Information Please!

Hi,

I am new to this forum and have so many questions.

I am making a decision to have the lap band procedure.  My husband is so supportive but is afraid as we have heard so many bad stories from people that have had complications. Would you please share your thoughts?

Would you have the surgery again?
Can you recommend a surgeon in the OKC area?
What complications if any did you have?
What and how much do you eat now?
About how much is the surgery?

Thank you for any information you can give me to help me make my decision and getting past the fear.

Thank you so much!

You sound like I did a few months ago. You have come to the right place. I started out wanting the lap band, but after the seminar at Weight Wise, changed my mind and I now stand firm on picking the Gastric Sleeve. Each person, I think, knows in their heart what they want, but the seminar confirms it in your mind.
I have not had my surgery yet, but will do so in January. There are many on here who will answer all your questions. I just wanted to say welcome and congratulations on your decision to change your life!

Sher

I would have the surgery again (I had a lap band last year).

There are many good surgeons here in OKC, I didn't have my surgery here so I can't recommend anyone first hand.

I've had to have one unfill and one partial unfill.  First time I had the flu, second time I had food poisoning and the vomiting made me too tight.  After the first one, I realized it's not that big of a deal so I didn't wait so long when I needed another unfill.  I go in Monday to "top off my tank".

I eat whatever I want, focusing on solid protein and I can't eat bread (it just doesn't work for my band).

I don't know what the surgery costs now, but inquire about whether or not fills are included for the first year-if they are not, ask how much they will cost.  Getting the right level of restriction is very important, as well as backing off that if you get too tight.  The biggest source of complications with the band result from keeping too tight a fill for too long.  If someone is puking daily-something is wrong with their fill level/skill level and that should be addressed.  Some people can let it go for years, some people don't get away with it at all.  I've been lucky, but I'm also pretty conservative and I'm pretty good about following rules.  

"how much you eat" is misleading cause if I told you you'd say "no way I could live on that" but honestly, I am happier with what I do eat than I ever was prior to WLS.  That's the hard part to wrap your head around, with all the surgeries, you are really truly happy with less.

Welcome to the board and good luck. 

 

Hi, and welcome to Oklahoma OH. Congratulations on your decision to consider WLS. Go to www.obesityhelp.com/member/crickett_1 to read my story.

By reading my story you will see just how against WLS that I was. I would do it again without hesitation. I wish I would have made the decision to have done it sooner. I recommend that you got to www.weightwise.com and search the website. Your next step would be to attend one of the seminars and hear one of the Dr's speak about your WLS options.

I have had no complications and I am almost 10 months post-op. I have lost 123 pounds and feel great. One has to keep in mind that there are risk anytime you have any type of surgery. As well, there are many risk of being morbidly obese.

I can tell you what I do not eat. Bread, rice, pasta, anything with a high sugar content, or anything with a high fat content. I also stay away from foods with high carbs. I also drink no carbonated beverages or alcohol.

The price of a lap band or sleeve is around $12,500. I had the RNY. Everyones needs are different and I believe that the surgery you choose should be your personal choice With that being said, please educate yourself on all your options and I wish you the best of luck. If I can help you in any way don't hesitate to give me a shout.

Rita

Great answer, Rita.  Couldn't have said it better myself!

Hi.
Welcome to the OK forum. The women and men here are GREAT, so supportive! I am a Sleeve pre-op, but I would like to share a few things with you.
I attended the informational seminar at Weight Wise in Edmond, OK. It was SO helpful. I was leaning toward the VSG (sleeve) procedure, and the seminar confirmed it. I didn't want the malabsorption issues with other surgeries, and I did not like the idea of a foreign object being inside me (the band). Although there are exceptions, of course, it appears that, overall, there are fewest complications with the Sleeve, as compared to the other surgeries.
Dr. Walton was the seminar presenter, and I knew when I heard him that he was the doctor for me, and, so far, I have not been disappointed. The entire Weight Wise staff has been so helpful. I have no fears with having surgery, medically-speaking, and I know that the caring staff has much to do with that.
I encourage you to attend a seminar, even if you decide to have surgery elsewhere. There is no obligation, and the information you receive, as well as the opportunity to ask questions while there, will be priceless.
Congratulations, and good luck on your journey.
Blessings,
Mary

Hey there!  I can't answer you questions in regard to lap band because I had the gastric sleeve.  But yes I would have the surgery again in a heart beat and recommend Weight Wise Foundation in Edmond.  They are amazing!!!  Check out the post above this one to see our very own Rita, who works there, on a youtube video talking about her weight lost surgery. 

I had no complications and can eat about  1/2 - 3/4 cup of food more or less depending on if it is soft or not.  The sleeve is $12,000 I think now.

My regret?  That is wasn't available sooner!!!!

Have you attended any seminars?  You probably should plan on attending several and hearing the different surgeons and the different procedures.
1) I most certainly would have WLS again (can't speak to the band as I have the sleeve or VSG)
2) We have several great surgeons in OKC.  I used Walton at Weight Wise in Edmond.  Great surgeon, caring man, great hospital.
3) I have had no complications.  Surgery was very easy for me.  I could have done it as an outpatient.
4) I eat pretty much what I want but in small quantities.  However, I do not eat pasta, rice, breads, and other high carb foods.  I can eat any protein that I have tried.  I am very satisfied with my food choices. Depending on the food I can eat about 1/3- 3/4 cup of food.  More dense proteins like chicken and beef I can eat much less than say cottage cheese.
5) The price depends on the surgeon.  Some are much more expensive than others.

You are supposed to be nervous.  That is normal.  My only regret is that I didn't do this decades ago- too bad it wasn't a choice then.

One thing I'd like to add....When I attended a Seminar a year ago June. I though that there was no way in this world that I could live without ever having a sandwich or soda again! Then to think about no rice or pasta, was just the impossible. One year later to the month, I decided I wouldn't live at all, unless I made sacrafices. Soda, bread, rice and pasta were nothing, compared to my life!
I went to my second seminar and signed up that night. 
I will also tell you that the Doc's at Weight Wise, have very few complications. I only know about their hospital. I think Dr. Walton also said that he has never had a death either. So that is another thing that clinched it for me!