Decisions on which surgery is the right one.

Hey everyone,

By now you all pretty much know that I am seeing the surgeon in June, and I can't believe how fact it's approaching.

Well here is my question to those of you who had surgery or are having surgery in the near future: How did you decide which surgery to go with?
 
I have been researching them to no end and I'm more mind boggled now than when I started. The only conclusion I've come to is the the Gastric By pass isn't for me cause I'd like to have children after surgery and I don't want the mal- absorption factor to have any impact on a future planned pregnancy.

Any suggestion and help would be greatly appreciated.

Keelan.

Hi K!

I am still pre-surg but I can tell you how I made the decision to ask for VSG if I get an input and get approved for surgery.

The Band- I don't like the idea of a foreign object in my body. Something that my body will likely not want there and there are so many ways that it can get complicated.

RNY- I don't know whether I want kids or not, but if I do... I don't want the malnutrition. Also, I think that I need restriction to lose, not malabsorbtion. This is a great surgery for people who need the extra calories blocked in the first couple years and I know several people who have been successful, but it is not for me.

VSG- It makes sense to me. Shink the size of the stomach, leaving the part that is least likely to stretch and remove the part of the stomach the secreats the hormone that makes you hungry all the time. Also, it is not a new surgery- has been performed for years as part of the 2 stage DS surgery.

I am sure that some of the post-surg people are better informed on what influenced their surgery choice, but from what I know from reading posts on this site, from different books and from googling, VSG is an easy choice for me.

I see Dr. Birch at 9am TOMORROW!!!! How did this day come so fast??
Anyway- I'm wanting VSG!
With RNY, the mal-absorption part scares me. I don't think I need that to continue on my journey. I need restriction but don't believe RNYsos the surgery for my lifestyle.
Lapband was the first choice as I wanted mire kids and I am only nearing 31. What changed my mind was the fills can't be done in my small town but rather another bunch of trips to Edm. I can handle follow-ups but I really want my appts to die down so life can begin again.
Which brings me to VSG. Yes, I want my stomach cut open, stitched up and a huge portion REMOVED from my body but it just sounds like the best restrictive option for me. I have 70lbs to go & feel after a ton of research that this is the one.
Guess I'll know tomorrow!!! Wish me luck!!!
Kim

Hi Keelan,

I'm gonna have to agree with Chance.  I had VSG in Oct/09 & things are going really well.  I'm not a real fast loser but I've lost about 75 lbs since sugrery & 35 before surgery so 110lbs total.

The reason I chose VSG was because it just made sense to me, portion controll was my problem, I was a volume eater.  They've actully been doing a similar surgery for stomach cancer for years and people live normal lives with part of their stomach removed!  I started out wanting lap band, almost self paid because of the wait times but things started rolling for me with Dr. Farris so I decided to wait & am so glad I did.  I was only his 4th or 5th sleeve but have and absolutly no complications and recovery was a breeze for me. ( I know not everybody can be as lucky )

I decided against lap band as soon as I found out Dr. F was starting to do sleeves and never looked back.  I know some people are very successfull with them but I was always worried in the back of my mind that I may fail with it and then where would I go from there.  There are so many things that can go wrong with bands and I can't imagine that you could keep it in forever because of this.  I had too much weight to loose to take that chance.  I was also concerend about how high maintenance they are.  I'm over 2 hours from the city so constant adjustments would be a real pain for me and from what I've heard, it takes alot to find the "sweet spot"

I thought about RNY for a bit when I was doubting my ability to succeed with the band, but I was the same as you, the malabsorption and rerouting of my insides scared me.  Also, from what I have read, you lose the malabsorption after awhile anyway so it isn't much of a factor a few years out.  Again, I know this surgery has been a lifesaver for so many people, it just didn't feel right for me.

So far I've been thrilled with my sleeve.  I can eat almost anything (still avoid bread, pasta, & rice), just in small amounts.  I actually haven't even told anybody but my family about my surgery and nobody has even questioned it.  I eat out with my friends all the time, just eat protien 1st and eat smaller amounts but because I eat the same things as them it doesn't seem odd.   I've just been telling everyone I'm on a low carb, high protien diet and exercise more when they ask how I've been loosing the weight and that isn't a lie, just an abreviated version of the truth!  Lately I've been getting at least one comment every day.  I would like to loose about 50 or 60 more lbs but I feel great right now!

