Trying to pick a surgeon and a procedure.....
Hello all,
I am looking into WLS and have some confusion about which procedure and surgeon will be right for me.
At first I was convinced that I wanted a band, but now I'm not so sure. I have found myself leaning toward RNY. I have been to one seminar given by Dr. Gornichec in OKC and plan to attent another seminar with Dr. Lana Nelson in Moore April 19th. My insurance (BCBS/TX) only covers Integris or Norman Regional. I liked Dr. G but upon investigating the program in Norman, I'm very much hoping I will like Dr. Nelson too because I feel like the program in Norman just simply may work better for me.
Anyhow, back to the real issue - RNY or band? One of the main fears I have with any kind of WLS is what it will be like to try and get pregnant afterwards and then lose weight again afterwards. I don't have any kids yet, but desperately want them in the future. I know I have a better chance of getting pregnant and safely delivering a healthy baby if I am at a healthy weight. But of course, the caveat to all that is trying to make sure I am healthy post-op and do not use pregnancy as a way to blow up like a balloon again and gain all the weight back (I know you have to gain some weight during pregnancy, but you all know what I'm getting at).
I know people have successful pregnancies with both procedures, but I would love to hear any advice anyone has on this particluar topic.
I would also like to know how and why you picked your particular type of WLS and how you feel about the aftercare with the surgeon and facility you used. I am so new to all of this and I know it's a HUGE decision, and I want to be sure that I really take my time and make the right choice for me. But I feel one of the only ways to make a good choice is to learn from others who have been through this before and have experiences they can share.
SO - please, please, please - help! If you are someone with an opinion about either procedure, surgeon, or hospital then please share it with this overwhelmed newbie!
Thanks so much!
~Jenny
I am looking into WLS and have some confusion about which procedure and surgeon will be right for me.
At first I was convinced that I wanted a band, but now I'm not so sure. I have found myself leaning toward RNY. I have been to one seminar given by Dr. Gornichec in OKC and plan to attent another seminar with Dr. Lana Nelson in Moore April 19th. My insurance (BCBS/TX) only covers Integris or Norman Regional. I liked Dr. G but upon investigating the program in Norman, I'm very much hoping I will like Dr. Nelson too because I feel like the program in Norman just simply may work better for me.
Anyhow, back to the real issue - RNY or band? One of the main fears I have with any kind of WLS is what it will be like to try and get pregnant afterwards and then lose weight again afterwards. I don't have any kids yet, but desperately want them in the future. I know I have a better chance of getting pregnant and safely delivering a healthy baby if I am at a healthy weight. But of course, the caveat to all that is trying to make sure I am healthy post-op and do not use pregnancy as a way to blow up like a balloon again and gain all the weight back (I know you have to gain some weight during pregnancy, but you all know what I'm getting at).
I know people have successful pregnancies with both procedures, but I would love to hear any advice anyone has on this particluar topic.
I would also like to know how and why you picked your particular type of WLS and how you feel about the aftercare with the surgeon and facility you used. I am so new to all of this and I know it's a HUGE decision, and I want to be sure that I really take my time and make the right choice for me. But I feel one of the only ways to make a good choice is to learn from others who have been through this before and have experiences they can share.
SO - please, please, please - help! If you are someone with an opinion about either procedure, surgeon, or hospital then please share it with this overwhelmed newbie!
Thanks so much!
~Jenny
My surgery isn't until May 5th, but there were a couple of reasons as to why I am going the route that I am.
As far as the Doctor goes, Dr. Nelson isn't the only female Dr. that I have. My PCP is also female, simply for the reason, I believe female Dr.'s listen to you. They try to understand what is going on with you and pay attention to things you say. Never really had that with male Dr.'s. I have heard nothing but wonderful about Dr. Nelson, and after having met her, I can see why people like her. The people in her clinic are excellent, and after one slight hiccup, has been great. Dannette, who is taking care of my case, took over my case about 3/4 of the way through the process and has gotten me caught up with all the process to where I should be. She is OUTSTANDING!! I really appreciate the way she is taking care of me.
Like said, I haven't had the surgery yet, but from what I am told Norman Regional does a great job, and all the nursing staff in the Bariatric section has had specific training in this area.
Regarding what type of surgery.......I chose RNY because I figured I would need the negative reinforcement when I ate or did something I shouldn't. I have had friends that did the lap, but they told me there were ways to get around the purpose of the lap. I suppose the same could be said about RNY I'm sure.
