Finally made the decision and now I'm petrified

[Veritas02138 3]

and petrified is not an understatement.

Here's my story. I've been "big" my whole life, but it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I entered the obese/morbidly obese categories. I've had moderate success with Weight Watchers, but haven't been able to maintain. At one point, I was able to get down to 197, but that was short lived. Now I'm 41, 5'6", 274, BMI 45.4, and "pre" everything you can think of.

While I've been contemplating weight loss surgery for some time (and have some excellent role models), it wasn't until last month when I was convinced that I was having a heart attack (really the onset of a migraine) that I decided I needed to talk with my doctor. We both decided that I should pursue weight loss surgery. She referred me to the GWU Bariatric Surgery Center and I got ready for the appointment.

I had it all set in my mind - six months from now I would have gastric band and I would be on my way to the healthier me.

I met with the PA. At the end of the history, she asked what I was considering. I confidently announced - "I've done my research and I want the band." She politely told me that she didn't think that was my best option. I decided to wait to hear from the doctor because she was "just" a PA?!

Dr. Vaziri met with me and talked about everything he had read and heard about me. He told me that I was very healthy and an excellent candidate for weight loss surgery - just not the band. Now this doctor was telling me that I was wrong and he knew more about this than I did! The nerve. He explained that, given my cravings and current body weight, I was a much better candidate for RNY.

Here's the truth - I had wrapped my brain around the band and commited to implement the changes needed to be successful. There's something about the band that makes it seem so minor. And now I'm told that the best thing for me is the one that I perceive to be scary, scary and scary.

I'm going to go forward and I know that I will educate myself over the next 6 months and I'll realize that the doctor is correct, but right now all I can think of is every side effect etc.

Would love to hear from people that were equally as scared and what they've learned to put everything in perspective.

I'm so glad I've found this forum!

[kisersassy 369]

The rate of failure with the bands is astronomical!! Some doctors are even considering not offering it as an option. You will find a lot of people on this forum that has had to go through revisions from band to RNY

[ElleG 394]

I currently have a band and now I am seeking a revision to the RNY. I wish you the best of luck!!! p.s. listen to the doc

[joyaskins34 31]

Your story sounds sooooooo much like mine! I was convinced I was only going to do the band! My hubby wasn't thrilled but was ok with just the band...then after hours upon hours obsessively researching my options I decided the bands success rate and limitations were NOT for me! I have decided to make a life changing decision about my health ,happiness,&the way I view who I am..the band while I'm sure works for some...has a VERY high failure rate & complications...if you will really look @ different post on here I think you will see that many people are having revisions from band to RNY...I will finish my 6 month diet in April & should have surgery in the spring (God willing!) I was terrified of the thought of RNY now I cannot wait!!!

I have prayed that Gods will be done where this surgery is concerned for me.i have total peace now & am confident it is the right decision for me !Also you will receive so much support here ...it's almost like a extended family ..everyone is supportive and truely can relate to you...if you ever need to vent or ask questions people are always here...I hope that you will find peace in your decision !!! hugs

[sassy14 178]

I can relate! I too thought the band--seems so simple. Then after hearing the really high complications plus small weight loss ( I started at 290 and am 5'6") I thought SLEEVE! But no sleeve for me--after testing doc said bypass due to a twist in my stomach and a big hernia. Surgery is next Thursday!!! 2/28. Can't wait! You'll do great but it takes time to get your head around such a huge decision.

[Fixerupper 335]

I'm a band to bypass revision on March 21. I wish I had listened five years ago when the PA at my surgeons office said you need to have a bypass not the band. I paid for not listening with five years of misery. It works for some people but the numbers are small over the long term. I wish my first wls had been my last. So looking forward to my revision! Best of luck to you.

[Amylovingmylife 8]

and petrified is not an understatement.

Here's my story. I've been "big" my whole life' date=' but it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I entered the obese/morbidly obese categories. I've had moderate success with Weight Watchers, but haven't been able to maintain. At one point, I was able to get down to 197, but that was short lived. Now I'm 41, 5'6", 274, BMI 45.4, and "pre" everything you can think of.

While I've been contemplating weight loss surgery for some time (and have some excellent role models), it wasn't until last month when I was convinced that I was having a heart attack (really the onset of a migraine) that I decided I needed to talk with my doctor. We both decided that I should pursue weight loss surgery. She referred me to the GWU Bariatric Surgery Center and I got ready for the appointment.

I had it all set in my mind - six months from now I would have gastric band and I would be on my way to the healthier me.

