I am just getting started

Hello all my Name is Ty. I am checking things out about the Different kinds of surgerys that I can get..I have noticed that most people get the RNY and not the Lap Band..Why is that? I was thinking of the Lap Band but now that I have read so many people are getting RNY I am now thinking the other way. I am going to a Meeting about the different kinds of surgerys at the end of the month I am sure that I will learn alot there...Pluse my surgen will let me know what he thinks will be best for me..I hope to talk to everyone alot as I go thru this because things are just getting started for me. Congrats to all that I have read so far..I pray for the same results!

Ty. Welcome to our board. Dr. Colquitt was my surgeon, and I had the rny on Jan. 9 Here's a little difference between the lap band and the rny. Rny gastric you are left with a small pouch for a stomach and it's totally cut away from the main stomach. You will lose weight faster and more, and since you can only handle 2-3 bites or 2ozs at a time, you're full you just won't feel it for a while. But if you are full and you try to eat anymore, you will throw up. The lap band, you lose 1-2 lbs a week, you can still eat the same foods that got you obese, just in smaller portions plus you have to have the band filled, which is how the band is tightened, a lot of insurances won't cover the fills and they average $200-900. With the gastric, you are taught how to eat healthy, and learning to eat all over again as a baby. Liquids. then soft, then gradually add more foods in. I can't have beef or pork for 6-12 months. I don't miss them. I will drive an hour to Knoxville to Krogers and buy their ground chicken. No fat, and when made into a burger, you can't tell the difference, I've made spaghetti with it and didn't get sick from it. Ground turkey has a more wild taste to it that I find very unpleasant. I'll give you a little hint, when you are on liquids after surgery, don't get the chicken noodle at the dollar store. The broth is really yellow and looks like melted butter. I will also tell you that the broth at Blount memorial hospital is made from bullion cubes tastes like onions and parsly. Mom would bring me in some broth from chicken noodle, or from vegetable soup. Even the instant meals of romane noodles where you had ho****er and let it set, drink only the broth. It's yummy even broth from pinto beans,high in protein and is good. I'm 4 months out and down 77.5 lbs. With the gastric men can lose 100 in three months, women it takes them about 6 months. I work out three days a week at a rehab in Morristown for 36.20 a month. I have a gazelle at home that I can use for the saddle bags and hips. I haven't been able to do much walking like a treadmill or walk my road which is one mile from my driveway to the end of the road. I have a clot in a surface vein and blood thinners won't affect this. But I have gone from 3x to 18 in shorts and pants, 20-22 in tops. I would never be this far with the lap band as you are expected to lose 1-2 lbs a week, I'm losing 2 lbs a day with the rny. I hope that helps you out some. I've been on this board for 2 years after a year of research. So if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, just put my name in the subject, I'm the only Kathy on this board. Or you can email me. I think Dr. Colquitt is just fantastic. He did my surgery knowing I had just found out that I had leukemia and as long as my blood counts were normal he would do the surgery. Well, they have been in normal range since October. I have to take the pills (chemo) for the rest of my life. So that works against me where my potassium is concerned. It lowers my potassium levels to critical and I have been in and out of the hospital since surgery until 3 weeks ago. I have to have my blood work every week at the cancer center here near me to check my potassium. If it's low, I'm an automatically admitted. You can't go wrong getting Dr. Colquitt, his partner will be assissting and that's Dr. Ray. Dr. Colquitt will put in a central line before surgery and the sleep Dr. is right there, I was asleep before I left the holding room and the next thing I knew it was noon and I was in my room, and at 3pm walking. I have been in a power wheelchair for almost three years, I only take it with now if I am going to wal-marts, or to a flea market. I tire easily from the chemo pills. I wish you much success in your decision as to what surgery you want. It also depends on how much over weight you are. If your BMI is over 50 or you are over 300lbs, I wouldn't go with the lap band. In my opinion you are having this surgery because your weight has gotten out of control, and diets aren't working, then the lap band isn't for you. If you are just 100 lbs over weight, then you can probably lose it with the lap band. I know of several who had the lap band, after 2 years they are back heavier then before and are getting the gastric done. Really listen to what Dr. Ray or Dr. Colquitt has to say at the seminar. always here, Kathy

Thank you soooo Much for the INFO. I am starting to get worried about the Lap Band now that I have read so much about it. Gastric might be better...oh and as for how much weight I need to get off,,,,I need to get 100 pounds off this old body LOL. I am 245 pounds and 5'6 Tall. I am 34 years old. I have a lot of med prob that I and my Doctor think weight loss would help a great Deal. I think that the Gastric might not be for me because to tell you the truth it sounds SCARY! and I have to say I am not good at eating right at all....I just cant seem to get to liking veggies...Fruit I love but that isnt always good...I am going to drive myself crazy thinking about all of this LOL. I am going to the seminar on May 25th I plan to take lots of notes and do alot of praying over the next few months. Thank you so much everyone for your help and understanding. I have to get to work now before I am late. God bless you all and have a wonderful day TY

Good morning Ty, I am a newbie also but I am going to try for the lapband. I have an appointment with my surgeon in Oct,,, much less risk and complicatons ..but all weight loss surgery come with risks .. insurance that covers lap band should also cover the fills for at least one year .. you dont need any more fills afteryou have usually reached your "sweet" spot (one year).. Go to the lap band forum on this website and research the pros and cons of all WLS and then make up your own mind, ask your surgeon and your insurance co. all kinds of questions write donwn any questions you might have and also any fears and discuss them freely . you will soon be informrd !!! it is a long and hard decision for us to finally come to this I know Good luck Arianna

Hello, Thank you for your responce I am going to find out all that I can about lap band and the by pass I will keep everone informed as I go.. Right now I am just waiting to go on May 25th to hear everything I can about everything. I have been reading all of the things that people have to say about having it done and getting it done. Thank you so much. Let me know how things go for you. Good Luck TY ;-)