What made you choose the band over any other type of surgery?

Lyn2481 · March 2, 2008

Btw, a biscuit is a cookie in the UK, right? Cookies are pretty band-friendly.

Yeah that's right. Actually the biscuits and cake aren't my biggest problem, it's Chinese food and generally eating too much. I'm gonna contact my doc Mon and tell him I want the band. I hate the idea of my insides being rearranged. :laugh:

gkeyt · March 2, 2008

All the bariatric surgeries have risks of complications, but to me the "rearranging" ones have the worst ones. Not just things like leakage of staple lines (which I think is pretty rare now) but things like reactive hypoglycemia, where after you've lost weight your blood sugar dips really low after you eat, like into the 30s. People lose consciousness, crash their cars, even have seizures. That isn't a very common complication but it is becoming more common as more people have the surgery. It seems like it happens mostly to people who were not diabetic preop, and their pancreas sort of overreacts. And it's just one example of many things that happen when you can't take in adequate nutrition. Good for you for sticking to your gut (lol) instinct on this! Just make sure that this doc is going to give you the support you need after you are banded--willing to give fills when needed, able to tell when you shouldn't have any more fill, and is open and available on a reasonable schedule. Some docs who push the RnY don't like how involved they have to be post op with the band. With RnY, once they do the surgery they are for the most part done having to deal with you.

Best of luck and keep us updated on your progress!

Pix · March 2, 2008

For me the choice was easy. I just can't fathom them rearranging my insides and doing something that is just so permanent. I mean God forbid something go wrong, with bypass you are hosed. It is NOT reversible, but with the band if something should go wrong its a quick procedure to remove the band/port and you are done.

I just can't do the bypass with out fear of something going wrong and them not being able to do anything about it. That and the side affects of bypass are just to much and to many for my peace of mind.

aubrie · March 4, 2008

I had a moral issue with mutilating the body God gave me. Cutting out your stomach just seemed drastic to me. I go to a support group twice monthly where 90% of the people had bypass surgery. Many have horrible looking skin. They lost the weight way to fast. Most of them have to have B-12 shots twice a month for the rest of their life. Some have developed LOW blood sugar and get the shakes regularly. They get the "dumping" syndrome when they try to eat sugar. Their surgery is not reversible. If it doesn't go well, TOUGH, you're stuck living that way. If you start to gain weight back, you can't go and have it adjusted like a band. YOu're just stuck. they ALL lose their hair. Not all bandsters lose their hair. the complications in surgery for bypass are way worse and way more frequent. For me, it was a no brainer.....

Kat817 · March 4, 2008

My biggest reason was my own history. I am a cancer survivor, and with that, I also have risk of recurrance--if thatwere to happen, I wanted to be able to take in proper nutrition. With the band, even if I were to have to completely unfill, I could do so. With bypass, what is done, is done, and even well, you deal with malnourishment often times.

I know myself well--I know telling me I cannot have something is the surest way in the world to make me work to get it! I do not deal well with deprivation! I did not like being told I could not eat sweets without becoming ill. WTH??? Nope, I wanted to eat a piece of cake on my grandbabies birthdays, I just did not want to crave eating the entire cake! It works! A small piece and I am happy, but to think I could NEVER have ice cream again, it would haunt my dreams.

Right now they are working on the next improvements even in the band. There is talk of a remote control band eventually, eliminating the tubing, and port, and saline injections, your band Dr. will just remote control tighten your band down in small increments.

I too hope that someday, the magic pill is introduced to the world....and obesity is no more--------and folks I would and COULD be right there in line, because my body is still in tact!

The band teaches you a lot of lessons in how to eat, portion control---and it also allows you to live a normal life---which is what I wanted.

Good Luck working with your Dr. I am glad some of these helped you solidify your decision. Hang out, ask all the questions running through your mind!!!

Welcome!

Kat

Lyn2481 · March 7, 2008

Thanks for new replies. Kat I am sorry about your cancer and I really hope it does not come back. Wow your weightloss is excellent. :blink: If I could lose that with a band I would be happy enough.

Kat817 · March 7, 2008

Me too Lyn....me too!!! I am thrilled with my weight loss with my band. The biggest majority of it was in the first year, this last year, I have had other issues health wise to deal with, and have simply maintained. But that eased my mind a lot too----to know I can maintain and not stress over regaining the weight.

This last year, I have eaten normally, eaten all the same foods as those around me, in smaller amounts. I have travelled, and camped, and hit motorcycle rallies, and had no issues eating at any of them, and yet I have not regained a single pound!

I am now looking at PS on my stomach---it is Tummy Tuck time. Then whatever happens with my weight happens. If I lose more, good enough, if I maintain where I am, that is good too!

I began in a size 22/24, and can now wear a 14, and without the belly it will be an easy 12----and I'll take that and be happy!

Life is good! I thank my band for that!!! I do realize bypass is often quicker, but to lose more than a hundred pounds in a year seems drastic!!!

Kat

WendyLap · March 7, 2008

The surgery on the gastric bypass worried me, it was permanent. The lapband can be reversible. I know stacks of people have said the same thing but it is also my thoughts as well. I am also someone who tends to eat big in one go and not tend to graze as much so lapband does appear to be the better option for me

Wendy