My Consult yesterday Lap Band vs RNY

Here's more of my rambeling!  I just want some additional opinions!  Thanks for reading!  I have been researching on RNY for a LONG time.  I feel like I understand the pros and cons.  But when I went to Dr. G yesterday he said I was a good candidate for RNY but it was riskier then Lap Band. 

He also said that since I had GERD that RNY was a good option.  The sleeve, what I would prefer, is not for those with GERD, or acid reflux.  It causes it.  So I just feel that RNY would be best for me.  I have heard good and bad with the band and with RNY.  I don't know anyone personally who has had the band.  I do have friends that have had RNY.  They are all doing very well. 

Another thing that worries me is my iron level.  He told me yesterday that my iron was VERY low.  Normal is 40 - 100 my iron level was 45.  He said its at the VERY low end of normal and that has to get up there before surgery too.  I have read that after RNY people have a lot of problems with Iron.  I am taking an iron pill now along with my b50. 

He said I had metabolic syndrome.  Which I found that out when I went to his seminar.  People with metabolic syndrome have a harder time losing weight on their own.  But losing weight is what cures them.  GO FIGURE!  I just want to be healthy. 

He told me that my fills would be timeley with the band.  He mentioned that I drive 2 hours for a fill and drive 2 hours home and get home and not be able to keep anything down.  Then the next day I would be driving back. 

He said the mortality rate with RNY is 1 in 300. (I wanted to ask him what number I was?)  And the mortality rate with the Band is 1 in 2000.  He also said that lap band was there for life and I have read that it isn't.  He said that over 10 years the lap band catches up with RNY but do I have 10 years?  He told me the way I was going I would take 10 years off of my life and in 3 years I WOULD for sure have diabetes.  He said I pretty much have it now!  My fasting sugar level was 120 I think.  He said that's too high.  I have lost 4 lbs since Oct 27.  I'm going to lose 10 more lbs before Dec 16.  I hope I can.  I will be doing this over my HUNGRIEST months!  LOL!  I love Thanksgiving.  I will just  plan on only eating for 1 day and then back on my diet! 

In all of my rambeling I still feel that the RNY is best for me.  I just don't want to die!  I don't want complications.  If I have a lot of complications and I'm sick a lot I will lose my business.  I already have parents complaining because I have to be off again for Dec 3 and 4.  I understand they depend on me and they need me to work.  I NEVER don't work just because I want a day off.  I usually am sick or I have a Dr. apt.  I do take vacations but I have done this for 9 years I earn my 2 weeks vacations!  LOL!  I take a week in the summer and a week between Christmas and New Years.

If RNY and Lap Band are your only 2 options, and considering your work situation, I'd go with the RNY. Please don't let fear dominate. You know there are risks with any WLS, and there are risks of complications. However, I truly believe that you would come through with flying colors. I know you, and you will be the model patient of whichever surgery you choose, and that helps one avoid all but the oddest complications (ones which seldom happen). Please don't let fear stand in the way of you getting your life back. Your parents would be even more upset if you died from health issues. You can do this, Kim. Of course, it has to be your decision, and I will support you no matter what you decide.
Blessings,
Mary

Mary, Thanks for your kind words!  I'm not so much letting fear dominate!  At least I'm trying not too.  I have prayed about this so long and so hard that I feel comfortable with it...Or I felt more comfortable until I saw the Dr. yesterday.  I wasn't worried much at all.  I know there are risks.  I just more or less wanted the opinion of the banders because I don't know any banders personally.  I do know people who have had the RNY. 
Dr. Gornichec was very professional when I saw him but he explained the risks.  I know I can't expect him to operate on me without talking about the risks but I guess it brought it all back. 
I have my mind made up...I guess I just needed the extra opinion of the banders just to be SURE!  (does that make sense!)
Thanks for your help!  I appreciate your support!  I have great support on here!
Hugs
Kim

