Types of Surgery---Making the best choice
My surgeon, like most of your offers three types of surgery (Lap--Sleeve--RNY).
What made each of you decide on the type of surgery you wanted to have? In other words, why choose the Sleeve over the RNY or vice/versa? If you selected the lap band, why?
And are you happy with your choice why or why not.
Thanks
Have you had a personal consult with the surgeon yet?
I went into this process thinking I would have RNY. Then I went to an info session and decided I wanted sleeve. Then I had an actual consult with my surgeon, started the pre-op testing and discovered I had silent reflux and therefore sleeve wasn't a good option for me, so I was back to RNY.
I'm thankful every day that I made the choice to change my life and have RNY. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to deal with all the vitamins that RNY requires - but again, based on my personal situation, RNY was the best choice.
So that's my best advice, talk with the surgeon about your particular situation - your goals and medical conditions, etc.
Good luck!
RNY @ Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia with Dr. Tatyan Clark 3/18/2014
It is a hard decision to make and the best way to feel confident in the decision is to research, talk to your surgeon, talk to those that have had the surgery(s) you are considering and think about your long term goals, your current health issues and ask, ask, ask lots and lots of questions. The information can be overwhelming but it is always best to have TOO much than not enough.
My surgeon does not do Lap-Band, he feels strongly that the complications out weigh any benefits. We talked about Sleeve surgery but as others will say, I had been a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux and that ruled out the Sleeve surgery for me. Also, there are complications with Sleeve and some have had to have revision from Sleeve to RNY, same goes for Lap-Band.
RNY is the "golden standard" for weight loss surgery. It is also the surgery with the most data, spanning over several decades. It many cases/studies RNY has been proven to "cure" most obesity related diseases/illnesses. I chose RNY for all the reasons listed plus all the research I conducted pointed me in the RNY direction.
You have to do what is best for you but don't rule out one surgery over the other because you don't have enough information.
Good luck in your decision!
on 9/30/15 4:25 pm
Please do not consider the Lap-Band. Too many of us have had severe and dangerous complications. I am only 10 weeks out from my revision surgery (Lap to RNY), but I am already a million times happier. I decided not to revise to the Sleeve because I developed espohogeal and acid issues with the Band, and the Sleeve is known to worsen those in many. I am very happy with my choice.
- High Weight before LapBand: 200 (2008)
- High Weight before RNY: 160 (2015)
- Lowest post-op weight: 110 (2016)
- Maintenance Weight: 120 (2017-2019)
- Battling Regain Weight: 135 (current)
I chose the sleeve (VSG) because my daughter and niece both had is several years ago, and both did incredibly well with it. I don't have acid reflux, so the sleeve was best for me. I'm not having to deal with malabsorption, and don't need to take lots of vitamins, like with the Duodenal Switch and RNY.
The only time my doctor does lap band surgeries is to take them out. There are just too many complications. If you research lap band surgeries on this site, you will realize it is too risky and has many more complications than any other WLS.
good luck making your decision.
5' 5" tall. VSG on August 4, 2015/ Starting weight 239.9/ Surgery weight 210.9/ Current weight 137.4/ Goal weight 140/ No longer overweight, now a NORMAL weight. Now that I'm at goal, it's time to move on to maintenance!!!!!!!!
I chose the RNY because I had an intense sugar addiction and also had horrible GERD from the lap-band. As others have said stay away from the band. Wayyy too many issues. Plus you have to replace it anyways down the road. Who wants another surgery. I'm just over 3 months out and lost 69 pounds. I'm thrilled :D
Surgeon: Dr. Heydari. Lap-Band to RNY bypass. Surgery June 23, 2015.
I did decide on the RNY as I have terrible GERD. I am so surprised by the number of people warning me against the band. I really had to idea that it caused such terrible problems and a great deal of re-surgeries.
You are doing a great job with loosing 65 pounds in 3 months. I hope I can match that. I have four more weeks until my surgery and am trying to use that time to gather as much information as possible.
Thanks for replying to my post.