There should be others that will chime in that are much farther along than I am that can give you more insight.
Darrell
As far as the Doctor goes, Dr. Nelson isn't the only female Dr. that I have. My PCP is also female, simply for the reason, I believe female Dr.'s listen to you. They try to understand what is going on with you and pay attention to things you say. Never really had that with male Dr.'s. I have heard nothing but wonderful about Dr. Nelson, and after having met her, I can see why people like her. The people in her clinic are excellent, and after one slight hiccup, has been great. Dannette, who is taking care of my case, took over my case about 3/4 of the way through the process and has gotten me caught up with all the process to where I should be. She is OUTSTANDING!! I really appreciate the way she is taking care of me.
Like said, I haven't had the surgery yet, but from what I am told Norman Regional does a great job, and all the nursing staff in the Bariatric section has had specific training in this area.
Regarding what type of surgery.......I chose RNY because I figured I would need the negative reinforcement when I ate or did something I shouldn't. I have had friends that did the lap, but they told me there were ways to get around the purpose of the lap. I suppose the same could be said about RNY I'm sure.
There should be others that will chime in that are much farther along than I am that can give you more insight.
Darrell
Keep your powder dry.
HW/375- 01/07/10
SW/345- 05/04/10
CW/245
GW/200ish
Well, I can give out my experience from a RNY pregnancy point-of-view~ I had 2 babies after my RNY and none prior to losing the weight. I gained 29 lbs with the first one and just under 10 lbs with the 2nd one. I managed to lose the weight both times after pregnancy and I have been under my doctor's goal since before I was 1 year post-op. I also know people who have had successful lapband pregnancies so it is still a matter of personal choice on which surgery to get. At the time I had mine (August 2004), RNY was the only one covered by my insurance so it was a decision that was pretty much made for me, but I am very happy with my surgery (Over 165 lbs lost and no longer diabetic, no longer have GERD or High Blood Pressure, no longer feel like I'm going to die to climb one flight of stairs, PCOS went into "remission" and I was able to have babies, etc). I don't have experience with either surgeon you are interested in, but I know others will be able to give you their input. I just wanted to let you know that it's entirely possible to have great pregnancy results after WLS. Feel free to message me with any more questions you might have.
~ Renae
~ Renae
~*Renae*~ Open RNY 8/3/04 ** (rockmyskinnyjeans on MFP)
Post-op Mommy x 2 (Krysten 12/1/05 & Tyson 10/3/08) 334/303/136/135
Friend me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/airmansxprincess
I would encourage you to look at the pros and cons of BOTH procedures. Go to the specific surgery forums on here and ask for those that have had each surgery to give you a list of the good and the bad. Not just the sunshine and roses version, but the real day to day life experience.
RNY is to date, the top that you can get for losing weight quickly. It does however have the malabsorption that will make you dependent on supplements for your life (though there is new research that is showing that malabsuprtion only latest for several years and then they DO start absorbing again). There is also the reforming of a pouch and the bisecting of bowls that are then reattached to your new pouch with your old stomach left inside of you. There is dumping on certain foods and also foods getting stuck if not chewed til liquefied.
The band is the least change to your internal organs. It is the shortest (that I have heard) of the surgeries. You do however have to have the band adjusted to offer the most comfortable and greatest resistance. There have been many issues sited with the band as far as slipping, being embedded and the port flipping, slipping and quite extensive scar tissue around both the port and band. As with the RNY you do as well have the issues of food getting 'stuck'. Chewing food til liquefied is a MUST.
Consider the recovery time for each one. Ask people about hair loss and getting in enough protein and water daily. Ask how hard it is to find good supplements and how sensitive your pouch is to certain foods afterwards. Ask how it feels to have the incorrect fluid in your band. Ask how it feels having an adjustment and having a foreign object in your body.
I'd totally go to a support group that the center you are considering having your surgery done through and speak to the post-op patients and ask them for how the felt afterward and the recovery time. Which surgeon did their surgery and how the felt about the staff, and care and the surgeon's bedside manner.
And get familiar with BOTH surgeries. Don't leave it up in the air. Get you some concrete medical information on each. The good, and the bad. The high points and the low ones.
Best wishes and good luck on your journey!! Information is power and you need all you can get before you place your life and body in another person's hands!!
