:help:***PLZ HELP...MY DR. CONFUSED ME....RNY VS. LAP BAND****:help:

Original Post by R. Rahi at 6:54 PM PST on 09/12/2004 Plano, TX I HAD MY FIRST VISIT WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS SURGEON LAST WEEK. I CAME HOME IN TEARS....HE BASICALLY TOOK EVERYTHING I THOUGHT I KNEW ABOUT WLS AND TURNED IT AROUND. HE MORE THAN CONFUSED ME. I WAS OPTING FOR RNY BECAUSE I HAVE TAKEN PHENTERMINE A LOT BEFORE AND HAVE EATEN LESS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME ONLY TO LOSE SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT MOSTLY. I THOUGHT THE RNY WAS MY TICKET DUE TO THE MALABSORBTION THAT RESULTS FROM IT. HE SAID THAT LAP BAND AND RNY ARE THE EXACT SAME AND YIELD THE EXACT SAME RESULTS. AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO LOSE WEIGHT. THEN HE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT LAP WILL TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO GET THE WEIGHT OFF BUT AT LEAST MY "BONES WILL NOT BE CRACKING AND BREAKING AT 50 YRS OLD" & " MY HAIR TO FALL OUT". AND THAT I HAD MISINFORMATION FROM "WEBSITES" THAT CAUSED ME TO THINK RNY WAS BETTER. HE ALSO SAID HE'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE ME THE "MORE DANGEROUS" SURGERY IF THAT IS WHAT I REALLY WANTED. ONLY TO FINISH THE CONVERSATION WITH "OH YOU HAVE CIGNA AND THEY WILL ONLY PAY FOR RNY......THEN HE SAID I MUST NEED MORE TIME TO "MAKE UP MY MIND" AND PUT EVERYTHING ON HOLD. I HAD MY MIND MADE UP WHEN I WENT IN.........NOW I AM A MESS. I AM HAVING NIGHTMARES AND I HAVE 4 KIDS TO THINK ABOUT. I AM NOW FILLED WITH DOUBT...WHY WOULD ANYONE GET A SURGERY THAT CAN KILL THEM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE IF THERE IS ANOTHER SURGERY THAT IS THE SAME ...ONLY BEING LESS DANGEROUS? I REALLY WANTED THE RNY. NOW WHAT? PLEASE HELP... THANKS......

OMG! I dont even want to know WHO this surgeon is???! It sounds to me like he is pushing the Lap on you because he may not feel comfortable DOING the RNY?? It really irritates me that your doctor would use scare tactics against you when he can plead his case with much less dramatic and scary answers!!! If I were you, I would consider seeing another surgeon just to get a 2nd opinion and to put your mind at ease. There are pro's and con's for any of the surgeries, and to hear them in a diplomatic way is the best way. Good luck with your jounrney and please keep us updated!! Judith PS I had the RNY in March, and yes, my hair is falling out but Im also 103 pounds lighter (a MINOR result considering how much healthier I am) AND we take calcium every day to PREVENT bone density loss....

THANK YOU SO MUCH JUDITH....U R TERRIFIC !

Hello. I agree 100% with Judith! PLEASE try to see another surgeon. There is no way I would go under the knife for ANY procedure with the Dr you described. I had the RNY in June. My hair is falling out as well, but it will stop - don't know when yet... and I take liquid calcium citrate with vitamin D every day (1 TBS.) I do also have Cigna, and I had quite a fight getting them to pay for the RNY. They did end up paying for the whole thing, but only after 2 appeals, and I had to hire an attorney. (he is EXCELLENT tho, and will submit paperwork to your insurance company on your first submission for a very nominal fee! email me for more info on him if you need it) The procedure you choose (Lap Band or RNY) is very personal. From what I have read, everyone is pretty happy with their own decision. You MUST, however, have a surgeon who supports you! How did you go about finding the surgeon you saw? You should be able to locate another (1 or 2) surgeons from this website. That is how I found Dr. Tillquist here in CO, and he saved my life! Please do not give up, and try not to be disheartened! We are all here for you. My advise, LOSE THAT SURGEON!!! Take care, Susan -68 lbs RNY 6/9/04

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE RUN AWAY FROM THIS SURGEON!!! Susan and Judith are right. He may not have the experience and doesn't want to do what you are asking and this is YOUR RIGHT and PERSONAL decision and you have to be happy with it. Don't give up... get a second opinion and a third if necessary. If you have to, come to Colorado. We have wonderful surgeons that support your decision, give you the facts and abide by your decision. My sugeon was Dr. Chae, he is so compassionate and loves to see his patients happy with their results. These dr.s are here to help you feel at ease about your decision and make sure you have all the information you need, NOT to scare the life out of you!! I had RNY an open procedure (due to some minor complications-this is not typical of my surgeon) in May and have lost 96lbs. I feel great and love the treadmill. Keep looking and run away from that creep!!! Staci May 3, 2004 RNY -96lbs