If you got to choose RNY or Lap Band? (LONG)

I was intrested in what you all thought about the two different surguries. At my intro class the doctors said you can loose more with RNY. After reading an article in OH magazine it has me thinking. My thoughts are if I did lap band I could loose weight and become more active which would lead to more weight loss. In 1998 I weighed the highest ever I was 600 plus. At that time I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It was a major wake up call for me since I was in nursing at that time. So to make a long story short if possible I got out of a horrible relationship of 17 years and started taking control of myself and lost almost 300lbs on my own by doing herbalife and excersise. Me of all people joined a health club and started with water arobics well just that wore me out but helped get me on my way. I was a excersise diva I was working out most every single day. I do admit I felt great. So somewhere from then till now things changed. I got remarried am very happy and love my new huibby. My mother planned the whole wedding LOL she about drove me crazy LOL. It all had to be done all very southern like LOL. I am very grateful to my mother and will always have great memories of my wedding. I do belive this is where things changed. There were several days where I had to have pictures taken,had my hair dyed a zillion times right up to the very day I was in my moms kitchen having her hairdresser do some touch ups on my hair.Also meeting with the woman who played for our wedding and the list goes on. I tried to tell my mom I had to go to the club no more than 30 minutes. Mom had a fit saying if I wanted this wedding I had to do these things. So this is where it started to slow down also changed clubs to a newer one twice since 04.I lost the driving force somewhere in there and having a really hard time getting it back. I am trying very hard to get back on track. I did manage to do about 20 minutes on my bike today and I found myself making excuses not to go to water arobics. First off the club I now belong to the parking area is soooo far from the entrance I know this is good for me but at the same time it is difficult. Annie

Annie, I chose the Lap RNY because I really needed to get at least 100 lbs off for my health and mobility. I've lost 139 and really feel great, even though I still have 77 to get to goal. In my monthly support group meeting, we start out with the lap banders for the first few minutes, then we split off. We all say our names, when we had our surgery and how much we've lost. The lap banders are losing so slow they are very depressed. I hope we stop doing our weights with them in the room as they often cry and feel terrible...it just doesn't seem to work for most of them. But, I don't know, I'm just reporting what I've seen. Maybe if I ever met a happy lap bander I would feel differently. I just haven't met one yet! But, RNY is quite risky...I've been lucky and had no problems. But, I've also known patients who have had a very rough time. I don't know what to tell you about how to make your decision. It was easy for me as I really was having trouble walking without pain. Maybe you should visit the lap banders board here at OH and ask those patients directly? Lori 384/245/168

I am choose RNY because I need a consistent tool to assist me in order to reach my goal. All I can say is "You Can Do THIS! Think of the parking lot distance as an advantage "additional exercise without trying". I heard on Oprah the other day that you should walk 10,000 steps a day. So go get a pedometer and start a walking :0)! I suggest you star****er aerobics again. I did it before my weight gain and not only did I feel good and lost a few pounds at that. Also, great job on the 20 minutes on the bike. We all have to take baby steps at first. Oh, by-the-way, I just started going to a gym. It is so hard to go to an outside facility when you have all the equipment in your basement. But at this point it encourages me. Keep up the good work.....And remember, "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

Hi Annie, There were many reasons I chose the band over the RNY. My wonderful insurance gave me a choice of either procedure. I knew that the lap band was a less riskier procedure and had a quicker recovery. Being a single, working-class gal, I didn't have the luxury of being off work with only disability pay instead of full pay, and I didn't really have anyone to stay home to take care of me if for a long time if there were complications. Everything went smoothly for me and I was back to work full-time in 6 days, and only because one of those days was a holiday, or I could've been back sooner. I also knew that weighing over 400lbs, I would need reconstructive surgery at the end of my journey. I was hoping that the slower weight loss would give my skin the best fighting chance to bounce back as much as it could (not probable, but a girl can hope!) before going under the knife for reconstructive surgery. Also in my research online and in talking to actual patients, I felt the band would be the better tool to get me to my eventual goal. All the patients I had talked to that weighed near what I weighed, had gotten down to 250lbs or so (not to mention those that had gained some weight back). I didn't want to do such a drastic change to my body functioning (including taking daily vitamin supplements and protein shakes for the rest of my life), for a surgery that would only get me that far because of the limited window of opportunity. The lap band is always, always adjustable, 3 months out, or 5 years out. I also thought the lap band was a better choice for me because I was a big volume eater and not much of a sweet eater. I thought I really didn't need the deterent of dumping that the RNY gives you to keep me away from sweets since sweets really aren't a problem with me. I've been banded almost 14 months. I've lost just over 130lbs (that includes a 3 month plateau where I didn't gain anything back, yippee for me!) With good restriction it was very difficult to eat bread, rice, and red meat like steak, otherwise, I could eat pretty much anything I wanted except in much smaller quantities. When I didn't have much restriction (when I needed a fill), I could eat anything under the sun, still not as much as pre-op, but noticeably more than I could with good restriction. But it's a wonderful feeling knowing I can call my surgeon's office at anytime and ask for a fill to get restriction again. This band is the best thing I have done for myself. I have so much more energy now. I workout 3-4 times a week at Curves and am now looking at more "traditional" gyms because Curves no longer challenges me. Make sure you do all your research. Both the band and the RNY are very effective tools (not miracle workers, just tools). Rny will get you fast weight loss. Yes, the band is slower, and I know it will take me 2 1/2 to 3 years to get to my goal. I'm ok with that considering it took me over 30 years to get here, and I'm also buying myself some time to get my head screwed on straight too (there is a reason I got this fat, therapy is a great tool to understanding my relationship with food). Congratulations to taking your life back and good luck to you on your journey! Mercy 428/408/296/180

It is an individual choice. However, for someone who is Super Obese, from what my doctor said, Rny is better for a more steady weight loss longer. Lap band usually is slower, and whereas many are at goal now, who has my surgery date... I still have another 114 lbs to lose. However, you have to choose what you are comfortable with and what fits into your life style better. I was also told taht lapband is good for people who it big meals, rather than grazers.