Reviewing Programs... Need Help

I live in Hamilton OH and have been going to information sessions in my local area as part of my research for weight loss surgery. I am leaning toward Lap Band... but am still uncertain about some of the programs I am reviewing. Can any of you give me some hints, experiences, you have about the following - the sessions seemed too good to be true... but not sure if it is smoke and mirrors. - Dr. Curry - very dynamic, but not sure about it not being in a hosptial (I have Diabetes) - Cincinnati Weight Loss - liked the team - great customer service, not sure about the doctor - Atrium Medical Center - Liked that it is at a hospital... and Dr. Schofield was very reassuring, but but did not get the feeling I got the whole story. Any help would be appreciated - thanks!  JWW

I think you have to do some reading and researching like this for a bit.  For instance, there is some recent research that you can find on the American Diabetes page about rny having a dramatic effect on diabetes.  There is a very basic book WLS for Dummies that might help as well.  Talking on here is good too.

It's not smoke and mirrors.  The surgery doesn't "cure" by itself.  It's hard work on the patient's part hand in hand with the tool of surgery.

My experience was that lapband was not for me because it seemed either way I was rearranging how things are inside my body, but adding plastic to the mix was something that I couldn't get my arms around.  I'm happy with the results that I have.  I know those with lapband who are thrilled with how they've been doing. 

It depends on what works for you.  Do your homework, ponder, and then decide.

Janice

Did you ask Dr. Curry if he COULD do your WLS at one of the hospitals instead of his center. the cost might be more but if you like him and everything else it might be worth it.  Cincinnati Weight Loss which doc is it??? Atrium Medical Center, Dr. Schofield, has been doing WLS for years also I think she also works at some of the Dayton hospitals. Have you look at each docs pages her on OH??? Dr. Schofield http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/?ID=S1158186 421 Dr. Curry http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/?ID=S1189122 466 Dr. Curry http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/forums/?ID=S1204584 381 Keep researching and you'll find the right TYPE of WLS and the right doc for you.

I chose RNY because I didn't want something plastic that could slip ( I know that this is rare) and I didn't want to worry about fills. BUT THIS WAS ME. I know the BAND has worked for a lot of people. You have to look at the way you eat and then pick the right WLS for you. Just remember ANY WLS can be dome LAP not just the band. Look at all the different types RNY, Band, Sleeve, DS/BPD, and all the others and get what is right for YOU.

Good Luck, Robin

It's a bit of a daunting process, isn't it?  Since I opted for RNY instaead of lap band, and had my surgery in Dayton, I can;t really address any of teh specific programs or physicians you mentioned.  I think it's REALLY important to do as much reasearch as you can about whihc procedure will work best for you, and then to select a surgeon that you really have confidence in and feel some kind of connection with.  There can be bumps in the road post-op (and with lap band, you will be having to go in for all of your fills), and having a surgeon you are comfortable with will make things easier. I am NOT pushing one type of surgery over another, but there are a lot of mixed results with lap band (and the physicians know it) so that may be why you felt you were not getting the whole story.  It works very well for some people but not as well for others (depending on what your own eating/food issues are).  Lots of people wne dup with revisions (from lap band to RNY or from RNY to DS0, so doing your research before havign ANY surgery can really save you time, money, and stress in the long run. Lora

Hi JWW.

If your diabetes is bad enough to be a concern, you may want to consider a procedure with malabsorption.  The DS and RNY both are known to put diabetes into remission very quickly.  The DS does it so well, that docs are now calling their patients "cured" in 98% of the patients who suffer.  Most DS patients are off of their diabetes meds before they even leave the hospital.   I highly recommend my surgeon, Dr. Rita Anderson.  She works out of Kettering Medical Center and she and her team do the LapBand, RNY and DS, I know.  I'm not sure about the VSG, but if you have questions about any of those three, you'll get knowledgable and unbiased answers from them.  My experience with them has been fantastic.  Check them out at newlifesurgery.org