seattle_homme

I started thinking about bariatric surgery a few months ago, and of course after hearing about, thought that Lap Band was the only way to go (less cutting (of organs), no malnutrition issues, and (bad word here, I know) reversible. I attended a intro session the other night at Northwest Hospital (Northwest Hospital & Medical Center - Bariatric Surgery: Surgical Options) The surgeon seemed to really think it made more sense (for more people) to really consider Roux-En-Y even though most of us favor the Lap-Band. The bottom line was weight loss 70% vs 50% of excess body weight (in favor of Roux-en-y). Not to mention the better effects on diseases. My initial reaction to Roux-En-Y is pretty repulsive (out of fear). It seemed so permanent, and so many hoops to jump through. But his perspective was that this really is a life long change, the more weight you can loose the better. Dumping is a good thing (conditions us to eat properly), and the only issue becomes malabsorption (i.e. taking vitamins). What do you all think? Has anyone else struggled with the choice? Any positive or negative feedback on the Roux-En-Y? (I know this is supposed to be lap band only Thanks.

Thanks Cathy! I guess I was hoping for a "thin person fix". Many thin people don't need to exercise (agreed, many do, but many DONT). I tend to go through spurts of exercise. I am 250lbs, on 5'11 frame. I can run 2 miles at any time with a 12 min/mile pace. After training for a few weeks, I can easily run 5 miles, and bring the pace down to 10 min/mile. I run triathlons every other year, and am in general pretty active. The problem is (as with most people) I sit at a desk 10+ hours a day, and I simply have very little time for exercise during the week. 9 hours of work, 2 hours of commute, 2 hours with my family before my son goes to bed, and then (during winter in seattle) a dark and rainy night from 8-10pm before bed. My gym is 40 minutes away. It just isn't convenient. And so my hope is to have a lifestyle like a thin person. Not even like a crazy thin person (who can eat anything and not exercise). But like a sane thin person, who, with the help of the band, will keep calories at bay and just loose weight! And when summer comes, and I *want* to run and swim and bike, I can, but when winter is here, and I don't want to, I don't need to! Can I get more people like Cathy who can say this works? Also, what is your diet like (when you are not working out?)

Can someone point me to the study for long term lap-band vs bypass patients? Even just a reference, if the full article is not out for public consumption. I am interested in the 5-8-10 year comparisons. I have hear something about 8 year loss in lap-band is comprable to 10 year loss in bypass? but I have also heard that bypass patients gain most of their weight back after 2-3 years? I want to find some hard data if you have it. Thanks!

Wow, I am certainly learning a lot. I guess I didn't realize how much work was required after surgery. I just assumed that once I had the surgery, life would be easy. All of the weight would come off from the lack of food, not exercise. Although I am fairly active, when I think of exercise, I think of five to six days a week, 60-90 minutes a day. I hope this isn't a requirement for the rest of my life. (If I kept up 5-6 days a week of this exerciese, I wouldn't need surgery to begin with! I find this fascinating: So, a couple of questions : 1. Why does a lapband person need to exercise more than bypass? 2. How much more excercise do Lap Banders need? 3. What are typical exercise programs for Lap-Banders, during loss, and in maintenance.

I am trying to figure out how to choose a Lap-Band surgeon in the Seattle/Bellevue area. Not only am I looking for a competent experienced surgeon, but also someone who is really good with after-care. I am not really excited about needles being stuck in my stomach, and so would like someone who isn't going to throw me on a bed and tell me to suck-it-up. (Although, I think that is what it will amount to). Any great recommendations in the area? Thanks.