First meltdown
Hello everyone,
I shouldn't be thinking so much because it gets me into trouble, but I need your opinion and help.
Lately I have been thinking, have I made the right choice by selecting the band? Here I am, I have one of the only surgeons who preforms the DS and I chose the band. Did I make the right choice?
I'm conflicted. The reason I chose the band is because it's easy surgery, not much time off work, pregnancy friendly, reversible and no one is messing with my anatomy.
But then I see a wack load of people with problems, slippage, port issues, burping food, getting stuck, and I find that most people three year out start gaining a little weight back and begin struggling.
it freaks me out.
The whole point of me having surgery is to not have to worry about gaining weight ever again.I don't want to struggle again.so I don't want to get the band only to be at my ideal weight for three years!
I've been reading too much on the lapband board I think. Some people have been really successful and then some people are a year out and only lost 50 pounds.
I don't want to have a surgery and only lose 50 pounds! I know the success depends on my own commitment, but do you think I could be one of those try really hard and lose very slow type people? I don't want to be a failure!
The reason I don't want the DS is because I have really bad IBS and go to the washroom about 10-15 times a day as is. I can't take 3 months off work (I'm a workaholic, plus they need me there! I have a very fast pace career), plus I don't know how pregnancy friendly it is. I'm only 26 and I haven't had children yet.
BUT
It's such a successful surgery. There are no fills, no getting stuck, no "I can't eat that" and people appear to maintain well. The statistics are the best and you lose weight farily quickly.
So my question to all of you is? If you had the choice to pick...would you pick the band or DS?
Thanks
M
I shouldn't be thinking so much because it gets me into trouble, but I need your opinion and help.
Lately I have been thinking, have I made the right choice by selecting the band? Here I am, I have one of the only surgeons who preforms the DS and I chose the band. Did I make the right choice?
I'm conflicted. The reason I chose the band is because it's easy surgery, not much time off work, pregnancy friendly, reversible and no one is messing with my anatomy.
But then I see a wack load of people with problems, slippage, port issues, burping food, getting stuck, and I find that most people three year out start gaining a little weight back and begin struggling.
it freaks me out.
The whole point of me having surgery is to not have to worry about gaining weight ever again.I don't want to struggle again.so I don't want to get the band only to be at my ideal weight for three years!
I've been reading too much on the lapband board I think. Some people have been really successful and then some people are a year out and only lost 50 pounds.
I don't want to have a surgery and only lose 50 pounds! I know the success depends on my own commitment, but do you think I could be one of those try really hard and lose very slow type people? I don't want to be a failure!
The reason I don't want the DS is because I have really bad IBS and go to the washroom about 10-15 times a day as is. I can't take 3 months off work (I'm a workaholic, plus they need me there! I have a very fast pace career), plus I don't know how pregnancy friendly it is. I'm only 26 and I haven't had children yet.
BUT
It's such a successful surgery. There are no fills, no getting stuck, no "I can't eat that" and people appear to maintain well. The statistics are the best and you lose weight farily quickly.
So my question to all of you is? If you had the choice to pick...would you pick the band or DS?
Thanks
M
First let me suggest that you post this question to Krista. She is best qualified to help you.
Since you are planning to have children, I would question DS as it is in the extreme for malabsorbtion. Have you researched pregnancy and DS? We know that the band is th safest option. I have also been spooked by the slippage etc on the lap band forum. I think we should both do some research about the incidence of these complications. I have been wondering if the incidence appears high on the board because people drift off the board after a while, but they come back when they run into problems. The band makes success possible, but it does not guarrentee success. We know that we still have to work at it. I am not thrill about that because my experience, and probably yours too, has taught that I will be a failure. The success does not last. So why would I believe that this time would be any different. I have had so many health problems and a method that relys on malnutrician makes me nervous. Just as it would make me nervous to have a baby under those conditions. We both need to do some research, so that if we are nervous, at least it will be based on the facts.
Since you are planning to have children, I would question DS as it is in the extreme for malabsorbtion. Have you researched pregnancy and DS? We know that the band is th safest option. I have also been spooked by the slippage etc on the lap band forum. I think we should both do some research about the incidence of these complications. I have been wondering if the incidence appears high on the board because people drift off the board after a while, but they come back when they run into problems. The band makes success possible, but it does not guarrentee success. We know that we still have to work at it. I am not thrill about that because my experience, and probably yours too, has taught that I will be a failure. The success does not last. So why would I believe that this time would be any different. I have had so many health problems and a method that relys on malnutrician makes me nervous. Just as it would make me nervous to have a baby under those conditions. We both need to do some research, so that if we are nervous, at least it will be based on the facts.
. 
Here is some info i found re band erosion=
Abstract:
Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective and safe surgical treatment for morbid obesity. Migration of the band through the stomach wall is a well-known late complication that may jeopardize the aim of the treatment - permanent weight reduction. Methods: 301 patients were followed for ≥ 2 years (mean 39 months) after a Lap-Band® procedure. Cases of erosion were studied retrospectively. Results: 5 patients (1.66%) developed erosions. Laparoscopic band removal was carried out in these 5 cases without complication. The first 4 have received a new Lap-Band®, and all are doing well. Conclusion: Band erosion is a bothersome late complication after LAGB and requires band removal. Rebanding is a feasible option. Further study and longer follow-up are necessary to determine whether these patients will develop erosion again..
stop it you ! go read my other post update. i tried to explain it better. Scartears is still my band friend !!!!!!
