Question:
If you had a choice, how did you decide between DS and Lapband?
I'm reading about both DS and Lapband and am wondering how you decide which one to have. I'm wondering for those who were able to choose, what made your decision between them (dr availabilty? insurance coverage? something about each procedure- either living with it or the procedure itself?) Thanks. — susanje (posted on November 22, 2002)
November 22, 2002
I haven't had my surgery yet, but, have also researched. What I have
learned about the lapband, is it works as long as it is there. When it is
removed, you lose the restriction that kept you from overeating. It seems
to have the most failure rate. This is what I have read, and it was just on
the discovery health documentary about a man who had the lap rny, and a
woman who had a lapband. They said hopefully she will learn to eat properly
so she has that advantage when they remove it. So, for me, it will be the
rny. Sorry, I am not going thru this just to have it reversed. I know I
wouldn't EVER be able to keep the weight off....been there, done that...lol
Good luck with your decision, Laury PS. Please if anyone wants to email me
to trash me because of this answer...Remember this, If you don't have
something nice to say don't say nothing at all. God bless
— laury
November 22, 2002
I haven't had my surgery yet, but, have also researched. What I have
learned about the lapband, is it works as long as it is there. When it is
removed, you lose the restriction that kept you from overeating. It seems
to have the most failure rate. This is what I have read, and it was just on
the discovery health documentary about a man who had the lap rny, and a
woman who had a lapband. They said hopefully she will learn to eat properly
so she has that advantage when they remove it. So, for me, it will be the
rny. Sorry, I am not going thru this just to have it reversed. I know I
wouldn't EVER be able to keep the weight off....been there, done that...lol
Good luck with your decision, Laury PS. Please if anyone wants to email me
to trash me because of this answer...Remember this, If you don't have
something nice to say don't say nothing at all. God bless
— laury
November 22, 2002
I too have researched both and have decided the lap-band is the best option
for me. The main reason is DS has a high number of deaths. It has many
complications, it is NOT reversible (so if you are one of the unlucky ones
who has numerous problems, you're out of luck).
The lap band is 100% reversable. It allows you to eat a variety of foods,
only much smaller portions. It seems to me to be a more liveable lifetime
solution. You lose weight slowly and more healthily (which allows your
skin time to shrink). It has drawbacks but they are easily fixed by
removal of the band.
You really need to read and decide what is right for you. Many opt for the
RNY, I prefer the band. I am early in this process but the DS was what I
started out wanting. After so research I seriously changed my tune. Good
luck. :)
— SassyK74
November 22, 2002
I too have researched both and have decided the lap-band is the best option
for me. The main reason is DS has a high number of deaths. It has many
complications, it is NOT reversible (so if you are one of the unlucky ones
who has numerous problems, you're out of luck).
The lap band is 100% reversable. It allows you to eat a variety of foods,
only much smaller portions. It seems to me to be a more liveable lifetime
solution. You lose weight slowly and more healthily (which allows your
skin time to shrink). It has drawbacks but they are easily fixed or worst
case scenerio by removal of the band.
You really need to read and decide what is right for you. Many opt for the
RNY, I prefer the band. I am early in this process but the DS was what I
started out wanting, then looked into the RNY (neither were right for me).
Good luck. :)
— SassyK74
November 22, 2002
I have been researching for months and at first I wanted to have the lap
band but I have changed my mind to the DS. I have a lot of weight to lose
and I know I will have better results with the DS. I also dont want the
hassle of having to get a "fill" and I am not particularly fond
of chewing my food to mush before I swallow. I think I have read just
about everyone's stories from the before and after pictures on this site
and to be honest I have only read maybe five stories of people who actually
regretted having surgery at all. I have seen that most deaths have occured
from embolisms (which can happen when you have ANY kind of surgery) and
people who are at a higher weight than most which increases the risk. I
say if you are going to go have a major or "drastic" surgery JUST
DO IT! Go for what you believe is going to give you the best results and
what you'll be able to LIVE with as far as the changes that you will have
to make to your life style. Also check the ds website
http://www.duodenalswitch.com/. Read everything you can get your hands
about both. I've rambled enough good luck and God be with us all post and
pre op.
