New Member

Hi, My name's Chris and I'm a new member of this forum. I live in the Uk and last year had a gastric band fitted. Initially, I lost 3.5 stones, but this was really thru my own efforts, rather than the band. The band has never worked properly and I have now found that it has been sighted in the wrong place (too high).  My surgeon has had another consultant do a second opinion on me, the outcome of which is that he feels that a band was never the right tool for me and that I should have a roux-en-y bypass done.  I would like to hear from people who have had this surgery, letting me know their experiences (good & bad), so that I may make an informed decision on whether or not I should go ahead with the rny or not. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Regards Chris

Hi Chris, Welcome to the locker room. You'll be glad you found this place. I had the RnY about 18 months ago. Even though I had some trouble with strictures, I can without the slightest bit of reservation say that my decision to have this done was the best thing I could have done for me. I look good, but more importantly, my mental health is excellent. I feel so much better about myself now. I thank God frequently that things have worked out as they have. My only regret is that I did not have the procedure done when I was younger. This procedure is a life changer as it must be if it going to work. WLS will only get you half the way, the rest is up to you. You must learn to eat the right foods and get active. Don't fool yourself into thinking that WSL is all you will have to do. Its not that easy, but WLS makes weight loss doable. Something that was not possible for me to do without the surgery. Good luck. Doug

Chris, First- Welcome to The Men’s Forum! Glad you found the place. Now your doc? Did he say exactly why the Band wasn’t working for you? Or why he thought an RNY would serve you better? Over a DS or VSG? FOR ME, The RNY was the perfect fit. The restriction gave me a feeling of Full on much less food, And the inability to tolerate too many sweets made them lose their appeal. Now sugary deserts are about as appealing as a steaming bowl of Laxative. In fact, sweets kind of irk me. (sort of like someone might respond to Tequila after a College Bad experience with it. Even the smell of Tequila still makes the back of my throat sweat a little After years and years without touching it) I think if I had to rely on will-power alone to avoid High Sugar Carbs, I’d have never made it to my present weight. I eat very normally.  Steak, Ribs, fruit, some bread, normal restaurant portions. I have taken NSAIDS per Docs prescription for over a year and a half With no issues. About one dumping episode per year (and that’s mostly just indigestion/diarrhea and sleepiness.) I’ve lost from a BMI of 51 to 24.3. Maintaining a Normal BMI for right at 4 years now has been easy. No Foamies (food getting stuck in stoma) I drink with my meals, although sometimes not…just developed the habit. I eat a balance range of foods- Approx- 40% Proteins, 30% Carbs, 30% Fats. No Gas issues, no Abnormal Bowel Movements. So Far, just a month shy of 5 years, It’s worked out great for me. (I do have a friend who got his Adjustable Band  about 2 months before my surgery. We both lost the same amount of weight in roughly the same time, he tok an extra 2 months to get to a Normal BMI, and we have both been free from re-gain.  Different strokes…) Hope you and your Doc there find the perfect fit for you. Best Wishes- Dx