So Glad I found this Forum
2 Years ago I had Lap Band Surgery which for me was a nightmare from day 1! I know 5 other close friends and relatives that have done extremely well with it but of course Mrs Lucky over here. 14 Mos after putting it in I had to have it removed due to constant vomiting, uncontrollable reflux, inability to drink any liquids for sustained periods of time(dehydration), sever bruising at the port site. I even had all the fluid removed for about two months just to let everything calm down and then it just slipped without any restriction at all. The dr had warned me about weight gain after the surgery (removal) and I thought I could control it but within a year I went from about 255/60-320!
So now I am considering Roux-en-Y surgery and have most of my insurance stuff and evals out of the way. I have a new surgeon who I can really relate to but I still am very nervous about going forward. I have no worries of the surgery, anesthesia, or pain I just keep thinking about not being able to swallow fluids and how panicked I became everytime I knew I was going to have an EPISODE!
AAAAH! well if anyone has anyone has any stories/advice good, bad or just relatable I would love to hear them. I am going to take a little while before I decide if I should go forward or not and I would like to learn a little more about motility issues and if that could have affected my original surgery.
Thanks for any info guys,
Sambone
So now I am considering Roux-en-Y surgery and have most of my insurance stuff and evals out of the way. I have a new surgeon who I can really relate to but I still am very nervous about going forward. I have no worries of the surgery, anesthesia, or pain I just keep thinking about not being able to swallow fluids and how panicked I became everytime I knew I was going to have an EPISODE!
AAAAH! well if anyone has anyone has any stories/advice good, bad or just relatable I would love to hear them. I am going to take a little while before I decide if I should go forward or not and I would like to learn a little more about motility issues and if that could have affected my original surgery.
Thanks for any info guys,
Sambone
Hi Sambone,
I'm sorry you've had a rough time with your band, but I think your experience, unfortunately isn't all that uncommon.
I took a peek at your profile and with a BMI of 44, you may want to look into the DS before you commit to RNY. I had RNY for 28 years and would not recommend it to anyone. While it did help me get the weight off, that help went away after less than a year and in order to keep my weight under control I had to diet and exercise like crazy. Add to that having to deal with the damn pouch all the time and the RNY actually hindered me trying to eat healthy and stay fit. You can read all the details on my profile if you wish; it's public.
The long and short of it is that about a year ago I finally decided I had to do something about my weight and started looking into what my options were. I knew I didn't want more RNY, but had no idea what else there was. I looked into LapBand and Mini Bypass and found way too many people who were unhappy with their results and then I stumbled onto the DS. It seemed to have all the answers and the more I learned the more I liked. I had a hard time finding a surgeon that would revise me because of my 28 year old Bypass, but found Dr. Rabkin and I got a revision to DS last September.
I never dreamed life could be so good; I eat like a normal person, there are no off limit foods, I have my pyloric valve and duodenum back, I can take NSAID pain relievers and I have the best chance of keeping the weight off long term. Dr. Rabkin's patients have an average 90% EWL long term and if you do have a regain you still have the malabsorbtion to help you lose if you need to.
Like I said, I've had both RNY and DS and there is no comparison, the DS is far superior in any measurable way and it give you a superior quality of life post op. You owe it to yourself to learn all the facts and what all your options are. Add to that the fact that you have one of the best DS surgeons in the world in NJ:
David Greenbaum, MD, FACS
Email: [email protected]
I'm sorry you've had a rough time with your band, but I think your experience, unfortunately isn't all that uncommon.
I took a peek at your profile and with a BMI of 44, you may want to look into the DS before you commit to RNY. I had RNY for 28 years and would not recommend it to anyone. While it did help me get the weight off, that help went away after less than a year and in order to keep my weight under control I had to diet and exercise like crazy. Add to that having to deal with the damn pouch all the time and the RNY actually hindered me trying to eat healthy and stay fit. You can read all the details on my profile if you wish; it's public.
The long and short of it is that about a year ago I finally decided I had to do something about my weight and started looking into what my options were. I knew I didn't want more RNY, but had no idea what else there was. I looked into LapBand and Mini Bypass and found way too many people who were unhappy with their results and then I stumbled onto the DS. It seemed to have all the answers and the more I learned the more I liked. I had a hard time finding a surgeon that would revise me because of my 28 year old Bypass, but found Dr. Rabkin and I got a revision to DS last September.
I never dreamed life could be so good; I eat like a normal person, there are no off limit foods, I have my pyloric valve and duodenum back, I can take NSAID pain relievers and I have the best chance of keeping the weight off long term. Dr. Rabkin's patients have an average 90% EWL long term and if you do have a regain you still have the malabsorbtion to help you lose if you need to.
