Need advice and suggestions!

[Irish4Ever 0]

I am a 45 year old male who weighs 335. My medical and lifestyle conditions include total knee joint replacements in both knees, Obstructive sleep Apnea with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Fatty Liver, Bipolar II Disorder, Disabled, Unemployed and cannot Drive. In summary, I have to walk with a cane, sleep a majority of the day, rely on others for transportation, and have emotional problems.

I am a former college football player and power weightlifter. My goal is to begin weightlifting and to lose 100 pounds using one of the Bariatric tools.

My Doctor recommended Gastric-Bypass due to my medical and lifestyle conditions.

After research and attending both LAP-BAND®® and Gastri-Bypass courses, I am still not sure on which surgery to recieve.

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions on which surgery I should have and any personal experiences. Thank you!

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[RestlessMonkey 7]

You keep posting this question; I fear maybe your answer isn't to be found here. They both have pros and cons; this is mostly a lap band forum so most people here have chosen that route. I suggest you pick the surgery you want most since you'll have to live with it.

One thing I do when making a hard decision with seemingly equal plusses and minuses: I roll a dice and say "evens is A, odds is B" and make it best 2 out of 3.

When I get my answer, if I'm good with it, so be it. If I think "AW no I wanted the other" then I STILL have an answer!

Seems frivolous, but it is your call which surgery is best for you; we can't decide for you and probably don't have any info about either that you don't already have since you've researched.

Good luck to you!

[Irish4Ever 0]

Thanks for replying. I am searching for personal experiences and decision making processes before my surgery. I understand this is a Lap-Band forum but still searching for as much "real life" experiences from either surgery. Good Luck!

[Maincat 14]

Hi,

Is your sleep apneoa being treated in any way? If not, you really need to talk to your GP and get a sleep study organised and possibly a CPAP machine given to you. I had OSA and the reduction in my weight got rid of it.

I'm also a depressive, but I think it's fair to say that my condition has improved as my excess weight has gone.

I used to have high blood pressure, on medication. I'm totally fine now.

As for which surgery would be best for you, I really can't say. I've been told that the bypass gets rid of more weight more quickly than the band, but I don't have any personal knowledge of that. For me the band has been perfect, working alongside a change in lifestyle including healthy eating, regular exercise and great support. I also gave a reasonable time for the weight to go, in my case a year.

Whatever you choose, good luck with your weight loss.

[Irish4Ever 0]

Thank you for replying. I have had several sleep studies and use a Bipap machine. I am concerned about possible chemical changes that may effect depression. My goal is to lose 100 pounds within 1 year.

I am happy you are doing well and good luck.:biggrin: