HELLO NEW SACRAMENTO MEMBER!

Howdy from Rocklin!! I had my surgery in Burlingame with Dr. Sanchez, and am quite happy with the results. If anyone ever wants to get together for a play date (19 month old daughter), dog park meet up (2 5 month old collie pups) or to get a coffee (skinny latte addict), let me know.

Hi everyone,

My name is Gina I am from Sacramento, CA (Elk Grove area) and this is my first post here.  I am in need of advice from people who may have been in my similar situation.  I am with Kaiser and my surgery date is set for Sept. 3rd 2008.  I am very excited and nervous of course too.  My current BMI is 33.5 and I had decided to do the lap band.  I have been on the lapbandtalk website a lot and I am seriously having doubts about the surgery I have chosen.  My Dr. is Dr. Dennon at Freemont Kaiser.  He gave me the choice between the two surgeries.  He told me that it is a lifestyle choice due to all of the driving I will have to do back and forth (maybe a little maybe a ton depending on how things go).  I am having doubts more based on not being close to a Dr. that will know what the heck they are doing if I do have problems with the band.

I chose not to have GB due to my BMI.  I was afraid that it was too much risk based on the wt. I have to loose.  Is there anyone else out there who chose GB over LB who had a lower BMI at the time of surgery?

The band in the long run seems to have a lot of complications such as slippage and erosion.  I am a little worried about the long term studies (lack of).

I should probably post this message under a new topic as well becasue that way I will have a better chance of getting lots of responses.  Correct?

Any advise would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Gina

Yeah, you probably want to post this on the surgery specific board, also maybe the main board.

What is GB?

I was going to get the lapband at first, since I was a lowish BMI starting out. But when I read of all the complications, that is usually only works for 10 years, and the number of folks who later go back for RNY, DS, etc, I decided to go with the RNY. It is a decision that you need to make for yourself, but it looks like  you are doing your research.

Good luck!!

GB = gastric bypass

Hi Gina...
I'm in Elk Grove as well. Although, I had HealthNet as insurance when I had surgery with Sutter, so the Kaiser system is a mystery to me. In any case, the surgeon that you have consulted with should have been able to discuss the pros and cons of each surgery with you, and it sounds as if he did if he is giving you the final decision. If you are unsure of your choice, you should postpone your surgery until you are comfortable with your selection. It really won't matter to him if you choose one over the other...he has to perform surgery either way. But, you have to live with it, so must make sure that the one you get is the one you really want.
That said...depending on your co-morbs, you may indeed find success with RNY without much worry of too much weight loss. There are ways that the surgeon can/will tailor the surgery's specific aspects to more suit your need for less aggressive weight loss. Definitely talk to your surgeon!
There are possible complications with any surgery. No surgery is exempt. Keep that in mind and weigh those factors along with your long-term goals and needs. Generally, one surgery will stick out among the rest...that is the one that is usually best for you.
I wish you much luck with your decision...and if you ever want to meet to talk or just for support...I'm probably only 5 mintues in any direction from you...just pm me.

~Suz