considering surgery

I am on the fence considering surgery I am really confused and have no clue what I am in for.  I am really scared to give up the lifestyle that I currently have and do not want to stop being who I am, I just want to be a skinny me.  ( I was once)  How have you over come going out to diiner with friends?  Going out for drinks? 

First of all, you're confusion is normal.  WLS isn't for everyone and even if you decide you want it you can feel anxious, nervous and excited all at once.  I spent a year researching it and trying to decide.  It's hard to imagine giving up binge eating (that's what I did) and not having that there for me.

I did what I did for health and for beauty.  I was growing sicker as I got older and, thankfully, wasn't really bad.  But I knew what was coming.  I also wanted to look good.  Like you said, "I just want to be a skinny me."  I was thin plenty of times during my life.   I know what you mean by "skinny me." Going out is no problem.  I didn't for quite a while as I didn't feel well enough postop.  But after the first year (and for many others it's much sooner) I could eat enough to go out.  Like today.  There was a big gathering in a restaurant.  There were 4 entrees to choose from.  I chose steak & eggs.  (Of course, I choose the one w/the most protein).  I ate some of the eggs (no appetizer or dessert for me b/c I knew I'd have no room...but other WLS patients can eat a lot more.  It's very individual) and then took the steak home and had the rest during the afternoon.  That's how I go out.  Always w/a doggie bag. As a matter of fact, no one knows I had WLS.  If they comment on why I eat less, I just say since I lost weight it's just what I do. As for drinks, I gotta admit I didn't drink before WLS and don't now.  I've always been an eater not a drinker .  I do know others who drink, tho.  Some surgeons want you to wait a year others 6 mos.  It's up to your doctor.  Many WLS patients report they get drunk much more quickly than preop, tho, so it's something to watch re: the number of drinks.  Some also say the drunk leaves much more quickly, too, tho.  Again, this is just hearsay.  I don't know from personal experience.

Welcome, Its a big decision to have surgery.  Please do your research and make sure you are ready for a life style change.  I pondered my decision for at least 5 years and I wish I had done it earlier...only because I had such a good result.  Life is different...not a bad different...just different.  Food is not my world anymore.  I used it as a drug to soothe my feelings.  Now I eat for nutriction...very conscience of the quality of what I eat.  As for drinking....I waited six months just to be safe...and I do enjoy a ****tail once in a while (and I won't lie--I was a "partier") but, it isn't a big priority anymore...my health is.  I see people I know who have had the surgery and regress back to bad habits and don't achieve their total goal of a healthy weight.   Ask any questions you might have...the people on here are the best.  The support I receive here is part of the reason I am only 12 pounds from my personal goal.  Good Luck! Rosemary

Thank you both for your responses.  I have an appointment on Wednesday to start the ball rolling.  I leaning heavily on the bypass surgery over the band.  I think that I would do horrible with the banding and not lose the weight needed.  I actually went through all the classes and test about 3 years ago and chickened out.  I think that I would cheat and not do so well with the band.  But I am going to do this for me and my health and make being thin a way of life!!!!

Since you are in the research stages, I would suggest you also look into the VSG and the DS. you only mentioned the Band and RNY (gastric bypass)... those are easy to find, since that's the bulk of the surgeries being performed... mostly due to media.  the Lap Band is an actual PRODUCT, and there are actually TV commercials and magazine ads for it.  the RNY gastric bypass is popular thanks to high-profile patients like Al Roker, Carnie Wilson and possibly Star Jones. From the sound of your first post up above, I think you really owe it to yourself to at least LOOK into the DS and VSG, as they have the most "normal" post-op lifestyle.  Saying that sometimes ruffles the feathers of post-op banders and RNYers.  Not intended to be that way, but it's the truth.  True, many RNYers and some banders have no issues with foods and say they can eat "normally", the reality is that pretty much all WLS has SOME sort of post-op food issues with what they can and can't tolerate... and fact of the matter is, the stomach left by the VSG and DS have the least food issues. Just an FYI: the stomach portion of the DS IS a VSG.... the DS has a malabsorptive component added (intestinal rerouting similar to a VERY DISTAL RNY) to help with extra weight loss and to help maintain that weight loss. Lastly, while what another poster said is true... to check the opinion of unbiased sources like your surgeon... it's very important that if you're going to ask a surgeon about those 4 procedures, make sure that surgeon in fact DOES those 4 procedures.  would you ask the Ford dealer what he thinks of the new Toyotas?  I would think not.  Though he's a "professional", he's biased toward what HE can offer you.  Many surgeons who do not perform DS will severely exaggerate and, in some cases, even make up stuff as to why the DS is "bad" or only reserved for the SMO and SSMO.  Likewise, if a surgeon doesn't do the Lap-Band, they may tell you that they don't do it because it's not as effective or that they don't want problems following up with fills or slippage or general foreign-body issues. don't limit yourself to only two possible procedures just because that's all that's available with your local bariatric surgeon.  It's your life, and your life's improvement we're talking about... don't be afraid to travel an hour or two (or more) if it means having more (or better for you) choices available.  I live upstate just a little west of Albany, and traveled about 3-1/2 hours (4 when my dad drove ) for my surgery and subsequent follow-ups.  I could have had another procedure less than 10 minutes from my house... this local guy is a GREAT surgeon, so nothing against him... but I did my research and decided what procedure I wanted and felt most comfortable with choosing, and the local guy didn't perform it... so I found some who did. That's all I'm saying... look at ALL you have available, and then make the decision that YOU'LL be most comfortable with. Good luck

I have been doing all of my doctors appointments and asking every question that I can think of.  I was dead set on getting the RY surgery but now after reading everything under the sun I am really leaning towards the lap band.  But I have some questions about the weightloss.  I know it is slower than the other surgery but it seems safer.  I do not need to lose 100 lbs or more so I think the safer way would be the band but are you always hungry????  After surgery how long before they fill it??  What if you are starving do they do it quicker?   Does anyone have any other sites that they use to figure this all out because I am soooooo confused now.  It doesn't help that everyone I talk to who hasn't had the surgery says go with the band but everyone who had the RY says don't do the band....   HELP

Debbie,

The reason you hear such conflicting responses from everyone, is that everyone has picked what they considered the best option for their personal situation.  Because they have picked what they felt was the best option for themselves they feel strongly that it is the reason for their success.  What ever surgery you end up choosing, won't you think it's the best if it gets you to your weight loss goal?  You have to look at the options available to you, what is available in your area (or do you want a specific surgery bad enough to travel), look at the pros, cons and long term effects on your lifestyle and pick what you feel is the one that fits you best.  Whatever you choose will be the correct decision.

Make a list of the reason why you want to have weight loss surgery, along with your relationship with food / eating and what type of life style you wish to be living in a year or two from now.  Also make up pro/con lists for each surgery you are considering, using input from people here and from websites.  ie. webmd etc that are more neutral.  Compare the lists and hopefully it will make it clear which surgery is right for you.

Jim