Help - Surgeon says I need Gastric

[Betsey 0]

I too was told by a surgeon, that the bypass would be better for me. I was all gung ho on the bypass, and then I decided to see more surgeons. Only because he really didnt even much discuss the band. He had performed so many bypasses, that i think he just kinda didnt want to be bothered by the band.

so the other 2 surgeons i went to basically said, its what I am comfortable with. The one I chose Gave me the ins and outs of both and i swayed towards the band. He is totally ok with my choice and said that he has has much success with the band. As a matter of fact, he said hes seeing the band as catching up to the rny.

I too am 5'8 and I weight 320. I have to lose quite a bit. But, im ok with losing it slowly. I have gone to meeting where people from everywhere 2-3 years out and stated theyre done losing and they see themselves eating more. I see it as if im still getting hungry at 2-3 years out.....I say fill me up to the surg and im outta there...

hope this helped...

ps...i know a lot of people that have had the band and had to lose 100+ lbs, and have done it.......so can you....

Betsy

[dogluvr 1]

I'm 5'8 310 and Im being banded. My surgeon is very confident that my results will be awesome if I stick to the program. Bottom line its your decision!

[CINDY115 0]

I need to lose 175 pounds. There is no way I would have anything but the LapBand. At the seminar that I went to there were three women there that have had the LapBand for about one year. Two of them have lost 166-185 lbs. The other one just had the LapBand for 5 months and had lost 70 lbs. I am guessing that the doctor that you talked to did both the LapBand AND the Gastric ByPass. He will make a lot more money from the Gastric ByPass. Plus, insurance is much more likely to pay for the ByPass than LapBand. LapBand is much safer. I will be a self pay. Insurance would pay for the ByPass. I would think nothing of financing a new car for $15,000.00. So why not for my health and my future. Find another surgeon. Good Luck to you.

That is a very good point SydneyLouWho. I had to pay for my lapband myself and you are right, when thinking in terms of a car 15k is no big deal. I was fortunate enough to be able to pay up front even if I hadn't I would have taken a loan out for this procedure, my health is far more important than a new car.

[SoCalShannon 0]

Thanks for your answer. Sounds like your doctor wanted to steer you to the bypass.

I am still trying to sort through all this. I am definitely leaning towards the Lap Band, but I still need to learn so much more. I am most concerned about lifetime band maintenance. I don't mind going in to the doctors a lot in the first couple of years post-op, but I don't want to be going to the doctor all the time for the rest of my life just to check up on my band. Do you know exactly what is the lifetime maintenance plan on these bands?

[MacMadame 81]

Do you know exactly what is the lifetime maintenance plan on these bands?

My surgeon recommends coming in once a year for a check-up after the 2 year mark. Before that, you are coming in more often.

I've never heard of a bypass being reversable. The stomach is stapled into two pouches and pieces of the intestine are cut off and placed somewhere else. There are plenty of bypass patients would love to have their bypass reversed due to complications, but that doesn't happen. You can always take the band out if your complications require it.

Edited March 26, 2008 by MacMadame

[Betsey 0]

Hi All.

My surgeon does do reversals. Although much more risky, he does do them. He also does do revisions. However, I am sticking with the band. I have set my self up with the fact that I NEED HELP!! I look at it now as the thought that the rny isnt even an option for me. If, the band does not help me help myself, then I need serious mental health. Of course that is the opinion of myself and myself only. I am not in any way saying this about anyone else.

I am so ready! After 4 years of research, I am ready with a date of 4/14/08. 3 years of that is wanting the rny. Funny ha?

Hugs to all and good luck

Betsy

[nesser081982 0]

I am 25 and weigh 370, and my doctor said that I would be a good candidate for gastric bypass, but he said that with my age lapband would work just as well. He mainly said that if the lapband didn't give me the results that should happen, than I should keep the gastric bypass in mind. I thought about switching to gastric, but I really can't afford to take all that extra time off of work, so lapband is for me.

[NanaRenan 0]

I'm 45, 5'5" and was 321. I think my BMI was around 50.

But because of diabetes and tachychardia and some other issues, the surgeon (who does both kinds) said Lap Band would be "less harsh on my system". That sounded smart to me!

