Sioux Falls experiences and Open vs Lap?

Hey, I had the lap band with Dr. OBrien on Dec. 6, 2006. I have lost about 30 lbs. It has taken several fills to get going, so I feel progress has been somewhat slow. Dr. OBrien is very cautious, which I think is a good thing. I am very pleased with him and his office help. I have about 100lbs to lose total. Of course I wi**** would fall off faster, but it is going o.k. now that I have been filled 4 times. I am going to get it tightened up somemore in June. You wait a month or six weeks inbetween fills, so take that into consideration. It takes time to learn to use your band effectively. miss Cindy Orange City

Hi Karen, I had my lap RNY back in 2003 here in Rapid City SD, with Dr Trotter.  I am not familiar with the doc's in SF but there are people from here that have traveled to SF to get theres as right now there is only 1 doc in town that does the gastric bypass but not laposcopically.  Thats why people are traveling to SF to get it.  I have had no regrets with the surgery.  I have lost over 125lbs.  The only drawback so far is I cannot absorp iron or vitamin D.  Not sure why that is, but my doctor is working on it.  I was a poster child thru the whole surgery process, I did have alot nausa right after surgery but after a couple of days its settles down.  Another downfall for me is that I can eats sweets and I have fallen back into drinking cokes (too many of them).  I never had dumping syndrome and any other illness.  Just be sure to follow your doctor's instruction with drinking the proteins shakes etc, that was real helpful to me after surgery.  Hope this helps.  Diana