so many questions, and time is getting closer

 Hi all, i introduced myself a few weeks ago. I am going to my first seminar on Jan7th. I have my consultation on Jan 14
I have set up my pysch eval next week and all my blood was drawn and DR clearance this past week.
SO here is where I need some advice. When I called to make my appt with the surgeon here they asked me if I was RYN or Band... I thought the DR would talk to you about that and help decided what is best for you. My family Dr thought bypass was the way to go but I have 3 kids at home and not allot of community support to help with them while my dear husband helps me. SO I was thinking of the less of the hospital stay with Band surgery. 
I have read all the testimonials about the surgeon I am going to meet and as they were all positive they all also said he is very strict and straight forward and not really any bedside manner.
Thank concerns me as I am a personable person. 
I guess is this the right place to ask if anyone can tell me their honest opinion of this clinic? And also what made you chose which surgery you had? Certain aspects of the surgery? The time in which you lose the weight vs the other surgery? THe lifetime effects, the risks?
Could some of you just give me some insight?!

Thank you 
Danielle

Hi Danielle,

While many people have an idea of which they which surgery they want when they make their appointments to see a surgeon,  they usually talk with their surgeon about their own concerns, issues, etc and work with the surgeon to pick a surgery that works best for them. There really isn't a best surgery, but some surgeries may be better for you personally. I honestly wouldn't let your immediate recovery time be the gating factor. About 80 percent of all WLS currently performed are RNY and it is considered the 'Gold Standard', but it is not the only effective way to lose weight. I initially planned to have the LapBand because it is statistically safer, has a shorter recovery time and ultimately would allow me to have the band to help me if I started to have the dreaded regain. I chose the RNY because it has a statically high rate of reversing Type 2 Diabetes, not with the loss of weight but because of hormonal change that is related to the actual bypass. I also have Hemochromatosis that is a genetic iron loading disorder that can be fatal if not treated. The malabsorption of iron associated with the RNY was a strong factor in my decision to have the RNY, while it is a problem for some, it has been wonderful for me and has effectively managed my Hemochromatosis and my Type 2 Diabetes is completely resolved. Those health issues are the main reason I had the surgery and after consulting with my PCP, Hemotologist and Bariatric Surgeon we collectively decided that RNY was the best choice for me.

I run a very large online support group and I also run a very large in person support group which allows me to see the benefits of a myriad of surgery types. I have seen significant successes with just about every surgery type and I have seen some struggle with just about every surgery type. No matter which tool you select, remember that the surgery just give you a tool... A powerful one, but  losing the weight and keeping it off takes work, no matter which surgery path you choose. Here are some links to some 'discussions' regarding lap-band vs rny:

http://www.thinidaho.com/index.php?page=debate

http://www.wellsphere.com/weight-loss-article/lap-band-vs-rny-a-wls-doctor-s-changed-perspective/454565

http://www.wlscenter.com/lap_vs_rny.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable_gastric_band

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roux-en-Y_gastric_bypass_surgery#Variations_of_the_gastric_bypass

Please know that I am not trying to sway you in one direction over another, but to provide you with some links to information to help you make a decision that will help you make the most informed decision you can. 

Wishing you all the best,

.

Hi Danielle,
I had a very high BMI before my surgery and I choose RNY and also had many comorbiditys from being super morbidly obese.
I am very happy I chose RNY and as for my medical conditions many have been resolved.
The day I left the hospital after my surgery I was told I did not need to take any more insulin shots and have not since my surgery.
Keeping in mind before surgery I was taking 4 shots a day along with two oral diabetes meds everyday.
The other night I was at a party where my surgeon was and we had a chance to visit and he asked me "what was the turning point for me to have surgery"?I looked at him and said I Wanted To Live.
I am happier than I have ever been in my life and OMG do I feel great!
I do tell people that having wls is a lifetime commitment and it will change how you eat and the amounts.
Just a little info for you my highest weight was 680lbs.
I lost 300lbs before surgery and I was feeling pretty good but I was not where I needed to be.
I started gaining weight and at this point I knew I had to make a lifetime change and this is when I started looking into wls.
Every morning I wake up feeling rested and thankful for a new day and thankful I can move and clean my house do the shopping and care for myself and my family.
Welcome to the NC forum I have found wonderful friends here that have helped me in many ways with my wls journey.
Thank God for OH.
                                                  Annie

Keep reading all you can about the different WLS types so you are prepard to make a good decision. I had RNY and was only in the hospital two days. That is only one day more than band surgery usually, if all goes well. Recovery was pretty quick for me also. Everyone is different so please read, read, read and ask questions before you decide.

