NEWBIE NEEDS HELP!

Hello All:

I am from Loudon and am on a fact finding mission.  Can anyone help with Surgeon referrals and feedback on LapBand vs. Bypass?

I would appreciate any/all of your help!

Cathy
[email protected]

I'm planning an RNY bypass next month at CMC in Manchester with Dr Connie Campbell.  She's got a great reputation, has never "lost" anyone with this surgery and has done everyone with a scope.  I met her several years ago when she did my wife's breast cancer surgery.  She's a tiger as a patient advocate and well-respected by her peers.

I chose the RNY bypass because I am a diabetic and the stats show a higher "cure" rate with this kind of surgery.  So, it's a personal decision based on your cir****tances.  Do lots of research and go to the various group meetings where folks who have had the surgeries will talk about their experiences.

CMC has a pretty rigorous program that they put you thru that includes behavior mod classes, psych evals, nutritionist meetings, etc.  By the time you're thru with the program, you'll be well educated.  Several other hospitals have similar programs.

Good luck.  This forum has a large group of helpful members.  Log on often.

Thank you so much sox!!  I'll do some research on her as well.   Good luck to you!!  Cathy

Hi!

I had my surgery at Portsmouth Regional Hospital and am very satisfied with the process to qualify, the support available the quality of training and track record my surgeon has and the ongoing support I've received.  Check them out, I'm sure if you decide to go with them you'll be very happy.  They have a support group in Derry, so for postop you won't have to drive as far. 

As far as why I chose RNY, these are my personal reasons.  I'm not bashing Lapband, it just wasn't for me, and this is why I decided that:

1.  I'm a sweet eater.  RNY gives you a thing called Dumping Syndrome which can help at first to keep you away from sugar.  You get sick if you eat a lot of sugar.  I have found this helpful. 

2.  I'm a past master of the mind game.  It's real easy to eat around a Lapband.  But, with RNY you have a restrictive as well as a malabsorptive process so you have a two-fold safety net in that you can't eat a lot at one time (Like Lapband) but also you don't absorb all of what you eat.

3.  I've heard of people who have had to have the band removed because of problems.  I know this doesn't happen often, but it does happen.  RNY is irreversible.  Nobody can take my tool away from me. 

I hope this helps you on your journey.  Much luck while you're on your way to a healthier you!

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing.  I really appreciate it!

Hello Cathy,

I am a year and a hald out from lap band surgery and I am in my maintenance phase.  I too go to CMC with Dr. COnnie Campbell and she is the greatest!!  SHe definiitely is  a patient advocate and only wants what is best for you.  With that being said, she will help you to decide what surgery would be the best fit for you based on your age and co-morbidities.

I love my lap. band.  I like the fact that I can go get a fill if i feel that I am not maintaining my hunger.  I do not get them as often anymore. 

Exercise is a very important kep in both surgeries to be successful.  If you do not exercise, the weight will come back on.

Both surgeries are only tools and if the tool is not used correctly then you will let it fail for you.  I have seen many bypass patients gain all their weight back and more do to strecthing the pouch and also eating "easy" foods.  I have also seen lap band patients gain it all back too, 

Be very educated and take your time.  This is a lifelong decision that needs you to change your entire lifestyle.

Best of luck and feel free to ask any questions or PM me if you need.

Nicole

Hi Cathy,

I went through Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and Dr. Gens.  He is fabulous.  Very caring, compassionate, and an advocate of getting everyone around you on board.  The program seems to be excellent anywhere you go.  PRH has you go to an information night, then meeting with the coordinator, Nancy.  You have behavior modification classess, meeting with the psychologist, nutritionist, Jacquie, who is awesome, physical therapy for exercise, and continuous meetings with Nancy.  You will be required to lose a specific amount of weight with either program.  I think the main difference between the two, is that PRH does not require a liquid only diet for more than a day pre surgery. 

I chose the lap band.  It has been a wonderful tool for me.  I really wanted to change behaviors, learn to undo everything I have done for the last 40 years.  But I also did not want my body to dictate what I could or could not eat.  I have had some "dumping like" issues, which is very unusual for Lap banders.   I have to be careful what I do eat.  I also have to watch how quickly I eat.  It is not pleasant if you eat too much too fast!!   Time off of work was also a critical factor for me.  I am the only paralegal left in my office, and the only one who is trained in my specialty, so I could not take an extended leave of absence.  The lap band fit right into my work limitations.  I was also a bit intimidated with the RNY surgery.   I wanted something less invasive. 

You can eat around the band if you choose, but you can also eat around bypass.  If you are a grazer (snacking all day long) the band is pretty much not for you.   I am also older, and knew my skin would not recover as quickly as others, and I wanted to loose slower.  Getting to the end was more necessary for me, than the time to get there.  If it takes a year or two that is fine.  It really all depends on what your goals are, your needs, your medical issues, and your lifestyle.  Either way, whether you choose the Lap Band or RNY, the end will be the same as long as you use your tool as it should be used. 

I hope this has helped.

Martha

Hi Cathy,

I'm going to have the lap band done at Portsmouth Regional in a couple weeks.
I considered this step for about 2 years before I finally went to an informational session.
I would suggest you start there....they explain both procedures in detail and how/why one might be beneficial over the other.
I went to the meeting in Derry.
If you go to the PRH website and look for weight loss surgery it'll give you the dates and times of the information night.

best wishes

Diane

Thank you so much for your input Diane.  I appreciate all the info I can get.  Congrats and good luck with your surgery!  You must be sooooooo excited!

Cathy