Mrs. S

You ladies ROCK!!!! :clap2: I never expected to get 5 responses, and so quickly w/good advice and different points of interest offered........ Thank you so very much! Princess- See? That is also my concern........ Repeat surgeries. I have read a study of 299 patients in a 3 year time- 88% of the patients had erosion issues and other complications with the LB. ie: slippage (BUT no deaths) HMMMMMMM. RNY scares me so........ But I too, only want ONE surgery due to anesthetic/recovery issues from opperations...... I normally have to be intabated during even my 'low risk' surgeries. Dody- I have advanced emphysema. Never a smoker. Acute allergies as a child have scarred the tissue in my lungs bringing me here today. I was given 10 years to live 8 years ago....... Legally disabled. Yadda Yadda. I now wonder if RNY is even a possibility after reading your response? My appt isnt until 1pm PST today.......... AAAARGH. 3loves- " I don't know of anyone that has had the bypass and converted to the band, but I do know of people with the band converting to the bypass for whatever reason.....something to consider. " Thank you, as I didn't even know that was an option to convert. I thought once you had bariatric surgery, there was only revision/removal LB opportunities. Tricia K- Hey you native! How is Louisiana? Be grateful you are not here, as I am getting 'rustier' by the minute. :tired (you know how it goes) hee hee. You have done great since your LB, like most of the folks here. Very inspiring. Thank you! I was also concerned w/rapid loss and saggy skin w/the RNY. My stomach already hangs to the knees (close enough anyway) so I am thinking a tuck may be in order no matter which I choose.... Not covered medically I heard though unless severe skin sores etc. Wheetsin- Thank you for your feedback. I dunno if its as bad as loose weight in a year OR.... But I'm just trying to out do my lame window of time given to me by my pulmonologist for my life span by rapid weight loss, ya know? So again, thank you and I appreciate all of you being so very nice and honest w/me!!! Have a blessed day folks and keep on keepin' on with your wonderful successes. ( I have a feeling that I will be right along here with you after todays meeting w/the doc!) Cheryl S.............

:help: First of all, LOVE THIS FORUM! Thank you in advance for your response regarding any advice you may have..... Tomorrow afternoon, I meet w/a bariatric surgeon- to decide what type of procedure will be done..... I have struggled since the day of the seminar on Feb 15th 05 as to what I should do. I was 271 that very day, and now am 259lbs, due to mentally preparing to do right by my surgery and get this weight off. I want to make my life change NOW and not rely on my surgery to do it for me. I know if I did, I would surely hit a brick wall and fail........ SO, here is the deal. I am afraid I wont loose enough...... If I get the band. I see over and over the 'success rate' for total weight loss is less than the bypass surgery, and takes longer. I know that it took longer than a year to get this big, but what if I only loose 50% of my excess weight as Lapband professes it does? I see the bypass patients loose 100 lbs like that, and in no time at all. But I am AFRAID of the surgery procedure itself. The titanium staples and all of the side effects/complications of surgery and aftercare with the bypass....... I know it looks like I expect immediate resolution of my weight loss, but I feel that time is a factor for me. I have extreme medical issues and fear that my life span is short enough as it is, and two years may be too long to wait for the weight......(loss) Anyone else struggle with the decision of the type of bariatric surgery that was the best for them and are GLAD they chose this road? I see alot of you experience esophagal burning and feeling of food 'stuck' just like my gal pal here in Oregon who had hers done 12/05/05 and she has only lost 12 lbs so far!!!!! HELP HELP HELP HELP........ THANX GANG........