Well now I don't know what to do..band or bypass

I was pretty sure about my decision to have the band instead of the bypass, then my sister, who is an RN in a G.I. lab told me they have had a few folks in with bands that leaked and no longer restrict.
That is what happened to my nephew. We all thought he had just eaten the wrong things and had beaten it. Nope, his band burst and now it's as if he never had it.
I called the DR's office and they said if it did develop a leak they would have to go in AT MY EXPENSE and re-do it, or, if the insureance company would pay for the revision I would still be responsible for the copay and Out Of Pocket maximum. (another $5K)
The DR's office said it doesn't happen often but it does happen, and I would have to sign an agreement that I understood it may break and they are not liable for it.
Now I am not so sure i want to have an appliance put in that isn't under any kind of warranty.

I guess it's back to bypass

Well Sam I have had mine for almost three years now without any worries . The wife had lap band about two weeks before me and she has had no worries too . I dont know about any kind of warranty . I'm sure if I needed some sort of life saving surgery my insureance would pay .

Good health and best wishes
Nick

Sam sounds like your doing your home work, good for you. I know you'll do whats best for you. Good Luck! Rocky Top

Read and research, talk to people who have had the surgeries and see what their success rates have been, and talk to your Weight Loss Surgeon. In the end, only you can make the final decision.

Personally, I started out looking into the band, but after researching, decided bypass was more suited for my situation and goals. Then my WL surgeon advised that, in his expert opinion, bypass was the best option for me, so that is what I decided on. I can now say that it was definitely the right choice for me.

Good luck with your decision.

Dittos to what Bama said.

I had RNY so don't know much about the band. I do know that each of the WLS can result in post-WLS complications thus $$$. The band seems to have fewer, less severe complications (see below) than the other based upon what I've seen.: 

Possible LAP-BAND® complications include:

LAP-BAND® Erosion - Rarely, a band can erode into a patient's stomach. This requires an additional LAP-BAND® surgery to remove the eroded band.

Other Band Complications - Occasionally, the band can lead to obstruction or perforation of the stomach. These complications may require revisional LAP-BAND® surgery. Also, the pouch may stretch or the restricting band may break or migrate, allowing patients to eat too much.

Access Port Problems - Sometimes, the access port may be twisted or leaky and an additional procedure may be required to fix the problem.

Boner

 

Now the problem with Erosion and twisting they are supposed to have fixed. The new band is much WIDER Then the original one and is supposed to be much more resistant to these two types of problems. They other thing they are dont differently now is they are now putting it up a little higher then before this is SUPPOSED to be a solution to the slippage problems that some people have expr in the past.

I'm getting the band next month.  Primarily at the advise of my PC and endochrinologist.  Their experience is that while weight loss is slower with the band, it is safer, given the long term problems of malabsorption etc.  Also I have had some lower Gi problems which ruled out a bypass in any case.

From what the surgeon tells me and what I've read, a majority of the problems with the band can be avoided by very very careful preparation.  That means that the first six weeks are important to follow the rules.  That permits the band to settle into place safely.  Also you need to follow rules subsequently.

All that said you will find quite a few guys on this forum who have done very well with RNy and say it has saved their lives.

Only you can make the decision which type of WLS is going to be best for you.  You are going to hear horror stories on every type of surgery.  I personally took the advice of my surgeon.   Because of the amount of weight I have to lose, he recommended the RNY so I could get the weight off faster due to my health issues.  Good luck in your final decision.  Michael

I am 13 months out and no problems at all.   I really believe whatever surgery you get it will work if you change your lifestyle.  I started the process thinking RNY and changed because I knew I just needed help with portion/appetite control.  I have  lost hundreds of pounds in my life.  Keeping it off is the trick.  With the band I can get it adjusted with a fill or unfill.  That is the main reason I went with it over RNY.  The fills are awesome.  Hard to explain what they do when you get one at the correct tightness.  Like Boner said nothing is without complications.  I might get some down the road, but for now the band rocks.   Good Luck!