How did you decide?
The best thing you can do is go to s seminar that all the hospitals require before
meeting with the Dr's. Also you are doing a lot of research which is a good thing.
After meeting with the Dr they will talk to you about the different options.
If it makes you feel any better: I had RNY 15 months ago and have not taken
diabetes medication since the day before my surgury. My 3 and 6 month
A1c test were below 7.0 with no medication whatsoever. I was late having my
oneyear bloodwork done and am waiting on the results from that now.
Good luck and keep researching: There are always people around the boards to
offer opinions/advice so ask away
Darla
meeting with the Dr's. Also you are doing a lot of research which is a good thing.
After meeting with the Dr they will talk to you about the different options.
If it makes you feel any better: I had RNY 15 months ago and have not taken
diabetes medication since the day before my surgury. My 3 and 6 month
A1c test were below 7.0 with no medication whatsoever. I was late having my
oneyear bloodwork done and am waiting on the results from that now.
Good luck and keep researching: There are always people around the boards to
offer opinions/advice so ask away
Darla
Each person needs to make the choice to go this route or not. Once you decide then YOU and you alone need to decide which surgery is right for you. You will get lots of information and opinions...but in the end...the choice must be yours and you must be comfortalble with that choice. Bottom line is that you have to live with that decision.
Now...with that said...your original quesiton was how did WE make our decision.
In my case...I spent about 3 years researching the whole idea of WLS. Over that time banding was becoming more of an option and the RNY surgery was becoming more refined. They were also getting better at the lap surgeries.
I finally decided that I was going to do it (but not which one). I started looking at surgeons. I spent the next 12 months going to seminars and support groups (it was just about this time that I found OH as well). In the end, I picked a practice, but not a surgoen.
I like the practice because of the support groups and support personnel. I also liked the two primary surgeons. I spent about 2 months talking with patients, the nutritionist, and the surgeons. They evaluated my eating habits and gave me several suggestions.
In the end, my eating habits and eating triggers led me to select RNY. I, personally, needed the reinforcement of the food aversion elements that come with the RNY and the permance. I also liked the malabsorption piece.
Again...this was my decision, and for me...I chose the right thing.
Take your time. Listen to anyone that wants to give you information. Take it all in and make the decision that is right for you.
Best of luck with your decision.
Now...with that said...your original quesiton was how did WE make our decision.
In my case...I spent about 3 years researching the whole idea of WLS. Over that time banding was becoming more of an option and the RNY surgery was becoming more refined. They were also getting better at the lap surgeries.
I finally decided that I was going to do it (but not which one). I started looking at surgeons. I spent the next 12 months going to seminars and support groups (it was just about this time that I found OH as well). In the end, I picked a practice, but not a surgoen.
I like the practice because of the support groups and support personnel. I also liked the two primary surgeons. I spent about 2 months talking with patients, the nutritionist, and the surgeons. They evaluated my eating habits and gave me several suggestions.
In the end, my eating habits and eating triggers led me to select RNY. I, personally, needed the reinforcement of the food aversion elements that come with the RNY and the permance. I also liked the malabsorption piece.
Again...this was my decision, and for me...I chose the right thing.
Take your time. Listen to anyone that wants to give you information. Take it all in and make the decision that is right for you.
Best of luck with your decision.
Dave
Every morning in
Hi and welcome to the board. A doc now at St. Agnes, formerlly at GBMD, Dr. Von Rueden explained the difference between the band and gastric bypass to me, and helped me make my decision to have RNY gastric bypass. I also read the book "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" , twice, which I found very helpful.
I'm sure your PCP thinks that bypass will be better, since it's been shown to basically cure type 2 diabetes. However, there is another option which is the duadenal switch procedure, actually more accurately the vertical gastric sleeve with duadenal switch. That doesn't restrict you with taking NSAids. I don't know everything about it. I do know there are DS post-ops that post with us, and one of our good friends Jennifer H. actually had that surgery yesterday, and is recovering at Bayview as we "speak". I don't believe that any of the docs at St. Agnes perform that procedure.
