How did you decide which surgery?

I know this in my choice...but how did you all decide which surgery was best for you?

Initially I was thinking about lapband because when I visited with Dr. Moen, that's what he recommended.  But I'm nervous about having something implanted in me over a long period of time.  But I don't feel as though I have "enough" weight to go with RNY or a sleeve (I want to lose 80-90 pounds...currently 217).

 

For me I did a lot of homework. I went to every single seminar and read up on everything and then talked to people who had each one of the WLS options. I was convinced that RNY was the best for ME to make sure I did not fail. I wanted to double check so I did EXTENSIVE RNY research and when I found my surgeon, he ONLY DOES RNY he will NOT do any of the others and doesn't even recommend them so that helped make my decision easier for me. ;o) You will find what is best for you..............as long as you do your homework. (((Hugs)))

My decision was based on my research.  I have a BMI of over 50, and I have diabetes (type 2), sleep apnea, CAD, and arthritis (traumatic).  When I looked at the options, I decided that the RNY was the way to go for me because of the overall cure rates it had for diabetes, the amount of weight I had to lose, and I also discussed with my Cardiologist and Primary Care Physicians and listened to their opinions and recommendations.

Plus, I have taken five shots a day in the stomach for the past two years.  Fills require shots int he stomach.  No thanks, I'd like to be done with that.

You have to do what you feel is right - do a lot of research, as a lot of questions, talk to a lot of people.

Good luck!

My Decision was easy for me, I was over 400 pounds and lapband would not have worked for me. It would not have given me the restrictions I needed to drop alot of weight. Althought I do have 100 pounds I want to loose, I have lost 140 and very proud of myself.

The doctors will give you the best option but in the long run it is your decision. You may want to ask the doc if in a few years you want the band out, if You can do that, althought you have to keep living the same lifestyle or the weight could come back on!

I decided on my RNY (12/15/09) almost the same way I decided it was time to stop beating my head against the wall in trying to do this all on my own.  I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 7 years ago.  Every 2-3 years I'd have an episode where my diabetes would suddenly spin out of control requiring even more medicine.  It got to the point where I was really wondering 5-10 years down the road whether they'd have anything left to offer me.  So I thought it was time to get my weight under control - when I learned that they were sending some RNY'rs home from the hospital off their diabetes meds - I knew that was the procedure for me.  Of course once I made the decision I did tons of research to validate it.  And this board has been a great help in learning more of what to expect.  Now I am counting down the days.

well the sleeve is similar to the band but w/out the mechanical apparatus and you of course can not adjust it over time. but it does not have the malabsorbtive aspect the rny has. you might want to go that route if you are worried you might lose too much w/ rny.

At first I wanted a lapband.   I only had about 90 pounds to lose but then I find out that i'll only lose about 50% of that (on AVERAGE)  over a LONGER period of time and I don't have the malabsorption issue (that I really need due to being an old lady with no metabolisim)


I then talked to my surgeon and discussed that I love carbs and sweets and he said I could "learn to eat around the band" and that sounded just like something I would do.  I have food issues. (don't most of us)

so I did some more research..

my hubby wanted RNY so that was a plus... we would be on the same plan with the same doctor and the same surgery 

I liked the idea of the possibility of dumping keeping me on the straight and narrow...

I liked the idea of losing 80% of my excess weight vs 60% or so...

I don't like needles (and hence fills)

and the whole losing slower on lapband did not appeal to me.

The doctor I loved did not do DS which was fine as I did not want a DS (and still do not)  but I could have had a sleeve if i had wanted it.  But after checking it out and knowing I wanted the RNY I went for it.

First, I read up on my own. Don't know if I did a lot of research but I would google all types of surgeries, read about professional opinions, people's personal experiences.  I came to the conclusiont hat I wanted the RNY pretty much for the same reasons as Nessa: lose more (on average) over the same amount of time as a LapBand, lose faster and I didn't want the option of a reversal.

Secondly, I worked with 2 ladies, one of whom had had the Band for 2+ years and the second one had had the RNY for a year. I could see the differences in the RNYer every week literally. And, she spoke to me about the restrictions, the dumping, and it just didn't seem like a huge deal.

Last but definitely not the least, my surgeon was the second one I went to. I loved him from the start, trusted him with everything and he won't do the Band; RNY is the only surgery he did (at least then).

I have been very happy with my loss. I lost 80% of the excess body fat, reached my own goal within the first year and a half and am doing pretty good sticking there :)

my story is similar to everyone who has posted.  my co-morbidities played a huge part.  however, there was one other thing that played into my decision that make be unique to me, but i'll throw it out there.

i am no stranger to surgery, so the idea of them cutting my stomach and redirecting things did not scare me.  what DID bother me was the idea of them leaving that band inside of me and having the port, etc.  i simply did not like the idea of having that in me at all.

the second half to that is that the reason i was seeking surgery was because i had failed at so many other programs.  i knew that i could cheat on the band and knew many people that did.  the band is restrictive, but not malabsorptive.  i wanted to have both.

hiya,

my story is close to everyone elses...

i went in thinking lap-band, but when i met with dr liao (dr mo's partner) he described the benefits and potential issues with both, and then I DECIDED on what i wanted. basically, i had over 100 pounds to lose, although i dont know if that is a determining factor or not.

its all up to what you want

good luck!

brian