbs so far and is still losing. She admits to trying to "eat around" her lapband -- drinks with her meals, etc., but since she's still losing, she doesn't worry about it too much. Even with all that "cheating", she still has a very low caloric intake just because the volume of food is so low. I'm leaning toward lapband myself, but still haven't made the final decision. Lapband just seems so minimally invasive and that's what I like about it. Good luck on your decision!

Hi there, I am in the same predictament and unsure what to do. I went into the doctors ofice sure that I wanted the lap band for all the obvious reaons.The primary one is that it was less invasive and should some new research come up to say the procedure was causing serious problems, then I could easily remove it. I too have a high BMI and because of this, the surgeon said that Gastric Bypass would be better for me. I am really nervous about that procedure. I have been trying to examine my thought as to why. Maybe perhaps because its so final and not reversible. Any advice out there?

Of course the final decision is yours .Please educate yourself on all of the surgeries so that you will make the decision right for you. Personally I am going to have the rouen y gastric bypass. My surgeon performs both surgeries and he said that lapband is better for people with lower BMI's and more will power. I have seen a lot of posts where lapbanders have gone back and gotten the GB because they were not satisfied with their wieght loss. One of the possible side effects listed under the lapband is no weight loss. Since you have only one shot at this I would not go with lap band.(my opinion only) The other thing that bothers me is the idea of the fills you have to get and the cost associated with those. Like I said research,research research. Dont make a decision you'll regret. You are the one living with this surgery and though other opinion may be valuable it needs to be what you want. Educate those around you too and it will be easier to make your decision and calm thier fears. Dannielle