another reason I think the RNY is too drastic

quakergirl · August 5, 2003

I recently heard about Zonegran, a new drug that may help with weight loss. Here's an article about it and another drug called Axokine that makes it sound promising:

http://webmd.lycos.com/content/article/63/71964.htm

Now obviously, these weight loss drugs are still too new to be sure if they will be useful to MO patients. I'm surely glad I got the band! But such developments give me hope that in 5 or 10 years there may be some amazing advances in curing obesity without surgery. Perhaps something that will make it easier than it is with the band. If that is the case, I will be grateful that I chose the band instead of the RNY or DS. If some easier method of weight control comes along in a few years, I have the option to get unbanded and will be essentially back to normal. Reversing an RNY or DS is far, far more complicated and risky.

So, it really makes me feel bad for all the young people out there who are going for the RNY. That is such a drastic, permanent choice to be making. The band makes sense as a first choice. The RNY and DS are only justified as last resorts, in my opinion.

Alexandra · August 5, 2003

I completely agree, quakergirl. (Shocking, huh? )

It's astonishing to me that the medical community is so slow to accept the band, PARTICULARLY for young people or those with less than, say, 200 lbs. to lose who don't have significant comorbidities. To jump right in with the slice-and-dice seems to border on really bad advice now that the band is available.

FDATrialGuineaPig · August 8, 2003

This was precisely one of the reasons I chose the band. Thanks for posting the link!!!!

wednesday · August 8, 2003

I never took into consideration that there might be a cure found in the future for obesity when I chose the band. I have to say that I fell into that bit of luck!

Just one more awesome benefit of the band to add to the numerous others!