Bonnie, I did a lot of research (about 5 years) before I went to see a surgeon. he met with us as a group and then individually. He said he does not do lap band because your chances are not near as good as RNY. SOOOOOO, I went for RNY. Open RNY d/t previous Nissen Fundoplication. But.....I had many complications. I am 5 1/2 months out and am finally able to ear pretty good. During my surgery, which was only supposed to last 1 1/2 to 2 hours, the doc nicked my spleen and had to take it out due to the "moderate about of bleeding". He also nicked my pancreas and they did get that stopped with a mesh. I had totally uncontrolled pain after surgery (probably due to the pancreas???), and the Recovery room nurse "forgot" to hook my PCA pump up to me. It was running out on the floor for 2 1/2 hours. I screamed for those 2 1/2 plus hours. On day 2 I got to try clear liquids. On day 5 my temp is elevated as well as WBC so down for a CT. I had a "grapefruit sized" abcess. Went back to CT and had it drained. The sedation didn't work (My IV was out of the vein) so I screamed through that procedure. The doc said, as I was leaving, "Now let's just hope she doesn't remember that." I did and I do. I had 2 JP drains, and a G-tube, which was put in during surgery.."just in case" I had to be transfused and went home on O2 and Home Health. Soon after getting home, I noticed the drain had "particles" in it. When I ate an egg, particles of it would show up in the drain. I had an anastomosis leak. I had to go 4 times die to a stricture. After 4 1/2 months I finally got all of my tubes out. Now...I said all of that to say this. Go for the lap band. I DO NOT and never will recommend Open RNY. I had to have something due to major health problems, but I wish I had been going into with full information. Most people don't want me to say anything because it "might discourage someone *****ally needs the surgery." My reply is."I wish someone had told me that ALL of the complications could happen to the same person. The doc said.."I guess we can just chalk this up to your bad stomach." I hope I have not frightened you. That is not my intention, but you asked so obviously you want to know. Just to let you know that I'm not just a "wuss" (Spelling) I have had several surgerys prior to this one and I always was ready to get right out of the bed and get in the hall and begged to go home before time, this was just so much as the same time. My O2 sat would drop drastically when I tried to walk down the hall and I just couldn't do it. Good luck to you and feel free to write if you'd like...debbie

Hi Bonnie, I think of it in terms of the risk of the surgery vs. the risk of remaining morbidly obese. I have several major co-morbidities and am practically guaranteed to develop diabetes with all its complications. I believe either RNY or Lap-Band are less risky than staying this fat. I am seeing my surgeon for the first time tomorrow, so I haven't had a personal conversation about RNY vs Lap-Band. At the seminar I attended prior to making an appointment, the surgeon presenting the info also said Lap-Band compares favorably to RNY in the long term. Good luck. Caryl

I am a hospice nurse, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is definitely not the best paying nursing job, but the rewards are endless. I really feel that hospice is a calling, not a job choice. I am also a Christian, and what an honor it is to help people at such a crucial time in their lives. Also, where else in nursing can you really do holistic care? Hospice worries about the spiritual and social parts of a patient just as much as the physical. Good Luck, Laura

Hi, Kat! I'm new here, too! I'm so glad that I found it, now there is somewhere to talk about weight loss where folks know the language! Your party on the 7th sounds like fun, but a long way from Arizona! Lets keep talking! Bonnie

Hi, all! I'm new to the board, as I see many of you are. I've been a nurse for 10 years, but did EMT and teching before that. Worked in dialysis, chronic and acute, for several years and for the past 4 have been in ICU. We do medical and surgical, and I really love the variety of cases we see. We moved to Arizona from Michigan 3 years ago when my husband graduated from nursing school and now he is doing med/surg ortho post op. Our children are grown and health care is a second career for both of us, so we bring lots of life experience to our field (that is code for saying we're OLD)! I am working toward a lap band as this surg seems to have the least amount of complications and we've all heard and seen the worst case scenarios of gastric bypass gone wrong! I'd like to lose as fast as those folks do, but I'm not willing to risk the leaking, malabsorption, etc that they do. Any other thoughts on this? Glad to have this forum to discuss our thoughts! Bonnie