Lap Band or Rny? My surgery is in 2 weeks... Help!
Please help me. I have no where else to turn. I am having Lap band surgery on 9-11-08 and I keep having all of these 2nd thoughts. I am worried about the band slipping, eroding, and the maintainence. The idea of having to go in for fills the rest of my life is frightening. I have watched the fills being done on youtube videos and it seems like they are painful. My doctors office doesn't use any pain killer first either.. So that worries me a little. Is it painful?? I am also worried about the future.. What if I don't have insurance and can't afford a fill? Then I am screwed. and will just gain my weight back? I have heard alot of people say they are still hungry all the time with Lap band, is this true? Also, How long and how many fills will it take to get restriction? I know my surgeon doesn't add any saline until like 4 wks after surgery.
I am just worried that with the lap band it will be a lot higher maintainence and not as good as results. I am thinking maybe the RNY would be better for the future because once I am healed, I just have to eat right and exercise and take vitamins and live my life, unlike Lap band and all of the fills and worries about the band inside...
Please help me, I am a nervous wreck and thought I would ask for advice before I call in the morning and tell them I have changed my mind..
Becky
I am just worried that with the lap band it will be a lot higher maintainence and not as good as results. I am thinking maybe the RNY would be better for the future because once I am healed, I just have to eat right and exercise and take vitamins and live my life, unlike Lap band and all of the fills and worries about the band inside...
Please help me, I am a nervous wreck and thought I would ask for advice before I call in the morning and tell them I have changed my mind..
Becky
Hi Becky ~
All I can do is share my experience ~ I went through all you described. After MUCH research I ended up with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy - - and am VERY happy with it!!
My reasonings were: did NOT want to have to deal with fills etc with the lap band and did NOT want my intestines 'rerouted' (sp?) with the RNY. I have never been sorry with the decison I made. I had surgery just over a year ago.
Do your research and do what is best for YOU!!!
Best Wishes,
Quinn
All I can do is share my experience ~ I went through all you described. After MUCH research I ended up with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy - - and am VERY happy with it!!
My reasonings were: did NOT want to have to deal with fills etc with the lap band and did NOT want my intestines 'rerouted' (sp?) with the RNY. I have never been sorry with the decison I made. I had surgery just over a year ago.
Do your research and do what is best for YOU!!!
Best Wishes,
Quinn
Hi Becky,
It sounds like to me that you have already made your decision. Why? Do I say that because you have to many negative things to say about the Lap Band, and not for nothing I agree with you on everything that is why I had RNY. I don't knock anyone who had the Lap Band, that is what they decided on, I just felt it wouldn't be for me. I had a lot of weight to lose, so I didn't think it would work for me, my surgeon said that usually people who have the Lap Band usually don't have to lose as much weight maybe 50-80 Lbs. If you have to lose 100 or more I would choose another surgery. Anyway, I hope this was helpful, and Good-Luck, let us know what you decided.
It sounds like to me that you have already made your decision. Why? Do I say that because you have to many negative things to say about the Lap Band, and not for nothing I agree with you on everything that is why I had RNY. I don't knock anyone who had the Lap Band, that is what they decided on, I just felt it wouldn't be for me. I had a lot of weight to lose, so I didn't think it would work for me, my surgeon said that usually people who have the Lap Band usually don't have to lose as much weight maybe 50-80 Lbs. If you have to lose 100 or more I would choose another surgery. Anyway, I hope this was helpful, and Good-Luck, let us know what you decided.
Melissa C
I also had the VSG surgery and it is the bet thing I ever did for me! You might look in to it; those of us who have it love it. You might try hanging around the VSG board (and the Lap Band board, and RNY board) for a minute to see what you can find out, and get any questions you may have answered. Good luck with your decision.
At or below goal since 5/08....without mal-absorption!
Hello,
It sounds to me like you have made your decision.....you just need to verbalize it. I know exactly what you are going through. Initially when I started this process in February, I thought I wanted to have the band. The NP and Dr. told me if I wanted the band, they'd do it, but because I have a lot of weight to lose, the RNY would be better for me. Initially I wasn't sold on the idea. It took me a long time to come to a decision that was right for me. I searched these boards, asked a lot of questions and gave it a lot of thought. Everything you are skeptical of regard the band echoes exactly why I decided to have RNY. If I was going to have surgery to lose weight, I need to know it's the best tool for me. If I didn't have success with the band, I would be stuck because I wouldn't be able to pay for RNY out of my own pocket. If I had the band, they said they'd promise me a 60 pound loss and that was it. If I'm going to have surgery, I want to lose more than 60 pounds. Good luck on your decision. Let us know what you decide. :-)
Tammy
It sounds to me like you have made your decision.....you just need to verbalize it. I know exactly what you are going through. Initially when I started this process in February, I thought I wanted to have the band. The NP and Dr. told me if I wanted the band, they'd do it, but because I have a lot of weight to lose, the RNY would be better for me. Initially I wasn't sold on the idea. It took me a long time to come to a decision that was right for me. I searched these boards, asked a lot of questions and gave it a lot of thought. Everything you are skeptical of regard the band echoes exactly why I decided to have RNY. If I was going to have surgery to lose weight, I need to know it's the best tool for me. If I didn't have success with the band, I would be stuck because I wouldn't be able to pay for RNY out of my own pocket. If I had the band, they said they'd promise me a 60 pound loss and that was it. If I'm going to have surgery, I want to lose more than 60 pounds. Good luck on your decision. Let us know what you decide. :-)
Tammy
Have you considered the DS or the VSG?
I personalyl would not recommend the RNY or the Lap band to anyone, not even my worst enemy. I'm not saying that to be mean, but both of those surgeries have very bad track records for long term success....I'm not even a huge fan of the VSG, but at least if you don't want to malabsorb anything ...it's a better way to go.
FYI regardless of the surgery, you will need to take suppliments..reduced food intake = deficiencies.
Scott
I personalyl would not recommend the RNY or the Lap band to anyone, not even my worst enemy. I'm not saying that to be mean, but both of those surgeries have very bad track records for long term success....I'm not even a huge fan of the VSG, but at least if you don't want to malabsorb anything ...it's a better way to go.
FYI regardless of the surgery, you will need to take suppliments..reduced food intake = deficiencies.
Scott
I have been thinking the same things as you. My surgery date for Lap Band is 9/12/08. I always wanted Gastric but at my final Dr's meeting, he suggested Lap Band because there is 10 X less risks, less pain and recovery and the results are the same after 3-5 years out. I weigh 250 so I dont have as much to lose as some but either way (Gastric or Lap Band), we have to work at eating healthy and exercise. I am trying to look at this as a 'tool'. Good luck to you!
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