Hi Samantha! My name is Lillian. My husband is retired Army. Our last duty station was Ft. Richardson and we decided to retire in the area.
I had RNY done on May 12, 2011. Dr. Searles was my surgeon. I'm not sure what my BMI was but I am 5'2" and weighed 242 lbs when I started this process.

Going into this, I was determined I would have lap band because it was less invasive with a faster recovery time. People pointed out many negative aspects about the lap band to me: the weight loss isn't as fast, band erosion, having something foreign in my body, but I was determined to have the lap band. That all changed during my testing. One of the tests showed a gall stone and Dr. Searles recommended removing my gall bladder. Unfortunately, when a patient is doing lap band, he will remove the gall bladder and then wait a month to do the WLS. I had never had surgery and didn't know how I would react. What if it was a negative experience for me? Would I want to have another surgery 4 weeks later? Just as I was feeling better after the first surgery? Then I was told that if I do the RNY, he could remove the gall bladder at the same time. I did some more research and searched myself and decided I would rather do one surgery instead of two. So I had RNY done. I won't lie and tell you it's been easy because there are days that it's been pure hell. I miss being able to eat whatever I want. I miss eating bread (in my head it still tastes good but the few bites I've taken don't taste as good as I remember) but I believe in the end it will definitely be worth it.

I suggest you do your research, take the advice people give with a grain of salt and listen to yourself and do whichever feels right to you.

Good luck

Hey there.  The AK forum tends to be on the slow side.  I live in Anchorage, and went down South (to Mayo Clinic) to do the RNY, but also met Dr. Searles and do think highly of him.  When you meet him, you will go over the pros and cons of each surgery to figure out which ... if either would be the thing for you.  A lot will depend on your medical history and your goals.  You should join the RNY and Lap Band forums, and you will find lots of folks to answer your questions.  I will say, at 4'11'' with a pretty high bmi, ..were it me, I'd probably be leaning towards the RNY.  I'd also give the Duodenal Switch some thought as well.

Hey y'all!!! My name is Samantha and I am 34 yrs old.  We live on Ft Richardson.  I've been between overweight and obese for about 8 years now. I recently had my referral approved through Tricare to see Dr. Searles here in Anchorage Alaska. I've done every diet known to man and even some crazy ones seen in magazines. Nothing seems to be helping and have been researching and talking with people who have had the surgery. So I hoping with the help of Lap Band or Gastric Bypass, exercise and nutrition I will be headed in the right direction of a healthier beautiful me.

    Talk amongst yourselves and bring your friends and supporters to the ObesityHelp Event in Bellevue July 15-16 at the Hyatt Hotel!  Visit https://resweb.passkey.com/go/ObesityHelp to book your room directly for the discount and visit  http://www.obesityhelp.com/events/2011-seattle-event.html  for event information and speakers! The OAC and the WLSFA are joining us in Bellevue, along with many of the local bariatric centers and supplement exhibitors. Come for the motivation and support, great information and fun! Join us Friday night for bowling at Lucky Strike!

See you there! Hurry...tickets for this event are limited, and when they're gone, they're gone!

Kim

Hi Jamie, I lived in Eagle River and I am supposed to have my surgery in September, but if you know of any support groups please let me know. Dr. Todd is the only one I know about. Thanks, Crissie