Confused and about to throw my hands up!!!!!!!

Hello everyone.  I need help big time.. ...

I started the WLS process March 2010.  Went to the info-session to get info on the Lap-Band.  Listened and was walking out thinking Lap-Band for me.  The surgeon asked me, "What surgery  was I getting."  I stated, "Lap Band."  He told me he thought I would do better with the Sleeve.  Mind you I wanted a "little help" like the commercials state.  OK, I listen and decide the Sleeve may not be so bad.  OK Sleeve all the way.  Did I mention I have military insurance?  I never could get my surgery, no priority over injured soldiers (deservedly so).  I decide to go to a civilian surgeon, well my insurance does not cover the Sleeve with a civilian.  I am still under the impression that the Lap-Band is not good for me per the surgeon.  I settle on RNY (how did I go from Lap-Band to the other end of the spectrum?)  So today I go in to have my consult with the new surgeon and nutritionist.   I ask the nutritionist given my eating patterns, family histry etc.....what surgery would be best for me?  I like sugar (Cokes and candy---kid stuff) and she says the RNY would be best.  I agreed because I realized I like sugar as well and was hoping the RNY would help me to resolve that issue.  I then go to speak with the surgeon and he tells me I could do any of the surgeries.  WHAT???? 

Please understand that this surgeon knows nothing of the other surgeon and there is no majical check list.  Each surgeon is human and has their own opinion but dag how different?  Would you guys who are living with the band please talk to me?  Share your experience thus far?  Why you chose Lap-Band?  Would you choose another WLS?  I started this wanting a little help, I can diet it is the maintenance that kills it.  I thought Lap-Band would be the equivalent of a permanent appetite suppresant.  Am I on the right track here.  On the other forums all you hear are the negatives about the band.  Pure horror stories!  Thank you guys in advance. 

You have a PM

 Right now I am just getting back on the band wagon so I might not be the best person to respond but with that said I will share why I picked lapband over other wls.  You can find the story on my blog at http://theweightofamy.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-i-picked-lapband-over-other.html 
Also there is a great video on my blog about lapband and you can find it at
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band  

I knew that the main thing for me was knowing that for sure there were some foods that I could never eat again, sugar, and I just didn't think that would work for me.  I have taken the attitude that I could eat anything I could before just in smaller amounts and my doc even told me that but I have and am learning that it not so on a full time basis.  It is fine once in awhile to have a bit of what you want but I have been doing that now all the time for a few years and that is just not how the band is supposed to work.  I am realizing that I have to get back on track and eat a heathly diet all the time.
I hope you come to peace soon with your thoughts.

Everybodys body is different and we do what we need to ....i love my band so far...am i hungry? yes....am i struggling? yes do i have to work at it ? yes....its not a magic tool ...no ...but. if you follow the rules it works! chose what will work for you ....the only negative thing is the fills but thats what makes the band  work with you ...i would research them all with an open mind ! good luck!

Many doctors think that if you have issues with sweet foods, that the RNY is best -- because some people have 'dumping' syndrome (makes them violently ill if they consume sugary foods) and that will cause them to modify their eating habits.

Truth seems to be that less than 50% of RNY patients have dumping syndrome - and can go back to eating sweets easily  -- and continue to struggle.

I love my band --- but if I had it to do again, 2 years later and wiser, I would do a sleeve.

The malabsorbtion of RNY seemed too drastic for my personal health issues/life style.

Hi there I hear your frustration.  Here is how I look at the band and what made me choose it.  The band for me is the physical reminder to my emotional eating. 

That said  I wanted a little help too.  I didn't want to be cut off completely from things I love because the addiction would turn into something else for me it is spending money if I "can't" have a cookie then I guess i will go buy something I absolutely don't need and spend money I don't have.

It is important to think about what is truly important for you and knowing what  YOU want.  Some of these surgeries are not reversible.  If the band doesn't work then you can always get the other.  Of course that is time. money, and recovery etc.  but there are more risks with the other different surgeries.  so ask yourself;  which procedure is worth your time money and effort? 

Think about what you do or how do you feel when you are denied something.  Of course there is the 'what if" game for everything.    

What do you truly want from your procedure??

Remember the decision is yours and yours alone!  No one can make you do anything or decide what is right for you.  Given what you said earlier these doctors and nurses etc.  do they really know you and did they really listen to what you wanted?  You are the one who has to go home and work with whatever you decide.  

I absolutely love my band  because when I have a cookie or a bite of cake, I'm the one that has control over it.  I have learned that  eat the bag of cookies or too much cake  gets stuck and it didn't work out so well for me.  If I have a little bite to satisy the craving; I am OK I am much more satisfied than  having the alternative, trying to eat it and10 seconds later sprinting for the bathroom for a body dump.

The hardest part for me and still is learning to be "satisfied"  i used to think being satisfied was rolling around the floor in pain from eating way too much; the band has changed my thinking to a completely different level.  Now satifaction for me getting the tummy grumbling to quiet down so it has a 1/2 cup of chicken to work on until the next meal.

I hope this helps!!   Take your power and control and use it to your advantage!!!  ;)  you don't "have to" do anything.  You have been looking into these procedures because you "want to"  YOu want a different lifestyle you want to maintain your goal.  

Good Luck!



 

I got the band b/c I fell for that "least invasive" crap like I think most bandsters probabaly fall for. :-(

At this point I have had 15 fills in 15 mos. I still do not have restriction/sweet spot! It has been a complete waste of time and MONEY! Had I known then what I know now.............I NEVER would have gotten the band!

I see ppl posting on this band forum every day that they have slips/port problems/leaks/no restriction...........and various other things.

I would not recommend the band to my worst enemy!

Please read on the revision forum and u will find tons of ppl that are revising FROM the band. If the band was that great and worked like they advertise it ..............then ppl wouldn't want to get rid of it and put theirselves through the pain and expense of yet another WLS now would they???

Good luck!

It depend on how much help you need, how much aftercare you are prepared to follow and how hard you are prepared to work. Me and my band get along fine because......

anto be able to lose more and maintain that loss. I neither wanted notr expected the band to work a miracle, just to give me a slight edge.

I wanted to remain in control and make my own food choices. i don't believe in cutting anything out of my diet entirely.

I knew that all surgery carries risks of complications but those that come wit the band are less likely (note I don't say impossible!) to be life-threatening or irreversible.

I liked knowing that my insdies are all still in one piece and in the same place. It may not be as easy as it sounds but the band can be removed.

I didn't want to malabsorb nutrients.

I love my band.  Kate

Well said Kate. I too love my band. It is the tool that helps me keep my portions under control. I was a volume eatter...I have had no problems with my band, and have resolved my health issues. Being healthy was my goal...The band does require you to work and there are the costs of fills. I chose these issues over the health issues that can be causes by some of the other WLS. You need to choose the surgery that works best for your eatting habits and you are the one who has to live with the tool long term.