Advice and info

Hi. This is my first day as a registered member of this entity. As of right now, I have a date of July 10 and was originally thinking of the RNY. I am having many misgivings because of the lack of data over the long term. SO first, is there anyone who has had the surgery more than 3 or 4 or 5 years ago who can tell me how you are doing? I am more interested in knowing about side effects and malabsorption problems rather than weight loss. Also, if there is anyone who had your surgery done by Dr. Strom out of Mountainside Hospital, I'd love to hear about your experience. Thanks!

Patricia, Only you can decide which surgery if any is right for you. That being said do your research. Nothing personal but I have never heard of your doctor.. I researched for about 2 yrs prior to my surgery and I am about a year out.. that's not to say he is very competent. Just that I've never seen his name come up here before. Malabsorption is what this surgery is about that is why we see nutritionists and endocronologists to assist with getting all the nutrients and vitamins and minerals we need. The Jersey board although wonderful won't have all the info you are looking for. Check out the http://www.bariatricbytes.com/ website Dame Tooter puts together she is farther out of surgery and has lots of great info on her site. Best wishes for a sucessfull journey. Donna

Thanks for your response, Donna. I did go into Dame Tooter's website, and as you may see, she responded to me, too. It was helpful. I think that I am coming to peace with a decision. I am not 100% decided yet, but I am leaning toward the lap band. I am weighing what I am willing to risk and what I am willing to live with and I think that might be the tool for me. Have a great day, and thanks again, Patty

Wow, I really encourage you to investigate all your options (surgically) as they are many and the lifestyle postop is greatly varied. If you click forums up top the page and choose the Surgery Types drop down menu, you can visit each surgery's forum and read about them, ask questions, etc. As the other poster said, I do have a lot of info on my site. 90% of it is as pertaining to the RNY since that what I had nearly 4 years ago. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers! I'd like to suggest you post also to your state messageboard here at obesityhelp - where you could possibly get more local answers. You can find it by clicking forums up top in the yellow bar and then choose your state from the State Forums drop down menu. Best of luck in your endeavors! ~Tooter

Hello Dame Tooter. Thank you for your response. I did visit your website after Donna suggested that I do so. Very nice and informative. I have absolutely been doing my research. I am very familiar with the varied types of surgery and so on. My issue is that it is so difficult to get long term (as in at LEAST 5 years out) stats about RNY. That is really what is stopping me. I have no doubt in my ability to follow the lifestyle changes regardless of which route I decide to take. I'm just not willing to take a risk on something that has no long term data to back it up. So for that reason and because I have been weighing what I am and am not willing to live with, I am about 99% sure that I will go with the lap band. Thanks again for your response. Patty

HAHA I am an idiot! You ARE on your state board Ooops.

Hi Patricia, Only you can make that decision. I too was leaning towards the Lap Band, but ended up choosing RNY, after my husband had great success. There were other "signs" that helped in my decision too - take a peak at our profile when you have a chance. Phil will be 2 yrs out in Aug, and has had a complication and low iron, but would do it again in a heart beat! We take our vitamins, and have had now problems with our blood work ( since his iron infusions). Malabsorption is something to be concerned about - but I personally feel that eating right, taking vitamins/suppliments, and checking your blood work to make sure all numbers are good, is the way to keep this in check. I haven't heard of your Dr., but Phil & I both had Dr. Abkin from Morristown, and think he is just great! Hope this helps! Take care and good luck with your decision, Sherri