Would you recommend WLS to someone?
on 2/6/13 11:20 am - WA
Almost everyone here that I have read have one regret and it's that they didn't do it sooner. If that doesn't tell you how people feel about it then I don't know what will! :D
The best advice I can give you is---research EVERYTHING. There are four kinds of WLS, and unless you understand them ALL, there's just no way you can decide which, if any, is right for you. They are, in the order in which I would choose them: DS/duodenal switch, VSG/Sleeve, RNY/gastric bypass, and LapBand---which I would NOT have.
9 years ago I had my DS, and it's been an overwhelmingly positive experience. I'm living a far more normal life than I'd ever done as an adult. (I went on my first doctor-supervised diet at NINE, and my first diet pills at ELEVEN.) The only 'con' I can think of is yes, I toss back a handful of vitamins 4 times a day. A very small price to pay in order to eat bacon every day and still have a total cholesterol of 112. (*grin*)
Because it has a HIGH complication rate and is NOT meant to be permanent. The band only lasts for 10 years at most...so you gaurantee yourself another surgery in the future (either for a serious complication or to remove the thing).
I wouldn't recommend the band to my worst enemy!
Now, MsBatt is right...you need to research ALL FOUR to really make the decision that is right for you. If you don't research all four then you are not making an informed decision. You have to look at WLS as a permanent and life long committment. You only want to have to go through this ONE time, so make the right decision to begin with. I had a RNY in 2008. I had a lot of problems with that and finally revised to a DS in April of 2011. Best decision I ever made. I did not do MY due diligence back in 2008, so I did not know all my options. The most important thing is to pick your surgery and THEN pick your surgeon.
RNY to DS Revision 4/29/2011
Dr. Henry Buchwald
"Think twice.....Cut ONCE"
Because its horrific to live with, causes extensive damage physically and in my case emotionally as well- I went through four years of hell, over three of those I was vomiting after EVERY meal, sometimes after liquids( especially in the morning) my last bloods came back as suffering long term malnutrition- that was the exact words at the end of the report- yet I was still morbidly obese, the weight I lost in the first year I regained but no one can understand how!
i had the band removed after 4 years and had to work with a ED councillor on my extensive list of food phobias.
Band placed April '08 four years of hell-Band removed may '12~Non VSG July 26 '12. All went to hell~RNY on the 19th october '12~Leak & infection 26th october '12 ~infection 24th November '12, 2 weeks hospital~infection 25th dec '12 4 days ~30/5/13 hernia repair 4 days~hw120/sw/115/gw/58kg
When I can't find things in the store to fit me now it's not because everything is too small--it's because often it's difficult to find a size 2!!! My husband teases me and tells me there is nothing in my size b/c I have bought all the 2s and 0s.
I wish I had done this years ago.
Do your research and choose the surgery that is right for you. I would discourage you from the band. Other than that, do your homework. This is a great start.
HW 240/ SW 229/ GW 146/CW 125; OH Support Group Leader
Starting size: 18W-20; Present size: 0 or 2; 5'5-1/2" tall.
Current BMI 20.4 as of 2/13/2013 (normal for the first time in my life).
Goal weight reached on 8/12/2010; As of 1/13/2013, 21 pounds below goal
Here are a couple of links that will help answer that question:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/
Certainly there are a few people who've had tremendous success with their Band---but the overwhelming majority do NOT. Many insurance companies now have a 'one per lifetime' clause regarding WLS, whether they paid for your first one or not. It just seems silly to blow your one chance of something with such a poor success rate.
