Help? I'm new here!

Hi, everyone! I am going to have weight loss surgery if all goes well with my insurance company, but am very confused about which type to have. I have read so many things, attended Dr. Sudan's seminar in Omaha, and made an appt. for a consultation with Dr. Sudan. I just can't seem to decide which surgery is right for me. I was going to have the lap band surgery, but then at the seminar was told that the expected weight loss was only 30-40% or your excess weight. I really need to lose 100 pounds or more, so now I am considering the biliopancreatic diversion with the duodenal switch. But, that surgery really scares me, mainly because of the stories I have heard about chronic diarreah, terrible smelling gas and bowel movements. Can anyone tell me if they have had these problems? I am also very concerned about malnutrition, or the long term effects of the duodenal switch. The lap band seemed perfect to me, but as I said I need to lose at least 100lbs. I have type II diabetes, and high blood pressure also. If anyone can give me any insight into either of these two surgeries, I would really appreciate it! Thanks! Hope

Hi, I had a gastric bypass by Dr. Goering in GI and haven't had any problems at all-I will be a year on 6/6 and have lost about 150lbs (don't know for sure till i go for my year checkup) I haven't had any problems with diar. or gas (unless I eat too much Splenda). I know a lot of people that had lapband and haven't lost the weight like they wanted to or gained it back. I also switched from lapband to gas.bypass and am so glad that I did. I would have it again in a heartbeat, best thing I ever did for myself. Feel wonderful and have tons of energy. good luck

Hi, Thanks for all the info.  I didn't realize that there was a surgeon that does gastric bypass surgeries in Grand Island.  Can you tell did you have the roux-en-y, or the duodenal switch?  Are you able to drink with your meals?  Also, do you have the dumping syndrome that I have read so much about if you eat too many carbs or sweets?  Thanks again! Hope

Hi, sorry it took so long to reply.  Yes I had a lap RNY with Dr. Goering.  I am not able to drink with my meals but I only have to wait about 10 min. now after I am done eating.  I have had the dumping syndrome a couple of times but I learned what to avoid.  As far as no sugar that is a good thing because i did have a sweet tooth and there are plenty of sugar free choices these days that you don't feel deprived of anything.  I can eat carbs without a problem.  Dr. Goering and St. Francis Med. Ctr. were absolutely wonderful and I couldn't find a thing wrong with any of them.  I had excellent care in the hospital and they are very wls friendly.  Dr. Goering is just such a good doctor and answered all my questions and spent lots of time discussing everything with me.  good luck  

Hi Hope! I think that the 30-40% range is quite low. I had surgery in January and I am at 36% already. I go to UNMC and she expects 50% to be successful but really pushes for 70%. There is also very little reason why you can't reach 100% depending on what type of work you put into it. I have already "tamed" my Type 2 diabetes and had a normal A1C with no meds. I think that you can be successful with any type of surgery if you put your mind to i****ch what you eat, drink water and exercise. Few other notes - I saw on Dr. Sudan's profile that he had only done 20 bands. That may be outdated but you may want to check on that - that is an awfully low number. Be sure to check out the other forums on this board that are not state specific. There is a band board, a DS board, an RNY board. You will learn a ton on each surgery and maybe it will help you make a better decision. One thing that is often mentioned with bands is the maintenance and upkeep of them. It is true - they require you to go in occasionally and have fills. I actually liked this part of it. I had read that with RNY, you have a window of opportunity. With my band, I feel like I have an unlimited opportunity as I can always get adjustments. They are painless! Good luck in your journey! Stacy

Hi Stacy, Thanks so much for answering my post and for all the info.  Good luck reaching your weight loss goals!   Hope

Hi Hope. I am pretty new here also. I had 2 friends that had the RNY and that is what I am going for. I am with Dr. White in Omaha. I had another friend that also had your Dr. Sudan. He made my friend lose 70 lbs. before he would do surgery on her. Anyway, I chose the Rny because I do not like the idea of something foreign in me. I have been told that some peolpes bodies do reject the band after a few years. Whether that is true or not I do not know for sure, but because I have not chosen this I have not pursued getting the answer. Good luck in what ever you choose. I know I am in the process of insurance approval. It shoudl be soon. Take care -------- Chris

Hey Chris, Thanks for all the info.  I hope I don't have to lose 70 lbs. before I have surgery, or it will most likey never happen. lol  I agree with you about not wanting something foreign in your body.  I am afraid my body might eventually reject the lap band or it will erode into my stomach wall.  Then, if they had to remove it I'd probably gain all my weight back again.  That would be really devastating regaining it.  I know we've all been on that rollercoaster ride before.  I have gained and lost so much weight over my lifetime, and each time I regain I add on a little more.  Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with your insurance approval.  Talk to you later. Hope

Hi Hope,     I haven't been here for a while so I just saw your post.  I've heard some good things about Dr Sudan, you'll be in good hands.  I had my DS done by Dr Anthone.  My 3 yr check up is on June 4th.  I'd do it again in a heart beat!  I've lost around 175 Lbs.  I don't have any trouble with diarrhea (I did before the surgery).  I do occasionally have trouble with gas.  I have found that it is associated with the amount of carbs that I eat.  As long as I do what the Dr says, eat my protein and take my vitamins and calcium, then I feel fine.  As far as the psych eval, sorry, can't help you there.  You see, I am an alumni of a psych ward (not kidding).  I'm bipolar.  Dr Anthone agreed to take me on as a patient as long as I was seeing my Dr's regularly and as long as they would send him letters stating that I was OK to have surgery.  My Dr's were behind this 100%, so I never went through the psych eval.  By the way, I still see my Psychologist weekly and my Psychiatrist monthly as I have for many, many years.  A Dr in Lincoln turned me down for WLS without even examining me based on my being bipolar.  Just for the record, I haven't had any problems with my illness relating to my surgery.  I wish you luck in your quest for better health.  I know it has worked for me and has enhanced my life in ways that I never dreamed possible. Janet

Hi Janet, Thanks so much for all the information.  What a great accomplishment 175 lbs. gone!  I am so happy for you.  I really appreciate you sharing your personal information with me, it's so nice to hear from people who have been through the surgery.  Best of luck in the future.   Hope