I have been banded for 9 years and am looking at revising to RNY. I am keen to hear how different eating is with the RNY to with a band ( not in the initial post op period)

My surgeon has advised me that it is very different to having a band and that I should be able to eat a good variety of healthy foods easier than I can currently.

The issues with eating with a band IMO are :-

It can be very difficult to eat healthy foods

Sometimes the band says no and it doesn't matter how hungry you are you just can't eat.

Having to regurgitate half your meal because 1 bite went down wrong

Never feeling satisfied the way one would expect but instead you have that awful feeling of discomfort in your throat/chest

Because the more solid proteins are so difficult to eat a person either consciously or subconsciously starts eating softer foods, these act as sliders and are not satisfying.

So what is eating after an RNY like?

@Matt Z

Care to share any thoughts as you have also experienced eating with both of these surgeries?

I have never had a band. Personally I have never had any issue with food after my bypass. I tolerate everything. As long as meat is not dry, I can handle it. I have never experienced frequent nausea or vomiting as others have. If I eat too fast or do not chew enough, I get intense pain in my chest. I learned very quickly not to do those things.

I do realize I am lucky. I am thankful everyday for the blessing of my surgery and hope everyone that undergoes it has no complications in the same way as myself.

A big thumbs up?to you, sounds like things are perking along just fine, wish we lived closer than your,pouch could tell mine to behave. Precious Pouch is still acting like a non- benevolent despot but TODAY may be the day,she settles down and "Flies Right" Seems like PP is ahead by at least a touchdown in this game! Yeah she isn't a,month old yet but. she's like a colicky baby in her demands.

Sorry you are struggling but the post op period can be a big challenge. I know that time can be difficult which is why I was hoping for some input from people that have had their RNY for a while.

I'm 5 months out and as long as the meat isn't too dry I can swallow/digest just fine. Too greasy/fatty makes me very sick. I have eaten nuts and seeds, crunchy vegetables and fruit (apple), and other "tough" foods. I've been very fortunate that I've only had four or five episodes of unhappy pouch, and those were trial and error and not blatant rule-breaking. I have never had a band, but gastric bypass has been relatively smooth and uneventful for me. Good luck and best wishes on your journey.

ELcee,

Same here. 14 years with a lap band. Had it removed because of complications and wasn't working. At the same time, did a gastric bypass. 4 weeks post-op now (17 lbs lost), and loving the gastric bypass. NEVER hungry. Ever. With the lapband, I was. I do experience occasional vomiting, like the lapband, and I believe that it's because I'm just getting adjusted to my limitations and eating patterns.

I encourage you to have the bypass. I'm glad I did.

NJH

Good to hear.

On 9/28/2018 at 4:49 PM, elcee said:

I have been banded for 9 years and am looking at revising to RNY. I am keen to hear how different eating is with the RNY to with a band ( not in the initial post op period)

My surgeon has advised me that it is very different to having a band and that I should be able to eat a good variety of healthy foods easier than I can currently.

The issues with eating with a band IMO are :-

It can be very difficult to eat healthy foods

Sometimes the band says no and it doesn't matter how hungry you are you just can't eat.

Having to regurgitate half your meal because 1 bite went down wrong

Never feeling satisfied the way one would expect but instead you have that awful feeling of discomfort in your throat/chest

Because the more solid Proteins are so difficult to eat a person either consciously or subconsciously starts eating softer foods, these act as sliders and are not satisfying.

So what is eating after an RNY like?

I had the band for 7 years, and many complications. I lost a lot of weight, but I think some of it was because I threw everything up no matter how well or slow I ate. Converting to gastric bypass has been the best decision I ever made. I can eat salad and protein, yay!

Hi elcee, I had the band placed in 2006. Last year after years of battle and complications with my band, I revised to the Gastric Sleeve. Well since I always go big or go home (in my sarcastic voice) I had a stricture and severe heart band so was converted to the Gastric bypass almost 3 weeks ago. The eating for each is different but there is a definite difference in the lap band and the bypass. with the bypass, you have to take small sips of liquid...im progressing in introducing new foods.

I can honestly say that even though I'm still in the early learning phases I wish I had started out with this procedure. It definitely provides structure and discipline in the new way of eating and making good choices.

I had my band removed in May and had RNY on 09/24. So far I am loving it! I'm never hungry. When I do eat I feel full and satisfied. It's a much different feeling with RNY than the band. It's hard for me to explain the full feeling. But when I'm full I know to stop. It's as if one more bite will send me into vomiting.

2 hours ago, Kbridge said:

Hi elcee, I had the band placed in 2006. Last year after years of battle and complications with my band, I revised to the Gastric Sleeve. Well since I always go big or go home (in my sarcastic voice) I had a stricture and severe heart band so was converted to the Gastric bypass almost 3 weeks ago. The eating for each is different but there is a definite difference in the lap band and the bypass. with the bypass, you have to take small sips of liquid...im progressing in introducing new foods.

I can honestly say that even though I'm still in the early learning phases I wish I had started out with this procedure. It definitely provides structure and discipline in the new way of eating and making good choices.

My surgeon has told me that a sleeve is not an option. Too high a risk of reflux .

I wish my surgeon had spelled it out to me in that way! He did tell me that a small percentage of patients could develop severe reflux but I had no idea that I would be amongst that small percentage! Geez...it was awful the last few months leading up to the Bypass surgery.

I am lucky, he's a great guy and I trust his advice. He isn't the guy that did my band initially. I swapped as this surgeon is closer to where I live and when you go for a fill or anything you get to see him not a team member. He always talks and explains things and is happy to address concerns.

2 hours ago, elcee said:

My surgeon has told me that a sleeve is not an option. Too high a risk of reflux .

My surgeon refused to do the sleeve for me because of reflux. I had it with my band and it was awful.