Kim, first let me say that I think Dr. G's mortality rate is off on the RNY. If his numbers are that bad, that is scarey to me.  Dr. Katsis mortality rate is 1 in 1000. In all the things that I have read more people die from C-sections than they do from RNY. I was afraid last time I started the whole pre-op process and that is why I let my family talk me out of it. I have looked at it this way....If it is my time to die then I will die whether I have had surgery or not. Just my personal opinion there.  I am a diabetic and have metabolic syndrome as well. I am having the RNY because I want my health issues reversed. I know 1 person that is a good friend that has had the lapband and she has lost 50 pounds in 11 months. She hasn't lost anything for the last 3 months and DR Gorospe told her she has probably reached the max that she is going to lose. She has to go get a fill every month to maintain this 50 pound loss. She has told me if she new the lapband was going to be that much maitenance she would have opted for the RNY.  I personally want to lose the weight faster and more of it. That is 2 of the reasons for my RNY decision. I know you will make the right decision for you. If you are a praying person then pray about it and seek your answer from God. I prayed for peace about my decison if it was what I was supposed to do and I have found that peace unlike the last time. So, I hope I have helped in some way. YOu will make the right decision. Good luck and I will be saying prayers for yo u.
Emily

Thanks Emily!  I agree with everything you said!  I am still going with the RNY because I just feel for all the same reasons you said that I would benefit the most from RNY.  And my surgeon even said I was a good candidate for it.  I just think the opinions of different surgeons on Lap Band is so extream I had to briefly consider it.  Dr. Gorsope isn't wanting to do them anymore.  But again that is his Opinion and Dr. Gornichec has a different one. 
I'm DEFINATELY a praying person and I feel like this is going to be ok.  Like you said if its my time, I'll miss everyone but It'll be my time! 
Thanks for your supporting words!
Hugs
Kim

I see, Kim. I think Debra and Pattye, here, both have a lap band. It might be helpful to lurk on the Lab Band forum, to read about any issues, complications, etc.
For me, I couldn't stand knowing I had that thing in me. Plus, spending hundreds of dollars for each fill wouldn't be fun.
Just pray about this again. I have a feeling you'll go back to your original choice--RNY.
Blessings,
Mary

The fact that you are borderline diabetic would be clue number one that RNY would be the best choice. Even though I am sure you value your surgeons suggestions, it HAS to be your decision and what you think would be best for you.

Sorry to sound opinionated and grouchy, but is the 1 in 300 deaths his record or overall? I know of surgeons that have done waaaay more than 300 surgeries and no one has died, so kind of makes me think there. Although I have heard a lot of good things about your surgeons!! He was actually recommended to me by my pcp, but since I thought my pcp was an idiot, I did not follow his recommendation.

Good luck to you in making this decision, but make sure you follow your gut instinct and what truly would work best for you in the long run!

Anna

Anna,
I don't think you sound grouchy or opinionated.  I asked for opinions!

I'm sure, I just had to ask!  I'm just over--analyzing again!  LOL!
Thanks for your opinion and support!
Hugs
Kim

Hey Kim!!!!Yes, this is a personal decision. I had struggled with this decision before having my surgery. I was all one way toward the band, then the next week I switched to RNY and back and forth. I finally decided that I needed to go for what it was that I needed and decided RNY was it cuz it had the restriction that I would need and the malabsorption. My weight also played into my decision and didnt want to take four years to get down or maybe not even get close. The sugar factor was another, I love sugar, but I knew that would be under control with RNY. Whichever decision you make, do not mix it with fear and let fear cheat you out of what you need to gain your life back. Pray about it and see what God says to you about it. Whichever decision, I will be here to support you. U go gurl!! Now for a happy dance moment just for you lol

LaDetra

Listen to you!  You are still recovering and you are here helping me out!  Thats a friend!  I'm ok with my decision!  I know It will be ok!  I have come so far I just had that thought...YOu know!  I'm gonna be ok!
Thanks!
You take care of yourself!
Hugs
Kim