Decision time!!

[ebhmom1 0]

Hello to all- new to this site. I started seriously considering wls about 4 months ago and was looking into the lap-band, went to a seminar from CORI and the Dr was pretty Pro-RNY and sort of pooh-poohed the lap band (he was 1/2 the team who patented the sapala-wood pouch.) After listening to his views I was really hyped up on the RNY proceedure and have put the ball in motion.

My problem, as things really started to move along, I have been finding that I am having serious second thoughts about rearranging my intestines. I am 120lbs over my ideal and have issues with sore joints, reflux, back pain and varicous veins, but am overall relatively healthy. My family has a history of diabetis, stroke, cancer, obesity, etc, etc, but overall have great longevity. I lost my first granparent at 27, with 2 more following at 31 and one still living. Both my parents, though both obese have had relatively few issues (knock on wood) My mother had polyps removed 4 years ago and my father had a minor heart attack 5 years ago.

I have 2 children, an 8 year old and a 3 year old. They are one of my greatest motivators in wanting this surgery. I need to get myself under control so that I can help them get thier eating patterns straight before adulthood. I want to have the energy where I can run and play and show them there is more to life than xbox and cartoon network.

My problem is that the more I research, the more complications I find, up to and including death, and I am having trouble justifying trading a weight problems with minor complications in the here and now with the complications associated with the rny. I have small kids for crying out loud, I am young, I don't want to spend the rest of my life worrying about bowel obstructions. colostomies, or worse.

So I am back to the lap-band and feeling some peace of mind, although it seems like more work and a longer wait, I have more peace of mind, which I suppose is just in time as I have my psych evaluation tomorrow. Now I just need to get through that and see how willing CORI is to do the lap-band, or I start all over.

[leatha_g 4]

I think you've come to the right place, then!

Actually, there are complications with both surgeries, however, the complications with the lapband are several times less in risk than those of the RNY and like you say - you get to keep your intestines and absorption capabilities intact!

The band does not force you to lose the weight by itself. You work with it by learning to make better food choices. It helps you by restricting the volume of what you can take in at any given moment. Jessie Ahroni, who is a nurse practitioner, banded and does fills herself, calls it 'the thinking person's' WLS. I like that. RNY doesn't allow you to think, it just allows you to take in, then it dumps it for you, without benefit of nutrients. Not good in my book!

I have been banded 15 months and have lost only half of what I really wanted, but I'm very happy with my loss nonetheless. I've also just been re-banded due to what we think was slippage and had a hiatal hernia repaired. I'd do it all again, if it means I get to lose my weight and gain my old self back in the end!

Good luck to you on your decision!!

[ebhmom1 0]

I understand that there are complication that can happen with the lap band also- they just seem less overwhelming. That does lead me to another question though. I have been having a hard time finding statistical info for the band separated out from all other proceedures. Any clue where to look?

[hagerteresa 3]

Try Inamed, the makers of the band. They have all the statistical data from the three year trials. I got banded in Tijuana May 8, 2004 and am down 46 lbs as of last week. I track my calories and follow the rules. The band makes it a lot easier in my view. Suddenly I can follow all of the advice I was given in diet groups without it feeling like torture at all. Erosion is about the worst thing that can happen aside from any surgical complications and even erosion is fairly minor in the perspective of life and death events. My doctor told me the surgery should only take about 30 minutes, mine was 90 minutes because the doctor had to clear away a lot of tissue from around the band location site. I was back on my feet really quickly. Best wishes with whatever you decide. Teresa:)

[leatha_g 4]

Honestly. I'm terrible at quoting scientific data. The person or persons that I think do that best are Jessie Ahroni and another lady who calls herself Sandy RN on the Smartbandsters Yahoo Group. Jessie was banded 6 yrs ago, she has written a book and is a nurse practitioner doing fills with a Dr's group in Washington. Sandy is also a practitioner. Jessie can quote you up to the last minute data. She travels to most of the symposiums and workshops that are WLS related.

She is very no-nonsense, but a wealth of good information.

You can find that board at this addy: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/

[New Hope 37]

Best of luck in your search! I did the same thing. I even signed consent papers for the bypass. Then went home and thought it over. I was really afraid of the intestine rearranging also. I agree, your kids are a wonderful motivator! Hang in there! If ins. denies, appeal, appeal, appeal.

[La_madam 20]

Hi Welcome!

You have come to the right place for loads of info on the Lap band. The people here are very kind supportive and knowledgable. I do not think you will regret your decision of the band vs. the bypass. Every surgery has its complications but the complications with the band vs. the bypass are minimal in my book. My uncle had the bypass ans spent the first month after surgery with many complications in the hospital and has lost over 100 pounds in a years time but he has told me his life will never be the same, he told me he has to be near a bathroom wherever he goes which defeats the reason he had the surgery in the first place, he has young children and wanted to be around as they grow up but he says the bypass has made it very hard to be at events for his children like baseball games , school recitals etc.. he wishes he would of known of the band prior to his bypass. He feels sick all the time and has constant stomach pain, vomiting , nausea you name it he has had it...I'm happy to hear you have had 2nd thoughts about the bypass and are considering the band. Good Luck to you. Please keep us posted on your decision and progress

[New Hope 37]

Michelle, what a horrible thing for your uncle to be living through! We can only pray that things will get better!

[New Hope 37]

Michelle, what a horrible thing for your uncle to be living through! We can only pray that things will get better!

[nightingale2u 42]

Hi EBHMom!

I'm so glad you to see you here! This is a great site and I hope everyone is able to give you more information than I was able to on eDiets! Good Luck with making your decision for WLS and I so hope you join us here in bandland!

Darcy

[ebhmom1 0]

Thank you so much for the warm welcome- I had my psych evaluation done today and am feeling really good about the process so far. You all have reconfirmed that this is the right choice.