RNY from lap band

[SkinnyCL 0]

Hi everyone, I'm banded but seriously thinking about RNY for long term benefits and lower risks compared to band. Went to a seminar today and the surgeon preferred the RNY over the band and even said it was considered the "Gold standard" what is everyones thoughts and feelings on this topic? Do you know anyone who has had an RNY or are you having a revision surgery to the RNY? Please share!

[reverie 49]

Know a few who have had it; some have maintained their weight, others haven't. Bypass is considered the gold standard because it generally results in the most dramatic/quick weight-loss, however, dramatic and quick loss is rarely ideal. To me, gastric bypass is way too invasive and I'd rather have all of me in tact. The fact that you have to worry about dumping and have to live off Vitamins for the rest of your life is a turn off for me. I don't want to be taking pills everyday for the rest of my life due to the fact that my system has been altered in such a way that I can't absorb certain vitamins.

Even though results are usually promising with bypass, all surgeries require a lifestyle change. Knowing how to eat and the importance of moving (note, I didn't say exercise) is critical for anyone losing weight, with or without surgery.

Plenty revise to bypass, but I've also seen bypass patients revise to Lapband; it's a catch-22. If you're willing to make the needed change, any surgery will work, so will non-surgical methods.

[Jess55 97]

Had to look, since your screen name says 2011. According to your profile, you were just banded on July 2nd, and you have a BMI of 34.4. IMHO there is NO WAY I would get an RNY with a BMI that low. In fact I would not get it in general. Due to the reasons reverie mentioned above. I'm sorry but your 1 month post op and already thinking of a different sx? Did you not think before you got the band?

[kellyodoran 12]

I have to agree with Jess, my gosh you haven't even got out the gate, and your already changing horses? Plus I also agree about your BMI....It is low to begin with...not sure if they would even consider you for rny!

[SkinnyCL 0]

No I wasn't actually thinking about it until I had to go to this orientation yesterday in order for this doctor to accept me as her patient then I started second guessing my choice, I guess call it buyers remorse in a sense. Wondering if I really made the right choice, thanks for everyones opinions and comments but I have to say I'm honestly not interested in anyone pointing out the obvious. Yes I'm only a month out of surgery but I'm still questioning pros and cons of each and after continually speaking to different specialists and patients this is still weighing heavy on my mind. If I had to say I'd say my primary care doc really put doubt in my mind as he's pretty much against the band and for anyone who decieds to again point out the obvious yes, it was after the fact. I'm not disappointed just really wondering if I made the right choice. Hoping I made the right choice.

[Jachut 487]

I never really "got" why people were hung up on the rerouting thing. But having had cancer and lost my rectum and part of my colon in the last 12 months, and having to now live with altered bowel function - manageable, sociable, workable but altered - I can now say without a doubt I would not reroute my insides unless I had exhaused every last possibility with a band. I'd do it for sure if my band had to come out and I was gaining weight again and could see obesity down the track. But as a first choice, never.

My life depended on it, but I still found it a very hard and terribly emotional thing, to front up for a surgery to remove a part of my body that to all intents and purposes was functional. Sounds crazy, but I really have mourned it since. I feel somewhat mutilated. I just dont know that I could do that voluntarity, without it being a life saving issue. However, lets face it, morbid obesity probably IS as dangerous as cancer, but gosh, I'd certainly give the band a really good hard try first.

I also remember discussions on here about the bowel issues rny'ers have - the diarrhoea, and terrible gas. I know how much those things affect your quality of life. I found it more easy to feel attractive with an ileostomy bag than I do now with bouts of horrible stinky gas, explosive bowel motions and high frequency. Difference is, I'm getting better every day, with rny, it may be your lot in life. It also may not be of course, plenty dont have much trouble with that sort of stuff. Point is, you have a band, give it a chance. I'm 6 years out with no problems whatsoever, I lost weight easily and have kept it off. Bands can be fantastic tools!

[Pittbull29 1]

I was a medical assistant. As someone who worked in the medical field and just knowing people who have had RNY I would steer clear of it. Like people have said it provides the most dramatic results but you are having a non-reversible procedure performed. There are greater risks during the surgery itself. Most of the people I know who have had it have not met their goal weight. They lose as long as they don't have to do any work themselves like eat healthy or exercise. Some people actually gain all of their weight back. I know some who are continually malnourished and have to be hospitalized repeatedly. I know it's not the case for everyone and don't want to insult anyone but I just thought that I would share what I have seen in my experience.

[AmandaGW 1]

I can't say much about the RNY, but I can say that I TOTALLY remember having some "buyers remorse." Even after a year, sometimes I have some buyers remorse!! And sometimes I have near panic attacks when I think about the foreign object in my body. But at the end of the day, I have learned to use the band as a tool, and 99 percent of the time it is my friend. The band is working for me, therefore I will support it over all other methods. However, it may not be the best for everyone. Out of curiosity, why is your PCP so against it? Is he/she more supportive of RNY? Good luck with everything!

