Making the Decision
Hey All -
So - I've written here before asking wether or not to even have a surgery, then to choose a Dr....and now I'm at a new point.... which one!? I went for my consultation with Dr Dyer (who was very nice, by the way) on Friday all prepared to have him do the realize band. Upon talking to him, he was concerned that with my currect weight (a BMI in the low 50's) that the band would not be very sucessful for me. He asked if I had considered the sleeve procedure since I'm not too keen on the extensive surgery of the by-pass. He has marked me in for a date for surgery and I have to make a final decision pretty soon...this is all very over-whelming! I don't want to get a surgery only to have it fail when I could choose a different surgery and have it work! So what do you guys recommend? I'm not a huge eater...I only eat about twice a day, and don't eat my first meal till around 12:30 - I snack rarely. I do tend to eat out a lot however. And when I do eat a meal it is usually a big one, but I take home lots of leftovers at almost every meal. I am pretty busy and am on the go constantly which makes it hard to plan out meals as carefully as I should. I am aware that my eating habits will have to change with any surgery, but am just stumped as to the best one to choose for me.... HELP!
Let me know your experiences. Thanks for your feed back ahead of time.
So - I've written here before asking wether or not to even have a surgery, then to choose a Dr....and now I'm at a new point.... which one!? I went for my consultation with Dr Dyer (who was very nice, by the way) on Friday all prepared to have him do the realize band. Upon talking to him, he was concerned that with my currect weight (a BMI in the low 50's) that the band would not be very sucessful for me. He asked if I had considered the sleeve procedure since I'm not too keen on the extensive surgery of the by-pass. He has marked me in for a date for surgery and I have to make a final decision pretty soon...this is all very over-whelming! I don't want to get a surgery only to have it fail when I could choose a different surgery and have it work! So what do you guys recommend? I'm not a huge eater...I only eat about twice a day, and don't eat my first meal till around 12:30 - I snack rarely. I do tend to eat out a lot however. And when I do eat a meal it is usually a big one, but I take home lots of leftovers at almost every meal. I am pretty busy and am on the go constantly which makes it hard to plan out meals as carefully as I should. I am aware that my eating habits will have to change with any surgery, but am just stumped as to the best one to choose for me.... HELP!
Let me know your experiences. Thanks for your feed back ahead of time. ~ Renee
Hello and welcome!
Do you have insurance? If you do than it should cover whatever surgery you decide to have based on the requirements of the plan. I would contact the insurance person at the center for more information.
There are a couple of things that I see... Your patterns WILL have to change reguardless of whether you have surgery or not. If you are only eating 2 meals a day, then your body takes what it does get and stores it all because it does not know when it will get it's next source of energy. Your body is a very amazing "machine", also very effecient at what it does. It will go into store mode any time it feels that it might be starving.
One thing that I would like to challenge you even now until you make a decision about surgery is to TOTALLY change the way that you eat. Try to get in at least 3 meals a day. Make sure that these meals are good for you (fried food is not a good option, if you know what I mean, not saying that is what you do eat!). Try to eat your first within 2 hours of getting up in the morning. The thing is, the time from your last meal the night before and your first meal of the next day is way to far apart! (eating at what... 8pm the night before, then the next meal at about 1230pm the next day - that is over 16 hours!) No wonder your body thinks that it is starving!
Lean proteins and green vegis are going to be your friend for these meals. Low fat and low carb options for breakfast i.e. Carbmaster yogurt, 2 scrambled eggs, or something along those lines (try to avoid fatty breakfast meats like bacon or sausage, lean ham would be ok) Even a normal serving of cereal with skim milk is better.
I hope that some of this does help you. I cannot recommend what surgery to have as it is a decision for you and your doctor. If you ask everyone here, they will all give you different answers. I had RNY and I feel that was the best option for ME.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
Michael.
Do you have insurance? If you do than it should cover whatever surgery you decide to have based on the requirements of the plan. I would contact the insurance person at the center for more information.
There are a couple of things that I see... Your patterns WILL have to change reguardless of whether you have surgery or not. If you are only eating 2 meals a day, then your body takes what it does get and stores it all because it does not know when it will get it's next source of energy. Your body is a very amazing "machine", also very effecient at what it does. It will go into store mode any time it feels that it might be starving.