HW/SW/CW/GW
362/305/250.6/160 (54.4 since surgery)
1st Fill Dec22 4cc's * 2nd fill May 14 1cc = 5 ccs * 3rd (un)fill June 5 .5cc = 4.5 ccs *4th fill July 8 2cc=6.5cc, unfill of 1cc sept 09 = 5.5cc; Nov 8 fill of 1.5 =7ccs
I feel bad too Tears. I ahve looked at the topics over the last few days and they have been on the negative side. Don't get me wrong, we have this site for support and talking about our doubts and fears is definitely appropriate. However, we need more balance, more about our hopes and dreams posted to remember the reason we are doing this in the first place. When our turn comes, we need to celebrate the successes like crazy. Patsy is definitely a success story and I hope we haven't lost her. We can't change the past, we can only learn from it and move forward.
.
Hi Scartears,
Your post is the reason these forums are so helpful. You are presurgery. You need to decide what is best for you. When you do decide...you will do so because of all the reasons you are finding, and you will feel really good about your choice and you will be successful because of your determination.
As for DS and pregancy there will be alot onthis topic on the more specific forums for the BPD/DS. As for the band...no idea here...but there are tons out there who do know...but after 4 kids years ago...not a topic I considered at all.
There is a area on the wls info ulk site which is specifically about pregancy and is for all WLS types, not just one. So you can talk to people having babies after WLS..it might bring you the info you need. You may find more about different surgeries and pregancy there. http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=124
Each of us is different and brings different questions and reasons for each of the surgeries. The good thing is you are double checking. You will feel better about your final decision because of it.
I have kids around your age...and as the DS is such a life long surgery, I am not sure I would recommend it to them at their under 30ish age. I am not sure I would feel good about their taking care of them selves well enough (they are all boys who don't necessarily give their health enough attention already) .
Believe it or not...you posts are excacally like mine...right up to the last minute I was not sure which surgery I was going to have...I nearly drove myself crazy researching...and finding the best fit for me. So...wish I could really help you...but regardless of the surgery you choose......you will definately be more successful because of all these questions you bring to the table and the answers you find.
Good luck with your research...it is a painful process...and depending on your day...you will sway back and forth...but you still have time....so...pin it down girl...I know you will find your way
I really believe it is not so much a "best surgery" ----- but a best surgery fit FOR you! So.....look again at your eating habbits, the health studies, pregancy impacts, long term statistics, etc. And go with your heart.
Your post is the reason these forums are so helpful. You are presurgery. You need to decide what is best for you. When you do decide...you will do so because of all the reasons you are finding, and you will feel really good about your choice and you will be successful because of your determination.
As for DS and pregancy there will be alot onthis topic on the more specific forums for the BPD/DS. As for the band...no idea here...but there are tons out there who do know...but after 4 kids years ago...not a topic I considered at all.
There is a area on the wls info ulk site which is specifically about pregancy and is for all WLS types, not just one. So you can talk to people having babies after WLS..it might bring you the info you need. You may find more about different surgeries and pregancy there. http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=124
Each of us is different and brings different questions and reasons for each of the surgeries. The good thing is you are double checking. You will feel better about your final decision because of it.
I have kids around your age...and as the DS is such a life long surgery, I am not sure I would recommend it to them at their under 30ish age. I am not sure I would feel good about their taking care of them selves well enough (they are all boys who don't necessarily give their health enough attention already) .
Believe it or not...you posts are excacally like mine...right up to the last minute I was not sure which surgery I was going to have...I nearly drove myself crazy researching...and finding the best fit for me. So...wish I could really help you...but regardless of the surgery you choose......you will definately be more successful because of all these questions you bring to the table and the answers you find.
Good luck with your research...it is a painful process...and depending on your day...you will sway back and forth...but you still have time....so...pin it down girl...I know you will find your way
I really believe it is not so much a "best surgery" ----- but a best surgery fit FOR you! So.....look again at your eating habbits, the health studies, pregancy impacts, long term statistics, etc. And go with your heart.
DS Surgery June 2006, Been fine every since. Weight stays the same. Rarely remember I had surgery.....except for the daily vitamins.
I did not do any research on DS so I can't comment on that. I can comment on the band and proudly state that I lost 100 lbs in a year with the band. I have gained 10 lbs since July but that has been my own doing.
My only advice would be to people to realize that you DO have to work very hard WITH the band for it to work. I exercise on average 2000 minutes / month which when you do the math is over an hour a day. I haven't done well with my food lately which is why I have gained but I am not going to regain. That simply is not going to be an option for me. I am turning it around now.
With respect to complications, etc. I have had none. Seriously none. I had my first fill 5 weeks out, second fill 10 weeks out and no other fills for a year. Two weeks ago I actually had 1 cc taken OUT as I was finding myself more restricted.
For me, the band has been the very best decision I have ever made.
My only advice would be to people to realize that you DO have to work very hard WITH the band for it to work. I exercise on average 2000 minutes / month which when you do the math is over an hour a day. I haven't done well with my food lately which is why I have gained but I am not going to regain. That simply is not going to be an option for me. I am turning it around now.
With respect to complications, etc. I have had none. Seriously none. I had my first fill 5 weeks out, second fill 10 weeks out and no other fills for a year. Two weeks ago I actually had 1 cc taken OUT as I was finding myself more restricted.
For me, the band has been the very best decision I have ever made.
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