Like I said, I've had both RNY and DS and there is no comparison, the DS is far superior in any measurable way and it give you a superior quality of life post op. You owe it to yourself to learn all the facts and what all your options are. Add to that the fact that you have one of the best DS surgeons in the world in NJ:
David Greenbaum, MD, FACS
Email: [email protected]
Surgical Specialists of New Jersey, LLC
Rancocas Division
1000 Salem Rd., Suite A
Willingboro, NJ 08046
Phone: 609-877-1737
Email: [email protected]
Hi Kerry,
Thanks so much for all of the info and taking the time to write everything out for me. This time around I am trying to be much more proactive in choosing what will be right for me. With the band I really just went by medical research and a few personal stories of success. Well medical statistics change every month and the past few years you have really started seeing more and more of the negative band side effects. I did read your profile and wow you have really been through a lot going threw the second surgery and all. It does sound that the DS has worked amazingly for you and it makes me hopeful when I hear these revision stories that turn out well. It does however mean their is a lot more research that I still have to do. First and most importantly is my health. Right now I am extremely healthy but I know due to my weight I am walking a fine line and any day I know health problems are going to start jumping out at me. Secondly I need to find a program that will work with my insurance. Both before and after my surgery and I am just being realistic with that one. I believe my insurance may only cover banding and the roux-en-y which after reading your story seems unfortunate for me. It definately is something I would and will consider regardless of insurance coverage.
Again thanks for all of the info it is exactly what I was looking for,
Kelly
Thanks so much for all of the info and taking the time to write everything out for me. This time around I am trying to be much more proactive in choosing what will be right for me. With the band I really just went by medical research and a few personal stories of success. Well medical statistics change every month and the past few years you have really started seeing more and more of the negative band side effects. I did read your profile and wow you have really been through a lot going threw the second surgery and all. It does sound that the DS has worked amazingly for you and it makes me hopeful when I hear these revision stories that turn out well. It does however mean their is a lot more research that I still have to do. First and most importantly is my health. Right now I am extremely healthy but I know due to my weight I am walking a fine line and any day I know health problems are going to start jumping out at me. Secondly I need to find a program that will work with my insurance. Both before and after my surgery and I am just being realistic with that one. I believe my insurance may only cover banding and the roux-en-y which after reading your story seems unfortunate for me. It definately is something I would and will consider regardless of insurance coverage.
Again thanks for all of the info it is exactly what I was looking for,
Kelly
Kelly,
I know that insurance can be a real pain, but I still think you would be wise to contact Dr. Greenbaum's office, I'll bet they could be a big help. Also, Dr. Greenbaum does RNY as well as DS, he's actually published papers on comparitive studies of both and would be a great resource to help you get approved should you decide you want the DS. If you decide to get RNY, Dr. Greenbaum would still be an excellent surgeon to choose.
You're on the right track Kelly; don't just take my word for it, read all the data and published articles you can find, lurk and post on the DS & RNY forums, you will gain a wealth of knowledge and understanding of how each WLS works and what your life will be like post op.
You're a beautiful young woman and you have a long life ahead of you and either DS or RNY will help you get the weight off. However, once the weight is off, you will still have a long life ahead of your and how you keep the weight off and have to eat and live with your WLS for the next 50 odd years is going to be a very big deal. Way too many people just see how wonderful it would be to get the weight off and don't think about how they're going to maintain the loss and live for the rest of their lives.
Research, study, think for as long as you need to; then cut only once, so you don't have to go through any more surgery and can lead the life you deserve.
Kerry
I know that insurance can be a real pain, but I still think you would be wise to contact Dr. Greenbaum's office, I'll bet they could be a big help. Also, Dr. Greenbaum does RNY as well as DS, he's actually published papers on comparitive studies of both and would be a great resource to help you get approved should you decide you want the DS. If you decide to get RNY, Dr. Greenbaum would still be an excellent surgeon to choose.
You're on the right track Kelly; don't just take my word for it, read all the data and published articles you can find, lurk and post on the DS & RNY forums, you will gain a wealth of knowledge and understanding of how each WLS works and what your life will be like post op.
You're a beautiful young woman and you have a long life ahead of you and either DS or RNY will help you get the weight off. However, once the weight is off, you will still have a long life ahead of your and how you keep the weight off and have to eat and live with your WLS for the next 50 odd years is going to be a very big deal. Way too many people just see how wonderful it would be to get the weight off and don't think about how they're going to maintain the loss and live for the rest of their lives.
Research, study, think for as long as you need to; then cut only once, so you don't have to go through any more surgery and can lead the life you deserve.
Kerry
Absolutely Dawn.
