How will I know....

Ok....HELP!!!! How will I know which surgery is right? I am in the researching stage right now. I am just sooooo confused!!!! I was decided on Lap band only but then I read statistics about maintenance of weight loss. Granted, not a lot is known about lap band right now but still it is scary. On the other other hand RNY is not a fix either. People can gain all the weight back if they don't make the appropriate lifestyle changes. So you eithermake the lifestyle change with the Lap band up front or you make it down the road with RNY? IS this correct? I am just really upset about all of this. Why can't it just be an easy decision? I am going to the infromation session next week and I know that Dr. Bour is going to push RNY (he pushes this because he has had more success with patients). HELP!!!! Any advice is appreciated!!!!

I am going for my consult with Dr. Byrne at MUSC on June 15. I researched RNY for about a year straight. I had nightmares and anxiety attacks just about every day. I felt like I was forcing myself to accept this even though I was not 100% sure with the decision. After much thought and soul searching, I realized that with two little girls that I just could not risk it. I figured since noone around here offered lap-band that I would just have to be fat forever. Now MUSC is starting with the lap-band and I can't wait. My advice to you is to click on the forums link and go to both the RNY and the Lap-band sites. Many people who choose RNY have more severe health conditions than I have and need immediate weight loss. You are the ultimate decider. Noone on a website should influence you on this MAJOR decision in your life. I knew lap-band was right when I realized I could sit here and not have panic attacks and I feel 100% about it. I hope you get there in your own time and research everything!! Good luck and God Bless.

Long term success with either procedure depends on commitment and lifestyle changes. Weight will come off faster in the beginning for RNY patients because of the malabsorption issues and dumping syndrome when you choose the wrong foods. Only you can make the decision for yourself. Listen and ask questions at the informational session and do plenty of research. Everyone has a different situation. You are the only one that knows yours. I chose RNY, but I was completely at peace with my decision when I went into surgery. I hope that whatever you decide, you will have the same peace. Kathy

Hi Rachel! It is a decision that only you can make. When I was making my decision, I had no question that RNY was the right choice for me. I looked at my past diet history of failures. I looked at the fact that I could eat all day long without stopping. I knew that I needed the added benefit of the malabsorption factor with RNY. During my many diet attempts in the past I would cheat with sugary, high fatty foods and always tell myself that tomorrow I would get back on track and do right. Only tomorrow never came. I know that there is a very good chance that I will dump if I eat those foods now and I have NO desire to try at this point and hope I never do. It is a hard decision to make. I hope you are able to come to a decision that you are happy with. We are having a support meeting next Thursday at Jason's Deli in Greenville. There will be several of Dr. Bour's patients there. PLease come!! You will have several people right there that you can ask all the questions your heart desires. We are there to help each other get through this fantastic, life changing event. PLease come, I think it will help you find some peace on your journey!! Melissa

Thanks for all the invites to Jason's Deli but I am teaching summer school this summer. I may want to attend one in the future so please keep me posted. Thanks so much!!! Rachel