Help!!!Trying to decide?

Pammy, I looked into the Lap Band too. What I understand about the band (and any bandster can correct me if I'm wrong) you'll go in for fills until you find just the right amount of restriction. I've heard bandsters call it the "sweet spot". Once you find the sweet spot, fills aren't needed as frequently, if at all. Have you found the Lap Band board? Here is a link to it.  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/a,messageboard/boa rd_id,5359/ I'm sure they can give you loads of great information and they have bandsters there a few years out that can help settle your nerves about how fills work 3 years out. As you know there are many weight loss surgeries out there, research as much you can to find the best surgery for you.  This is from a post I've seen posted several times, might help you in your decition process. 

"Did you know there are multiple surgical choices for weight loss? Please consider taking the time to research all of your options, and talk to others who are living life post-op, before you choose any surgery! There may be more options then you knew about! Just click on the following links (in alphabetical order)

Duodenal Switch: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/ or http://www.duodenalswitch.com

Lap-Band: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/rny/

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG/

There are also two seldom-performed and non-ASBS approved offshoots of the RNY procedure:

Fobi-Pouch Gastric Bypass: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/fobipouch/

Mini Gastric Bypass: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/mini_gastric_bypass/

The following experimental procedures are not covered by insurance and are not ASBS approved

Dr. Heap's mini-switch: http://www.aaawashingtonweightloss.com/Surgery.html

VERGITO procedure: http://www.johnhustedmd.com/vergito.htm  " Good luck!!! Andi

Thank you so much!!! Pammy

Boy, with all those options in front of her now, Pammy's head must REALLY be spinning!! LOL

Keep in mind also, that your doctor may have reasons for recommending one surgery or another for you, so do your homework, but also discuss with him/her for their medical input.

I thought I wanted a band and was set on that, but I was not a good candidate for a couple of reasons, so I had to completely change what I wanted for what was best for me based on these things.

1.  I have a hiatal hernia that's old and a "problem" for a band.  My doc (actually I got a 2nd opinion and both docs told me the same thing) said that I'd probably be miserable and back in his office in less than a month saying "Get this damn thing out of me" because of the irritation I'd have with the band/hernia "interaction." 2.  Because of the AMOUNT of weight I need/want to lose, he said that I most likely would not be happy with the loss from a band.  From what he (both docs) told me and from my own research, I believe that the band is for those who have lesser amounts to lose.  Like Jennifer noted about, there are stats about the probabilities of percentage loss to be expected by one or the other procedures.  There are certainly those who will dispute/disagree with that, which is fine.  What I'm giving you is my personal observations from doing my homework. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy I ended up with the RNY.  I was a little worried (as was my sis) because the risk factors are a little more, but I can't complain and would do it over in a nanosecond. In addition to getting feedback in here, don't forget there are also OH forums specific to each kind of WLS so spend some time reading in those and the main forum too.  You'll get a broader picture of everything by doing that. In a nutshell, keep doing your homework so you will have questions ready for the doc when you get to that point, but don't get firmly "set" on anything until you have been medically assessed (in the process you'll have to go through) and get the input from your medical doctor on what they see as the best for you and your overall situation!  You might not agree, but you should at least take into account what the professional has to say specifically for you. Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi Pammy: I'm usually the one that comes on to defend the band. I had over 100# to lose. You will lose slower with the band but at about 3 years out, the results are usually the same as bypass. Fills are not that big of a deal, I've had my band  for 4 years and have only had 5 adjustments (one of them was a slight unfill last week.) So traveling should not be a problem. My surgeon moved to Seattle but the group's head honcho who gave me the "unfill" last week made a very interesting statement to me while doing it and remember bypassers, this is him talking, not me but he told me that the good thing about the band is that from the time it is put in until you die, you will always be able to adjust, tweak and control it to make it work for you which is an advantage that "his other patients" don't have. I know a man who was over 400lbs with arthritis, diabetes, thyroid issues, and high blood pressure. His oldest daughter was getting married and his PCP told him that he hoped "Rick" would enjoy this wedding because he would not live to see his other children get married. If someone told me that, I would run to the nearest hospital for bypass but if your general health is pretty good and you just want to gain some control, the band is a very good option.  I found a very interesting article on the main page of OH about two weeks ago. It was a doctor's viewpoint based on his years of doing the different types of bariatric surgery. I cannot find it on the boards now (only took a quick look) but I saved the link to his main page. Go to http://www.southwestweightloss.com/default/weight-loss-surge ry-general/types-of-weight-loss-procedures/lap-band-vs-rny and read it.  Of course, I am passionate about my band but as I have always said on this board and when people ask me on the street, it HAS TO BE YOUR DECISION! Not your spouse, not your mother's, not  your kids. It is your body and you have to make the best decision for you. Will people try to talk you into or out of your decision. Of course! This world is full of opinions. But DO YOUR RESEARCH and then decide based on your present lifestyle and health and the lifestyle you hope to achieve. If you have questions or want to chat, shoot me a personal message. Starfish