Dr. Schweitzer at Bayview comes highly recommended for DS. I highly recommend Dr. Von Rueden at St. Agnes, as well as his former partner at GBMC who is my surgeon, Dr. Moeinolmolki. You'll find most people here would highly recommend their own surgeons. You need to meet with various docs, learn about the various procedures, and decide which works best for you based on your needs, and your health. I wish you lots of luck with your journey. It will be the best investment of your time that you'll ever spend on yourself. There are a lot of wonderful people right here on this board who can answer various questions along the line as well.
I'm sure your PCP thinks that bypass will be better, since it's been shown to basically cure type 2 diabetes. However, there is another option which is the duadenal switch procedure, actually more accurately the vertical gastric sleeve with duadenal switch. That doesn't restrict you with taking NSAids. I don't know everything about it. I do know there are DS post-ops that post with us, and one of our good friends Jennifer H. actually had that surgery yesterday, and is recovering at Bayview as we "speak". I don't believe that any of the docs at St. Agnes perform that procedure.
Dr. Schweitzer at Bayview comes highly recommended for DS. I highly recommend Dr. Von Rueden at St. Agnes, as well as his former partner at GBMC who is my surgeon, Dr. Moeinolmolki. You'll find most people here would highly recommend their own surgeons. You need to meet with various docs, learn about the various procedures, and decide which works best for you based on your needs, and your health. I wish you lots of luck with your journey. It will be the best investment of your time that you'll ever spend on yourself. There are a lot of wonderful people right here on this board who can answer various questions along the line as well.
Hugs!
Kathy
Kathy
Hi there!
I cant add too much more than what everyone else has said. But it is a personal decision and you have to to happy with your choice. I spent one year researching and I spent a lot of time on this board asking questions. My primary care doc did not have a lot of information on wls and could not really help. I finally decided on the DS and my wls doc tried to talk me into rny because I had 100 lbs to loose if not a little less. I was very comfortable in my choice for the ds and he sai ok. It has been 10 months today and I have lost 70 pounds. I am very please with the healing process and wl. I still have about 20 maybe 30 to go. Do your research and ask as many questions as you can! It is confusing but very rewarding in the end! Good luck to you!
I cant add too much more than what everyone else has said. But it is a personal decision and you have to to happy with your choice. I spent one year researching and I spent a lot of time on this board asking questions. My primary care doc did not have a lot of information on wls and could not really help. I finally decided on the DS and my wls doc tried to talk me into rny because I had 100 lbs to loose if not a little less. I was very comfortable in my choice for the ds and he sai ok. It has been 10 months today and I have lost 70 pounds. I am very please with the healing process and wl. I still have about 20 maybe 30 to go. Do your research and ask as many questions as you can! It is confusing but very rewarding in the end! Good luck to you!
I would encourage you to think long and hard about your decision. This is a decision YOU will have to live with for the rest of your life.
I will speak to two main issues that you mentioned and why with those considerations I would seriously consider the DS. First, your diabetes. The DS has an excellent cure rate for this condition. I do not know the details as this was not a condition I was faced with. Second, your need to take NASIDs. With the RNY you can not take these types of pain killers. With the DS you can. However, with the DS comes the non-negotiable responsiblity to eat adequate protein (90+ g protein daily), take a pretty agressive level of vitamins, and do regular blood work FOR LIFE.
Please take some time and go to each of the surgery support boards and ask these types of questions, look at how the people live, and consider how you want to live your life. Personally, I made the decision of the surgery type I wanted then sought out the best surgeon I could find. We are lucky in the DC area that we have many great surgeons.
Best with your decision making!
I will speak to two main issues that you mentioned and why with those considerations I would seriously consider the DS. First, your diabetes. The DS has an excellent cure rate for this condition. I do not know the details as this was not a condition I was faced with. Second, your need to take NASIDs. With the RNY you can not take these types of pain killers. With the DS you can. However, with the DS comes the non-negotiable responsiblity to eat adequate protein (90+ g protein daily), take a pretty agressive level of vitamins, and do regular blood work FOR LIFE.
Please take some time and go to each of the surgery support boards and ask these types of questions, look at how the people live, and consider how you want to live your life. Personally, I made the decision of the surgery type I wanted then sought out the best surgeon I could find. We are lucky in the DC area that we have many great surgeons.
Best with your decision making!
