I am confused!!! bypass or band?

HI  I am scheduled to have surger around Jan - Feb 2008 as long as Dr gets all paperwork in.  So here I am reading as much as I possibly can and I am getting so confused as I really wanted the band as it is easier to do and go with for the diet, but I am reading about people not losing weight and still eating the bad way.  Then I read about the bypass and the dumping syndrome, and the fact that some foods are really restricted.  I have also heard the with the bypass you have a let me say offensive odor when you go to the bathroom and have a BM. I have read so much about both that I am so torn.  I need some opinions on how you feel about the surgery that you have had. Thanks so very much Linda

HI Linda-

  You made me laugh a little - sorry.  I had offensive odor with BM's before my surgery!  Thought everyone did.  Well, except for those who truly do think their s*&^%  don't stink.    Really tho, for a little bit you have odiferous body odor when doing the bathroom thing, even going pee.  It is just the gas and medications exiting your body - they have to go somewhere.   I am living proof that the sugar and all things bad for me are indeed temptations I still battle.  But the band helps me so much with it - there are many things I used to eat all the time (that got me here to begin with) that I can no longer tolerate.  Unfortunately, I got the taste of sugar again and am being vigilant about not letting it take over as it did before.  But bread.....haven't bought any in 3 months now!  I get stuck on it. Altho the bandsters have a much less restricted food list than the others, we are not without restriction!  I am in the experimental stages at 3 months out and finding many foods that I need to just walk away from because my band doesn't like them.  And that is fine with me cuz they aren't going to help me reach my goal anyway.   But we can eat around the band, easily.  It is still up to us to use this tool and change our way of life.  There are still no magic bullets.   As far as choosing, if you are still up in the air next month, you might want to hold off on any surgery until you are aboe to make your mind up because if not, you may be destined to fail for lack of conviction.  Best of luck to whatever you choose.

Linda, This is a loaded question and you will receive many different answers on surgery choices. I originally wanted to get the lap band.  During my first consultation, my surgeon explained each choice I had.  He told me that because of the great amount of weight that I needed to lose (over 200 pounds) that I should consider Duodenal Switch or Roux En Y gastric bypass. I seriously considered DS, but was informed that my insurance would not cover it so I went with RNY.  For me, I know that the lap band would not have worked to change the way I thought about food.  I needed to have dumping syndrome, which is a good thing, to help modify my behavior.  Had I had the lap band, I would have continued to eat foods that I knew I shouldn't.  Now, I make choices that I know will not cause me pain. As far as an offensive odor when having a BM, who doesn't, LOL?  Really, I have not noticed any difference with that although my husband, who also had RNY, has issues with gas.  He had issues before surgery so I don't blame it on that. My best advice is to continue researching as much a possible and keep an open mind about all of your choices.  Best of luck to you! Jenn

I guess I need to word my statement a little different about the POOP situation.  I do know that it smells but I have heard that it  smells really really bad!!!!!  I know how mine is and I do know it is really like ROSES at times. Linda

Linda, It truly is a personal choice and nothing one person says should decide what you do. You need to do your research and decide which is best for you. When I first saw my doctor he wanted me to have the lap band. I researched and asked questions and decided on RNY. I would not change my decision for the world. I have not noticed a change in the "offensive" odor, because it always has been offensive. The one thing I have noticed is I am more "regular" though because I am eating better then I ever have... I don't have the dumping syndrome that I have noticed, but I don't eat a lot of sugar either. I have had the tiny bite size candy bars on halloween and little things like that and it really bothers me that I don't have the dumping syndrome... I just have not tested the waters with more than a bite here and there... I shouldn't even have that...  I think we can push the limits to whichever surgery we have, we just have to remember that no matter what we choose, it is simply a tool to train us in a new lifestyle... it is not a magic pill to make things all better.... It will not KEEP the weight off if we don't use it right.... So choose what is best for you and your situation... do your research and make an informed decision... I am sure you will make the right choice for you... Good Luck... HUGS,

Hi Linda, Have you considered the VSG (the sleeve)?? I was at one time completely set on the band, but then after hearing of the lower weight loss and the complications, I decided on the sleeve. Just wanted to throw another option at you!  You can go to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy forum for all the info you can possibly soak in! Good luck!

This is a tough one. I was originally going in for a band but as I researched I went for RNY open. Your surgeon is a very good one. He was one of my three choices when I had my list all done. I have known him for three yeas and he is top notch. Discuss it with him and tell him your thoughts. He will be up front and honest with you. The make your decision. kp PS - I take great pride in being able to clear a  room full of bull dogs.

HI I would like to thank everyone *****plied to my post , I have been doing a lot of soul searching for over a week now and I have deffinetly made up my mind.  I AM GOING TO HAVE THE OPEN RNY!!!  I have been on a lot of message boards reading and being basically called a liar about my medical history when I posted that I wasn't sure what to do and also some of my reasons for asking, but after reading a few more really upsetting posts about the problems with the different kinds.  I am so very confident of what I am going to do so wish me luck.  I do know that my DR of choice is a great honest and awesome DR.  Also his office staff is one of the best that I have ever had to deal with.  My family and friends are behind me 100% on this.     So again  Thank you so much Linda P.S. good luck as you all travel and stay on this wonderful path of life.

Linda, May I ask why you would consider an Open procedure when most are done laproscopically now?  Most doctors prefer the lap method as it has a quicker recovery time and there is less risk of infection.  Does you surgeon only do Open procedures?  Just curious, Jenn

Hi Jenn The Dr that I go to does them all and I decided on the open as it is done using the top fiberous part of the stomach and that it dosen't stretch out after time.  Also as he is in there he will check out the rest of me and make sure that all is ok.  I know it sounds extreme but I want to go thru one surgery and only one surgery.  I have checked out all of the others and am very confident with my choice.    Also my dr when I went in for my consultation (which by the way was 6 hours long).  He went over all the options with all of us and explained every detail of them and had us ask a lot of questions about them.  I also was given a notebook folder that is all set up and has every surgery and how to prepare and what to do after the surgery on my journery to being a new me.