On the Fence

Chad --

Of course I did not say you would be a dead man with an Open RNY.  What I tried to say, maybe in a little too casual a way, is that most RNY procedures on people our size and with our comparable BMIs are done laparascopically - that this seems to be the way the vast majority of surgeons approach RNY.  Again my suggestion was that you consult a lap RNY surgeon for a second opinion, not necessarily dump your current surgeon, so that you can get a better sense of the benefits since your surgeon doesn't offer the procedure.

For me, those benefits are a less invasive and equally safe surgery; a lesser amount of post-op pain because of the five small incisions; and a dramatically faster recovery time from the surgery.

Should you choose to follow through with the lap band as you started out the thread, you will definitely experience substantial weight loss.  And no matter what WLS you will choose, I wish you nothing but the best success - your ultimate success is what is most important.

I am a dead man walking I am so depressed, I guess I will go to bed now

Sorry, but time to man up.  Nobody said in this thread that you were a dead man, for anything.  Bottom line is that a lot of the guys are saying that perhaps you should look at anotherr doctor; one that does RNY lap. If you decide on the Lap-band, that is fine too, but you should not settle unless you are 100% behind it.  The Lap-Band is good, but so is RNY and any other tool you can grab on to.

Wow thanks for insulting me, that really helps and I can get the anywhere.  After 23 year in the military (retired in 2007) and 1 deployment to Iraq and 1 deployment to Afghanistan I thought I had manned up enough for one life time.  Oh well just goes to show never can man up enough.  I am also rated at 90% disable thru the VA.  Nothing is never enough for some though.  Sorry I only had one soul to give to this country.

'
Amigo,

take a breath...deep...seriously, i am where you are, trying to figure out what is right for me...the guys here are trying to help you.........they have been through the different types of surgery...and are trying to give you a realistic preview.

Don't get fatalistic, think of it as a new chapter......weigh what you can tolerate surgery wise, and match that with the surgery that fits.

It is a guys room, so you will get **** if you are saying you are going to die and just going to hit the sack........

I appreciate your service, and I am sure they do as well, that is why they are trying to help.

Breathe....

T

Same boat.  Ev eryone has to do what is right for them.  Find a doctor and a surgery you can deal with and go from there.  Most people will be happy to answer questions.

Ok, I've read through all the replies before I replied.

I also have TRICARE as my insurance. They paid for my Lap RNY and allowed me to pick the Doctor from their list.

The decision is yours to make, but if you think you are 90% disabled because of your weight, I'm sure you have comorbidities.

I was similiar in size to you 5' 10" at 340 lbs. I had Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, low testoseron level, sleep apnea, and depression. For this reason I chose the Lap RNY. since my surgery 4 months ago I have lost 90 lbs. My blood pressure and cholesterol are normal without medication. I have stopped taking hormone supplement and my testerone is back to normal. My sleep apnea is gone. I don't use the CPAP machine anymore. And best of all my wife swears my member has grown longer. I do still take medication for depression. My shrink and I decided to keep me on them for the time being. Even though I feel great.

Whatever you decide make sure it is the surgery you are comfortable with.

The bottom line with me is I am happy I picked the RNY and feel better and more active than I have in many, many years.

I have decided to listen to what the Dr. has to say on the 1st.  I want the Roux-en-Y (RNY) open (because that what he does, he also takes your galbladder out at the same time).  Got to lose the weight and if I am going to be cut on might as well get the gold standard as they call it.

Chad - if I can throw one more thought in your direction, ask the surgeon why he automatically takes out the gall bladder.  Yes, gall stones are one possible complication of RNY.  To prevent this complication, in place of the more drastic act of removing the gall bladder, my surgeon has me on an anti-gallstone med for six months.  The scrips used are either Actigal or Ursodiol (which is what I take). 

If you're satisfied with his answers about this and your other concerns, then you're a step closer to your journey through WLS.

Again, good luck, and please do keep in touch with us as you go through the process.  Although it probably hasn't sounded like it to you, we really are here to support you by sharing our real-world stories and experiences.

Hey Chad - Just wanted to say welcome to the locker room, thanks for your service and no matter which procedure you decide on, we'll be here to support you.