: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......

Wow...I can imagine how confusing that must be. Which surgeon did you visit? I ask because I just moved to Iowa from McKinney, which as you know is right next door to Plano. There are several wonderful surgeons in the Dallas area...it sounds to me like you ought to get another opinion. For whatever reason, this surgeon is a fan of the Lap Band, and quite honestly, I would venture that it is somehow money related. Remember that the band itself is a medical device, so the manufacturer's reps are probably offering some pretty nice little perks for surgeons who steer patients in that direction. Since RNY is just a "rerouting" process and no medical device is being inserted into your body, there aren't the same monetary incentives from the medical device companies. Does that make sense? Not that the Lap Band is a bad procedure--some people swear by it. But it doesn't sound like this guy is being objective and sensitive to your wishes and concerns. He is correct that the malapsorbtion can be a factor in bone density loss as you age, BUT, that is why RNY patients are strongly encouraged to supplement certain vitamins and minerals. I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Harry Meyers...I believe he's in Carrollton? The group at Baylor is also supposed to be very good. Feel free to email me if you need help getting their numbers...I think I still have them around here somewhere. Also, there is a very active Yahoo group called "Dallasites" that I think would be VERY helpful to you. Just go to www.yahoo.com and click on GROUPS, then do a search under Dallasites and it should come up. It may not be a public group, but they are easy to join, if you've never done one. Good luck, and don't give up! Chris C.

Hi, Personally I would find another dr. You have done your research! Sounds to me like it's a money thing with him. Insurance companies are getting picky about lapband, lot of them won't pay for it anymore. You don't lose the weight like you do with RNY. Well, maybe I shouldn't say it like that, guess it depends on how tight they band you off. I know a couple of gals that had this done only to lose around 50-60 lbs in 1 YEARS time!! Guess the best advice is to follow your feelings on this. Carolyn

Hi! I work in an operating room with the WLS surgeon that I used. Never would I ever hear him talk like that. He is correct that the lap band takes longer and that since your body isn't surgically changed then you don't have all the other problems that can be associated with the RNY. But this is my personal opinion only... (take it for what it is worth) I would go see a different surgeon. I chose mine because I felt safe in his care. I felt trust for him and his ability. I'm sorry but I could not see that doctor because of his attitude and lack of respect for you. This surgery is very dangerous and you need to go to sleep (anesthesia) knowing that the person who is working on you is someone you can respect and trust. Good luck honey, I am so sorry that he was such a jack wad! Hugs Melinda