Help and opinions

Just one more small note ... sorry for being so wordy ... Contrary to the popular myths and beliefs you can eat around any WLS - not just the Lap-Band. Those people who tell you it is easy to "eat around the band" are right. It can indeed be easy to eat around it. But looking at the number of by-pass patients who have revision surgery (including having the Lap-Band) after regaining all or a significant portion of their weight lost it is by no means impossible or difficult to "eat around" bypass surgery either. Again - RNY (proximal or distal), DS, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Fobi-pouch, etc are all tools that we can use to loose weight. But we have to learn to use them effectively and put in our share of effort or we won't see permanent weight loss and change. Period. Carole

Hi Amy, I originally planned to have the lap band, because I wasn't sure I wanted major surgery. I thought I'd be happier with the band, because I wouldn't be as restricted with what I was eating, only the amount I could eat at one time. But, I was diagnosed with something called a nutcracker esophagus, after having one of the preop tests. It's when the peristaltic waves that move food through the digestive system move much more violently than normal in the esophagus. My doctor wouldn't do the lap band with that. Also, my BMI was 50.9 and he wouldn't do anyone over 50. He probably would have made the exception, if not for the nutcracker diagnosis. At first, I was very upset about not getting the band, but as it turns out, I wouldn't be where I am now (down 140 pounds), I'm sure. I wouldn't have lost it as fast. The follow up care is much more extensive with the band. The whole dumping syndrome is what I needed. I needed to get sick when eating sugar, in order to not eat it. I also like the malabsorption. I have my blood checked three or four times a year, now, and have never had any problems. I feel very confident that my body could healthily sustain a pregnancy, too, now that I can eat more and I take all my vitamins and supplements. Now that I've said all of that, I never had any symptoms with the nutcracker esophagus and believe it was a misdiagnosis, but it was the deciding factor in which surgery I would have. I think I was supposed to have the RNY. It's what worked for me. I also think you need to do what you think is best for you. You'll have to make permanent changes in your life in order for any of the surgeries to work for you. No matter what, they will all be easy as far as taking off the weight in the beginning. As some point, with all of them you'll have to show some self control. Good luck! Laura

So, my surgeon search continues. I recently discovered Dr. Jawad in Ocala, if you have been to him, please let me know. He may be my next stop. I discovered that he has been doing Gastric bypass labiscropically. Please, if you have been to see him, or have done gastric bypass this way, I would love to know how its going. Thanks!

Amy, I just wanted to say thanks for posting, you and I are in similar situations and you asked a lot of the questions I have. Right now I am really leaning towards DS IF I can get it covered and find a surgeon. Right now my insurance specifically excludes all WLS. My guess is that it'll be easier to get the RNY covered than the DS. I plan on going to the Orlando support group meeting this week and then maybe going to Dr. Kim's info meeting next week. My PCP referred me to him. Good luck! Jen

heres my story real quick and my opions. I was 362 pounds 22 months ago. I lost 180 with my RNY with Dr. Overcash. Lost 18 pounds in plastic when I had a lower body lift. Which was 6 months ago. I was infertal and had never gotten preg in my 26 years of being a women. THe doctors had told me pretty much the same thing that they had told you. They would not help me get PREG because IT would have killed me. Well after my weightloss and I was on the NUVO RING ( birth control) because It was too soon after my plastic........ quess what? I am 12 weeks 7 days preg!!!!!!!!!! im doing fine and so is the baby!!!! This surgery has changed so many ppls lives. Just ask around. It is Not a game. ITs hard and frustrating at times. But the rewards are worth it. If I were you I would not worry about "scares" or if I have open or lap surgery. You need and want 3 things. 1- a good doctor/ surgeon 2- to be healthy 3- to feel good about yourself and reach all the goals you set ahead of yourself. I will be more than happy to help whenever and however I can. E-mail me privately if you wish. heather altema 362/162 and growing(12 weeks preg) [email protected]