Thinking about WLS

I'm thinking about having weight loss surgery but haven't decided yet.  I'm going to be going to a information seminar on November 18 in Springfield, IL.  What I  was wanting to know is there anyone from Springfield area that has had weight loss surgery done by Dr. Hammer and if so can you give me some insight into how he does things. 

I'm 45 years old and have 3 children (20, 18 & 15 (he will be 16 next week)) and I need to lose about 150 pounds and I don't know which one of the surgeries would be the best option for me.  I have been researching the different surgeries off the internet and have gone to the Library and checked out a book that I have been reading called "Weight Loss Surgery Is It Right For You?"

Hi

Welcome to the Illinois Board.  The surgery is a big decision.  I suggest you visit the various boards and take a peek.  There is a lap band forum, an RNY forum, a DS forum etc.  You need to pick one that is best going to suit your needs.  I started out thinking lap band but switched to RNY after a discussion with my surgeon.

Reading and research is a great start.  Also, feel free to ask questions of members and check out the resources on this site. 

Hello and welcome

I was thinking about WLS for a long time before I finally decided to go ahead and do it.  I am going through my doctor supervised diet right now.  I am and excited and optimistic about the future for the first time in a long time.  I know it will take a lot of work but I know it will work if I work hard at it.  I can't wait until I have my surgery. 

I have about 130 pounds to loose.  I have decided on Lap Band (or Realize band).  Everyone has their reasons why they chose the surgery they did.     

Good luck and hope you check in with us daily. 

Welcome to the board!  One of the big differences between RNY and Lap Band is that with Lap Band, you can always get another fill if you start to regain weight.  However, the goal of any WLS should be to use it as a tool to help in learning to retrain your eating habits and lifestyle.  RNY is a faster method of WLS although most studies show that both RNY and Lap Band show similar loss after about 2 years.  If you need to loose the weight very fast, RNY is generally the way to go.  But many people find that they do regain the weight back if they don't adjust their lifestyles.  The Lap Band gives you more ability to get back on the wagon if you fall off.  The other major difference is nutrient absorbtion.  With Lap Band, your digestive system hasn't been altered so your body is able to still absorb all the nutrients that it needs from food.  RNY is an altering of the digestive system so you generally have to watch your nutrition a little closer and get tested once in a while.  But that said, most RNY patients seem to not have major problems on that subject.  Don't be afraid to several doctor's opinions and input.  The first surgeon I met with was absolutely in favor of RNY until we found out that my surgery wouldn't be covered by my insurance.  Then he was absolutely about Lap Band because it was much cheaper!  I decided to get my WLS from another doctor because I didn't want someone who was only focused on the dollars.  But after a very large amount of research, I found that Lap Band was right for my particular needs.  There is plenty of information available on the web, here at OH and of course, through the doctors.  Good luck!

Paul

You have a lot to lose, like I did. I did a couple years' of research, visited a few surgeons, met tons of real people with all of the various surgeries and decided the DS was for me. I had it almost 9 months ago and have lost over 150 pounds and still going. My labs are great so far, my energy is through the roof and to the moon and back.  

I am thrilled with my quality of life. I eat what I want and still lose weight. I don't dump, slime, foam, have bands slip, ports flip or have anything unpleasant happen when or after I eat. That's because the DS preserves the pyloric valve, keeping your stomach fully functioning, like it was before the surgery.

I traveled to San Fran for my surgeon, but there is a good practice here in Chicago that does it, too. Drs. Alverdy and Prachand at the University of Chicago.

If you are interested in learning more about the DS and how it differs from other surgeries, the various success rates of the surgeries out there, my surgeon, John Rabkin, comes to town monthly for our support group meeting and does an info session for people who want to learn more. It's completely informational and no pressure whatsoever. It's just good to know your options. Just know that he no longer does the RNY because of its side effects and weight regain rate, so it will be a DS-centric talk. LOL. 

The next meeting is Monday November 17, from 6-8 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago at 65 W. Jackson, 8th floor. All are invited. The first hour is the info session and the second hour you get to meet people with the DS and ask them any questions you have about the post-op lifestyle. I'll be there, so if you attend, please ask for me, I'd love to meet you! 

There is a ton of misinformation out there about the various surgeries, even in the books out there. So be careful. For more info on the DS surgery,  please visit www.duodenalswitch.com and the DS forum here on OH. Hearing from the horses' mouths about their quality of life was helpful to me.

Also, you may want to visit the revisions board here on OH and see what people have experienced with each type of surgery and why they are seeking revisions to other surgeries.

Best of luck to you on your choice. Keep us posted.

Nicolle

Hello and welcome to the IL board, for me I had the RNY, it was best of me, I was thinking of the Lap band at first, ,Do your homework, talk to other people, go to  their  their profile here on OH, see what that have been through, all surgery's have risks, I  have not had any problems and eat anything I want (other then sugar) and do not have any problems, sometimes I forget that I even had the surgery, it is the best thing I did for my self,
Good luck to you in you journey,
One book I did get was  called (Weight loss surgery's Understanding and overcoming Morbid Obesity,  by Michelle Boasten, it is a good read and alot of info,

I want to thank everyone for your input and your advise.