SHOULD I DO IT? NEED ADVICE

Ok.. I went to a seminar last night and DID NOT like the doctor.  I thought he was ****y and it felt like he was a car salesman!  I'm going to another seminar tonight with a different hospital. I"ve heard great things about this new doc.

ANywho, I was SOLD on the lap band until last night.  Plus I've read some horror stories on here.  Please, advice??? I'm really freaking out.

Info. I'm 225.  5 FT.  mother of two, married.  tired all the time. 

thoughts anyone?

The replies you are going to get depend very much on personal experiences. People who, like me, have been able to use the band to lose all our excess weight and to maintain that loss will be positive. Those who are very new and in the first flush of enthusiasm will be positive.

Some who have not had the success they hoped for, for whatever reason, will be less clear in their views. Some who have had bad experiences will warn you against it! Three will come on and denounce the band as the work of the devil.  They will quote statsitics for dramatic failure rates and appalling weight loss rates! If they do, PM me and I will send you a less biased range of studies. And did you see that the US FDA have just voted 8:2 to say that the band is safe and 8:1 to say it is effective?

All wls carries surgical and post-surgery risks. All wsl requires work by us, none is perfect! But , like many others, i love my band!



 

I wouldn't recommend it. And I certainly would run away from any doctor who was like the one you've described.

Read the Revision;  the Failed; and the Complications forums before making any decisions, if you haven't already.

I was one of the "horror stories" ... both with the band and with my choice of surgeons.

Good luck. I hope you'll do a lot of research and find what is in your best interest.

What bariatric program are you considering? I am currently with Arnot Ogden in Elmira and they are closing the program this summer and I have to find a new program. Are you looking at Rochester, NY?

I was banded 12/1/10 and don't regret it for a minute.

Thanks, Kim

Kim, yes I am now considering Dr. O'Malley from Highland.  Last night though I went to a seminar with Dr. Ghandi from rochester general hospital.  DID NOT like him.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.  I was banded on 8/30/10 and have lost 52 lbs and do everything my doctors and nutritionist tell me to do and I also exercise.

I went to 2 seminars and had consultation visits with 2 doctors before I decided on the one I had the surgery with. 

Good luck with your decision.

Hi Caid kin-Please do go find another point of view fromanother surgeon-I was happiest with a 'chubby' surgeon I thought he knew how I felt-but having said that I liked him and he left :LOL so-Find your way-it is a journey we are hear to support and when you are ready to make a choice you will make the right one-Good Luck

I am a five year veteran with my band.  It has been an overwhelming success and I got smaller than I ever thought I would.  Listen to Kate, she has given you some good advice.  No one knows whether or not they will be successful with what ever surgery they choose.  There are groups here who shout to the high heavens how wonderful their surgery is, and are mean and vindictive if you have made a choice other than there's.  Yet I read everyday the embarrassing and horrible complications they write about.  Soooo you just have to do your research.  Keep in mind the doctor is only going to promote the surgery he does the best.  Other than the three people Kate told you about, (and most of us have them blocked) this is a pretty great group.  Good luck.

I am another band horror story. You couldn't pay me to get another.

Sleeves are far safer long term than any other WLS type including banding and the weight loss is far superior. It's just a much easier life than banding.

Ladies, Thanx for your quick responses!!!

I'm a little freaked out about the port.  Can you feel it?  The Doc last nigth was def. discouraging the band.  He was saying you could feel it.