RNY or Lapband

I don't know anything about the RNY, but I know about the band from personal experience and it was terrible. I ended up having band removal and revision at just under 3 yrs out.

Run from the band.

Best of luck,
Lindsey

Neither one. VSG or duodenal switch instead. Learn more on the appropriate surgery forums here and at www.dsfacts.com .

I got my Lap band in July of 2006 and in the first 9 months without a fill I lost 150 lbs, I have maintained 100 lbs lost and have regained 50 lbs and I had my Lap Band unfilled over a year ago.  This was because during my first fill my surgeon chose to fill my lap band half full all at once and set a change reaction into affect that caused constant vomiting, a hiatal hernia, esphogus spams, pain in my port area, vitamin D deficiency that was so low it was only 4, up a 4.  During this time If I could eat it was maybe 300 calories a day and on bad days I couldnt even ge****er to go down.  I dont recommend the Lap band at all and would suggest the VSG or Duodenal Switch.  I personally would not choose the RNY due to the high rate of regain after 5 years.  They are finding that many RNY but now all patients lose their malabsorption part of the surgery starting after 2-3 years post op, due to the body actually trying to fix the malabsorption part.  This is just my opinion, as you will find people will have successes and failures with all procedures.  So I would research, research and research and talk to patients with all 4 different surgeries to see what you think because only you can decide what is best for you and your body.

I've had my lap band for three years and have lost nothing. I have similar side effects as the others that have responded here with throwing up, getting stuck, reflux and vitamin deficiency. I don't know what I was thinking when I got the band - I basically bought the crap my surgeon was pushing without question or any research of substance. You so much want to be the person that this will work for. Similarly, I've seen and met a lot of people that are seeking revisions from RNY surgery. (There are other reasons I wouldn't get RNY, but simply the fact that it might fail is enough for me.) Personally, I am seeking a revision to the DS. I wish you luck in your decision.

There are two other choices, either of which I would have before I'd have either a Band OR an RNY. (And like Ms Cal Culator, I'd have a firing squad before I'd have a Band.)

Please, please, PLEASE research ALL your options before you make your final choice. Research the Sleeve/VSG and the DS/duodenal switch, and read extensively on the Revision forum. To get you started, here are links to some threads:

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4430150/Before-you-choose-Ga stric-Bypass-RNY-Read-This/#36623665

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/4438047/Calling-All-Revisions/ #36692073

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4416773/quotDoes-the-Patient -Fail-the-Procedure-or-Does-the/

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4304076/PLEASE-RESPOND-Expla in-your-Lap-Band-AGB-Experience/

I thought I was dead set on the lap band and when I first started the process three years ago, that is what I wanted, felt the RNY was to drastic. Well insc issues came up and I was not qualified for the procedure then. But I kept praying about it and here I am three years later still struggling with weight issues and not to mention, diabetes II, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. So when I was started the process over again, I kept praying and researching, then even though I wanted the lap band, the RNY didn't seem that scary any more. When I went to the conference required to hear about all the different options available, when the doctor started talking about his RNY patients usually went home without their diabetic medicines and usually within a few months were off most other medicines, that really got my attention. I wanted this procedure to become healthy not to be a runway model and this seemed like the best decision for me. Plus he said that he found that if sweets are your week spot, it is more difficult to stay away from them with the band, because most of the sweet stuff we like to eat is soft like cakes and pies and those can pass through the band with out much of a problem. And again, that was one of my problem areas, so after consuming that information, I poured myself into research, talked to my cousin who had the RNY and got first hand information and prayed some more. I finally decided on the RNY, because that was what was right for me. It was not an easy decision and not one I took lightly or on a whim. My docotr preforms all of the different surgeries and he did not push one over the other, just gave his opinion as to what might work best for what I wanted as a desired outcome, so there was no pressure from that standpoint. I am one week out today from my procedure and I feel better than I have in at least six months, probably a year. I was off all of my medications when I left the hospital and I took my blood sugar the other day for fun and it was 87, it hasn't been that low in at least two years on medication. My blood pressures are running in the 120/60 range. I had surgery on Thursday, went home Saturday, went to Sunday School and Church on Sunday morning and evening service, and started nursing school 8:00 Monday morning! So it most definitely was the right decision for me, but we are all different people and have different experiences, so what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Keep researching, do a good old pros and cons list and pray. If you want to see my progress in a day by day blog, you are more than welcome to see what I have experienced, but only you will know what is right for you.

While I never got the band I will tell you about my story.  I was always fat upwards to 345 in my 20's, 325 when I started researching WLS in 2006 when my mom died.  I actually saw a LapBand commercial (the greatest ad campaign I have EVER seen).  I was never ever going to get the RnY because of the fact they have a hole at the bottom of your stomach (stoma) that basically just dumps the food you eat into your intestine (where the term dumping comes from).  I have seen COUNTLESS people in my personal life and read who CAN have complication etc.  Please note that I say CAN because it's not guaranteed that anyone WILL have complication x, y or z, but they can.  Ok so I'm researching the all mighty LapBand (and that's how I felt) I needed a surgery that would HELP me the most, and I believe that I needed a surgery that would keep my stomach as a normal stomach.  Where the stomach acid helps digest and mix up my food, where my pyloric valve once the stomach was done doing it's job would open and let my food continue on the digestion road.  I wanted a surgery that would REDUCE the amount of food I could at at any one given time.