By the way what made you consider the DS. I have heard of it and have a basic understanding of the proc. but until I just read Kerry's post I had actually never spoken to anyone about it. I was considering the roux-en-y but now I am wondering if I hear more success stories bc it has just been done more. It is a little frustrating at this point whenever I think I may be reaching the right choice something seems to come along and make me doubt everything I have just researched!
TTYL,
Kelly
By the way what made you consider the DS. I have heard of it and have a basic understanding of the proc. but until I just read Kerry's post I had actually never spoken to anyone about it. I was considering the roux-en-y but now I am wondering if I hear more success stories bc it has just been done more. It is a little frustrating at this point whenever I think I may be reaching the right choice something seems to come along and make me doubt everything I have just researched!
TTYL,
Kelly
On July 9, 2009 at 7:50 AM Pacific Time, sambone80 wrote:
Absolutely Dawn. By the way what made you consider the DS. I have heard of it and have a basic understanding of the proc. but until I just read Kerry's post I had actually never spoken to anyone about it. I was considering the roux-en-y but now I am wondering if I hear more success stories bc it has just been done more. It is a little frustrating at this point whenever I think I may be reaching the right choice something seems to come along and make me doubt everything I have just researched!
TTYL,
Kelly
Just take all stoires with a huge grain of salt. The evolution of weight loss surgery is suich that something done today is light years better than something done even 5 years ago. So if someone hated something that was done several years ago then chances are they have a valid reason to hate it! ..... There are several types of Rny's and the name in front of the Rny generally defines the difference... i.e. proximal is the standard which is a measurement and is the least aggressive.... It goes up to medial, distal and extended (aka ERny). The ERny is the most aggressive and has an amazing weight loss associated with it since it has the shortest common channel and offers the most malabsorption.
There are also different stages or even types of the DS. You'll hear people talk about a type of "old" DS which apparently is rarely done anymore. (The DS forum could give you the details) and then some docs offer a sleeve which is the upper portion of a DS; when done alone simply offers restriction similar to a "filled" lapband but without lapband worries........when/if it ever stops working then a surgeon could add the bottom part to complete the DS.
Many are very successful with a sleeve. If I were a newbie and knew all that i knew now; I would get a sleeve and then move on to a full DS if the sleeve somehow failed me. But, having oodles of malabsorption and living a high maintenance lifestyle because of it, I think the sleeve just sounds so liberating! LOL!
If you hop around the different forums: sleeve, DS, Rny AND graduates....then you can get a realistic feel for what's making people happy in the long run.
Good luck!
Joyce Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
Hiya Sambone,
Good for you for researching and taking your time to make the right decision for you! Bummer about the first go around but we live and learn and those who have been very successful with one type of surgery can sure sell it for the rest, right? I'll bet we all know some lapbanders who are at goal and doing great.
My recommendation is always to have at least 2 consultations before a revision and try to find a doc who is recommended by several and who offers all types of revisions. I actually had around 5 consults (some via phone) before decicing.
the good news is that you are basically a "virgin" stomach since your band is removed so you should have all options available to you! Sometimes there is scarring associated with a band removal though so it's important to get an experienced revision doc!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Good for you for researching and taking your time to make the right decision for you! Bummer about the first go around but we live and learn and those who have been very successful with one type of surgery can sure sell it for the rest, right? I'll bet we all know some lapbanders who are at goal and doing great.
My recommendation is always to have at least 2 consultations before a revision and try to find a doc who is recommended by several and who offers all types of revisions. I actually had around 5 consults (some via phone) before decicing.
the good news is that you are basically a "virgin" stomach since your band is removed so you should have all options available to you! Sometimes there is scarring associated with a band removal though so it's important to get an experienced revision doc!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Joyce Rny 2/11/03-> ERny 12/26/07-> Duodenal Switch 5/12/2010
www.dsfacts.com , www.dssurgery.com , & www.duodenalswitch.com
Joyce,
Thanks so much for all of your comments and information. I definately have a lot more to look into. I have met with 2 surgeons one from a very large team which does numerous revisions and initial wls. I found them to be very cold and they treated me more like "just another surgery" which was an immediate turn off! So far I really am comfortable with my current surgeon but after reading everything here I may just set up an apt. with a dr. that specializes in DS surgery as well just to see what he has to say.
Thanks again and KIT,
Sambone
PS
I read your profile and it is truly inspiring, you look FABOLOUS!
Thanks so much for all of your comments and information. I definately have a lot more to look into. I have met with 2 surgeons one from a very large team which does numerous revisions and initial wls. I found them to be very cold and they treated me more like "just another surgery" which was an immediate turn off! So far I really am comfortable with my current surgeon but after reading everything here I may just set up an apt. with a dr. that specializes in DS surgery as well just to see what he has to say.
Thanks again and KIT,
Sambone
PS
I read your profile and it is truly inspiring, you look FABOLOUS!
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