First visit with my surgeon yesterday, confused...

[Determined Deb 0]

Were any of you set on getting banded only to be manunivered toward the Gastric Bypass by your surgeon? I have Barrett's esophagus and years ago was told I had a hernia. I have not had symptoms of either since taking Prilosec for over 10 years. My surgeon whom I liked very much, told me 30% of banded patients have reflux and the bypass is the only real way to keep gastric acid out of the esophasus. This is not what my GI specialist told me. He said the LB is a "cure for Barrett's". I'm not sure who to believe. I have known the GI for over 18 years. Any info you can send my way? :drool:

[amyv03 0]

I had a consult yesterday an my surgeon also tried to steer me towards the bypass telling me the it would be more effective for me. My husband seems to think it's a money issue since the bypass costs more. Also, my surgeon has had 25 years experience with the bypass and only about 8 with the lap band. I'm going to say definitely no to the bypass!

[pickles123 0]

I can only say where I am going to have my surgery the bypass is $40,000 and the band is $20,000.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I've always read and "heard" that Barrett's Esophagus is a contraindication for lap band. While your GI specialist knows his area, the banding surgeon would know what kind of side effects his patients experience.

If I were you I'd get a 2nd opinion from another reputable banding doctor. And ... I'd do research on my own.

I do know from reading here a LOT of lap banders develop GERD over time. I don't know why; I don't know if it's a condition of being banded or caused by user error (too tight, go to bed too soon after eating, whatever)...just that it's common. And yes, they take prilosec, nexium, prevacid and often it helps a while then doesn't. (this is anecdotal from reading, not knowledge I have based on a scientific study)

SO you need to do some research.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

May I say something else? If any of you think your surgeon recommends a surgery based solely on COST, CHANGE SURGEONS! Seriously.

You aren't buying a car or an ipod. You are getting a medical device implanted and will need good reliable follow up care for years to come. If you think (whether it is true or not) that your surgeon is motivated by the bottom line more than what is good and healthy for you, SWITCH!

While docs need income, as do we all, one should NEVER suggest a procedure based solely on income in his/her pocket. If they tell you bypass would be better, ask WHY. Think it over. Decide, and proceed. But if you really think they just want money then good grief do NOT trust him or her with your life! You already know it isn't as important as a fat wallet.

[AlaskaGirl77 0]

My surgeon tried to steer me towards bypass. At almost 380 lbs he said bypass would be a more effective option. I was set on the band...and that's what I got...and so far i'm loosing just as quickly with the band as my friend did with her bypass. I HAD GERD prior to being banded...in the 12ish weeks i've been banded I have not had one episode of reflux at all. And have been off my medication since 1 week post op.

[jodi161 0]

Hi. I too had my first visit with my surgeon yesterday and he also tried to steer me towards the bypass. I told him that I was diabetic and that I would like to try to get off my meds or at least cut them down and that is when he indicated that with the bypass that I would likely be off my meds within a few weeks if not days. I told him I was very uncertain about the bypass and he indicated it was up to me but you could tell he wanted the bypass. I guess he's like all the other surgeons who have done hundreds/thousands of the bypasses and probably not as many of the lapbands. I'm still leaning towards lapband as I'm just not comfortable with the bypass. Got to love the surgeons who are programs with one track minds.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You guys have crappy docs. They may be fine surgeons, but they are lousy docs. I weighed 405 and my doc laid everything out for me and let me decide.

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

I agree with RM!!

And, Jodi, I too was Type II Diabetic .... and i've been off my meds since the day of surgery! My hba1c 5 months after surgery had dropped to 7.0. As my doc pointed out, he would certainly not call me diabetic anymore and with more weight to lose, I am likely to fall well within the 6.X range very quickly. Yes, bypass can accomplish the same thing. Remember, fat cells are insulin resistant and NEITHER procedure (and nothing other that lipo) can get rid of the fat cells, but LP and GB both reduce the size of your fat cells.

You are the one who has to live with your choice. As RM says, do your research, don't take anybody's word regarding of the letters after their name. If you get conflicting information, seek a second opinion. You are, after all, a consumer.

[delora 0]

Hi, i'm a long time viewer 1st time poster. I have already seen my surgeon, I was interested in the lap band, but he thinks I would do better with the bypass. I have a 100lbs to lose. The choice is up to me. I have been doing lots of research including watching both surgeries on the net. I see the pros and cons for both of them. I can not make up my mind which way to go. What I am looking at is the long term. what will my health be like in 10 years?? I am a nurse and want to be sure I make the right decision.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

delora, no one here can answer that for you. for one thing, the lap band has only been approved for use in the USA since 2003 so no local 10-year data is available.

You have to pick; it's your life, you know how you want to live it.

[Daria77 0]

Hello All.

I had my 1st appointment with surgeon today and I couldn't be more pleased with the way it was handled. I have over 100 lbs to lose and I was 95% sure that he was going to try and convince me that bypass was the best option for me. To my (pleasant) suprise, my surgeon did not even attempt to talk me into bypass. On the contrary, he told me that he believed I was making the best choice for my goals and that he feels I will be successful with the band.

I feel very fortunate that my surgeon was so supportive of my choice and what I want... All I can say to those of you who feel the surgeon is trying to pursuade you to go with bypass is... make the decision that you feel is best for YOU! Remember, you are the one who has to live with the decision, not the surgeon.

Good Luck to all of you...

[Stacy0614 0]

I started researching lap band on my own, without the the knowledge of my MD.

My general Doc is a graduate of Loma Linda University in Southern California. And he is also a physian there as well.

When I went to see him he gave me a "high five" on the lap band. Per his professional experience the lap band has a higher success rate compared to the bypass.

I even told him I was going to go to Mexico and thought he would try to discourage me, but that was not so. His only concern was the facility that I was going to. He stated Mexico has some of the best state of the art hospitals.

Do your reasearch!!! I started out with one organization and had a bad feeling in my gut. I'm glad I realized that I have options and did not go with the 1st place I checked into.

I have a surgery date of 09_22_09, I can't wait for the journey into my new life, the improved me!!!

Stacy

[TSB 1]

When I first met with my surgeon, I felt as if he was steering me toward by-pass surgery. In retrospect, I now feel that he was just ensuring that I was well-informed. I went into my surgeon's office only wanting the band and only having read about the band. I really did not know much about the by-pass option. So it was his job to educate me.

Once I made a well-informed decision, my surgeon and his staff have been behind me 100%. I am really grateful for the amount of patient education I have received. That along with incredible support from the staff at the bariatric center. I think part of the reason I initially felt I was being "steered" is because the surgeon and his staff didn't just tell me what I "wanted" hear. So, yes, be wary if you truly believe your surgeon is steering you toward by-pass strictly for monetary reasons or even because he/she has a lack of experience. But also be open-minded enough to listen to other options that may be more appropriate for your situation.

As far as the GERD, I have suffered from it since I was a teenager. I have taken medication for the condition for many years. In the process of getting the band it was discovered that I had a pretty significant sliding hiatal hernia. My surgeon attributed my GERD to that condition and repaired it at the same time as he installed my band. Granted I am still on a liquid diet and am only 3 days post-op, but I have had no issues with reflux and have had no need to take my prilosec since surgery.