I met with the PA. At the end of the history, she asked what I was considering. I confidently announced - "I've done my research and I want the band." She politely told me that she didn't think that was my best option. I decided to wait to hear from the doctor because she was "just" a PA?! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Dr. Vaziri met with me and talked about everything he had read and heard about me. He told me that I was very healthy and an excellent candidate for weight loss surgery - just not the band. Now this doctor was telling me that I was wrong and he knew more about this than I did! The nerve. He explained that, given my cravings and current body weight, I was a much better candidate for RNY.

Here's the truth - I had wrapped my brain around the band and commited to implement the changes needed to be successful. There's something about the band that makes it seem so minor. And now I'm told that the best thing for me is the one that I perceive to be scary, scary and scary.

I'm going to go forward and I know that I will educate myself over the next 6 months and I'll realize that the doctor is correct, but right now all I can think of is every side effect etc.

Would love to hear from people that were equally as scared and what they've learned to put everything in perspective.

I'm so glad I've found this forum![/quote']

--------

You sound a little like me.. I had the Lapband placed aug 2011. I had it removed August 2012 with the hopes of converting to sleeve in same procedure. Once in surgery my spleen got cut and I had a ton on scar tissue built up from band. I almost died they said... So the band came out and no sleeve ..

Then just 2/4/13 the surgery to attempt the sleeve was done with on the consent form to convert to bypass if sleeve couldn't be done safely. They tried for an hour but got into bleeding issues and it couldn't be done therefore I did have the gastric bypass... I didn't ever consider this in the beginning because it seemed so drastic.... Been a long journey and a slow recovery but it's getting better.

I too thought the Lapband was not as invasive and if something was wrong it could just come out. I was wrong!!! I had nothing but pain and it was a battle for insurance to take it out .. Kinda like you bought it now its yours. Even with all the documented pain I had. I never thought that would be an issue. Also the band created havoc inside me!! It caused so much scar tissue and did damage inside me... Please think a out your decision. If you have any more questions please send me a message I'd be happy to explain more if you need me to.

Good luck on your decision

Amy

Amy ~ Gastric Bypass Surgery 2/4/13 @ 270 lbs.. Current weight 240.8 lb (2/21)

[Alexandra39 72]

The good thing about the LapBand is that it is a reversible procedure. Your doctor knows what's best for you. I was actually against the band and it was what my PCP actually first recommended. I researched and opted for Gastric Sleeve but had complications with it and ended up having th Gastric Bypass. I'm okay now.

Although many people do well with the band, it is not for everyone and I have also heard of the many types of complications that can occur with it.

It's normal to feel afraid as the surgery date approaches, but try not to focus on the negatives. Take it one day at a time.

I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you will do fine.

[Amylovingmylife 8]

The good thing about the LapBand is that it is a reversible procedure. Your doctor knows what's best for you. I was actually against the band and it was what my PCP actually first recommended. I researched and opted for Gastric Sleeve but had complications with it and ended up having th Gastric Bypass. I'm okay now.

Although many people do well with the band' date=' it is not for everyone and I have also heard of the many types of complications that can occur with it.

It's normal to feel afraid as the surgery date approaches, but try not to focus on the negatives. Take it one day at a time.

I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you will do fine.[/quote']

Yes but it does do damage in the body.. Horrible scare tissue it forms inside and like me insurance had NO problem putting it in but did NOT want to remove it even with many documented visits to the doctor about the pain it caused. It wasn't easy to get them to approve to remove it... I never thought that would be an issue.

Amy

Amy ~ Gastric Bypass Surgery 2/4/13 @ 270 lbs.. Current weight 240.8 lb (2/21)

[Solveig Larsen 14]

Hi!

I wanted to do sleeve,but have done RNY because I had acid reflux and this would become worse with sleeve.

Very happy with my gb but I was scared when my doctor wanted to do the big operation.

My hospital here in Norway have stopped doing lap bands due to complications and low succsess rate.

It was a big desision to do this,I am happier,healthier and much more confident.

Big hug!

[jen2013 14]

Hi!

I wanted to do sleeve' date='but have done RNY because I had acid reflux and this would become worse with sleeve.

Very happy with my gb but I was scared when my doctor wanted to do the big operation.

My hospital here in Norway have stopped doing lap bands due to complications and low succsess rate.

It was a big desision to do this,I am happier,healthier and much more confident.

