approved but am now wondering...

tztmama · September 17, 2005

I found this site after I was approved. A friend said I should have just gone for the gastric bypass. Seems I read post after post about people have resurgeries due to port problems. Is this the norm? I soooo hope I am not making a mistake. For those who have surgeries later on, do the insurance pay? I have not been scheduled yet but am the sole provider for my family. One person said he had had 4 surgeries to correct port problems in 5 years...........wow!

La_madam · September 17, 2005

tztmama, port problems are rare. Do a survey on this site and ask how many of us have had port problems, yes it does happen but there are risks with every surgery but more with the RNY in my opinion

I would so take a port problem any day with my band then the risk associated with the bypass. Do you really want to worry about malabsorption? Do you really want to worry about the "dumping syndrome"? Do you really want to worry about your pouch stretching out and gaining your weight back? Do you really want to worry about have your insides re-routed?

I do not want any of those worries, which is why I chose the band and could not be happier and YES I have had problems in the 17 months. I had esophagitis, gastritis, and complete bowel obstruction which required surgery, but I would do it all over again with my band.

Here is a great site with the risks of both surgeries

http://www.lapbandvsbypass.com/

it is your decision not your friends, obviously you have chosen the band since you have gotten approved. What detered you from the bypass in the first place and get approved for the band is the question you need to ask yourself.

Best wishes to you o nwhatever you decide

ladysplenda · September 17, 2005

Just found out that the doctor that is doing my surgery this year is going out of network next year. So I was considering RNY once again.I really am uncomfortable with RNY.What I read convinced me I am doing the right thing. Even if it does cost me more in the long run.

ladysplenda/Linda

Anwyn · September 17, 2005

Both of your options are surgery, and there are no guarantees with either procedure. If you try hard enough, you can gain weight with either. If you're willing to undergo surgery, I'm assuming that you're ready for a lifestyle change. Given that, why not go with the procedure that doesn't permanently alter your organs?

I'm obviously biased here, because I chose the band. I also have a friend who underwent the RNY 3 years ago. She has gained most of her weight back and her "new stomach" is stretched out to the same size as her old stomach.

I like to know that if I got sick or pregnant, my procedure could be reversed. That's my two cents. Good luck with your decision!

giveyouthemoon · September 17, 2005

I found this site after I was approved. A friend said I should have just gone for the gastric bypass. Seems I read post after post about people have resurgeries due to port problems.

By the way, people who have gastric bypass often have to have resurgeries as well because after about a year's time, the stomach pouch relaxes and thus they can eat more, and the intestines make more cilia which absorb food so after one year weight loss becomes tough. Many RNY patients have "revisions" later on to tighten up the stomach again.

With a band...."later on" you just get another fill.

No procedure is 100% foolproof. I LOVE my band and wouldn't trade it for anything.

tztmama · September 17, 2005

Wow! I really appreciate the info and support. I did some more searching around and then came back to this site to find all this wonderful and sincere feedback. Rerouting my organs is exactly what freaks me out with the other surgery and it is so true about the fact that the band is adjustable. Thanks so much for the support.............guess I'm getting a little nervous now that I know it is really going to happen. I am reassured that this is right for me!