*big hugs*
RNY is to date, the top that you can get for losing weight quickly. It does however have the malabsorption that will make you dependent on supplements for your life (though there is new research that is showing that malabsuprtion only latest for several years and then they DO start absorbing again). There is also the reforming of a pouch and the bisecting of bowls that are then reattached to your new pouch with your old stomach left inside of you. There is dumping on certain foods and also foods getting stuck if not chewed til liquefied.
The band is the least change to your internal organs. It is the shortest (that I have heard) of the surgeries. You do however have to have the band adjusted to offer the most comfortable and greatest resistance. There have been many issues sited with the band as far as slipping, being embedded and the port flipping, slipping and quite extensive scar tissue around both the port and band. As with the RNY you do as well have the issues of food getting 'stuck'. Chewing food til liquefied is a MUST.
Consider the recovery time for each one. Ask people about hair loss and getting in enough protein and water daily. Ask how hard it is to find good supplements and how sensitive your pouch is to certain foods afterwards. Ask how it feels to have the incorrect fluid in your band. Ask how it feels having an adjustment and having a foreign object in your body.
I'd totally go to a support group that the center you are considering having your surgery done through and speak to the post-op patients and ask them for how the felt afterward and the recovery time. Which surgeon did their surgery and how the felt about the staff, and care and the surgeon's bedside manner.
And get familiar with BOTH surgeries. Don't leave it up in the air. Get you some concrete medical information on each. The good, and the bad. The high points and the low ones.
Best wishes and good luck on your journey!! Information is power and you need all you can get before you place your life and body in another person's hands!!
*big hugs*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ~Michael Jordan
My Goals:
1) 200lbs ACCOMPLISHED
3) 170lbs
4) Run 5K
"Unneeded food is not any less wasted in a body that doesnt need it, than it is in the trash." ~Brandilynn
"Those that will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." ~William Penn
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ~Michael Jordan
My Goals:
1) 200lbs ACCOMPLISHED
3) 170lbs
4) Run 5K
"Unneeded food is not any less wasted in a body that doesnt need it, than it is in the trash." ~Brandilynn
"Those that will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." ~William Penn
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
All,
WOW thank you so much. You have each offered me such a unique perspective and useful information. I can't thank you enough for that.
Darrell, I agree with your theory about female MDs. My GYN is a woman and one day I went into her office with my bottom blood pressure number at 100. She immediately went into action. When I told my male PCP about the referrals she set-up for me, he told me that was silly and that I should just come see him. I was apalled. He is unfortunately still my PCP and I'm scared to death about what he's going to say when I tell him I want surgery, but I guess the good news is he doesn't have to be my PCP and I can find someone else if need be.
Ladies, thanks so much for giving me insight into post-op pregnancy as well as the importance of doing your homework beforehand. I spent a ton of time on lap band forums and blogs, finding everything I could. Now I'm doing the same with RNY. It really pays to look at both sides of the coin, I think.
Anyway, thank you all for replying, it just makes me so overwhelmed when people who don't know you take the time to really try and help you. What can I say? I'm a sappy, sentimental girl!
WOW thank you so much. You have each offered me such a unique perspective and useful information. I can't thank you enough for that.
Darrell, I agree with your theory about female MDs. My GYN is a woman and one day I went into her office with my bottom blood pressure number at 100. She immediately went into action. When I told my male PCP about the referrals she set-up for me, he told me that was silly and that I should just come see him. I was apalled. He is unfortunately still my PCP and I'm scared to death about what he's going to say when I tell him I want surgery, but I guess the good news is he doesn't have to be my PCP and I can find someone else if need be.
Ladies, thanks so much for giving me insight into post-op pregnancy as well as the importance of doing your homework beforehand. I spent a ton of time on lap band forums and blogs, finding everything I could. Now I'm doing the same with RNY. It really pays to look at both sides of the coin, I think.
Anyway, thank you all for replying, it just makes me so overwhelmed when people who don't know you take the time to really try and help you. What can I say? I'm a sappy, sentimental girl!
I choose the rny surg because i was 365 lbs and I had almost 200lbs i needed to lose....Dr g in tulsa set down and talked to me and told me that with my size and how much wt i needed to lose and the fact I had severe pcos than he felt that the rny wls would be best for me and he was right...i have lost almost 160 lbs and i am only a little over a year post op and i have less than 40 lbs to go till i hit my wt loss goal
HW365 day surg 345
Goal wt 175
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