I was going to get the lap band but found out that my insurance might not cover the fills in the future.  I knew that the possibility of the government changing medical insurance might upset things as well.  I chose to have RYN so that I would not have to worry any more about the money and fills.  Now with that said, there are still choices to make such as RYN vs DS etc.   This has worked for me and I am happy with my choice. 

 Hi there! I see you're in Lexington, I'm just outside of High Point.  I also was thinking of the band, but then when talked to my surgeon about it I leaned more towards the RNY.   I didn't want to have to drive to Winston for fills every time and I didn't feel like the band would keep me as "honest" as I needed to be when it came to eating.   I also wanted quick results, so that was a part of my choice.   My surgeon fully backed me on either- the band or the bypass. He didn't try to lead me one way or the other.    To be honest with you, while I was in the hospital, there was a man that was there with the band.  He said if he could do it over, he would have never gotten it, it was much pain for him.   I was shocked because I was hardly having any pain, and so far (knock on wood) my pain hasn't been an issue.  I'm two weeks out today and feeling great.      

Who are you using if you don't mind my asking?  

 thank you all of you!!! 
the clinic I am using is the carolina clinic in concord.  they want me to make the decision of which surgery I want before I come to my consultation. 
I guess mainly i have been thinking about my kids and the stress of being in the hospital for a few days. The first time my husband mentioned it to my PCP he suggested RYN but I talked to him last week and he sort of agreed band might be better than messing with any organs.
The insurance thing is something serious to think about, I have no idea if my company pays for fills. Or what they will pay for due to health reform. 
I do not have diabetes so that is not an issue to think about just high blood pressure. I am 47 BMI so I quite concerned of the lower weight loss in the band versus RYN.
I am honestly so lost now, I am going to a seminar on the 7th and my Upper GI was scheduled for next Monday. I was thinking about finding another clinic only because some of the testimonials about this surgeon having not allot of personality or bedside manner. I had considered going to Wake Forest weight loss clinic. 
Thank you again for all your imput. I will keep everyone informed as I research more and try to figure out what is right for me.
Danielle

 I honestly don't know anything about that clinic.  I started out with Dr. V. in Charlotte, and then didn't feel like driving that far would be smart along with some other issues. I had already had my blood work done from them and everything.        I then went with Wake Forest and Dr. Fernandez.  I never felt the level of comfort in Charlotte that I felt with Dr. Fernandez and his staff.     Dr. F, my husband and myself sat in a  room and discussed the pro's and con's of which weight loss surgery would be right for me.   I was confused about the band or RNY and he helped me decide.    He won't tell you which surgery to get, but he will help guide you to the right one, without pushing you towards any certain one.  And, he used my labs from the other place, so no more tons of blood drawn lol.

You shouldn't have to have your mind made up BY the time you go to your consultation, that should be what that time is used for. 

If you ever wanna talk, feel free to pm me. We can even swap numbers if you like. 


Good Luck in whatever you decide :)

Mary Ann

 Hello there,

Let me first say Congrats on your decision to start your wls journey. I am only 1 month out and I don't have a lot of advice to offer so far. But I just wanted to say definitely talk things over with your surgeon and research surgery types to determine what's right for you. I too have 3 kids at home with 1 being a baby(8 months old) and RNY did me just fine. Matter of fact, I had surgery around 1:00pm on a Friday and the surgeon came to see me the next day around 4pm and told me that I could go home if I wanted but I opted to stay for 1 more night of total rest before returning home.  Whatever method you choose, I am sure you will do wonderful... 

Good Luck and God bless,

Chantelle

 I would recommend the RNY. You are going to go through with surgery you might as well go all the way. By that I mean, there going to be some pain and recovery time either way. Both have risks, from my point of view, the risk of the band for very little results especially long term is what made me go for RNY.

Below a link to a chart comparing the surgery's

http://www.weightlosssurgery.ca/en/surgicaloptions/comparisonchart