One thing that I would like to challenge you even now until you make a decision about surgery is to TOTALLY change the way that you eat. Try to get in at least 3 meals a day. Make sure that these meals are good for you (fried food is not a good option, if you know what I mean, not saying that is what you do eat!). Try to eat your first within 2 hours of getting up in the morning. The thing is, the time from your last meal the night before and your first meal of the next day is way to far apart! (eating at what... 8pm the night before, then the next meal at about 1230pm the next day - that is over 16 hours!) No wonder your body thinks that it is starving!
Lean proteins and green vegis are going to be your friend for these meals. Low fat and low carb options for breakfast i.e. Carbmaster yogurt, 2 scrambled eggs, or something along those lines (try to avoid fatty breakfast meats like bacon or sausage, lean ham would be ok) Even a normal serving of cereal with skim milk is better.
I hope that some of this does help you. I cannot recommend what surgery to have as it is a decision for you and your doctor. If you ask everyone here, they will all give you different answers. I had RNY and I feel that was the best option for ME.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
Michael.
Renee -
Listen to Dr. Dyer. Three years ago I chose the lap band for the same reasons you are stating about the realize band. I thought that I just needed a little extra help and the weight would come off. I dropped from 224 to 190 and then gained 5 - 7 back.
Dr. Houston is my surgeon. He mentioned the bypass to me in 2006 and I felt it was overkill. Wrong. I made the wrong choice. My guess is that Dr. Dyer is correct and the band will not put you where you want to be.
My BMI is now at 37, but I don't drop weight unless I watch every calorie and exercise like crazy. I am planning to have a revision to DS on 8/24 with Dr. Houston. After much discussion with him, we decided on the DS because I think my metabolism is pretty much gone. The sleeve is restrictive only and I was afraid that would not be enough without the malabsorption.
A fellow lap band patient who had her surgery on the same day I did in 2006 has had a revision to the sleeve in April. She has dropped from 185 to 140 in a little over 3 months.
In my case, the sleeve might help me, but I did not want to take the chance of losing 40 pounds and still being 40 too high if there is an absorption issue. I wanted to go through surgery only once more and the best chance of getting to my goal appears to be the DS.
Before you make a decision, really REALLY REALLY read and look at the choices. My personal recommendation is to try any but the band. Yes, the DS and the RNY are extensive, but they may be what you really need. If you have the sleeve and you do not lose all that you want or gain back, the sleeve is a part of the DS surgery. If you later decide to have the DS, your sleeve may or may not need to be modified.
Best wishes on your decision. It is tough to decide.
Mary
Listen to Dr. Dyer. Three years ago I chose the lap band for the same reasons you are stating about the realize band. I thought that I just needed a little extra help and the weight would come off. I dropped from 224 to 190 and then gained 5 - 7 back.
Dr. Houston is my surgeon. He mentioned the bypass to me in 2006 and I felt it was overkill. Wrong. I made the wrong choice. My guess is that Dr. Dyer is correct and the band will not put you where you want to be.
My BMI is now at 37, but I don't drop weight unless I watch every calorie and exercise like crazy. I am planning to have a revision to DS on 8/24 with Dr. Houston. After much discussion with him, we decided on the DS because I think my metabolism is pretty much gone. The sleeve is restrictive only and I was afraid that would not be enough without the malabsorption.
A fellow lap band patient who had her surgery on the same day I did in 2006 has had a revision to the sleeve in April. She has dropped from 185 to 140 in a little over 3 months.
In my case, the sleeve might help me, but I did not want to take the chance of losing 40 pounds and still being 40 too high if there is an absorption issue. I wanted to go through surgery only once more and the best chance of getting to my goal appears to be the DS.
Before you make a decision, really REALLY REALLY read and look at the choices. My personal recommendation is to try any but the band. Yes, the DS and the RNY are extensive, but they may be what you really need. If you have the sleeve and you do not lose all that you want or gain back, the sleeve is a part of the DS surgery. If you later decide to have the DS, your sleeve may or may not need to be modified.
Best wishes on your decision. It is tough to decide.
Mary
HELLO, MY NAME IS TERRY
I TO HAD MY MIND SET ON THE LAP BAND. AFTER ATTENDING SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS AND THE DOCTOR ON THE CONSULT. MY DOCTOR IS DR. DYER BEING ALMOST 2 WEEKS OUT FROM RNY I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE NOT FELT SO GOOD IN YEARS AND SINCE MY PREOP DIET STARTED. I HAVE LOST 37 POUNDS. I COULD NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT DR. DYER.
