I need advice please. I had a lapband which was removed due to erosion. My doctor recommends vertical gastrectomy. I'm concerned about the recovery time because VG seems like a more invasive procedure. Has anyone had both procedures and can compare their recovery experiences?

I had far more pain with the lap-band, but I bounced back within a week.

It seems that most people take a week or so to recover from VG, but it took me nearly a month. More than likely, this was due to the extensive surgery that had to be done to undo the contortions which were created by the lap-band.

I had a LapBand and the Duodenal Switch (DS), which is far more invasive. And, like Anthony, my recovery included recovering from band-related problems.

There is a Sue on the OH Gastric Sleeve board who was revised from band to sleeve for reasons not involving complication. I don't want to misquote her, so why don't you wander over there and ask.

http://obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/

I have a question let say health care was to cover the bypass or you could pay $16000 to get the band what would you pick??? just remember its going to take about ayear to save up that much money, or more.

andree

Band 100 times over. I have been out around 16000 including my fills and I would do it over in a heartbeat. I do not want the complications of the bypass.

I have a question let say health care was to cover the bypass or you could pay $16000 to get the band what would you pick??? just remember its going to take about ayear to save up that much money, or more.

andree

Both DH and I chose to pay for the band rather then get the bypass that our insurance would have covered. We actually used a home equity loan, but I would still wait that year.

I have a question let say health care was to cover the bypass or you could pay $16000 to get the band what would you pick??? just remember its going to take about ayear to save up that much money, or more.

andree

I would definately pay for the band.... IMHO it is far healthier with fewer complications!

I had a lap band and it's slowly working. but i often wonder if the bypass would have been a better option. i just saw this...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3935926914857694794&q=lap+band

to late for me to investigate the claims, but if i was considering surgery, I would check it out

Have You Looked Anymore Into These Problems?

yes, I found a site that site the same things...

http://www.droakleymd.com/index.php?page=debate

i have a lap band, and it is slowly working for me, just trying to put out this info...it wasn't around for me.

I had a lap band and it's slowly working. but i often wonder if the bypass would have been a better option. i just saw this...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3935926914857694794&q=lap+band

to late for me to investigate the claims, but if i was considering surgery, I would check it out

Jason...

Dr. Rutledge performs a controversial procedure commonly known as a "mini-bypass". In another video he is equally critical of the RNY, because he promotes only "his" WLS. I would take anything Dr.Rutledge says with a grain of salt. First of all, his hard sell approach to bariatric surgery is very unprofessional. Secondly, only he and the handful of surgeons he has trained and approved offer the mini-bypass. There must be a reason for that.

I have a question let say health care was to cover the bypass or you could pay $16000 to get the band what would you pick??? just remember its going to take about ayear to save up that much money, or more.

andree

Well, I paid around ten grand for my band, plus the other adjustment expenses. My insurance paid to take it out because it was messing up my esophagus. I didn't want the RnY, but insurance paid for the DS.

Answer? I wouldn't want either one. Now that I have a year of the DS under my belt, I'm very satisfied.

I don't see a Dr. Robert Rutledge listed on the AMA Association "Doctor Finder" in Nevada, California, New Mexico, Florida or any other state mentioned on his website.

Who is he and why isn't he easily findable on a site such as the AMA dr. finder??

I am not convinced his "mini gastric bypass" is the wave of the future. Will go through with my lapband...there seem to be thousands of people who are currently pleased with their lap bands.

Medicine and surgery change all the time. you can't wait for "the future"--the consequences of obesity are progressing while you wait. I have decided to do something about it now!

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/article?title=GASTRIC+BANDING&title_type=tka&author=suter&year_from=1998&year_to=2007&database=1&pageSize=20&index=1

This is the article that Dr. Rutledge is referring to in the above video about lapband failure. The full-text can be purchased for $26.00. From the abstract, it seems that this report is based on a very small sampling of patients---317? That seems very low to me, to make blanket statements that "lapbanding is not the surgery of choice anymore."

now i must say, i'm at work, AND talking on the phone, AND listening to people with screaming kids (it's PARTY DAY HERE!), while i'm typing this--so if i didn't read it correctly--forgive me!

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/article?title=GASTRIC+BANDING&title_type=tka&author=suter&year_from=1998&year_to=2007&database=1&pageSize=20&index=1

This is the article that Dr. Rutledge is referring to in the above video about lapband failure. The full-text can be purchased for $26.00. From the abstract, it seems that this report is based on a very small sampling of patients---317? That seems very low to me, to make blanket statements that "lapbanding is not the surgery of choice anymore."

now i must say, i'm at work, AND talking on the phone, AND listening to people with screaming kids (it's PARTY DAY HERE!), while i'm typing this--so if i didn't read it correctly--forgive me!

First thing that caught my eye was that this studies patients over 10 years, and I think techniques have improved over that time. And yes, it seems like a small sample. Not that I don't think there are risks and complications, but I'd like to see more research.

Of course there can be complications with ANY surgery. I am experiencing some of those right now as I type this (I had port replacement surgery 24 hours ago) and had I have known before I got my band what I know now? I WOULD HAVE DONE IT ALL AGAIN TEN TIMES OVER!! The complications with the LapBand are much less severe than those with bypass. Simple as that. I am not comparing success rates, I am just comparing the extensive research I had done on complications and mortality rate of both procedures before getting my band. I know, from experience, you really really MUST look after your band. I took mine for granted and thought I could push it and push it and now I am paying the price (partly, though not totally, due to my own fault).

Yeah, it's a nuisance and it's expensive..............but NOTHING compares to how I feel now versus how I felt 3 years ago when I weighed in at 360 pounds. I am a totally new, healthier person thanks to my LapBand. Good luck with your decision.