Re: Ive been searching for info and support re lap-band surgery

[EVA 0]

ok so Im officially frustrated over the information out there on the web. Ive attended my first WLS live group support meeting and not one patient was there for having lapband surgery they were all rny or waiting for rny. This is a center for excellence. Ive also have been searching online for information and was super frustrated when I came accross this page.

Laparoscopic RNY Gastric Bypass vs LAP-BAND

Read it and then tell me what you think this is supposed to be from a center of excellence. You would think that inamed wouldn't want this doctor using there device if he felt this way about it.

I just need to talk to people who have succeeded with the band and I keep getting information about those who haven't.

Any suggestions?

Eva

[Superali72 0]

Eva - I think you're Center of Excellence only believes in RNY and don't know how to effectively perform LAP-BAND. Also, they make more money on RNY.

Fact of the matter is, both surgeries are effective, but LB is a slower weight loss. You lose less with LB than RNY in the first year, but if you look 3 - 5 years out, weight loss is the same.

If you are interested in having LB instead of RNY - I would RUN from the Center of Excellence and find another Doc who has performed at least 100 LB surgeries and is supportive of your decision.

[JJB 2]

I had lap band a little over a year ago. For me it has been such an awesome blessing. I was really scared of the surgery for RNY. I have a friend who went with her 2 sisters and had RNY done a few years back. So I watched them and saw what they went through. I am so happy with my decision. I think that you can find a lot of people who are for and against both procedures. Just do what you feel is the best and safest for you. Good luck to you.

[jmarruda 22]

I thought the point of LapBand was to lose the weight slow and keep it off. Most RNY patients gain weight after a few years.

[Daisalana 33]

My doctor was one who preferred the RNY. To each their own.

One “estimate of the failure rate (from complications with bands) indicates that removal is expected in almost one out of ten patients every year”.

I believe that is a statistic taken out of context, which is pretty immoral.

I believe it means, IF YOU HAVE A COMPLICATION (which is less than 5% they're recording now, right? I'm sure someone remembers).

Out of THOSE 5% 1/10 have to have the band removed. That's really an insignificant amount as a whole. But they phrase it so it looks like 1/10 banded people have to have it removed due to complications.

[EVA 0]

Well today didnt seem to help me much either. I went for dr approval and got it along with her suggestions that I get rny she said that Id probably only loose like 30lbs with the band. This is so frustrating for me I really want the band but am feeling disouraged she suggested with rny I would achieve my goal weight within a year. She even said you can go with the band now and always get rny later if your not sure.

I dont want rny but I do have alot of weight to loose. Im so confused now.

[LadyLee 3]

Don't give up, I got a Lap Band and I have alot to loose, look at all the other people on this site who have done so well, some lost over 150 pounds with the band. Maybe you should change your doctor. Do whats in your heart

[Betsyjane 2]

Get to a doctor that knows lap bands and has done lots of them! It will make all the difference.

Those statistics make me crazy and always have. I have read that on average you lose 50% of your excess weight with the band. And I've heard 70%. I also know that I'm not an average. With dedication and exercise, I am going to lose most or all of my excess weight. I am an individual and not a statistic.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Well today didnt seem to help me much either. I went for dr approval and got it along with her suggestions that I get rny she said that Id probably only loose like 30lbs with the band. This is so frustrating for me I really want the band but am feeling disouraged she suggested with rny I would achieve my goal weight within a year. She even said you can go with the band now and always get rny later if your not sure.

I dont want rny but I do have alot of weight to loose. Im so confused now.

Your doctor isn't being honest with you in an attempt to sway you to her way of thinking. Is that honestly a doc you want to go to? Or do you want someone that is honest with you?

However, if those are HER stats (vs. the national average), RUN!!! Run quickly the other way.

[EVA 0]

at this point in the game I am best where I am. I have one of the top surgeons in the Boston area considering Boston is world renowned for medacine that says alot. My surgeon suggested I would lose approx 80 lbs with band and about 130 with rny. He is not the one swaying me. He told me I would be a great canadate for either procedure. He also performs about 25% lband to 75% rny with a few thousand bands under his belt. They have been banding at this hospital for over 6 years.

Its the wls groups, the nutritionist, and my wl dr who are swaying me. I know this is my desicion its just a hard one I had my heart set on a band and I feel like everyone outside this forum is saying dont do it lol. Its alot to swallow and I have very little time I need to decide by the 1st thats when they submit it to my insurance.

Well wish me luck.

Eva

[LadyLee 3]

Well today didnt seem to help me much either. I went for dr approval and got it along with her suggestions that I get rny she said that Id probably only loose like 30lbs with the band. This is so frustrating for me I really want the band but am feeling disouraged she suggested with rny I would achieve my goal weight within a year. She even said you can go with the band now and always get rny later if your not sure.

I dont want rny but I do have alot of weight to loose. Im so confused now.

You should try a new doctor too.... I have a lot to loose also, but I think the Band works, so many people on this site have lost over one hundred pounds..... Since pre/post I have lost 46 pounds and still have a lot more to come off. My two friends had the Rny, hair loss, skin saggy, Vitamin lost, must go into get Vitamin shots monthly, one replace food with drinking, the other has liver problems from what the after affect. So there is good and bad in everything we do, but I believe this is the less of both surgies. The easyiest on us in healing time, pain. The Band can always be reversed.

Hope this helps:)

Wallygirl