Big hug![/quote']

Same boat as you...decided that I wanted to do the band and when I saw my surgeon he said he recommended the bypass. Although he would do either procedure, he recommended it due to the amount of trial and error involved in the band. He said it takes some people several tries to get the right fullness to the band, they are either too loose where it's like they don't even have it or its too tight where they can't get anything down at all. And with some people they never find that "sweet spot" so that concerned me a great deal. I didnt want to go through all that and not end up losing weight. He told me that in a year with the band I may or may not have a large weight loss, with the bypass I will be 100 lbs less a year from now pretty much guaranteed (I was 330 when I saw him the first time). I left the office confused and he wanted me to research and think about my decision and he suggested attending support groups to hear what people on both sides had to say. I went home and googled band vs. bypass and found several useful websites that had comparison charts. They compared everything in the 2 procedures side by side and illustrated the differences from mortality rates of the surgery, length of hospital stay, to short term and Long term results. I think the thing that helped me the most was when my surgeon told me that he would do either procedure I chose but if I was his sister, he would want to see me choose the bypass. Good luck with your journey...and here's to thinner healthier versions of us in the coming months!

[jen2013 14]

Same boat as you...decided that I wanted to do the band and when I saw my surgeon he said he recommended the bypass. Although he would do either procedure' date=' he recommended it due to the amount of trial and error involved in the band. He said it takes some people several tries to get the right fullness to the band, they are either too loose where it's like they don't even have it or its too tight where they can't get anything down at all. And with some people they never find that "sweet spot" so that concerned me a great deal. I didnt want to go through all that and not end up losing weight. He told me that in a year with the band I may or may not have a large weight loss, with the bypass I will be 100 lbs less a year from now pretty much guaranteed (I was 330 when I saw him the first time). I left the office confused and he wanted me to research and think about my decision and he suggested attending support groups to hear what people on both sides had to say. I went home and googled band vs. bypass and found several useful websites that had comparison charts. They compared everything in the 2 procedures side by side and illustrated the differences from mortality rates of the surgery, length of hospital stay, to short term and Long term results. I think the thing that helped me the most was when my surgeon told me that he would do either procedure I chose but if I was his sister, he would want to see me choose the bypass. Good luck with your journey...and here's to thinner healthier versions of us in the coming months![/quote']

Sorry meant to reply this to Veritas02138...still learning this mobile app!

[RonV0804 1]

Hi Veritas!

Like you, I wanted to lap band, but had some reservations. I started this journey last year. My doctor told me it was my decision, but... he did tell me how many revision surgeries he's done in the past two or so years - these are patients who had the band, and ended up - for various reasons - getting the RNY surgery. I didn't want to end up having two separate surgeries, especially since he's old school and said I'd have to wait another 6-9months and go through the whole insurance drama again if I needed to get the second surgery. I researched the RNY to the ground and decided to go through with it. I'm only 2 weeks post-op and feeling pretty good so far!

I'd say get a second opinion if it would make you feel comfortable with whatever choice you end up making. We all know it's a long road to get us even to contemplate and to go through with surgery, so I wish you the best!

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

From a PA who had the band, was miserable for years with it, eventually had a prolapse and emergency removal and then had to wait 6 months to heal before I could get the RNY.....been there, done that, got the T-shirt!!!! The band works for some, that is true, but the number of patients I've had in the last 3 years who have had to have revisions or are just miserable with their band is running about 50/50....about 2/3 of the time I had my band it was almost empty. If my allergies acted up, I couldn't eat, 1 week every month, I couldn't eat. If I was stressed out, I couldn't eat....I did lose about 80 lbs and kept off 50 ish but it was HELL!!!!!

Nothing is a magic cure, everything has risks and side effects, all the WLS are a tool that help you lose weight...but I just don't think the complications associated with the band are worth it! 3 years ago when I got my band my doc was doing several a week, in the last 3 months he has done 3...

So happy you're on the road to a healthier you!!! So glad your health care providers were frank and told you what they felt was the best for you. My surgeon gives you the info then makes you decide, he will not way 'I think xxx is best for you'.

HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 237

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

Yes but it does do damage in the body.. Horrible scare tissue it forms inside and like me insurance had NO problem putting it in but did NOT want to remove it even with many documented visits to the doctor about the pain it caused. It wasn't easy to get them to approve to remove it... I never thought that would be an issue.

Amy

Amy ~ Gastric Bypass Surgery 2/4/13 @ 270 lbs.. Current weight 240.8 lb (2/21)

AGREED!!!! Besides the 2 1/2 years of misery, when I finally did prolapse and have removal I had so much inflammation and scar tissue that my surgeon couldn't do the conversion to RNY, he removed the band and sent me home for 6 months to heal....I'm 10 days post op from the RNY, finally...but it's taken 3 surgeries to get here!!!

Every time I hear the 'its reversible' argument I cringe!!! I'm also aware of at least 2 cases where the band did so much damage the patients were told they could never have another bariatric surgery! In the long term I am REALLY lucky!

HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 237