Support meeting, now confused

SonnySmith
on 7/14/07 7:10 am, edited 7/14/07 8:43 am

I went to a pre-op support group meeting last week and the lapbanders that were there thought I was nuts to be considering RNY. My BMI is 38 and I have sleep apnea. I'm 5'5" and weighed 235 at my initial consultation back in Feb and am now about 225 as I am doing a 3 month program with the nutritionist affiliated with my surgeon's office to satisfy my insurance. My surgeon didn't hesitate in saying that RNY would be appropriate for me, but the lapbanders from the support group have me second guessing myself. They were saying that active guys lose much faster and since I "only" have 70-ish pounds to lose, what will I do when I'm at goal in 3 or 4 or 5 months and possibly continuing to lose? Any advice would be appreciated. Sonny

You will be assimilated, resistance is futile.

GoingMobile
on 7/14/07 7:16 am - San Dimas, CA

VSG on 06/04/08

I am not fan of RNY and am also pre-op in theory I agree with them. HOWEVER it depends on what youe issues are. I fyou fill up fat sweets and icecream then the RNY or Dsd would be abtter choice because of the dumping. If you don't have those issue The LapBand or VSG IMO is a safer choice with as little weight to lose as you do. Does your Dr offer the LapBand along with the RNY or just RNY. With any of the tools if you stick to it and adhere to the rules you will lose the weight. Maybe reading more about each one will help

Dx E
on 7/14/07 8:15 am - Northern, MS

RNY on 07/03/03

Sonny, You do have less weight to lose, and you seem to be doing well with your 3-month pre-surgery program. I could see where "just some people" would have the opinion that you don’t even "need" surgery of any type. BUT- When I pay the bucks to make an appointment to see "Just Some People" that are listed in the yellow pages along with medical professionals, THEN I would take their opinion to heart. You trust your Doc? Do you feel he "sold" you on the idea of the RNY because he wasn’t interested in your best outcome? If so, re-think it. There are folks who will "bad-mouth" the DS as being only for those over a certain BMI or for the Super-Morbidly Obese, and that is not the case either. Some questions you might want to ponder as you’re thinking- How did you get to the point you felt you needed surgery to overcome the weight? Sweets? Large Portions? Lack of exercise? Etc… Each procedure works for different reasons. It’s rarely just a question of "How much do you need to lose?" that determines which surgery is the best fit. As for- "…what will I do when I'm at goal in 3 or 4 months and possibly continuing to lose?" Same as anyone- "Eat more." The "Losing and Can’t Stop…" problem is one of the RAREST of problems associated with WLS or any sort. The odds are more likely- "I didn’t change my eating habits and I haven’t made it to Goal Weight!" is far more likely…. Were all of these "Banders" at the support group at goal, and maintaining? Think it through, but put your doc in the mix so that your decision is one based on the medical facts rather than the opinions of just some folks willing to share their thoughts.. Yes? Best Wishes- Dx

SonnySmith
on 7/14/07 8:38 am

The banders at the meeting were relatively new post-ops who were in the process of losing albeit slower (in general) than the RNYers there. As far as how I always end up going back up the yo-yo, I do: 1) Eat large portions 2) and make poor choices (fats and sugar) Despite my active lifestyle I seem to gain weight easily. I don't want to be someone who spirals out of control and ends up wishing I had done something earlier. I will be going to a pre-op support meeting at another hospital this Tuesday and will seek some feedback there as well. Thanks. Sonny

You will be assimilated, resistance is futile.

NotDave (Howyadoin?)
on 7/14/07 12:49 pm - Japan

RNY on 03/16/06

My feeling is it's probably safe to do the RNY. I think you can stop losing after a few months if you reach your goal weight. If you should happen to get dangerously thin, then the doc can step in and put you on some emergency feeding, but most likely, you'll be able to stop on your own.

Dave

carbonblob
on 7/14/07 5:12 pm - los angeles, CA

RNY on 12/12/05

hey,

i think i wrote to you before that i was a lightweight too. however, i had some other major health problems. the rny will help with diabeties and high bp etc where the lap band doesn't really address those issues.

as for the weight loss. don't expect to lose it all in 3 to 4 months. you will lose a LOT slower. only the big guys lose a pound a day for the first 3 or 4 months. smaller guys lose a lot slower so i would expect a year or more until you reach your final goal. of course you could be faster but i bet even your doc will tell you that it will be at least a year for the smaller guys to get to weight. for me, i reached goal, well, went way past at 7 months but i was really sick. had that not happened i bet it would have been well over a year for me.

so stick with what the doc is telling you not these guys or even the guys on this board. you gotta trust your doc first and foremost and i think everyone on this board will agree with that statement. if you want to change surgery fine, just let it be your decision and not theres. ok, enough already......carbonblob

(deactivated member)
on 7/14/07 10:31 pm - Houston, TX

Hey Sonny... You have know for some time that you are in a special situation...being a light weight...You really seem to have dome your research...In support group I.....notice I....get support from hearing about their experiences, when they are a head of me....did yo have this phase, that phase....thoses are big things.....really big to be successfull.. but don;t ask advice from these people...**** the basis we give advise is we stayed at a holiday inn express last night... Dxe said some years ago, that you could easily be pulled into a fist fight, between which is best...lap band or RNY You doc is who you need to trust....and that is the advice you need.... Not to be too snotty,..but these were pre ops too....are they the best person to tell yo how to loose weight....? On the loosing too much.....well the boards and tv will tell you, there's a lot more that don;t loose the weight and loose too much.....I think you'll be fine.... please stay in touch Russ

Cal Blacksmith ..
on 7/16/07 1:47 am - Riverside, CA

RNY on 11/09/06 with

Stick with what you and the doctor decided was best for you. Lots of good comments here, listen to them. I had the RNY 7 months ago and have not regretted it a bit. 150# down, 40 more to go.

Get it hot, hit it HARD,
Hammering away the pounds!

Neal R.
on 7/16/07 9:35 am - Wylie, TX

Lap Band on 05/09/06

As a Lap Band patient myself, I would say do what you are most comfortable with. No WLS is right for everyone. I will say you seem to be a good candidate for the band, but if your comfortable with RNY, then I say go for it.

http://www.nealslapband.com/
Banded May, 9, 2006 by Dr. Cribbens. Abdominoplaty on 02/11/08
TT pics: http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=4974

Facebook: Neal Riggins (Wylie, Texas)
Twitter: @NealRiggins

SonnySmith
on 7/16/07 8:16 pm

Thanks Neal. I must say that yours is one of the most dramatic lap-band transformations I've seen. Congrats on your success. Sonny

You will be assimilated, resistance is futile.

Support meeting, now confused

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Support meeting, now confused