Hopefully my last question

I called Barix yesterday and told them I wanted RNY rather than the lap band.  I feel since there is more than likely a lot of time til a surgery date (I'm sure Barix hasn't contacted Aetna yet) I have one more question as I re-think my decision.  Based on your experiences, with my BMI being a relatively low 38, is RNY an innapropriate procedure for me?  I probably "only" have 60 or 65 lbs to lose.  Some guys here have lost that in 4 months!!!  This surgery is for life.  I've said it before, though my BMI is 38, I can only imagine how big I would be if I hadn't lost 50 or so lbs. on 3 separate occasions in my life.  I'm good at losing weight, but I'm even better at gaining it.  I guess the reason I called Barix with the RNY decision is because since I don't trust myself fully to not try to "outsmart" surgery (I'm afraid I'll attempt to eat "around" the band and sabatoge any sucess I might have) it seems that with RNY it is harder to do so with its malabsorption qualities.  I do realize of course, that it is possible to sabatoge the RNY also, but I would assume it happens less often and is more difficult to do.  Anyway, that is where I am today.  You guys are always honest and forthcoming with your opinions and for that I am appreciative..  I eagerly await your points of view.  Thanks.  Sometimes I think I'm an over-analyzer. Sonny

HI Sonny, these are excellent questions.  Do you have approval for the band?  If so I would stay with that.  If you were able to get insurance approval for being at a bmi of 38, you are way ahead of the game.  Most insurance companies will not even consider it unless you are well over 100lbs over your ideal weight.  That's why there are several guys actually trying to gain weight to get insurance approval.  And others who have been trying to get approval for 2+ years with 200lbs of excess weight.  If the RNY causes you to get re-approved, I would drop that in a heartbeat. Keep in mind that either of these surgeries are a tool.  You can gain back every pound you lose after surgery just as if you did not have the surgery.  They help - no question, but you want to be at a point where this is last resort.   If you can lose this weight without surgery, that is clearly the best way to go.  It's all about life change.  The diet is essentially South Beach with restricted calories and the tool of the pouch or band.  It's much harder without surgery, no question.  The surgery prevents you from going overboard when you cheat.  You can eat 1-2 pieces of pizza instead of the whole pie, for instance.  But if you eat 1-2 pieces of pizza multiple times a week, the weight comes back just as fast. If you have insurance approval for the band, stick with it.  Don't rock the boat by trying for RNY. 

Hey Sonny, To try to answer some of your questions....I is this the right procedure for you....boss that is yor baby to rock....you are the only one that can answer that... but I can tell you, my insurance company says RNY for bmi of 40 or greater...RNY maybe approved for BMI 38 if there are a **** load of co-morbidities...sleep apenia, HPB, Cholesterol..you know...I don;t know you co-mobids..... that question may be answered to you by the insurance company, most doc in clinics try to stear the patients to a RNY, becasue they get more money...sad isn;t it... on the other question, about out smarting the surgery....everyone here in this room has "skinned" this surgery, like a 2 week old version of Windows...I could eat a whole cheesecake, 1/2 of the ass off a cow, bags of chips...I have to be the one to get control.... I'm a nurse, and went to see a WLS patient, she is 5'0" started weighing at 350# she had the VBG, converted to RNY, added fundoplycation, and added lap band...she was paying cash...doc will do anything for $$$$ after all these procedures she lost at total of 40#, and was putting that back on,,,,and she said...this surgery dosn't work.....(she had a whole Macey's bag of m&m's next to the bed so she nibbled all night) the surgery does work, if you got the balls to work the surgery...if you wanna weesel around it, and are thinking about cheating head of time....brother...stop and regroup.... hope this helps... Russ

I'm only 35, and the RNY is a change for life. But I knew that Lap Band was too rinky dink for me, cuz once you hit your goal, you figure you'll go back to the junk, back to monster portions, etc, etc. I knew if I was gonna do this, and go through this, I was gonna go whole hog. If you're gonna be a bear, BE A GRIZZLY. Go Big, or Go Home..... Just my opinion.

Sonny, Repeat from Chris post above......

"I was 47 years old, and at a BMI of 50.1. RNY worked for me.  Coming up on 4 years this summer- Below goal weight for over 2 ½ years, and not a struggle at all. There’s a guy in my support group who had similar weight to loose And lost it with his band in approximately the same amount of time. He also has maintained a normal range BMI for over 2 years without difficulty. Lap-Bands, RNY, and DS, and VSG all work. All of them can be circumvented by some. If you use which ever “tool” you choose, To change and adjust your Old habits and lifestyle, Then you’re on the track to a healthy, thinner you." Best Wishes- Dx