How do you decide?

Hey Jody. First, do your research. This site is a decent start, but branch out. Find professional articles, etc. and talk to people who have had the various procedures. I'd say your absolute best bet is to attend a seminar given by a surgeon who does a variety of procedures. They are most likely to give you an unbiased opinion. As far as the boards on OH, visit the main boards for a good idea about RNY, talk to some DSers on the duodenal switch board or at www.duodenalswitch.com (a great source of information on the DS) and visit the LapBand board and talk to some of those folks. Really weigh the pros and cons of the procedures and the quality of weight loss, maintenance, and quality of life they offer. An informed, educated decision is vital in choosing a procedure you will be happy with. For some people, a big part of the decision is insurance coverage and location of the surgeon. For some, the type of procedure they have is most important to them and they are willing to travel and sometimes even self-pay in order to have the procedure they feel is best for them. I hope this helps. Feel free ask any questions.

Amy, Way to go and wonderful advice! It is soooo important to research ALL of the procedures and talk a few people who have had each type of WLS. We are all looking for the same end result no matter the surgery type- to loose the weight to be healthier. What is the right type of surgery for one person isn't right for the next. I applaude you for not falling into the my surgery is better than your surgery mentality. Trisha banded:10/11/05 8 months 4 days post-op down -62 pounds 65 more to loose to be at my personal goal of 150 lbs.

Hey Jody, Amy gave you wonderful advice. Please go to each surgery forum and talk to a few people on each forum about their surgery and what kinds of successes or failures they have had with their surgery type. Ask them what the biggest lifestyle changes were that they had to make. What things have happened that they were/weren't prepared for post-op. Do your research and find out the worst case scenario for each surgery type. You have to research, research and then research some more on each type of surgery and make an informed decision on what type of surgery will suit YOU best. Every type of surgery has pros and cons, they all have risks and you have to weigh all of those pluses and minuses and decide what you personally think is right for you. Please don't let anyone tell you that their surgery is better than another type. What is right for one person may not work well for another. We all have the same goal - to loose weight and be healthier. Trisha down -62 pounds, 8 months and 4 days post-op 65 more to loose to meet my personal goal of 150 lap band placed 10/11/05 I would do it again tomorrow if I had to do it over again. This is what was right for me and I have been successful with it.

Jody, Make sure you get HONEST and accurate information for a SURGEON who has unbiased opinions, it could literally be between life and death. NEVER TAKE ASK WHAT SURGERY TO GET FROM ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS PATIENT...or FROM THIS SITE....always get the FACTS from a surgeon that will give you an unbiased choice and you make the choice that YOU can live with FOREVER....personally I did not want to be sick daily on the dumping when eating food I just did not want to take that chance, it is UNNECESSARY, when the lap-band is just as effective, I will ALWAYS have my TOOL, the key to the lap band is it is adjustable, don't beleive what this poster who has the RNY just told you she is INCORRECT, you don't need to have another operation just to get a fill done, my fills only take about 5 minutes and they are pretty painless, similar to a simple shot, I am 8 months out from surgery and has lost 93 pounds, NO complications so far(knock on wood) and I can still eat sweets in moderation without being sick, I eat and live normal only just small amounts.... Always get the procedure YOU can live with long term, I did want my insides re-arranged, some people need to be sick to lose weight and keep themselves from eating sweets I did not need all that, I just needed a tool to keep my ports teeny and helps me get full quick, I eat like a 5 year old and love it..... BTW: my insurance paid for my surgery 100 percent for my surgery, I did not have to pay a dime, so it is NOT experimental...please research, research and learn the truth on all procedures before making a decision.... This may be helpful to you, my surgeon provides these to his patients... Gastric Bypass Advantages ? Rapid initial weight loss ? Minimally invasive approach is possible ? Longer experience in USA ? Minimal diet restrictions ? "Dumping syndrome" can occur Disadvantages ? Cutting and stapling of stomach and bowel is required ? Portion of digestive track is bypassed, reducing absorption of essential nutrients ? Nonadjustable ? Higher mortality rate than LAP-BAND System or VBG procedures ? Technically complex ? Extremely difficult to reverse LAP-BAND System Advantages ? 10x safer than Gastric Bypass* ? Adjustable - customized per patient ? Least invasive option ? No stomach stapling, cutting or intestinal rerouting ? Reversible ? Lowest operative complication rate - no leaks ? Low malnutrition risk ? Satiety-inducing procedure ? OR time = 1 hour or less ? Overnight hospital stay in most cases ? Disadvantages ? Less clinical experience in the United States ? Implant ? Lack of long-term data ? Some dietary restrictions ? Routine follow-up required ? Slower rate of weight loss

Good Luck with your decision...I know Im thrilled with mine! Bonnie LapBand -116lbs

My surgeon decided based on my bmi, my co-morbidities, and my goals. Also, I knew I didn't want the band and my surgeon didn't perform that surgery anyway so that narrowed it down a bit. The best thing to do is talk to your surgeon, he/she will have the best medical advise and be able to make the best recommendation based on your history and goals.

Make informed decisions. Not all physicians are correct, nor do they all have a patient's best interest in mind. The best person to look out for me is me. Go to the publication page at the ASBS website. You will read article after article about making a profit, and how most decisions are made in the interest of the hospital. The intention of this response was not to question anyone's decision, but hopefully influence others to read the research and make their own informed decisions.

I didn't mean to imply that I didn't make an informed decision. I did do all the research not only on the procedure but also on my doctor and I fully feel that he did have my best interest as his top consideration. I went in and discussed several procedures with him and not only does he require more extensive pre-operative testing and counseling than any other doctor in my area, he has the highest success and survival rates and the lowest complication rates in the area, not to mention the absolute lowest mortality rate. He has only lost ONE wls patient in almost 25 years of performing wls and that was due to a PE. He also does a high number of procedures so I am confident that I was comparing apples to apples. I doubt that the hospital made much of a profit off my surgery after the insurance adjustments were made. I didn't have to pay any of the $66K hospital bill out of pocket because my out of pocket maximum was reached with all the pre-operative testing that was required by my surgeon. The only requirements my insurance company had, which I met with ease, were that I had a BMI over 40 and at least one co-morbidity. I understand and appreciate that you want everyone to be informed and make an informed decision, that is why I suggested that she speak with her surgeon. And if you don't believe your surgeon has your best interests as a top priority, I would suggest that you find another surgeon.

Toni, my post wasn't in response to your post... it was just fine. I was responding to someone who said talk to a SURGEON not another WLS patient... because I do think that both what surgeons and WLS patients have to say is very valuable.

As a lapbander, i echo all the comments above. It it YOUR decision, do YOUR research but make sure it is from medical sources not just from other people's opinions (whether for or against lapband). I made my decision based on scientific reports. I am delighted with the outcome and never seriously considered anything other than lapband. I would never dream of giving you information about other procedures - I don't know enough (in Europe, many surgeons prefer lapband for medical reasons and have done so for many years so that is the surgery we tend to know more about). I would hate to feel responsible for someone making a decision about such a major issue. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Kate