SW: 278.5 CW: 145-150 GW: I think I'm there, learning to embrace it
Angie-
When I first started researching this, I wanted the lap band. It was the least invasive surgery and could be reversed. Then I read the information on the lap band manufacturer's site. I did the calculations and realized that even if I lost enough to be a success, that I would still be heavy enough to qualify for bariatric surgery. Huh? that idea wasn't so great. Then I read that if you love sweets and things that turn mushy (potato chips and chocolate) you can eat them without any problems, I'm a BIG (pun intended) chocolate eater. And I realized that I'd still be able to have ice cream and shakes- so I said no to the band.
I have a friend that had RNY (4yrs ago and lost 140 lbs and at goal) and one that's had DS (Jan 08 and has lost 112 lbs with about 50 more to goal). Both doing extremely well. Both very happy with their choices.
My insurance company doesn't cover the DS. So that eliminated that for me but in reality I'm not sure I wanted more malabsorption than the RNY already causes. And I like the idea (in a weird sort of way) that I might dump. Having had hypoglycemic attacks, it's not fun and I like that I really need to watch myself. So in a sense, the RNY was chosen for me but in reality it's what I'd have chosen anyway I think.
Good luck with your decision- Ask a lot of questions of your surgeon and their support team. Keep asking until you get the answers which satisfy you. Make sure that you feel 100% comfortable with your decision.
Donna
When I first started researching this, I wanted the lap band. It was the least invasive surgery and could be reversed. Then I read the information on the lap band manufacturer's site. I did the calculations and realized that even if I lost enough to be a success, that I would still be heavy enough to qualify for bariatric surgery. Huh? that idea wasn't so great. Then I read that if you love sweets and things that turn mushy (potato chips and chocolate) you can eat them without any problems, I'm a BIG (pun intended) chocolate eater. And I realized that I'd still be able to have ice cream and shakes- so I said no to the band.
I have a friend that had RNY (4yrs ago and lost 140 lbs and at goal) and one that's had DS (Jan 08 and has lost 112 lbs with about 50 more to goal). Both doing extremely well. Both very happy with their choices.
My insurance company doesn't cover the DS. So that eliminated that for me but in reality I'm not sure I wanted more malabsorption than the RNY already causes. And I like the idea (in a weird sort of way) that I might dump. Having had hypoglycemic attacks, it's not fun and I like that I really need to watch myself. So in a sense, the RNY was chosen for me but in reality it's what I'd have chosen anyway I think.
Good luck with your decision- Ask a lot of questions of your surgeon and their support team. Keep asking until you get the answers which satisfy you. Make sure that you feel 100% comfortable with your decision.
Donna
Angie,
I went with the lap-band because I didn't want the malabsorption of bypass and I preferred the less invasive approach of the band along with lower percentage of complications. If you have a nasty sweet tooth like you said, this could be why your NP said to have the GP. My doc doesn't give patients a band if they are sweet eaters, only if they are volume eaters. Although there is NOTHING that guarantees you will have a problem with sugars after GP because some just don't. The fact that you take NSAIDS is a concern because with GP you really are not supposed to take any type of NSAIDS. Definitely go to some of the support groups and sit in on ALL of them and talk to the patients. Remember that EVERYONE thinks that their surgery is best. Just take in all the information and make your OWN educated decision. While I am a band patient, I have heard nothing but GREAT information about the gastric sleeve so be sure to check beyond just banding and bypass! Good luck in your journey!
I went with the lap-band because I didn't want the malabsorption of bypass and I preferred the less invasive approach of the band along with lower percentage of complications. If you have a nasty sweet tooth like you said, this could be why your NP said to have the GP. My doc doesn't give patients a band if they are sweet eaters, only if they are volume eaters. Although there is NOTHING that guarantees you will have a problem with sugars after GP because some just don't. The fact that you take NSAIDS is a concern because with GP you really are not supposed to take any type of NSAIDS. Definitely go to some of the support groups and sit in on ALL of them and talk to the patients. Remember that EVERYONE thinks that their surgery is best. Just take in all the information and make your OWN educated decision. While I am a band patient, I have heard nothing but GREAT information about the gastric sleeve so be sure to check beyond just banding and bypass! Good luck in your journey!
Revised to VSG (6/11/09) weighing 253...
Most Active
Recent Topics
