Some advice

I have been doing a lot of research about the different surgery options that are available by going to UVA. I talked to the person in charge of filing the insurance information today... during our conversation he suggested I know which surgery I am considering so he could know where to head with the insurance info... I am 80% sure I want the gastric bypass due to the horror stories I have read about the the band slipping, no weight lose and having to go back and have the gastric bypass. I am looking for others advice on how they made the decision?  I need to lose around 160 pounds to be at my goal weight. I did not know if the amount of weight has anything to do with which procedure is best.  I have read many many facts on the pro's and con's of both. I also plan on talking about this when I meet the surgeon... just trying to get collect all the info and advice possible. I did learn today both are covered my insurance

Thanks for the help, this board has been so helpful.

check out the Vertical Sleeve gasterectomy.   You may want to check to see if your insurance will cover it.      VSG's do not have the issues with malabsorption that others surgeries do.    Based on my surgeons findings we have less issues to post op too. 

I do know they do not cover the sleeve. It sounds like they only have two options the lap band or bypass. How did you decide what was right for you? I really feel right now that I am interested in the bypass. My concern is that I have two small children and want to make sure I am around to raise them. I was told by a friend that the death rate for the Lap band is lower than the bypass. I know there are always risk involved with both, it just made me nervous that she said that, however I am not sure were she got this info from.

I went to several seminars, support meetings and talked with alot of patients, medical staff.   I  actually I held back for a long time.  

Any of theses surgeries is not a fix but a tool.  Life changes have to be part of this before and after the surgery.   If you are not committed you will put the weight back on.   

We are not medical experts.   Your surgeon can answer your issues with the risks.   All surgeries have risks.    Do not let anyone rush you into this.  If you have medical issues talk with your PCP or your specialists.   If you have risk issues they will sound out their concerns.  

We have all been there and researching what is best for us.   Research, Research.  Even after I made my descision I still was nervous.   But by the time of surgery I knew I have selected the best surgeon and hospital barriatric team for me.  

thanks for your questions, you remind me of the reasons I have the surgery too.  

Good luck

I'm not female and not a mommy but I love my RNY gastric bypass and the new me and limitations that help keep me on track with my new life and lifestyle since.

I suppose if I had the lack of appetite, fast fill up, selective eating and limited range what I will even try because it easier than taking a chance on it making me not feel well at an inopportune time, I would have never gotten obese, morbidly obese,..whatever is after that,... before having surgery.  Now I don't enjoy eating too much where I use to live to be full.

I could babble on forever about this.  Other here could testify that I have on occassion.  For more detail, check out my profile/OH homepage and history. 

My only regret is not doing it 10 years earlier.

Nothing tastes better than being thin feels!

So true if I had just done it 10years ago.   I regret nothing else.

Thank you so much. I understand exactly what you are saying... I want what comes along with bypass... meaning I am ready to change my eating habits and know that I need more than just feeling full. If that was all I needed I would have never gained all this weight.  I am 28 years old, I was thinking this would be a good age to do this. My weight has cut out a lot of things I used to do, sadly the more weight I gain the harder it becomes to keep up with my children.... I run out of breath easy these days. I will check out your profile. Thanks again for the info.

Like Joe, I am an RNY patient, and have been very happy with the decision I made to get that particular type of surgery.  After finding out about the surgeries available to me, I decided that the lapband wouldn't work for me for a number of reasons, but the biggest one being I needed more restrictions than the band offered. 

That said, the surgery you decide on should be the one both you and your surgeon determine is the best for YOU.  It is a very individual decision, and one that should be made after doing a lot of research, as Caroline said.  Make sure that you are an "informed patient."  The decision you make is one that you will be living with for a long time, so it needs to work for you. 

Since your insurance gives you the two options, you may want to go on the Gastric board and the Lapband board here on OH and ask the same question -- find out the pros and cons from the members of those Boards.  It may help to hear from them as well.

As far as reading -- there are a lot of books out there, but the one that I find myself recommending the most is, "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies."  It explains things in very easy to understand terms, and covers a lot of questions you may have.   I found my copy at Borders, but it is probably available at most large bookstores, and maybe even your local library.

Best of luck with your decision making!  :)

Hello Proud Mommy;

I am only three months out and I have had some issues with my wls. But not medically just getting use to eating with my new pouch and it doesnt tolerate alot of meat. But I wouldn't have done anything any different. Like the others; just wish I had did it earlier.

We will always have fears and there will always be dangers that come with surgery. All the way up to the minute I went under I thought LORD why couldn't I have done his on my own. What is wrong with me. I was a true worry wart. I came out of the surgery very weak but no pain at all from the surgery and now I think even the weakness was a mental thing.

But to answer your question. I have Kaiser and they only offered lap band and rny (gastric bypass). With kaiser I had to go through a six month program with my nutrionist, she actually was the one who helped me decide which was better. I think GOD everyday for her. She had so much knowledge. After I decided which surgery; I selected my surgeon. Dr. Linn and his staff the absolute best. She helped me select the surgeon mostly.

Together with my nut; we went over the pros and cons for bother surgeries. RNY seemed the most successful to me. Some rny'ers will have malasorbtion issues, but I believe if you stay ontop of your vitamins it will cut down the chance for this.

GOD gave us this tool to help us. Set your fears aside give your entire heart to the LORD and he will give you peace and comfort with your surgery choice.

I can not thank everyone enough for the advice and kinds words of support. I have put a lot of prayer and thought into this... I just have moments when I second guess myself. I wonder what happen to the active cheerleader I used to be... these days were many many years ago but I miss them.I wonder why was I able to control my weight then but not now?  I met with a Nut earlier this year and we talked about bypass and the changes in eating habits and lifestyle changes.  I also had them design a sort of meal plan with me, I lose weight with it but gain it right back. My very close friend for many years has several family members that had bypass and are happy and have given me so much advice and info. I will continue to research and of course talk with the doctor's but I really feel like the lap band may not be what I need. I will not do anything until I am sure of my decision. Thanks again everyone :)