Lap-Band to RNY how do you feel?

I had the a banded surgery 12 years ago. I had a revision to RNY Dec 2010. I am now down almost 160. Insurance paid 100% and approval took only 1 week.

What I have learned and seen in other people with the band is it is too easy to continue to eat the junk food, just less of it. There are no dumping effects or malabsorption. For me I just ate around the band. I did loose 100 pounds but that slowly came back.

For me the difference now is with the RNY you have to learn to eat right. On surgery day I made up my mind to never figure out if I dum*****t. If I assume I do then I won't even risk it. I do not eat sweets or too many carbs in public for fear of getting sick. I have gotten ill from not eating as much protein with my carbs and that is no fun.

I feel like without those things the lap bands is better for people who only have 50-75 pounds to loose to their ideal weight. Or for a mother who gained weight during/after pregnancy. People who are normally healthy but for some reason gained some weight.

Please do not question your decision for the revision. I regret waiting the 12 years I did to have it. :)

 I had my revison in Jan of this year.  My lapband was in August of 2008.  I never lost more than 30 lbs with the band and I was very compliant with the rules.  Last year around Oct. I decided I was sick of the band and asked about revision.  I couldn't be happier.  I am also a slow loser but I hit a weight today that was my second goal in 2008.  I have 29 more pounds to lose before the Spring and I honestly think it will happen.  I'd like to lose more than 29 more but if I don't I will be OK with it.  My doctor says I have a good 30 lbs of excess skin and I am having the excess on my stomach removed for sure, but don't know about any more.  I love my RNY.  

I feel fantastic.  I'm six weeks out and even though I'm a lightweight, I've lost 22 pounds.  It has been so different, and so much better, than the band.  The transition has been easier than I expected.  I think recovery time, pain, etc., is about the same for the two (if both are laproscopic).  I haven't any complications.

Unlike with the band, I haven't had a rumbling stomach yet.  When I had the band I still got really, really hungry and never seemed to feel SATISFIED despite filling up my pouch, throwing it up, and eating more.  With the RNY I feel FULL without throwing up.  I have overeaten a couple of times and been really, really uncomfortable, which I don't think I ever felt with the band.  So now I'm actually thinking, "if I eat this will I feel awful later?" I know it sounds weird but even throwing up with the band and making myself sick eating too much sugar never gave me that "thinking ahead" feeling. 

I had heartburn really bad too, and so far it's much better, but I continue to take 1 prilosec a day.

You will probably get lots of responses on the Sleeve forum saying it's great, and it probably is.  But I am so happy I had the RNY!

Best of luck to you,
Ramie A.