Trying to decide between Band or Bypass. Thoughts?

Nice before & after pic!

There are positives and negatives with all of the surgery types.  Some of the long term studies I have been hearing about say the band will outperform all of the others in the long term, provided your doctor keep them filled agressively.  I am not a proponent of any one surgey, but I think when you have done the research, your decision will fit your needs.  It just has to feel right, and so does the doctor.  It is a tough decision, and unfortunately, nobody can make it for you.  Whatever you decide, you will be welcome in the Locker Room and all of questions will always be answered by guys who have been through it and give a ****
Best of luck.
Lou

Did you hear that from Dr. Ren? I know Dr. R is an agressive Lap band doctor, but there are no studies to prove that the lap band out performs any surgery long term. In fact, there are studies to prove that the lap band fails more often then not, kif anything long term the DS has been shown to be the most successful, followed by the ERNY (distal RNY).

Scott

That was my dilemma,, too. I came into this process with the intention of doing the LapBand and only the LapBand.. I didnt even want to look at the RNY.. But, then I started to talk to different people who had had either surgery. For the longest time I was completely on the fence.. I was more comfortable with the LapBand but, I wanted the best results possible. So for many months I went back and forth.. After sitting down and chatting with my surgeon MANY TIMES and really taking a good LONG look at MYSELF and the reasons I wanted each surgery it just came down to COMFORT LEVEL. I am just plainly more comfortable with have a peace of hardware installed then having the pip line cut apart and reconstructed.
My surgeon basically explained to me that either procedure would offer the RESULTS I was seeking. Considering that my health is still relatively good and there really isnt and immediate HEALTH concern such as Diabetes,, it was really a toss up as to what surgery to have. The only thing to keep in mind is that NEITHER SURGERY is reversible,, if you're dealing with a reputable surgeon. Both surgeries offer a perminate change of life. A reputable surgeon will not loosen the band just so you can cheat over the weekend...

Long term, distal surgeries have been proven the most effective to fight against obesity. Obesity is not a lack of will power, it is a disease, caused by both genetic and environmental factors (as far as they can tell). The only treatment for obesity right now is WLS, different WLS have different "cure" rates. The lap band and the RNY have very similar 5 year post op results. The Duodenal Switch has the best long term results, giving people basically a "cure" for obesity long term (out 15+) years, in addition it offers the highest resolution for comorbidities out of all the WLS's currently available.

But with that said, you have to choose the option you can live with for the rest of your life. WLS is not (as some like to say) easily reversible. Even the band requires and operation to remove, and many times the band can fuse to other organs making it a very difficult operation. As we say often in the DS world....think twice....cut once.

Scott

It was a really hard choice for me.  I was 457 lbs and I knew the band may have not worked on me and that's why I decided to go for the whole enchilada (RNY).  The RNY to me has been successful though I've had complications...read my profile.  I had another pain episode about 2 weeks ago which I have not updated in my profile.

Everyone is very different and I do not have any regrets at all!  I love my RNY.  However, it is not the easy way out.  You still have to eat right and exercise a whole bunch!  The weight can creep back up!

Continue to research, learn from others, and join a support group.  The more you know, you'll be able to make a better decision.

Good luck and keep asking questions.

I can eat anything....there are a few things I have to stay away from because boy do I dump (SF candy, peanut butter, sweets....).

Didn't take the time to read all the responses of all the fellows here, so if this ground has already been plowed, then my apologies. I kicked around the idea of getting banded for about 3 years. I didn't even consider any other operation because I didn't realise that other operations could be done lap and I wasn't about to get my fat ass opened up from one end to the other. A friend of mine had a Lap-RNY and lost about 160 in the first 6 months out. When I found out he had it  done lapriscopically I was a little more open to it. When I went to see Dr. Barker there in Dallas, he told me that the band is a pretty good tool for people who need to lose 100 lbs or less but ain't enough tool for people like me who needed to lose about 250. He said he'd do a band on me if that's what I wanted, but I'd quit losing after about a 100 and would be dissatisfied with it. I got the  RNY about a year ago and I'm down 200. Still need to lose 40 - 50 more and it's damned sure tougher at a year out.

Basically, any of the operations will work if you use it right. I had the RNY and I am glad because I just couldn't control my eating. Even with the RNY I had a great deal of trouble my first 8 months because I tried everything to get around it. My mind was totally messed up. Fortunately, the RNY kept me on the straight and narrow and after being miserable long enough it started to get through my thick head so I started doing what I was supposed to. 

Now my eating habits are good. The band may work, but for me I know I would have gotten past it and screwed myself up. I only wanted to do this thing once so I chose RNY. DS is good too but I was like you I didn't need to lose more than 120-130 pounds.

I have been real successful and get to do all the activities I wouldn't when I was fat. It is nice to be able to run and play with your child! From the sound of your description you may be like me and the band may not be enough for you.  you may want to consider some counselling in order to make up your mind before you spend alot of cash.

Hope this helps,

Stalwart