Question!

I'm in the very early stages of looking into bariatric surgery and am very interested in the lap band. I'm just wondering if some of you could tell my why you chose to go with the gastric bypass vs. any other type of surgery. Thanks, Sue

1. I wanted the weight off pronto! I have lost 134lbs in 7 1/2 months. I have 33 lbs to lose to reach my first major goal of weighing below 200lbs. Lap band patients experience weight loss at a slower, less drastic rate. 2. The gastric bypass gives me more control over my food choices. I avoid simple carbohydrates, sugars, and fatty foods like the plague because of the dumping syndrome that these foods produce. With the lap band, these foods can be eaten without consequence other than your own guilty conscience! 3. I really didn't like the idea of being stuck in the side with a needle in order to get the band filled or adjusted. I started my "journey" wanting the lap band (less invasive, less risk) but I went to a couple of seminars - one at Vanderbilt and one at Centennial Medical which both epxlained both benefits and risks of each. I decided that the gastric bypass would be the right procedure for me because I had so much weight to lose. I suggest you do your research, go to seminars, talk with both types of patients to decide which procedure would be best for you. If you have any other questions - just post them on here or send me a message. This board provides a great form of support! April

I too started out wanting the lap band but after I researched both of them and went to the seminar I decided that the bypass was for me. 1. The long term effects of having a foreign object in the body haven't been proven. 2. I worried about slippage and erosion of the band. 3. My surgeon said that he had done several revisions on people who were not satisfied with the weight loss that they had with the band and later decided to get the bypass. 4. My insurance would not cover the band if I qualifed for the bypass 5. sugar and bread are my trigger foods and my surgeon told me that it is very easy to cheat with the band. I WANTED the dumping so that I would have motivation to stay away from sugars. 6. I have a strong family history of diabetes and it is nearly impossible to develop diabetes with the bypass and it is cured in diabetics who have the surgeries. Those are my reasons but you have to research and decide for yourself. It is good to see you here, this board is great! Janie

Hi Sue, and welcome to the best board. I also attended several seminars. I knew with the band, from prior friends and relatives that after two years, the staples start breaking down, and then you are right back to a full stomach. I wanted the weight to stay off permanently. With the gastric, I am limited on how much I can eat. With the band you can eat the same foods that helped make you obese, just in smaller quanities. With the Gastric you can't. It teaches you how to eat healthier, and you lose the weight faster. I had my surgery in January and I've lost 128 lbs. I am 20 lbs to my goal. You can't do that on the lapband as you are only expected to lose 1-3 lbs a week. Our pouches from the gastric bypass is totally cut away from the main stomach forever. It will only hold no more then 1 cup of food a day. You learn to eat better, to lose weight, to tone your body, and you learn not to eat the foods that got you obese in the first place as it will make you sick to your stomach and bowells. Dr. Colquitt in Maryville did mine and he comes highly recommended. By the way, Ilive in the west end of Morristown, so we aren't that far apart. If you have any other questions besure to post them here, or email me. I've been on this board the longest. It's the best support group, you make new friends, prayers, and we even allow you to vent your frustrations. Happy Thanksgiving, Kathy

I researched the lapband, RNY and DS. I rejected the lapband immediately because I knew I needed something more restrictive and permanent. When I went to the seminars (I went to 3 different ones) I learned even more about the RNY vs DS. I chose RNY because I have had IBS for years and knew that one of the most common side effects of the DS is "frequent, loose, foul-smelling stools". I definitely didn't need any part of that. Also, in the 3rd seminar (with the surgeon I ultimately chose) he told us that he has had several patients with IBS who have had great results with RNY. I had actually been afraid that the IBS might keep me from having WLS. I know that DS patients can eat more, however, they are also at greater risk for malnutrition because they have more malabsorption than RNY patients do. I like the fact that I have the residual stomach still available in case it's needed. With DS, 75% of the stomach is cut off and removed. With RNY, the pouch is sectioned off and the remaining stomach remains attached to the small intestine to continue delivering digestive juices to your system. Research all of your options. Attend as many seminars as possible to find the right procedure and surgeon for you. Remember, you are the one who has to live with the lifestyle changes required for the procedure you choose. It has to be your decision and no one elses. Good luck! Whatever procedure you choose, it will be the best gift you can give yourself. Susan

Hi, I too started out wanting the lap band. I changed my mind for all the above stated reasons, especially the insurance one, mine wouldn't pay for the lap band because of the high revision rate, but I also had other reasons. I point blank asked my surgeon which he preferred and he chose rny. That spoke volumes to me. Also, when I found out about stomach erosion, band slippage, and band twisting....uuuuuuuugggggghhhh! Also, the port fills cost around $150 and most insurances do not cover it or don't cover it up front. Considering that they are filled every 2 months or so...that's a lot of money to come up with over time. All of the other reasons as well, I WANT dumping, I WANT permanency, etc. Good luck with your choice!

Hi Sue, Dr. Colquitt will not do the DS procedure as it's outdated and not as affective as the RNY. He's also listed with the Center of Excellence with Medicare and so is Blount Memorial Hospital. Let us know what you decide. Love kathy

Hi Kathy: I am so scared of the bypass. I'm having trouble getting past that fear. I thought with the lap band, it could be reversed if I had trouble and I wouldn't run the risk of all that goes with the bypass. I'm 58 years old and I don't want to wait much longer before doing something. I would really love to be thin by the time I'm 60. Do you know where I might attend some seminars in the area. Thanks, Sue

Thanks to you all for your input, although, I'm not hearing all the things I wanted to hear. I am really afraid of the bypass and had hoped that the lap band would work for me. I'm a cancer survivor; I already have diabetes, reflux, coronary artery disease, spinal stenoises, arthritis, etc., etc., etc. I'm not as young as you all appear to be and so I thought the lap band would be less of a risk for me while also being adjusted or reversed. Guess I need to attend some seminars to become more educated on all this. Can you tell me where I can find information on seminars in the Morristown area. Thanks, Sue