[akat 0]

I had lapband surgery in July 11 and have lost 103lbs to date with 50 more to go. I would not of had to gastric to much of a risk to yourself.

Good luck!

[sweetviolet 0]

OK so here I am with both experiences--first the lap band....had nothing but trouble from the start but did not know any better so I just delt with all the fills and unfills, pb's,etc until I was to the point of nothing in...and if in...nothing out and a dialated esophugas(sp). Doctor id an emergency band removal and a gastric bypass that I said I would NEVER do...never is a long time. I did not and have not had one problem--no more reflux etc...I have lost a total of 141# and am not looking back!!! All but 8# was with the band...I am maintaining with no complications and am now exercising 4 times a week at the YMCA....all works if you work with it!! I am not at all sorry for either procedure..just greatful to have the weight GONE!! I carried fat around all my life and just celebrated my 61 b-day...free at last!!

[Hope4Joy 0]

To Hope4Joy,

I also thought gastric bypass was the only way as I have over 200 pounds to lose. But when I learned about the lapband and all the possible complications with the bypass my husband and I chose the lapband and now I am so happy. If you are willing to work at it and follow all your doctors advice and nutritionist advice it will work for you. Please see my stats below. I am only 7 months out from surgery.

Good luck to you in your decision.

shelli

Wow Shelli - Those are AMAZING stats!! How proud you must be. I did lots of research this past weekend and went to a support group meeting Tuesday night that sealed the deal for me. I have decided 100% to go with Lapband. When I got home from the meeting I immediately began my registration process. You are such an inspiration. . . I hope to be as strong and steadfast as you in this journey. Thanks for sharing!! Keep up the good work!!:biggrin2:

[ugagirl 0]

I don't think it's the $$$ that motivate them to tell you to go for RNY. I was self pay and I got a breakdown on the cost for both surgeries from my doctor and RNY was about $3K more.

I think a lot of the doctors are more familiar with RNY and the long term results they've seen with their patients. My doctor has done over 7,000 RNY surgeries, but less than 100 lap-band. You speak of which you know. I honestly think that is a big reason so many docs push for the other surgery.

This is your life. You should do what is best for you. I would never have considered RNY personally...something about having a major organ in my body altered in such a way would not sit well with me. I'm thankful lap-band was an option. Not to mention, there are plenty of people on this board who have successfully lost more than 150 lbs from this surgery.

Best of luck in whatever you decide and if my eyes don't deceive me, you're a fellow Georgia fan right? Go dawgs!

[SoCalShannon 0]

I also think that with RNY it just seems so permanent. Who knows if later than now something even better will come up than the band. I know the band is considered a permanent fixture, but it is comforting knowing that it can be reversed so easily. RNY just seems to have such a permanence to it. I also am not thrilled with the RNY because of the dumping and the stinky farting!!!

I am not thrilled with the idea of having to go to the doctor so often to maintain the band, but I recently have aquired a new perspective. A lot of people go to weekly meetings (ie Weight Watchers) to support their weight loss. Any kind of medical need requires maintenance and supervision. Ten years ago I remember a friend of mine was so happy to go the doctor to get her Phen-Phen. I will just have to remember that the fills/appointments are my weight loss friend.

[amsderb 1]

Good Point...plus it will hold you more accounatable as in any weightloss program...I always do better when the scale is watching from some place other than my home!

[mylapspirit 2]

Wow Shelli - Those are AMAZING stats!! How proud you must be. I did lots of research this past weekend and went to a support group meeting Tuesday night that sealed the deal for me. I have decided 100% to go with Lapband. When I got home from the meeting I immediately began my registration process. You are such an inspiration. . . I hope to be as strong and steadfast as you in this journey. Thanks for sharing!! Keep up the good work!!:biggrin2:

Hi Hope4Joy,

Thank you for the kind words. I am very proud but more importantly I feel so much better. I have so much more energy and when I look in the mirror I like myself so much better. I just got back from a follow up appointment with my surgeon and he said I am continuing to have amazing results with my lapband. My new total is 117 lbs. You can do this too! The lapband is a wonderful tool and if you follow the program your doctor sets up for you you too can be successful.

Take care,

shelli

Edited March 28, 2008 by shelli16415