Lap Band anyone?

Hi all, I'm still researching surgery and will be meeting with the doc on Monday. I've noticed that almost everyone who posts on this BMI over 50 board has had the RNY. I'm just curious if anyone has had the lap band, or if anyone has considered it and if so,why they chose RNY over lap band? Just wondering since I've read a lot on the lap band message board and I'm wondering what the "other side" has to say on the issue. Thanks in advance!!!

HI J THERE IS A LOT OF INFO ON VARIOUS TYPES OF SURGERIES ON THE OH BOARD I PERSONALLY AM HAVING THE DS THERE IS LOTS OF INFO ON THIS PROCEDURE ON OH WHAT TYPES OF WLS HAVE YOU RESEARCHED IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE FOR EVERYONE BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE U HAD RESEARCHED ALL YOUR OPTIONS IF YOU NEED SOME HELP LOCATING OTHER SITES TO LOOK INTO OTHER TYPES OF SURGERIES LET ME KNOW I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF IS TO KNOW THE PROS AND CONS ON ALL SURGERIES AVAILABLE TO YOU THE LAP IS A GREAT PROCEDURE AS ARE ALL THE REST JUST MAKE SURE THE ONE YOU PICK IS CORRECT FOR YOU LOVE CANDY

Thanks, Candy! I have mostly looked into RNY and lap band. What is the DS? I'm still too much of a newbie to know all the abbreviations and lingo! The RNY scares me a bit because of the mortality rate, although I want to have the same type of success since I have a lot of weight to lose (about 200 pounds). Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

Hi J! I am going to be having the lap band as soon as I can get the pcp to do my pre-op testing! I have an appointment next week for all of that. For me, I chose the lap band for several different reasons. One, it is reversable. If you have trouble, it can be fixed. Yes its more surgery but it can be done. The second for me, I have many co-morbidities and one is fibromyalgia. I don't know if you know much about the illness but it is a very painful syndrome that effects muscles and joints. My pcp said the band would probably be better for me because its less invasive. It's comprable to getting your gall bladder out, which I have already done. The last reason is my family just flattly refused to support me if I had the RNY. I don't have alot of support from them in the first place but I do need them on this journy for one reason or another and I can't see making this any more difficult on myself. My surgeon has told me that you can have the same rapid weightloss with the band as with the RNY you just have to work it. I am confident in my choice of the band and I plan on working the heck out of it. hehe Amy

Thanks Amy! You are gorgeous, by the way! Great picture! I'm glad to hear that your surgeon said you could lose the same weight with the lap band as the RNY . As for the fibromyaligia... I have a friend who has that and it is horrible! Do you anticipate that it will improve upon weight loss? I hope so. Thanks again. Jen

Wow! Thanks! It never hurts to hear that! lol I am hoping that it will improve. I don't think it will go away completely but I do expect it to get better. I have to really watch it though because I can tear a muscle so quickly and not even realize it. I have started to get more active and it has helped with my pain actually. I used to think all those "experts" were nuts! I generally was in so much pain after exercise I was ready to die. The more I do, which to start out has been minimal, the less it hurts. So, I am hoping it will continue to improve. My trigger point pain hasn't lessened any but at least it only hurts when someone, or my cat, touches me on one of them. (the cat likes to get one me and do the paw kneading action! It drives me insane from the pain but I can't be a mean mommy and throw him across the room. Amy

Hi J Mo, I had lapband on July 28 of this year and as of 2 weeks ago, I had lost 62 lbs. including the pre-op liquids. RNY was never an option for me. I didn't want my innards rearranged. I am such a baby that even the lap scared the cr*p out of me! I researched everything a few of years ago and then this year I decided I had to do something. I went to a seminar at NYU with Dr. George Fielding (a great guy who's had the surgery himself) and I decided then and there I would do it. I ended up choosing a different surgeon only for insurance purposes. It's not easy, but life after any of these surgeries isn't easy. I had a very easy recuperation with minimal pain. I've only been burping more than I used to, but haven't had any of the other problems that other lapbanders talk about. Have not found a food that I can't eat. I haven't tried white bread, but I didn't eat that before surgery. I just have to pay attention when I'm eating and chew chew chew. I can't eat anything, I just choose not to. Good luck Steff

Good to know, Steff! Thanks. You are the first SMO I've known who has actually had the lap band. Keep us updated and good luck!!!

Hi J Mo, Candy is right. You should absolutely research all your options. What might be a good surgery for one person, might not be the best choice for another. I had my lap band placed on February 9th this year. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. If you read my profile, you'll see that it was a very long process for me, but only because I was convinced that the band was the best surgery for me, and I wouldn't settle for anything but that. That's not to say that the RNY isn't a good surgery. The RNY is a very effective surgery, but just not exactly what I was looking for. I had a BMI of 72 at surgery. I had a quick and easy recovery and was back to work full-time in 6 days. I've had 2 fills so far, my last fill was 5 months ago. I work out at Curves 4 times a week, and usually walk a 5th day with a friend or cousin. After 8 months, I've lost over 100lbs, and over 120lbs since January, with no complication *knock on wood*. Good luck with whatever you decide. No matter what you choose, continue to research and learn all you can about the surgery you choose. Mercy 428/408/306/180