How did you choose??

One of the questions I'm getting most from the few people whom I've talked to about my decision to have WLS is "what kind?" And of course, it is always immediately followed by "Why?" I've tried to do a lot of research on different kinds of WLS, but when it comes down to it, my insurance only covers one kind, RNY, so at this point, it doesn't seem worth it to fight for a different procedure, when I feel the RNY will work well for me... But I'd really like to know how each of you came to decide *which* procedure was the one for you? Was it self-lead research? Dr. recommendations? Insurance restrictions? Family input? I just want to make sure I'm considering all angles... (Thanks to several who have already recommended I check out info on DS!)

My decision was based on several things...research, previous surgeries and experience with my boss having open RNY 3 years ago. I may have looked into Lap Band, but my insurance won't cover it. I had Lap RNY, because there is less pain and recovery time plus that means less time off work. Go into this educated with all the info you can get.

Wow What a beautifully worded question.... Sorry to disappoint with a not so beautiful answer....RNY was what my surgeon recommended... at the time, 2 1/2 years ago....VBG was on the way out...RNY was stable, and lap band was unpopular....DS was really fringe... All I know at the time was I needed help, and I had a PCP that I trusted....and he referred me to a surgeon that worked on his daughter.... so that was a good recomendation... that was 3 years before my surgery....then I got insurance...and jumped...looking back I was not as educated as I thought....but I did make a good choice in surgeons... now since the dust has settled....it turns out, I made the right decision, for me....if I knew then what I know now....I would have the same surgery.... I just happend to luck out.... ok knowing what I know now.... I could eat through a lap band....I need the dumping....I had no idea what dumping was.... but now....I see that if I didn;t dump....it would be "all hawgs to the trough" DS seems to be great....I see that it's like the other surgeries...it depends on how much you put into them....a lady I know in NYC, seems to be lossing slow...compared to me...but she is happy, so that is what is important.... great topic....since I jumped first, and learned later, I look forward to seeing the answers Russ

There were several factors that helped in my decision: - Given the total weight I had to lose (abt 140), lap-band was a feasible option for me - I didn't want to re-route anything i didn't have to - research - discussing options with folks on this board and with my surgeon - at the end, deciding lap-band was the choice for me, given my risk-aversion At the end of the day, the surgery you choose is a very personal decision, based on many factors. You'll make the right choie for you. Best of luck to you!! John

Well, I just love food. So I never even considered weight loss surgery as I knew I wouldn't be happy with the permanent food restriction of the RNY or lap band. I didn't even know about the DS until a patient came through my exam room who had had it. After I started researching it, I found that, in addition to letting you eat more normally (after the first few months) the DS also had the stats for best average weight loss and least regain. In addition, it has the best remission rates of type 2 diabetes. Most DS'ers lose their diabetes early on after the surgery, even before significant weight loss, whereas resolution of DM after the other surgeries is dependant on losing enough and on maintaining that loss. That sold me. At that point (2001) my insurance would have paid for the RNY, but not the DS. I chose to wait, hoping their coverage would change--it did, they stopped covering any surgeries. I chose to self-pay for the DS and never regretted it--but it was the long-term consequences of having diabetes that scared me into going ahead at that point. And it worked. I had two doses of insulin in the hospital but by the time I was discharged 3 days post-op, I never needed another dose of any diabetes med and I have always had normal blood sugars. Lots and lots of people have good long-term success with the RNY. But you should know that if you are interested in the DS, most insurances that approve any form of weight-loss surgery will approve the DS after appeal, So if you are willing to wait longer and fight harder, you should know it's doable.

I had a VBG in Dec 1998 because it was the only WLS available in Oklahoma. Doctors here wouldn't perform RNY because it was too risky. VBG failed and I sought a revision this year. Not able to have RNY because I have Crohn's. I wanted RNY...still wish I'd been able to have it, but it would've been too dangerous. So, I revised to a LapBand. I didn't know about DS until after I had the band, but given it's similarities to RNY, I may have been ineligible for that one, too. Cathy

I decided on the lap band because I was concerned with the absorbtion of medication I take for non-wieght related conditions. It took me a long time to get stable on my current regiment. I also was sold onthe reversability. I have about 100 lbs to lose so it was a good choice. I was lucky to have no insurance difficulties. I think it is funny they will pay for a RNY but not a lap band.....RNY surgery costs a significant amount more than a Lap Band.....

* .... came to decide *which* procedure was the one for you? RnY was not considered safe for my condition to have a stoma and gastric bypass as my digestive system. * Was it self-lead research? i knew about the DS, but never considered it as an option since it was considered experimental back then and my insurance did not cover it due to that * Dr. recommendations? yes, my doctors recommended to see if i am a safe surgical candidate to have DS as a bariatric surgery to remedy my MO once it was no longer categorized as experiemental * Insurance restrictions? my insurance began to cover DS in 2006 * Family input? it is my body, my life, my health. no one can dictate or tell me what is best for my health when it comes to medicine that is out there to help cure the condition that i was suffering and imprisoned for so long. you can read 3 year's worth of blogging, i have here. basically, in summary, RnY was not considered safe for me and was non-op or pre-op in limbo until the DS was no longer considered experimental. once i had my pre-op testing and it came back that i am a safe candidate to have DS, i went for it. all i can say is, since having DS, it is as though i never had bariatric surgery and truly live a normal life without worrying about if i eat anything will i gain weight or if i eat a certain thing, will it make me sick or get stuck. it was my doctors especially my GI doc, who made the recommendation once she found out that DS was no longer experimental and my insurance will cover the expenses. i went to one of the top notch DS researcher and surgeon in the DS field. first 10 months were all trial and error with food intolerance. overall, DS took care and "cure" all my issues that I had from sleep apnea to IBS. hope this helps.......