Quiestion???

Hello Everyone,I am in the the earlyt stages of getting ready for WLS.  Have any of you with a high BMI had Lab Band Surgery?  I know some physicians perfer patients with a High BMI to fo the RNY route just asking.Thanks,Candy

I started out with the intention of having a Lap Band, but my research quickly led me away from it. I have two super-morbidly obese friends who have had it-- and one lost 60 pounds, the other 100-- both are several years out and still around 300 pounds-- and not losing any more. Just seemed to me like a risk not worth taking-- although I have heard of many success stories-- it requires tremendous personal discipline. You may also want to look into the Gastric Band and Duodenal Switch surgeries-- the DS is especially effective for maintaining long-term weight loss in SMO patients--but it does require supplementation, lab work and research to make sure you go about things correctly.

Jupiter6,I too am leaning toward the bypass.  The hospital I'm going to and the surgeons only do the Bypass, Lap Band and Revisions.  I also agree with the Lab Band and needed to be super diciplined.  I am just a little scared but so ready.......Candy

Hi :) I decided to go the RNY route because I had seen a few people with lap bands and they were frustrated with their loss and generally unsatisfied and hungry.  I was also tremendously large, so I considered lap band to get the first 100lbs or so off so I could have a safer RNY.  I decided not to do that because if I am going to go under I'd rather minimize the number of times I have to, you know? My surgeon does not perform lap band on people with BMIs over 60 because he feels the amount of weight they would lose would be insufficient to even get them out of the obese category.  He did say he'd refer people to a surgeon willing to do lap band though, if that was their choice.  Good luck with your choice, its scary to decide to having your plumbing rearranged, so I'm glad you are thinking everything through and not going on blindly.  All the best, Jenn

I am still pre-op and here is my story.  Well, for me I started out very recently on this board thinking that I wanted the RNY.  This has changed for me.  My BMI is a 64-66 depending on which site you do it on and the research I have done leads me to believe or feel the DS or Duodenal switch is the best option for the SMO.  It is my opinion and I have read every ounce of research there is.  Before coming to this website I thought that the RNY was the only choice.  Now I know and have read and made my decision based on the research and what I feel is the best for me.  I know that a Lap Band for someone in my situation would not be appropriate...or even something to look at so I have not even looked at the research.  I know how it works and my concern for you would be that you would be able to lose enough of your excess body weight to no longer be obese. Ultimately this is your decision and it has to be right for you, but I would want to make a decision that would benefit me the most in the long term.  Just do your research and check out all of your options....make sure to check out the DS board too get info on all of the surgeries.  With you and your surgeon you will come to the right decision. Good Luck.