WLS - How did you decide?

Hello all,

I am currently in the process of going through the insurance "hoops" in hopes of having WLS. I chose Dr. Joseph Cribbins as my surgeon, due to insurance reasons and also based on good reviews that I read. At my initial consult, I very much wanted gastric bypass. He mentioned though that he'd be hesitant to do gastric on me because I am bipolar and take daily medications. I also take medications for fibromyalgia and chronic pain due to three torn discs in my back. Still, I stated that I felt gastric was what I thought would be best for me. However, after learning more about issues with medications and malabsorption, I began leaning hard toward Lap Band. At my last visit with Dr. Garza, the weight loss coordinator, she had the bariatric coordinator have my file changed to state that I wanted Lap Band rather than the gastric. (I had talked about this with Dr. Garza a little in my previous two visits). 

Now I'm feeling scared, confused and a lot like I have not been educated enough by the doctor's office. I've heard great reviews about them, and so far everyone I've been in contact with there has been extremely nice, especially the nurse. She's great. But, it seems as though they've given me just a bit of information and left me to make the decision on my own. Please don't get me wrong, I fully realize this is MY decision to make in the end. I just feel there should have been more guidance. I've been reading as much as I can on the two procedures, and just in the past 24 hours I've learned things that I was not aware of and that I was not told about. I am so completely worried and confused now that I just don't really know what to do.

So to those of you that have had WLS, how did you make the decision on which procedure was best for you? Did you make the decision with your physician, or on your own? Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks :)

I did a lot of checking on the different types of WLS.  When I went to my first seminar, I was leaning towards Lapband.  But, after the seminar I did some checking and discovered that Lapband wasn't for me.  I chose to do the RNY or gastric bypass.  I too have fibromyalgia, but, since my surgery, it has calmed way down.  I no longer need my meds for it.  I also HAD high blood pressure, now I don't.  My arthritis has calmed down since starting to lose a lot of the weight.  I have back problems, but I crush my pills or cut them into little tiny pieces.  With gastric bypass you can't take ibuprofen, and some other Nsaids as they cause irritation to the pouch. Check around on the other types of surgeries also before you decide.  There are several surgeries available.  The verticle gastric maybe an option for you.  
I don't know if this has helped you any, but I love my RNY and wouldn't change even if I could.  

Best Wishes,
DeborahL. 

hi.
well FOR ME. i made the decision with my surgeon, however, i came in armed about why the lap band woudlnt be a good choice for me. He agreed quickly and recommended the bypass. 
My main reasons were/are i am a sugar aholic.  Seriously.. i have NO self control/willpower when it comes to sugar and im a great addict. I can find a way around every diet i have tried.  To that end. i was afraid that with the band (it does restriction on volume only) i knew i would be the one drinking 800+ cal milkshakes, melted bluebell, etc You get the picture.
I had the bypass. i have lost 214+lbs. Ive gone from a size 34W to a size 10/12. Sat nights dinner i wore my size 10 jeans, sat on the coffee table cross legged, posed my big self on said table etc.  I dump like a big dog on a VERY small amount of sugar. Thats a good thing for me.  it keeps me in check like you woudlnt believe. I accidentially grabbed Kris' coffee the other night when i left her house. She called me 2 blocks away frantic going dont drink it, you will be sick by the time you are 1/2 way home!!!!! I was grateful she called, coz she was right.
Speaking of Kris, she and her hubs  both of the band and have rocked it like you woudlnt believe, as has Monica and several others here. I am not against the band, i just that FOR ME, it wasnt the best choice. Also, i was self pay so this was a one shot deal, and i dont have the kinda lifestyle where i can get a fill when i need one etc.
So my advice, is get VERY educated on each surgery and make the decision with your surgeon. Yes i malabsorb meds, but have worked iwth my docs, upped dosings when needed, changed some meds (any that were XR or whatever) and im perking pretty good. 
Good luck.
Liz

LIZ...

YOU SUGAR CONTROL HAS GOTTEN MUCH BETTER..

AFTER ALL..I;M SWEET ANDYOU RESIST ME JUST FINE (GRIN)

my insurance offered one choice and one choice only and that was a by pass - I think knowing myself I would have gone for that anyhow   - to ME most peeps that work their band do not have huge amounts of wiegh to loss (chris and David being total exceptions to that and both doing awsome) I know others who have done good with it and many who haven't but with bypass you have to be ready  - you could be like Liz who dumps if she smells something too sweet or like Steph who can eat it all day and never dump - or somewhere in the middle like me - I can do some sugar and some fat but not a lot of either- and never together

my life as an army wife does not leave me where I could easly get fills - we move and change docs a LOT

ask about the after care - will they do it or send you out - will you move- what are your goals - streanths and weaknesses (you don't have to tell us or even 100% your doc but you MUST BE 100% HONEST WITH YOUR SELF) evaluating that will help you find what is best for you -

I would call and ask if you can schedule a condult with either the doc or the baratric educator and make it for a 30 min apt - have a list of all your concerns and  everything you have been able to find out about any and all wls and take the time (and make the doc) take the time to explain to you what is what and what will work best for you -

I personally suck at follow though - I would put off getting fills for ages if I was banded just b/c that is my personality - I also had 250 pounds to lose - 215 of it is gone and has been for 2 yrs now and I am ok with not losing the rest - I guess LOL  - I am smaller and a lot healthyer than ever before in life that is for sure

wls is a VERY personal desion - both to have it and what kind -

peace
danni

 My insurance would only pay for the RNY GB and not lapband.....I did originally wanted the lapband but after I heard more about it in the Surgeon's seminar....I decided that RNY was best for me.     You have to be way too disiplined for the Lapband to work for you and I knew that there was no way.   I loved sweets way too much to be a success with that surgery and my insurance wouldn't cover it so that was that.    Have you looked into the VSG....that is a awesome surgery and I do believe that some insurance co. are now covering it.    Good luck to you in your decision.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

HEY MOMMA...HOWS IT SHAKING???

 LOL  Russ.....Where have you been?????  MIA !!!!   I must say !!!!  Ha Ha...poet and didn't know it.   LOL   I have been at a college with my youngest son today getting all his finances squared away.   Nothing more to make ya feel old that the last baby in the nest going to college.    How has life been treating you????  Hopefully well.   Are you coming to Big D for the OH Conference Sept 25 - 26???  So good to see you here on the TMB from time to time.   We miss your humor !!!!


Hugs and blessings ~~ Vivian

Thank you all for the replies.

One of the main things that has me worried about Lap Band vs. gastric is the fact that I really, really, really love sweets. If I can eat them, I will. I do not have the willpower to just stop eating them.

It's all so very frustrating :(