New to it all!

Hi there...
I'm Missy from Rowlett,Texas. I went to my first seminar on bariatric surgery. I went in there wanting the lap band. I came away thinking maybe I needed the gastric bypass. I am 5'5" 232 lbs. I have Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure. I am scared to death. I have to wait 3 months per my insurance before the surgery but anixety has already set in! Is there a good book or site someone can recommend for help in deciding? I have looked through this site and been very impressed with amount of information. I know it comes back to what I feel comfortable with but I need some more guidance. I only know 2 girls that have had lap but I don't know anyone who has had the gastric bypass. What were some of your deciding factors as to which procedure you chose? Thank you so much for any help I get!

Just like you I went in thinking I was going to get a lapband.  I had to wait 6 months per my insurance.  During that 6 months I realized that the band wasn't the way to go for me.  I talked with my surgeon and did research online and with my health issues the RNY was what I needed.  I needed something that would last a lifetime.   I too was diabetic.  I was on 3 injections and 12 pills a day for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesteral.    I haven't had ANY meds since the day before my surgery.  My BP this week was 108/67.  My fasting blood sugar was 76 and my cholesteral was 157.

I can only tell you what this surgery did for me.  I was terrified of having it but it has truely saved my life. 

My pre-op health situation was similar to Teena's, but without the high blood pressure.  I too am now off all diabetes meds, although it took me a little longer than most RNY patients (about 6 months) to get to that point.  My fasting glucose this morning was 112 -- woo hoo!

Why I chose RNY over lap band:

(1)  Lap band doesn't cause dumping syndrome.  Dumping is GOOD, in my opinion, because it discourages consumption of simple sugars and other junk foods I love.  I don't have severe dumping symptoms like some people do, but sweets make me feel crappy enough that I am definitely learning to think twice before consuming them.

(2)  Lap band means there is a foreign object left in your body (the band itself) plus a port, for the fills, left on the outside of your abdomen.  Didn't care for any of that, and didn't want the hassle or expense of the periodic fills.

(3)  I wanted the "double whammy" of restriction plus malabsorption.  (And I knew I would be compliant with my vitamins, to counteract the dangers of the malabsorption.)  Lap band creates restriction only.

(4)  The most common need for revisional WLS occurs in lap band cases, and the most common revision of lap band is to RNY.  I thought, Why not just do "the gold standard" of WLS in the first place?

I've seen many people on OH.com sing the praises of lap band.  It works well for them.  I'm not knocking it.  I'm just telling you why I chose the WLS I chose.  I love my RNY.  I have never had one moment's complication from my surgery and am over the moon with the results.  I think the keys are choosing a highly experienced surgeon and then being 100% committed to following the post-op rules.

I agree with you Lorelei_Lee.  I too went to a seminar thinking about the Lapband, but after a lot of research decided I needed something to prevent me from CHEATING myself.  I didn't want to be able to eat that piece of candy and act as though I didn't.  I needed something to keep me on track.  So, I decided to do the RNY.  I am afraid to eat that candy because I don't want the dumping so I don't eat it.  It really keeps in in check. 
Also, the weight comes off faster with the RNY than with the Lapband.  I have a friend who did the Lapband 6 months ago and has only lost 30lbs.  I had my RNY last month and have lost 28 lbs so far.  Big difference in the time span. 
I wouldn't change my decision if I could. 

DeborahL.

I knew from the get go that it was going to be the lapband or nothing for me and I have never regretted it!!!!  My doctor did talk to me about RNY but once he knew I had my mind made up he dropped it.  I have been what I would consider successful with my band.  However it isn't for everyone.  It requires more work on your part then other forms of WLS.  You have to keep up on your fills and watch what you eat.  Weight loss will also be slower with a band.  If I found out tomorrow that I had to lose my band... although it's been very good to me I would opt to get the sleeve.  Have you checked into that as an option???  I wish you the best in making your decision... it's not an easy one to make with so many options out there!

 Hi Missy.    I had a gastric bypass almost 4 yrs ago.   I have lost 140 lbs.   I too went to my surgeon's seminar wanting lap band till I found out that you could "cheat the  band" so to speak by eating slider foods.    Slider foods are usually high calorie foods that slide down past the band.....such as candy, milk shakes, pudding and high calorie desserts.   Also I found out that if you eat those things with the RNY you will get dumping syndrome and get very sick....not to forget to mention the added cost of the fills for the band.   I agree 110% with Paige too....I would look into the VSG ( sleeve ).   You can go to any of the surgery messageboards and ask many questions to the people there....trust me...they WILL answer your questions.    Congrats on your decision to have WLS.    Every surgery is not a "perfect fit " for everyone.   DO your research.....good luck.  If i can help you any please don't hesitate to PM me.   


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian