New member trying to decide

Hello everyone.   I have not chosen which type of surgery; and am having difficulty deciding. 

Can anyone point me in the direction of some useful tools that might aid me in deciding. ? 

If you have any pointers or suggestions, I am open to that too.  Here is some info on me if it helps: 

I am 32, have 1 year old triplets and a 12 year old daughter.  My BMI is 40.32.  I have no problem following a healthy diet and enjoy being active. I have been this weight for 15 years, despite many efforts to lose and despite my active life.   I have PCOS and insuline resistance.  

Thanks in advance.

I have a Realize Band (almost 3 years now) and have had great success in achieving my weight loss goals.

That being said, I could never recommend a Band to anyone so young.  The band is not meant to last a lifetime --- and is prone to complications (moreso than the other 3 types of WLS).

You should interview a few bariatric surgeons and find out whether they suggest a restrictive or mal-absorptive surgery.  That will help steer you.

Personally, I was not interested in RNY because I had no co-morbidities or medical conditions and did not want a mal-absorptive procedure.

If or when my Band no longer functions, I will try to maintain my loss without medical intervention -- but, if I were to require another surgery, I would go for a VSG.

hello.  Thank you for replying, I appreciate that you took the time.

Why do you think 32 is too young?   It seems there are plenty of early 20s getting the band.  Would you mind elaborating so I might have a better understanding? 

My goal is 100 lbs weight loss.

Many insurance companies limit WLS to one per lifetime.





At 32, with a band, you are almost guaranteed to need a second surgery....if only to remove the band at some time.



Why go through that? Personally I now think that it is irresponsible for surgeons to place bands in people that young.



I was self pay, and if my band has to come out, I will be self pay again, both to remove it and to have another surgery if necessary.



So, my original investment of 12,000 may become 50K when it is all said and done ..... Who knows.



So, at age 32, I would not risk that ....but that is just me.



Seek lots of opinions ...... Ask lots of questions and then make the best choice for you and your family.



Please, just don't let anyone tell you that the band is the best choice b ecause it's the 'least invasive'procedure, because for many people that is not true and they have complications that make the band very invasive.

Thank you Kath for being honest and forthright, it seems yours is the greater opinion.   *meaning there are more people who are con vs pro.  I am surprised as in many european countries, they are only doing banding and have great success.  

I still have a lot of research to do, I am only at the beginning of this journey.    

Thank you again.

 
You brought up some very valid points. Good post!

I am a new member also. I am finding it helpful to search the old messages and read what they say. There's alot of out there. I still have questions and ask and always get alot of good imput back from those who've been there.

Good luck!

I agree 1000% with Kath! Besides her reasons for getting a different surgery, if you have PCOS and insulin resistance it is going to be extra hard to lose so you really are going to need a surgery that will last you a life time not the 5-10 yrs you may have a band. I would strongly urge you to look at the VSG, it is permanent and people have very good weight loss with it as long as you follow the rules of the surgery but that applies to any weight loss surgery you may have. They all require a permanent change in eating patterns. I really don't know why the band is more successful in Europe but for some reason they seem to be. I'm guessing that maybe they are more careful about picking a surgery that will work and not just the best advertised surgical procedure. Whatever the reason is it doesn't seem to hold true for US surgeons and their bandings. We appear to have a much higher rate of failure and usually not because of patient noncompliance. I suggest you read all the boards and see how people are living with their different surgeries and research all the 4 main surgeries, the DS, the VSG, the RNY and the band. Good luck to you whatever you chose!

Hello....I rarely post here but thought I would pop in to help you.

You seem like the PERFECT candidate for the band, you mentioned that you have no problem following a healthy diet and being active...THOSE ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS FOR LAP BAND SUCCESS.

Problem IS....50 percent of people who get a lap band DO NOT DO THOSE THINGS.....

The lap band works for people WHO FOLLOW post op rules and have great aftercare, do you have money or good insurance for critical AFTERCARE and you LIVE CLOSE BY TO YOUR SURGEON? EVERYONE DOES NOT, if you DO and if you do pre op testing to make sure you are a good candidate for the band, and you choose your surgeon wisely that WILL FOLLOW YOUR JOURNEY and fill your band right....YOU SHOULD NOT have any worries.

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND the band TO YOUNG PEOPLE MORE THAN OLD, because the band CAN be removed if problems arise, and it does not affect YOUR BODY permanently ...UNLESS you keep it way too tight to damage your esophagus but THAT can be avoided by being honest with your surgeon on how tight your band is.....

ALSO one VERY important thing to REMEMBER...that many people cannot FULLY UNDERSTAND...the BAND IS ADJUSTABLE and if you choose the band sometimes you may get filled too tight accidentally it is UP TO YOU...to go back to your surgeon to remove saline before it slips or cause damage....IT IS VERY VERY SIMPLE...although some people have issues and choose a surgeon that don't fill them properly the band is still the SAFEST weight loss surgery long term DESPITE ITS issues...

I am going on 7 years post and, I HAVE MY ORIGINAL BAND because I seen my surgeon when I needed a fill and I seen my surgeon when I need saline removed, it is just that simple. (knock on wood I've never have been hospitalized with my band going on 7 years)...

Also one MORE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER...MANY people who got the bypass when I got my surgery ARE NOW SEEKING LAP BANDS...they no longer have restriction..BUT they still have to take tons of vitamins for the rest of their life.....that is a BAD PLACE to be in years out...also look at Carnie Wilson....SHE NOW HAS LAP BAND because her bypass stopped working years ago.....I AM NOW 7 years post op and I CAN UNFILL MY BAND WHEN I WANT TO EAT MORE AND I CAN GET IT TIGHTEN WHEN I WANT TO LOSE MORE WEIGHT AND MY BAND STILL WORKS at 7 years ...NO OTHER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY WILL WORK THAT LONG...without issues.....so I WOULD NEVER get my insides removed/rearranged only to work temporarily.

Here is a lap band guide to help you

http://www.laplose.com/Media/Forms/LapBandDietGuideNew.pdf

Many people here are bitter and paid cash for their bands and this is not a good enviornment for newbies to seek guidance and support for their bands you may want to check out www.lapbandtalk.com IF you decide on the band. There are MANY PEOPLE with the lap band, they just don't post here.

I don't see myself having a second operation because I take care of my band....and I hope to go to my grave with it...I still love my band going on 7 years, I went from a size 26 to a size 10.

Good luck.

Thank you for sharing that link. I am in the beginning stages and it answered a lot of questions for me.