So research I did.  Now I saw the website where there is a (and I think back then in 2006 there was like a 50-60%) complication rate and you MIGHT not lose ALL your we ight but I also believe that given the right mental aspect of this surgery coupled with the restriction you can do almost anything so I kept on researching.  I came to OH thanks to a friend and well what I saw here made me nervous.  Instead of some arbitrary number on a website about complications I was seeing ACTUAL living breathing people with the LapBand who WERE having complications, some minor others not.  So I in total research mode started a pros/cons list.  I had page after page of "possible" complications with the Band and of course RIGHT next to it I had the "words/advice" of those who loved the band saying oh if you do this or do that you will NEVER suffer from these complications.  In my research I am ALREADY forcasting that I WAS going to be the PERFECT bandster.  Like someone already said I was aiming to be ONE of the LUCKY ones.  The more I researched the MORE I found people who were banded in like 05/06 with these complications and they were CLAIMING to have been "perfect" bandsters.  But STILL I did not want the RnY because of the false stomach, nor the DS because I just do not consume that much fat and I had NO medical issues.  THEN boom bam thank you Jesus a young lady on the LapBand forum asked Dr. Curry about the VSG and that her insurance (just happened to be MY insurance) suggested she get that instead of the Band.

WHAT you say girl.  There is a surgery out there called the Sleeve...what is this...tell me more.  Well you guessed it I started researching the Sleeve and OMG it "appeared" to have EVERYTHING that I wanted....normal stomach, food restriction and to boot there was a CHANCE that I would wake up from surgery and NOT be hungry because it removed over 1/2 your stomach and the hormone called Ghrelin.  Well tell me more all mighty Sleeve.  I then simultaneously was researching the Sleeve but not taking my foot all the way out the band camp.  I wanted to know EVERYTHING I could about the sleeve.  After all I was willing to say GOODBYE ADIOS to over 1/2 my stomach (NOT that my stomach ever did anything for me, I still am VERY fond of ALL my body parts).  I took my research AWAY from the WLS forums and researched Full/Partial Gastrectomies as done on people who have stomach cancers and ulcers which has been done for over 30 years or more.  I read about peoples LIVES after having a partial gastrectomy, What LONG term vitamins "may" be needed.  How they just eat way smaller portions then before.  How yes they would lose weight.  How yes they weren't really hungry.  How yes you could even live a full and productive LIFE even without ANY stomach.  How a family who had a history of stomach cancer voluntarily had their stomachs REMOVED as a preventative measure.  How people were LIVING life YEARS after their gastrectomies with virtually the same restriction and the "bonus" of weight loss.

Now the whole time I still had my pro/con list.  The Band one was LONG and extensive on the "possible" complications, slips, erosions, esophagal dialation, adhesions for IF the band had to be removed all the risks involved in removal.  The VSG after researching had a few questions/comments.  What size bougie would the surgeon be using?  How does the surgeon check for leaks?  After surgery I did research to KNOW if I did have a leak what SHOULD I be looking for in those weeks after surgery?  How long does it take the stomach to fully heal over the sutures/staples?  That was IT.

I was fortunate that my insurance DID cover the sleeve back in 2007.  Blessed if you will because back then Insurance companies weren't.  I don't know what I would have done in 2007 once I KNEW about the VSG, if my insurance would only cover the RnY or the Band.  To be honest I don't like the GAMBLE of either of those surgeries to NOT be one of the "lucky" ones.  For the VSG I took a gamble that I might still be hungry.  I did take a gamble that hey you could have a leak but as of yet I have not seen a VSGer die purely from a leak.

My reality after my VSG.  I woke up from surgery with INSTANT restriction.  I have been blessed with NO physical hunger.  I am almost 3 years out, still not hungry and still with restriction.  I have lost over 100lbs.  I COULD have gone lower then my current 192 and I'm working out it, but at 1 1/2 years out, I decided a little carbs here and there won't hurt, well they do and depending on YOUR body...well **** I'll say CARBS are the DEVIL.  I am referring to PROCESSED carbs, not fruit but yes fruit for some can be "danger Will Robinson danger."

I wish you well on your decision.

Ms Shell

Look at all of these NO BAND posts. I'd rather have no WLS than this band. I puke, I choke, and I am starving all of the time. Oh.. and I weigh 30 pounds MORE than when I had it put in. Look into all the available surgeries. The sleeve and the DS are looking better and better. I've been denied revision because, although I puke DAILY and have esophageal dysmotility, aparently that's not mechanical failure enough. According to my insurance company, I AM THE ONE who is defective- not their damn band. I just want it OUT and now I am stuck with it. RUN AWAY form the band. You might get lucky and be successful, but why take that chance? I'm sorry I did. I was just SOLD the Lap-band and I didn't do my due diligence. Now I know better.

 I'm so sorry!!!!!   :(  (Me too, everything!) 

Hands down the RNY is the better choice between the 2! VSG and DS are great options as well. Anything BUT the band!!!

There are many of us that fell for that "least invasive" B.S. that the band manufacturers advertise. Had I known then what I know now.............I NEVER would have gotten the band! I would not recommend it to my worst enemy!!!

I had 16 fills in less than 15 months and never reached restriction. Most Drs. will not tell patients BEFORE surgery that there are many that never reach restriction. Kind of an important detail  to leave out don't you think?! The band is the LEAST effective WLS.