I know what I have to do!!

Hi everyone- I have thought about the gastric bypass and now the lap-band surguries for some time now.  I had gone to informational meetings for the gastric bypass.  And I wanted to do it.  But for some reason tried to do another stupid diet that didn't work.  Just something to pass the time I guess.  Now, I am here and I am not going to let it pass me by this time.  I am going to take control of my life and do something about my obisity.  Nothing is working and I have a family to live for.   Today, I called two Clinic's and they were out of the office.  Didn't think it would that hard to just make an appointment.  I will try again on Monday.  Cuz, I am not giving up on this.   I am trying to figure out if the lap-band or the gastric bypass is the right one for me?  I keep going back and forth.  There is a Doctor that is only 25mins from me that does the gastric bypass, the other doctor does both lap-band and gastric bypass and thats a hour away.  The milage doesn't really mean anything to me.  I really think I will meet with both and go from there.   what do you think?  and do I have all the pro's and con's?  your comments are welcomed!! Sincerely, Michelle (newbie)

Hi Michelle!!  I'm a newbie to! When I first got real serious about WLS I was all for doing the lapband.  Well..the more information I gathered..and the more I soul searched...the more I realized that the RNY was the ONLY way I felt comfortable.  I'm just not ok with having a foreign object inside me for the rest of my life.  I need something with a longer track record and whatnot.  But that's just me.  Hope you can figure out what's best for you! 

WELL UNLESS YOU WERE BORN WITH TITANIUM STAPLES IN YOUR STOMACH YOU ARE GETTING SEVERAL "FOREIGN" OBJECTS IN YOUR BODY--ONES THAT WILL LIKELY KILL YOU IF THEY LEAK

Hi Michelle I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum than the above poster because I've decided to go with the Lap Band. It is actually the long term weight loss solution as the band can stay with you forever or you can have it removed if you like. Unfortunately studies have shown people stretch their new stomachs after bypass surgery and the bypass surgery has a higher mortality rate. It has also been said that sagging skin is a bigger factor with RNY because you sometimes lose the weight so fast. There is a great LapBand forum here (which is where I usually post) and I invite you to come over and gain more knowledge of the band.  Ultimately the best thing for you is to weigh the pros and cons of both with your surgeon of choice and decide from there which is best for you. One can argue the fact that they don't want anything inside them but then again it can be argued that having your innards rearranged doesn't sound fun either. You have to choose what's best for you. For me it's the Lap Band the lower mortality rate did it for me, I have little ones 2 and 4 and a greater chance of survival means me being there for them!!! *I am not knocking nor will I ever any for of WLS. For ME the way to go is Lap Band*

Hey Michelle, I don't know if this helps but I wrestled with Lap Band vs. Bypass a year and 1/2 ago, and boy did I make a mistake.  I decided to go with Lap Band and I ended up with 3 slips that involved 3 separate surgeries, as well as my gallbladder removed.  In hindsight if I had followed my heart instead of what everyone kept saying about the Lap Band being the safer way to go I would NEVER have done it.  I am going to have to wait for 6 months before I can do any revisional surgery, but believe me when it's time I'm going to do either a bypass or duodenal switch.  I'm sorry if I've frightened you, but I wish I had someone out there, or even knew of the obesity help website, I wouldn't be in the spot I am in now.  I have heard other people who have had nothing but good luck with it, and I applaud them, but please do all the research you can before making that final decision.  If you want to talk more just let me know Cathy

Hey michelle, Definitely do your research.  I learned a lot from my surgeon's seminar (I think most surgeons do them and are required by many too).  It re-enforced my decision on lap band.  I've had the band for 5 months and am soooo happy.  Just as the one post said she couldn't have a foreign object in her body...I can't have my stomach and intestines sliced and re-routed.  Oh, and I have to throw in that many people safely have implants like knees, hips, heart valves, pacers, etc. Just do your research, there are pros and cons about every surgery.  Both surgeries(and other types like DS, VS) are successful, but they also have those patients that fail at both as well.  I think RNY is less work but you also have to deal with dumping and permanant anatomy change.  Lap band isa little more patience and work to get to a good restriction level but at the same time you don't have the dumping (which some people like since they can't eat as much junk, but I could never give up my sweets and the band lets me have them now and then).  Both surgeries you can end up eating junk.  Both you can gain weight back if you aren't paying attention to your body's needs.  Both surgeries are important that you eat healthy foods, high protein foods, lots of water, and exercise. I drive an hour and 10 minutes to see my surgeon, but he's awesome.  He does both RNY and lap band.  His staff and aftercare program are awesome too.  He really acts like he cares about his patients and wants them to be successful.  

Hey michelle, Definitely do your research.  I learned a lot from my surgeon's seminar (I think most surgeons do them and are required by many too).  It re-enforced my decision on lap band.  I've had the band for 5 months and am soooo happy.  Just as the one post said she couldn't have a foreign object in her body...I can't have my stomach and intestines sliced and re-routed.  Oh, and I have to throw in that many people safely have implants like knees, hips, heart valves, pacers, etc.Just do your research, there are pros and cons about every surgery.  Both surgeries(and other types like DS, VS) are successful, but they also have those patients that fail at both as well.  I think RNY is less work but you also have to deal with dumping and permanant anatomy change.  Lap band isa little more patience and work to get to a good restriction level but at the same time you don't have the dumping (which some people like since they can't eat as much junk, but I could never give up my sweets and the band lets me have them now and then).  Both surgeries you can end up eating junk.  Both you can gain weight back if you aren't paying attention to your body's needs.  Both surgeries are important that you eat healthy foods, high protein foods, lots of water, and exercise.I drive an hour and 10 minutes to see my surgeon, but he's awesome.  He does both RNY and lap band.  His staff and aftercare program are awesome too.  He really acts like he cares about his patients and wants them to be successful.