Sorry I can't help you make the decision.
I know that for me the lap band wasn't an option..........you can still eat sugar, drink soda..........and I would have.
I had to have the fear of dumping if I tried to cheat, and I hate to get sick.
I had RNY in Sept 09 and don't regret one moment of it, I just wish I'd have done it years ago.
Good Luck
Kelly

Generally, weight loss with the band is slower and end sooner. But the banding can be reversed if needed. Diabetics like myself generally go with Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RNYGB) because its impact on diabetes is much more pronounced.

There are at least a couple of participant here who had the lap band and later went back for the full RNYGB.

On the other hand, there are lap banders here who are happy with their results.

I had the RNYGB and do not regret it.

YMMV.

Of course, I can't choose for you, and my best advice is to always do your research on all your options before deciding what is best for you. Because only you, are going to be living with your choice.

I chose RNY, after first going in to talk about the band. The main deciding factor for me was, its permanent. I didn't want to have to go back in for monthly maintenance to have the band readjusted and readjusted for months before it was set right for a good weight loss. I was also afraid if I lost my insurance at any time, what would happen to me then. No more maintenance coverage, what about pre-existing condition clauses, future surgeries/revisions, etc. Because there are more visits involved with the band, more risk of revision surgery because of band slippage, and I have read many posts here from people having the band and a few years later are pursuing GBS for one reason or another, is why I chose RNY. Long term on the band seems like there are a lot of unknowns that could spring up, GBS does have risks too, but you'll be aware of them more immediately. I have been lucky and have had no complications and have done really well.

I had my RNY February 2009, its been a year, and I'm down nearly 150 lbs. Absolutely no regrets and I would definately do it again in a heartbeat.

Wish you the best either way you decide!!!!

it's a very personal decision.

One thing that may help is if you are a "sweets eater"...? If so, you may want to go with RNY as dumping on sugars can add a bit of incentive to avoid those foods. You don't get that with the band.

Thank you all so much. At first I was thinking the "band" but the more I think about it the bypass seems to be better. Callie I agree with you on the follow-up care of the band could become a problem since there are lots of mechanical parts to be concerned about. The insurance end of it is also something to think about down the road as one never knows. Like anything there are ups and downs. I will keep you all posted. Kelly thank you for your input. I agree I dont think I'd make myself sick deliberately haha. Jerry (love the pic) I was told that if I was a diabetic that the surgeon would help me with my decision but I'm not "thank goodness" Good luck to you all!! I will keep in touch!!

I had thought I might want lapband as well, until I went for the orientation. Again, by doing my research on both I felt that I would rather rearrange my guts then have the lap band that would be inside of me for life! There are more complications and redo surgeries for lapband then for the rnygb, so that ended up being my deciding factor. BUT, as all have said so far, this HAS to be YOUR decision and one that you are comfortable with. I'm almost six months out and 75 pounds lighter and would do it over again in a heart beat! Unlike Kelly, I CAN eat anything and not dump, so that is not a guarantee with the surgery, but most people do have food intolerances, I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones!(or not)

Welcome Mary,
Another non conclusive answer here I am affraid.
For medical reasons I opted for the bypass. I wanted a long term fix, which is is.
Living the bypass dream and loving it...

Andy aka Buzz xxx

Hi again
Its funny because I was all set to have the band until I went to a seminar lol I was like hmmmm damn I dont want all the upkeep with the band...Yes I'm afraid of the bypass but I'm definately swaying towards it. I like the fact that when your done your done. From what I have been reading it's not as bad as "some" say. I need long term. I'm so tired of yoyoing its just not good. Thank you all so much for your advice.

Wisdom is priceless !!!

I think that it's smart for you to be gathering as much information as possible before making your decision. I too did the RNY because I didn't want follow-up visits, increased ability to eat most foods, and because I wanted a quicker weight loss. Of course, the real reason why I didn't do the lap band is because of my twin sister. She had the lap band two years earlier. It was a horrible experience. It slipped on her three times. In the end, she had it taken out with another painful surgery. I have heard of many horror stories because of the band. A lot of them slip, erode, are hard to adjust etc... Quite a few people have them taken out and than have the RNY surgery. This is not true for all people with the band of course. I would think that many are happy with their results. On the other hand, I haven't hardly heard a word of complaint from most RNY patients. It's a good tool for most if you can get by the potential surgery risks, avoid ulcers and such. I too am happy with my choice.
Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you!

With any surgery, there is always risk. Research it well. I had RNYGB 22 Jul 09. The doctor cut my intestines and didn't realize it. I ended up in the hosp for 40 days. I've lost 105 lbs, but I still can't decide if it was worth what I went through. I researched lap band, it wasn't for me. I'm off all my meds, but I still have issues from the terrible infection I got in the hosp. Everyone's experience is different. Ask your doctor about his mortality rate and how many times he has cut the intestines. I wish I had. I went to this doctor because BCBS wanted me to go there.

Cari
Thank you for your comment. (I just put that on my question for the doctor sheet) I will definately ask the doctor about that! That sounds painful! These are the stories I need to know as well! I am going through Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA. This doctor has a very good reputation! I'm so sorry you had to suffer and I hope your future is much happier!!
Mary

double check your insurance to make sure fills are covered. A few people I know could get the surgery covered, but were paying upwards of 250 bucks a visit for fills.