— davesband1
November 22, 2002
I chose DS because it is my surgeon's specialty. No dumping, less chance
to regain the weight, the stomach still works the way it is meant to. Had
the surgery 9/16/02 and would not change my mind now. Diane
— Diane R.
November 22, 2002
I have a lap band. Firstly it is not intended to be removed. Once you have
it installed it is there until it needs replacing. ( Many years down the
track). It is true that RNY and bpds patients lose their weight much
quicker. And that is very attractive to all obese people. We want it ( the
fat ) gone yesterday. But like everything else it has a cost. The
malabsorption component can have undesirable consequences and the surgery
is more envasive then the lap band. The lap band does take a while to get
used to . The weight loss is slower and more gradual. I see this as a
blessing. The fills are not painful. And I have no "window of
opportunity" to lose my excess weight. The band is adjustable so that
when I stop losing it is adjusted so that I continue to lose. Alternatively
when I get pregnant The fill is removed so that I can have a perfectly
normal pregnancy. It is human nature to feel that one must justify their
choice in surgery as we feel we have made the right decision. And so when
someone else slams your kind of surgery it makes it you feel angry as you
have researched as much as they have and have made your decision based on
good reliable fact.
I was lucky enough to be insured for all surgeries . I thought about this
long and hard and like you asked many questions. Don't give up asking until
you 100% certain
— April M.
November 22, 2002
When I went for my consult, I knew I wanted the RNY. I am 36, 5'8"
and 265 lbs, BMI is 40. After meeting with my doc, we decided that the lap
band really was for me. Lower BMI, no co-morbs and I still want to try for
another baby. As April May below says, it is still do-able and the weight
does come off slower. You live with the band the rest of your life and the
port is hardly noticible, from what I understand. I am now on the losing
side as of 10/31. I have lost 20 lbs and I have not even had my first band
adjustment yet. Do I think I will get down to 159? Maybe not but I would
be happy with 175-180 since I am tall and large boned anyway. I just see
this as being a healthier, less risky alternative to RNY. Best of
luck.....you'll make the right choice for you.
— Becky S.
November 23, 2002
Korina wrote: "The main reason is DS has a high number of deaths. It
has many complications, it is NOT reversible (so if you are one of the
unlucky ones who has numerous problems, you're out of luck)." No slam
against Korina intended, but I'm curious about where she got her info as
this is not quite right. The intestinal portion of DS can and has been
reversed for the few who lost too much; they had their common channels
lengthened to allow more absorption. Also a few have had theirs shortened
when they didn't lose enough. The stomach portion is irreversible, but
since you still have a normal stomach that doesn't much matter. You do get
a higher death and complication rate as DS is major surgery and lap band
quite minor, but that would be true for any major surgery and is something
to keep in mind. Of course you want to choose your surgeon VERY carefully!
DS is a highly specialized operation and it's not enough if they've been
doing other WLS for a long time; they need training and experience in DS
specifically. (I think this is why most surgeons don't do it.) But I
digress... :) I've seen pictures of stomachs perforated by bands and it is
not a pretty sight. Lap band is a quicker fix, but DS is permanent. I
wanted something that would work the rest of my life and not have risk of
weight regain, so I chose DS over all other types--and was so convinced of
its superiority that I paid for it myself! I'm now 5 months out, lost
nearly 100 lbs, BMI down to 43 from 57. I never had any complications
beyond horrendous gas and diarrhea, but once I learned what foods to avoid
even those problems disappeared. I hardly fart at all--unless I eat french
bread and then all bets are off! LOL To me the big issue is to get it right
the first time, because revisions from other types of surgery DO have a
much higher complication rate and a lower weight loss rate. BTW, there is a
comparison table at http://gr-ds.com. Good luck Susan (and everyone)! Feel
free to email me if you'd like.
— Chris T.
November 23, 2002
Susan, it's sounds like you've already gotten lots of great responses so
I'd like to add something for all the other posters. I've been coming to
this sight for almost nine months and it has really improved in that time.
It used to be very negative about the Lap-Band with a lot of innaccurate
information. Thank you to all for being able to state your opinion without
slamming those of us who have chosen the band.
— Caddy W.
Click Here to Return