Question:
Need help figuring out which surgery is best.!
I just had my surgical consult yesterday and the surgeon said I was a great candidate for surgery so I am now waiting for insurance approval. He told me that he wants me to decide which surgery I would like. Either the Lap-band or a Laproscopic Gastric bypass. Could you please email me your stories on these surgeries good or bad, and what let me know if they had been successful or not. Thanks much. — Mini Gadget (posted on August 20, 2003)
August 20, 2003
Bridget, I had the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and had no problems. The
only thing I have heard about the LAP BAND , IS that you dont lose weight
as fast as the Gastric Bypass Nancy
— NANCY P.
August 20, 2003
Bridget Ann, which option is "best" for you is a totally personal
decision if the option is there. I am still waiting to get approved for
ANY surgery and only hope I have a choice! Congratulations on getting your
approval. I hope you are looking for answers beyond just this site. I
have gained valuable knowledge from the wonderful and brave folks here, but
also have checked elsewhere. I have noticed most of our friends here have
had one type of bypass or another. Very few are "bandsters" as
they are called. While this site can give you much input/feedback about
bypass types of surgery, I would recommend also checking out other sites.
There are many Yahoo groups devoted to "bandsters", as well as
web sites such as, "thebandsters.com". I have learned just as
much about the Lap Band visiting those as I have about Lap RNY and the like
from this site. I, too, long for the quick loss that could come with
bypass. Even though the Band may bring a slower loss, it can still get you
there if you use it right. You need to decide which will be better for
you. Sorry for the long post, hope it helps. Best of luck and health to
which ever choice you make. Jill--still waiting
— jillym67
August 20, 2003
I agree with the poster before in that you need to get educated on both
procedures before you make your decision. Also, does your surgeon have a
suggestion of what would be best suitable for you? If you are a
lightweight, maybe the Lap Band would be a good choice but from what I've
read you won't lose as much or as quickly with the Lap Band than with the
RNY. Another thing to look at is what have been your issues in gaining
weight. Personally, I had trouble with controlling my drinking of Cokes,
even after I was diagnosed with diabetes and believe that a good portion of
the my weight gain was related to drinking Cokes. With the lap band, I
would have been able to continue drinking Cokes with no problem, along with
milk shakes which was another weakness of mine. Primarily because of those
eating habits, I choose the RNY and am very happy with that decision. For
you, though, my reasons might not apply to you.
— Judy R.
August 20, 2003
I am pretty strident in my belief that the RNY is the gold standard for
weight loss surgery. However, the other posters all hit on the same
issue-- that you have to decide which surgery is best for you. For some
people (young teens, women who may be planning a pregnancy within less than
a year of having the surgery), being banded is an appropriate weight loss
option. I chose to have the RNY over the band for the following (intensely
personal to me) reasons: (1) likelihood of adhesions (or ulcers) between
the band and the outer wall of the stomach could cause problems, (2)
ability to cheat the lap band by "drinking" calories, (3) history
of eating when I was full made me realize that a merely restrictive
operation would not work for me, (4) I needed the dumping syndrome to keep
me away from sweets, (5) I didn't want to have the port under my skin that
would need regular monitoring and (6) concerns that long-term studies of
banded patients showed (on average when compared to gastric bypass
patients) slower weight loss, shorter sustained weight loss and lower rates
of losing excess weight.
— SteveColarossi
August 20, 2003
I've had fabulous success with my lap RNY. I chose the RNY initially
because I really felt that I needed the dumping syndrome to get myself off
of the sugar. It's worked very very well for me, and I have no complaints.
— Kathy J.
August 20, 2003
My answer may not be popular, but in my opinion the best surgery is the one
that you can (A) afford or insurance will cover, (B) is performed and
recommended by a surgeon you trust/respect and (C) offers a life-style with
which you can live with. Please do a ton of independent research on all
these areas. Does your doctor lean more towards one or the other and if
so, why? Good luck! (oh and I'm quite happy with my RNY! - down 180
pounds in 13 months).
— [Deactivated Member]
August 20, 2003
Please realize there are other surgeries out there too and just because the
doc you had a consult with doesn't do them doesn't mean you shouldn't
consider them. Although its not as common as the RNY, the DS or BPD/DS
(duodenal switch) is a great example of that. People who choose this one
do so both for the long term success rates and also for the different
lifestyle that being able to eat more normally provides. (when done you
have a small real stomach with its own openings & pyloric valve versus
a tiny pouch with artificial openings). Also if you do choose the RNY
various surgeons make the pouches different sizes and bypass various
amounts of intestine. Like everyone says, you need to decide what's right
for you and the only way to do that is to do the research. Good luck in
your journey!
— Shelly S.
August 20, 2003
I asked my doctor, if I were his SISTER, what surgery would he recommend
for her. He said open RNY. I figure he wouldn't lead his sister astray.
I also wanted a surgery that he felt comfortable doing and that my
insurance would approve. Worked well for me, I'm 6 weeks post op today and
down 30 lbs.
— Margaret G.
August 20, 2003
It seems that some posters are missing something here... your BMI is
"only" 34.4. That's pretty low in the general scheme of WLS,
although I'm sure it's not low to you. But it does mean you have less to
lose. I love the RNY, but I think it could be too much for you. You would
have a higher risk of going too far UNDER weight (although I'm sure that
seems impossible to you now :) The DS would definitely be over the top in
my opinion. That's for people with higher BMIs. At your "lower"
weight, I think the lap band may be the way to go. Plus, you won't have to
deal w/ the whole malabsorption/vitamin issue. Check out the bandsters on
yahoo too. Good luck!
— mom2jtx3
August 21, 2003
You really do need to do a lot of research. Remember there are folks who
are very defensive about their own choice of surgery and will spread
ridiculous misinformation about the other surgery types just to make
themselves feel superior. It happens in almost every one of these sorts of
posts. You'll be better off spending a quantity of time on the different
surgery boards to get a better overall idea of the realities of the
different surgeries. Read between the lines -- you'll see the same issues
come up over and over and get a better picture of the different surgical
results and complications.
— Maria N.
August 21, 2003
I agree with most everyone here. Do your research before you decide on
this. This is a very serious decision, and you need to know everything
before deciding on which procedure is best for YOU. Check out some
websites on the lapband:<p>
http://www.spotlighthealth.com/common/SG/topics.asp?m=1&sb=25
<p>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bandsters/
<p>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/
<p>
I am down 62 pounds since 4/16/03. I love my band! I do want to correct
some misinformation below: You can't have Coke (or very much of it)
because of the carbonation. I have never known anyone to sabotage their
band by drinking milkshakes (anyone can sabotage their diet by eating the
wrong things, this includes RNYers.) And the risk of have an erosion is
less of a risk from dying while getting the rny (it can happen, but not
likely.) I am not saying that having any of the surgeries are bad. I am
totally for having WLS. But you alone should do your own research and not
rely upon other's opinions. Once you have done your research, you will
know what is best for YOU!
— Sheryl W.
August 23, 2003
As a DS proponent lucky enough to be living with this miraculous surgery, I
want to correct an innacurate statement made by another poster. The DS is
NOT just for high-BMI people. It is appropriate for anyone who qualifies
for WLS. It does work better for the SMO than other surgeries, which is
apparently where this common misconception comes from, but it's not only
for them. That said, with your BMI of <35 with no comorbidities, it's
unlikely insurance will pay for any WLS. If a doctor is willing to do it
for you, I'd go with the band for now. There are many complications caused
by the RNY pouch, and once done it is difficult to undo!
— Chris T.
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