1st appointment with Dr. Gersin tomorrow! Scared and excited

So after years of going back and forth, I finally went to a seminar, and my first appointment is tomorrow.  I'm scared and excited.  I'm still undecided as far as lap-band or RNY.  The insurance part of it was easy peasy.  All I had to do was provide was a one year weight history (Medcost). Of course I've been reading about all the success stories and they make me feel so excited, and then I saw an article about 1/50 dying within a year of surgery. That terrifies me. I have young children.  Just makes me wonder if staying fat is less risky, which sounds absolutely absurd. I guess I'm just afraid of the unknown.

What made you decide on the band vs RNY? FWIW, my BMI is 44 with no comorbidities at all.

Please give me any and all advice.  My ears are wide open!


ETA: When I first signed up with OH a year ago, I thought I was going to go with Dr. Bauman.  Due to insurance, and a few recommendations, I've chosen Dr. Gersin.  Have no idea how to change that in my profile...

I feel the same way about the 2% chance of death.  But as my surgeon said you are trading long term risks for short term risks.  If I stay as I am, I will probably gain a little more weight and start having problems.  I was told from my oncologist and gyn (they ganged up on me) that I would die within 10 - 15 years and it would not be from cancer it would be from cardiac arrest.  So when I look at it like that the nervous feeling goes away some. 

I chose the RNY for a couple reasons.  My surgeon said at my size the band is really not an option. So that left the RNY(there is also the duodenal switch DS).  I know 3 people personally that have had the RNY and are doing great.   I think that was my biggest reason for choosing the  RNY, actually seeing what it has done to change their lives.

I suggest researching all you can about both. Then deciding what is right for you.

Hi Zilla,

There are actually a number of different types of weight loss surgeries, but the boil down to restrictive only and malabsorptive/restrictive procedures. There are pros and cons to all of the procedures. Of course, it makes a difference which procedures your physician performs and is proficient with. The most common malabsorbtive procedure is the RNY. There are a few variations, but they are basically all very similar. The most common restrictive only procedure is the LapBand. 

I initially thought that I wanted a band because I felt that I had failed so many diets in the long term and thought that I wanted the 'safety net' of being able to have the band filled if I started to gain weight after I got to goal. I was also more comfortable with the 'mortality statistics' associated with the band, which were lower than that of the RNY. My concerns with the band were slippage, errosion, flipping port, having a permanent foreign body, having fills, the ability to pay for fills if I lost insurance. Also, my PCP had a significant prejudice against the LapBand from articles he had read and his experience with his own patients that had the Band.

I decided to have the RNY for several reasons. I decided to have WLS in the first place because I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and felt that WLS of some type would be necessary for me to get my weight down below 200 and to help me resolve my diabetes. RNY has an 87 percent rate of reversing type 2 diabetes, so that was a major enticement for me. It has a greater success in the amount of excess weight loss to expect. It has over 40 years of 'track record' and is considered the 'gold standard' of WLS. I was concerned about the 'dumping' and that I might not ever be able to eat 'normally' again. I didn't want to have to avoid whole 'classes' of food as some people with RNY do. To be honest, that's kind of rare... Most people don't dump and even those who do, normally don't dump on everything. I also have a genetic disorder called hemochromatosis and it causes my body to store iron which if left untreated can cause devasting and even lethal complications; my father died of complications from his own hemochromatosis. I checked with my hemotologist and she concurred that the malabsorption of iron would be a good thing for me... and it has turned out to be just that. 

You have to know whether you can handle the fills associated with a band, you need to know if you can and will be compliant regarding supplementation as it relates to the RNY. You should know that both take work to lose the weight and both take work to maintain the weight loss. The thing I realized is that I'll have my restrictive pouch the rest of my life. I can and do use it to help me keep my portions in control. 

I would suggest that you go visit the surgical boards on OH that are related to the surgery types you are considering and ask plenty of questions. Then I would take your questions and concerns to your surgeon and have them address the issues for you. 

I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible journey.

Congrats on your decision for surgery.  My surgeon is Dr Kuwada in the same practice you will love the staff in this practice they are all wonderful.  I had my surgery (RNY) almost 6 months ago and wish I would have made this decision years ago.  Get a list of a bunch of questions for Dr Gersin including your 1/50 dying and see what he says.  I know he will be honest with you on the risks of the surgery.

On changing the surgeon, go to my oh, then settings, status, my surgeon and then pick a surgeon.

Wishing you the best on your upcoming appointment, if I can help you in anyway feel free to send me an email.l  I live by Concord Mills Mall.

Sandy

Thanks everybody!  Just an update... I have my EGD on Mon, Dec 21st, and then I have to have a sleep study, and appts with the psychologist, nutritionist, and exercise physiologist in early Jan. I'm probably looking at March for a surgery date. I really like Dr. Gersin, and the staff was amazing.  They all probably thought I was crazy as I was emotional before, during, and after the appointment.  It was the first time in the 10 years that my husband actually knew what I weighed. I've always avoided it, just like I avoid most anything that exposes me or makes me vunerable with anyone. I had no idea just how much my weight affected me psychologically. I'm determined to make this a fresh start in life, and I'm just as determined to start actively participating in life, instead of just letting it pass me by. I'm still scared, but very excited!

How exciting, if you have not yet gone to any of the support group meetings please come, it is really nice to be able to ask questions and talk to people how are in your same position or have been there and can provide advise and support.

If there is anything I can help you with or support you in anyway please feel free to reach out to me.

Sandy

Sandy, I'll be there on Jan 26th! (at least I think I'm remembering correctly without looking at my calendar). Hope to meet you!