I looked at both and for me the By-pass was the one. I have a lot to loose and did not like the idea of getting stuck to be filled.  Everyone has their own reasons for the choice. I was give the optopn of Lap band done laproscopicly  or R-n-y done open. I picked the R-n-y even done open. I am happy with my choice. Do lots of research  and ask lots of questions and you can make a wise choice too. Good Luck Myrtis

As did many others on this board, I looked good and hard at both options.  Ideally, gastric bypass would have been my choice, but because I have a persistent anemia consequent to chronic leukemia, I knew that iron, vitamin, and mineral absorption were a huge factor for me.  My hematology-oncologist and my gastroenterologist did extensive research on the options and both were confident that Lap Band was best for me because 1) it would not affect iron absorption; and 2) it is reversible or modifiable in case something comes up. I had 146 pounds to lose (22 down since surgery!!) and it's going to take longer with the Band, but I believe that if I take advantage of the support resources available, I can do this -- and that (based on the experiences of people here on this board and others I know who've had WLS) it kind of gets easier to stay motivated as my confidence grows. Reading and listening to those who've gone before me have given me tremendous hope.  All y'all are a true blessing to me! Rascalcobb, whatever decision you make, you'll make the one that's best for you.  Just sit with the decision for a bit and let it be yours, see how you really feel about it, embrace it!  We'll be here to answer ANY questions and provide appropriate referral whenever possible.  (I'm new here, but I can see how people take care of one another here!) All best wishes as you work through the thinking process!

Grammy and Pammy: (OMG that's so cute!) That is a great answer and exactly what I would say to Pammy face-to-face. God forbid, if there ever was a medical situation where I needed more nutrition, the band can be unfilled with ease and life can go on.  As for the traveling, since I have had the band, I have flown with no problems, been on extreme rides at DisneyWorld, and been to Europe. Absolutely no problems. No one can predict which foods will give you problems and which won't because everyone is different, but you will know very quickly and then you will willingly avoid them. My big problems are bread, FFries, and KKreme donuts. But after 4 years and some unpleasant episodes, it is very easy to say NO to them and not feel cheated.  3-5 years out, many bypass patients begin to gain again because the body figures out how to work around the rerouting and manipulation that has been done (it is the most amazing machine ever created, you know!) but with the band, I can get an adjustment and just when my body figures out what I have done and how to compensate for the change, I can confuse it again by getting another adjustment.  It is true that many doctors (particularly the older ones who have been doing the bypass for years) are not as informed as they should be about the different procedures which is why we as the patients have to do our own research. I can't answer the question for you Pammy, but I can wholeheartedly say that for me, the band was the best choice.

Wow what a thread...... :) I love my band, personally! Each surgery is so different and actually the same. I know that doesn't make sense but they are. We all struggle with our weight. There is no right or wrong surgery it's just the one that is right for you. Your surgeon as a general rule will not push one over the other if there is nothing medically wrong with you. Most surgeons will let you know which one is best if you only if you have something to push you one way or another.  Your main question about fills every single band person is different, I would say @ 3 yrs out you are pretty much only going to see your surgeon about 1 once a year for an annual follow up but with the band if you have lost a good amount you might need a feel in about 6 months....so no one can tell you what you will or want need. For me almost 3 yrs out I would see him about once a year now I think that sweet spot is pretty good for me. :) Good Luck!!!!!!