Dr. David Geller? Lapband or Gastric Bypass? Do "fills" hurt?
otter
on 1/4/10 11:30 am - Rockport, IN
on 1/4/10 11:30 am - Rockport, IN
Does anyone wish they would've done Gastric instead of lapband? I have an appt. with Dr. Geller next week for a consult...Does anyone have anything negative to say about him? Realize band vs. lapband?
I recently read an article that said there was really no difference in the bands and that the success was dependent upon the patient and the doctor. It was a very interesting article.
When I see people that have had by pass and have lost so much more weight than I have, I some times wish I had it instead. On the other hand, I have met so many RNY'ers that have had to have revisions because they stretched out their pouch after a few years and gained all their weight back. Now grant you this is not all of them but being I worked in the medical field I have seen it happen quite a bit, more so than the normal person. I also looked after the over all aftercare and I know that later in my life I would have a hard time paying for the vitamins and minerals that they have to take and I just thought that was an expensive I was afraid I couldn't afford once I am by myself, but who knows, I may go before my dad does and that not be a worry, but if I do it will not be from hypertension or diabetes because my lapband took care of that. I also know that if I take good care of my band, don't get too tight, don't over eat, etc. that it will be with me for life and although I am not able to do a lot of things that I should be doing, due to caring for my father, I know that when he is gone my band will still be here and will still work for me.
It is really a decision that you have to make for yourself. Lapband is wonderful for those of us that like to eat a lot and do not graze on food all day long. My problem was the food I ate at meals. Also, if you are a big sweets eater the lapband will not help that but RNY will.
You will hear from many people and most all will say the surgery they had is the best. I won't say it is the best for everyone, but personally for me it was. I have had some problems and did not lose much the first year but after they were worked out I started losing and am pleased. I am not a fast loser and I don't lose if I don' t exercise, but they say slow and steady wins the race and in a few years I hope I have won that race.
Sorry I don't know a thing about your doctor, but you can go to his page here on OH and read his reviews I would think.
Jacqueline
When I see people that have had by pass and have lost so much more weight than I have, I some times wish I had it instead. On the other hand, I have met so many RNY'ers that have had to have revisions because they stretched out their pouch after a few years and gained all their weight back. Now grant you this is not all of them but being I worked in the medical field I have seen it happen quite a bit, more so than the normal person. I also looked after the over all aftercare and I know that later in my life I would have a hard time paying for the vitamins and minerals that they have to take and I just thought that was an expensive I was afraid I couldn't afford once I am by myself, but who knows, I may go before my dad does and that not be a worry, but if I do it will not be from hypertension or diabetes because my lapband took care of that. I also know that if I take good care of my band, don't get too tight, don't over eat, etc. that it will be with me for life and although I am not able to do a lot of things that I should be doing, due to caring for my father, I know that when he is gone my band will still be here and will still work for me.
It is really a decision that you have to make for yourself. Lapband is wonderful for those of us that like to eat a lot and do not graze on food all day long. My problem was the food I ate at meals. Also, if you are a big sweets eater the lapband will not help that but RNY will.
You will hear from many people and most all will say the surgery they had is the best. I won't say it is the best for everyone, but personally for me it was. I have had some problems and did not lose much the first year but after they were worked out I started losing and am pleased. I am not a fast loser and I don't lose if I don' t exercise, but they say slow and steady wins the race and in a few years I hope I have won that race.
Sorry I don't know a thing about your doctor, but you can go to his page here on OH and read his reviews I would think.
Jacqueline
Jacqueline
RNY 1/24/11
It depends on who you go to. My fills always hurt witih the first group I saw, but they always had to hunt my point and they also numbed the site prior to the actual fill. The doctor I now see, first off does his own fills, he goes straight in and straight out and no they do not hurt nor does he numb, which I think hurts worse than the fill stick.
Good aftercare is essential with all forms of surgery so before you decide on a doctor please look at his/her after care.
Jacqueline
Jacqueline
RNY 1/24/11
Dr. Geller is my surgeon and I recommend him without hesitation.
As far as bypass vs. lap band, it is a very personal decision. It's important to remember that the surgeries work differently. Both restrict how much you eat, but the lap band does not prevent absorption of any of the calories you take in. The gastric bypass does that, so not only are you eating less, some of what you eat isn't absorbed so most people lose weight faster.
Something that influenced me was knowing so many people who had done well with the gastric bypass (including a close family member). I know a few people with the band, but only one who is happy with it and lost a significant amount of her excess body weight.
The lap band is a less invasive surgery with less recovery time required. One thing that didn't appeal to me about the band was having to go in for fills. I have a very busy schedule and extra doctor visits are hard to fit in.
There are certainly pros and cons of each. Good luck with your decision!
As far as bypass vs. lap band, it is a very personal decision. It's important to remember that the surgeries work differently. Both restrict how much you eat, but the lap band does not prevent absorption of any of the calories you take in. The gastric bypass does that, so not only are you eating less, some of what you eat isn't absorbed so most people lose weight faster.
Something that influenced me was knowing so many people who had done well with the gastric bypass (including a close family member). I know a few people with the band, but only one who is happy with it and lost a significant amount of her excess body weight.
The lap band is a less invasive surgery with less recovery time required. One thing that didn't appeal to me about the band was having to go in for fills. I have a very busy schedule and extra doctor visits are hard to fit in.
There are certainly pros and cons of each. Good luck with your decision!
Good Luck on your journey. Once you decide that you are ready for surgery. Wow, that is a huge step. Then you have to make the choice. It is hard. I thought I was a band person, but I ended up knowing that bypass was my best choice. I do have to say that Dr. Gellar is the only Dr. I have ever seen post on this board. He seems very encouraging and available to his patients. Don't forget to write down your additional questions.
Becky in Kentucky
I've got a bypass and agree with Leanne that it's a very hard and personal decision. I was leary of going back for fills and just was going to committ for a lifetime.
I had Dr. Geller and the only problem I've had is waiting in the office at times but he certainly takes a lot of time and I always bring my list of questions. He prints out a sheet for you to show weight loss and body mass and % of weight lost and I like that.
We're here to ask questions and I want to invite you to the support group either at Norton's downtown or Surburban. That helps too.
I had Dr. Geller and the only problem I've had is waiting in the office at times but he certainly takes a lot of time and I always bring my list of questions. He prints out a sheet for you to show weight loss and body mass and % of weight lost and I like that.
We're here to ask questions and I want to invite you to the support group either at Norton's downtown or Surburban. That helps too.
(deactivated member)
on 1/7/10 12:15 am - LOUISVILLE, KY
on 1/7/10 12:15 am - LOUISVILLE, KY
Have you ever looked into the vertical sleeve or the ds? From the research I have done the statistics speak for themselves years out.I do hear Dr. Geller is looking into the vertical sleeve surgery to be announced soon.
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