Thinking about Bypass surgery, need feedback and avice. Help!

I have an appointment with a doc this week. I'm seriously thinking about doing this. I'm trying to decide between the lap band and bypass. Anyone out there have any advice. I'd also like to know if anyone is regrettting the surgery? What's life like afterward. Thanks

I too, have registered for a seminar scheduled for May 12, and seriously thinking about having it done if I'm eligible. I've spoken to some people and it seems that I'm only being supported by those who are obese, or have been in the past. The others seem not to understand, and tend to bru**** off as something "stupid". "Just stop eating so much, walk, go to the gym, and you'll see." Yeah, right!!!! I'm sticking to my guns, and if I'm eligible, and my insurance approves it, I plan to have the lap band surgery done. I'm 235 pounds with a BMI of 37.9. I need to have a comorbid health issue in order to be eligible and I don't know if I do until I get my tests done. My husband's not supportive at all, but my once obese sister is.

Hi Eva: Welcome aboard! I see that your doctor is Dr. Gritsus - he is wonderful!! I had Lap RNY in January 2006. So far I have lost 170 lbs. I can not even begin to express how much better my life is now. I am doing things I have only dreamed of doing! I am taking a jazz dance class (I will be in my first recital in 22 years in June!) I am taking Tai Chi, and yoga. I have a season pass to Great Adventure, I am riding the roller coasters again! I am healthy!! My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner!! Don't get me wrong - it hasn't been all sunshine and roses - I've worked hard to lose this weight, and I have had a few complications along the way, but I wouldn't change a thing!! I chose to have RNY because I had a lot of weight to lose (200 lbs) and I didn't think the lap band would provide me with enough restriction. The type of surgery you chose to have is very personal. You need to be honest with your doctor about your eating habits. I also recommend working longterm with a nutritionist. Dr. Gritsus works with Susana Mendelson - she is awesome! I still see her every 8 weeks or so. She keeps me on track with a healthy diet. Best of luck in your journey!!

I see that you mentioned a nutritionist Susana Mendelson, where is she located, and do you have a phone number, I need to find one closer to my home I was seeing one in North Jersey but it is just to far to travel. Thanks, Beverly

Hi Beverly: Susana is located in North Jersey - I see her at Dr. Gritsus' office in Lincoln Park. I believe she also sees patients in Hoboken, and Passaic. She does have evening hours if that helps. Here's her phone number: 201-637-2631

Thanks for your reply. I would have done this a couple of years ago, but I had major surgery then and I didn't want to face another operation. I also feel the lap band will take too long. So I'm leaning toward to bypass. Thanks again. I'm glad things are going well for you.

Hi, I just wanted to wish you luck on your journey. I have chosen the lap-band and the best advise that I can give you is to research both surgeries in great detail, talk to the amazing people on this board that have had success with both types of surgeries and find the answer within yourself as to which surgery is best for you. Please make sure your surgeon supports the surgery you choose and can answer all your concerns. I have absolutely no regrets in geting WLS and I feel it is the best thing I have done for myself, and I'm finding following the lap-band rules is working for me. Please feel free to follow my progress and check out my profile. This board is an amazing source of information. GooD Luck!

EDUCATE and RESEARCH!!! i can't stress that enough!! you and only you can and will be your own best advocate for surgery -- this is YOUR health -- you have to choose what is best for you and you only -- do not jump into any type of surgery -- research surgeons -- i would not pay for aftercare -- aftercare should be included and should be free -- there are a ton of support groups that are free -- you should not have to find your own nutritionist --your surgeon should be recomending everyone that you see -- it should be a team effort with your surgeon -- do not pick a surgeon because it's the first name in the phone book or because that is who your friend had -- pick a surgeon because you like their game plan -- pick your surgeon because you are comfortable with them -- EDUCATE and RESEARCH -- this will be your decision with all that being said .... i have no regrets -- i had the Open RNY -- my husband had the Open RNY -- neither one of us had any complications -- we were both in the hospital for 2.5 days -- i was in on wednesday for surgery -- walking wednesday afternoon -- walking thursday -- back in the car on friday at 2pm and heading home -- pain pills on saturday and sunday just to get to sleep at night -- driving on monday -- back to work in 19 days from the date of surgery -- i have a physical job -- husband took off 6 weeks cuz he could we go to restaurants now -- life is good -- i can run up and down the stairs -- get in and out of the car without holding onto the steering wheel -- bend over and tie my shoes -- stand up from the floor without hanging onto the chair or a table or something -- find clothes that fit -- besides sweat pants -- i wear jeans a size 8 jeans -- i wear makeup again -- i feel good about myself -- ross feels good about himself -- he no longer wears sweatpants -- he likes to dress up -- he joined the fire department -- he climbs extension ladders in work now -- the car doesn't bottom out when we get into it now -- we like to have our pictures taken -- i can cross my legs -- there is so much we can do now and alot of it is how we feel about ourselves -- so we have sagging skin -- who cares -- and who can see it under the clothes i would do it all again ross would do it all again next monday we have my 6 month check up and his 1 year check up good luck roberta

Thank you for the encouragement. I've been doing a lot of research. I don't hear too many negatives. The doc I'm going to is very good from everything I've heard and I already went to his seminar. He was recommended to me by a doc who is excellent and who would not recommend anyone who wasn't excellent either. It sounds like things are going great for both of you. I'm glad to hear it. I too would like to be thinner and look better. But I also need to do this for my general health. Thanks again I appreciate your replay.