All I can tell you is to listen to your "gut"...lol.  Only you know what feels right for you.  Just because something has worked well for someone else doesn't mean it is what you have to do to succeed.  We are so lucky to have options here!!  Keep reading on VSG, RNY, and Lap Band, even check out the Revisions forum, you'll find your answer soon!

Take care,
Marie

hey 4 days post banding ..... how i decided .... at first i didnt think i wanted the operations but it came clear to me after meeting with dr sharma that this would have to be part of my solution.  the bi pass was never an option for me ... didnt like the sound of that great a change in me.  scared me off and therefore was thinking about the sleeve.  my partner, my  mom and i met with dr karmali to talk about the operations.  it was good to have other people there to have a different set of eyes and ears.  they asked things that i would never have thought of.  what really changed my mind about the sleve is that there is no long term data on the long range effects on people. dr karmali who was the first in edmonton to do it was very open about this.  so it was a banding for this boy.  since then and going through the pre op moduales at ww they would tell you what would happen with the bi pass and the band and what they think would happen in the sleeve.  it also came up that the sleve allows for you to go back to your old ways more easily.

 but what it comes down to is a gut feeling about what will work best for you.  you know what you are capable of doing and the control you have over your habits.  4 days in i dont regret my choice and it is the only reversable option. 

look to your heart it will tell which direction to go!
Take care scott

Thanks ereryone for your comments. I don't even know if I'll be approved for surgery but I want to go in with enough knowledge to be armed. Since I have to go to these appointment alone I have be up on my game plan.

Chance girl, it sounds like you've done a fine job with your research. Thanks for your input. It doesn't matter that you are post surgery or new to the program, you're still are going down the same road as all of us and everyones input is good for me.

OMG Kim tomorrow is your big day. You must be a bundle of nerves. I can't wait to hear how it goes. I know you'll be sitting in there alone and I feel for you but I know us back East woman are strong and we can do it !

Marie, Like you I'm not a fast loser. I have a very low metaboltic rate for a person my size and my nut tells me to lost a pound or 2 a month I'd have to eat about 1300 to 1400 calories a day consistantly. That in all honestey isn't much food for a person my size.  I can do it if i'm not working and just home doing nothing but on days when i work I find it not enough food to sastify me, partly cause at work I'm go go go all day. By the way Congratulation on a job well done. Hopefully one day I'll meet you on the losers bench.

Scott, thanks for your comments. 4 days out and everythings going well, thats great news. Congrats and best luck in the future. Keep us updated on your progress. Maybe some day I'll be sitting on that bench next to you and Marie.

Thanks everyone.

I don't think I'm as nervous as I am really deep down totally undecided !!!! LOL
I'm glad I logged into here on my iPhone today . I have the jitters but it's just as it's for the rest of my life. I don't want to make the wrong choice nor do I want to venture back into my past. I wanted to buy this dress last night and a 20 was too big- I was so mad it was too big but so happy I am finally seeing amazing results of my progress.
I'll keep y'all posted how my appt goes in the morning!!! I'll be alone but totally ok!!! I'm just wanting the show on the road. I have a life waiting in the wings to start living!! :D

one month ago i went in for the sleeve, i am very happy, i trust that it will be good for me and am happy to not be feeding the monster anymore...:) good luck in you decision making... tammy

My decision was based around the amount of weight I still needed to loose and the yo yo diets I used to be on.. I looked at the track record and for me the RNY ( as Im an all or nothing person)... Im not sorry for my decision. Just struggle with the food thing.. Today was a tough day again.. tried Chili and it didnt take long that my body said NOPE not staying..


Have to talked to your RN> for me Gina was a great resource then the internet and then of course  Dr Birch.. I had made up my mind but I wanted to see what he was thinking. we both agreeed this was the best. ( oh and my hubby was another factor).. I found at the end of all this some excess research really created issues.


So My suggestion is. Dont over think it.. Do the research. Do a pro's and con's list and see what the outcome is..
 

Hugs

Well I see Dr.Birch in 2 hrs and I woke up wanting the lapband AGAIN!! What a morning this is going to be!!! HAHAHA this decision seemed easy a few months ago but the days that go by make me more & more confused.
I'll post my update later today!!!

Kim