[spoiltmom 44]

Know a few who have had it; some have maintained their weight, others haven't. Bypass is considered the gold standard because it generally results in the most dramatic/quick weight-loss, however, dramatic and quick loss is rarely ideal. To me, gastric bypass is way too invasive and I'd rather have all of me in tact. The fact that you have to worry about dumping and have to live off Vitamins for the rest of your life is a turn off for me. I don't want to be taking pills everyday for the rest of my life due to the fact that my system has been altered in such a way that I can't absorb certain vitamins.

Even though results are usually promising with bypass, all surgeries require a lifestyle change. Knowing how to eat and the importance of moving (note, I didn't say exercise) is critical for anyone losing weight, with or without surgery.

Plenty revise to bypass, but I've also seen bypass patients revise to Lapband; it's a catch-22. If you're willing to make the needed change, any surgery will work, so will non-surgical methods.

Well said:)

[Melissannde 41]

I never really "got" why people were hung up on the rerouting thing. But having had cancer and lost my rectum and part of my colon in the last 12 months, and having to now live with altered bowel function - manageable, sociable, workable but altered - I can now say without a doubt I would not reroute my insides unless I had exhaused every last possibility with a band. I'd do it for sure if my band had to come out and I was gaining weight again and could see obesity down the track. But as a first choice, never.

My life depended on it, but I still found it a very hard and terribly emotional thing, to front up for a surgery to remove a part of my body that to all intents and purposes was functional. Sounds crazy, but I really have mourned it since. I feel somewhat mutilated. I just dont know that I could do that voluntarity, without it being a life saving issue. However, lets face it, morbid obesity probably IS as dangerous as cancer, but gosh, I'd certainly give the band a really good hard try first.

I also remember discussions on here about the bowel issues rny'ers have - the diarrhoea, and terrible gas. I know how much those things affect your quality of life. I found it more easy to feel attractive with an ileostomy bag than I do now with bouts of horrible stinky gas, explosive bowel motions and high frequency. Difference is, I'm getting better every day, with rny, it may be your lot in life. It also may not be of course, plenty dont have much trouble with that sort of stuff. Point is, you have a band, give it a chance. I'm 6 years out with no problems whatsoever, I lost weight easily and have kept it off. Bands can be fantastic tools!

Jacqui,

Just a quick hijack of the thread to say that as a fellow cancer survivor, I don't find it strange or crazy at all to mourn the loss of a body part. I too feel mutilated.

I had a doctor try to scold me for those feelings. I'll never go back to him again, nor will I ever recommend him, even though he might be a very good physician.. he knows nothing of emotional support. Thank GOODNESS he's not an oncologist.

Your feelings are valid and natural I think. So glad you're doing better.

[Melissannde 41]

No I wasn't actually thinking about it until I had to go to this orientation yesterday in order for this doctor to accept me as her patient then I started second guessing my choice, I guess call it buyers remorse in a sense. Wondering if I really made the right choice, thanks for everyones opinions and comments but I have to say I'm honestly not interested in anyone pointing out the obvious. Yes I'm only a month out of surgery but I'm still questioning pros and cons of each and after continually speaking to different specialists and patients this is still weighing heavy on my mind. If I had to say I'd say my primary care doc really put doubt in my mind as he's pretty much against the band and for anyone who decieds to again point out the obvious yes, it was after the fact. I'm not disappointed just really wondering if I made the right choice. Hoping I made the right choice.

I remember questioning whether or not I had made the right choice.. even being a bit sad that I had chosen the band. But I eventually got a hold of myself.. decided, you've got the band, let's work it to the best of my ability.

When I asked my oncologist if I was healed enough to have another surgery.. she asked what I was thinking of and I told her lapband. She said something like "If that's what you want to do to yourself". I blew it off figuring she wasn't well educated on the various WLS and perhaps thought I meant the RNY. Now when I go back to see her she's all enthusiastic about my loss and has several other patients who've been banded.

I never asked my PCP his opinion. It's my body, not his.

My suggestion is to try your best to make the band work. Follow the eating plan your surgeon recommends as closely as you can. Move your body more than you did before surgery. Drink your Water. Get fills if/when needed. And see if this works for you. If it doesn't, you can look into a Sleeve, RNY or DS. Good luck!!

[Brigette 65]

Hello,

I have been successful with my band. I won't say that I would never have RNY because I never thought that I would do any weight loss procedure. In fact, I was determined not to go that route. But, after trying alternative methods (diets, exercise, with temporary success, I ultimately decided on lapband. Having said this, if I were to ever gain most of this weight back, I would look into alternative wls. I don't know which I'd choose but would at least investigate. I chose lapbandt because it was the least invasive and I had less than 100 lbs. to lose. I needed to lose about 70lbs. Wishing you well. Brigette

[roziecakes 20]

To me the RNY is a last choice for people who just can't lose weight any other way and have a gigantic amount to lose! I wouldn't consider a BMI for 34.4 a gigantic amount for such an invasive procedure. I had a BMI of 50 when I got my band, and I still would rather have gone the direction I did. I'm also not sure where you heard that RNY had less risks, I have been told the opposite by almost every doctor I've talked to.

Of course, what it all boils down to, is that it's your body, and no one can tell you what to do. However, I would personally see how well the band works for you, since you just got it. It's not a quick fix, but it has a high success rate, so if you work your band right, it will do right for you.

Good luck!