I TO HAD MY MIND SET ON THE LAP BAND. AFTER ATTENDING SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS AND THE DOCTOR ON THE CONSULT. MY DOCTOR IS DR. DYER BEING ALMOST 2 WEEKS OUT FROM RNY I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE NOT FELT SO GOOD IN YEARS AND SINCE MY PREOP DIET STARTED. I HAVE LOST 37 POUNDS. I COULD NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT DR. DYER.
Hey Renee,
Glad to see you back on the boards. I started this journey of mine wanting the lapband, I thought that I could loose the weight and be at a normal BMI. After reading up on the lapband, I decided that I was not and would not be happy looseing 50% of my excess body weight. So I then thought the RNY was the way to go, even thought I thought the process was a little much, so it was RNY for me. Then I found out about the sleeve and thought maybe that was the way, well I finally ended up with the DS. I read these boards over and over and while most people make the RNY and Sleeve work, I knew that I would be the one that wouldn't. I choose the DS because it really does allow me to live a normal life. I am almost 6 months out and in the past 7 months I have lost 201 pounds. Looking back now, I think the sleeve would have help me loose the weight, would it help me keep it off - that I don't know. I like having my backup plan (the malsorbsion from the DS). Dr. Houston made my stomach really really small and I love the restriction but at 6 months I can eat a LOT more than i could when I started and I am afraid that if I did not have the full DS I would be back gaining weight.
I would suggest you go to each surgeries board and post. ASk the people who had the surgery the pro's and con's of it. Also go to the revision board and see what surgeries people have had and what they are switching to. All these played a big part in my choice. While the DS is the most powerful (and riskiest) the stats really pushed me towards choosing it.
Whatever you choice, we are all here to support you. I hope to see you at The Weigh soon.
Glad to see you back on the boards. I started this journey of mine wanting the lapband, I thought that I could loose the weight and be at a normal BMI. After reading up on the lapband, I decided that I was not and would not be happy looseing 50% of my excess body weight. So I then thought the RNY was the way to go, even thought I thought the process was a little much, so it was RNY for me. Then I found out about the sleeve and thought maybe that was the way, well I finally ended up with the DS. I read these boards over and over and while most people make the RNY and Sleeve work, I knew that I would be the one that wouldn't. I choose the DS because it really does allow me to live a normal life. I am almost 6 months out and in the past 7 months I have lost 201 pounds. Looking back now, I think the sleeve would have help me loose the weight, would it help me keep it off - that I don't know. I like having my backup plan (the malsorbsion from the DS). Dr. Houston made my stomach really really small and I love the restriction but at 6 months I can eat a LOT more than i could when I started and I am afraid that if I did not have the full DS I would be back gaining weight.
I would suggest you go to each surgeries board and post. ASk the people who had the surgery the pro's and con's of it. Also go to the revision board and see what surgeries people have had and what they are switching to. All these played a big part in my choice. While the DS is the most powerful (and riskiest) the stats really pushed me towards choosing it.
Whatever you choice, we are all here to support you. I hope to see you at The Weigh soon.
480/435/180/230
HW/SW/CW/GW
Currently Looking into Plastics with Dr. Carden (in Mexico)
k9ophile
on 8/9/09 9:31 am
on 8/9/09 9:31 am
I can only echo what others have said: research, research, and research! Go to scientific sites; Google is your friend. Don't just visit the different surgery boards. They are great for anecdotal "evidence". Don't just rely on a surgery center's site unless they do a variety of procedure. OK, I'm biased, but Centennial does the four big ones (lap band, sleeve, RNY, and DS) and they have some decent animations of the different procedures. I also think you could put the surgeons names in a hat and draw out your doctor because all three are excellent.
The insurance point is also valid. I was lucky in that my insurance covered the procedure I wanted. You talked about your eating habits. It's good to be aware of them. Mine were important in my choice. You didn't mention any medical conditions you have. That also needs to be considered. I take buckets of vitamins and supplements. They range from $ to $$$$. Insurance does not cover them. Although with a letter of medical necessity, I can get reimbursed from my flexible spending account.
I agree that with a BMI in the low 50's a lap band may not be enough. You may not like the idea of malabsorption, but it does have some very good things going for it. Remember, malabsorption does not equal malnutrition. I had 6 abnormal labs at 3 months out. At 10 months out, they're all normal with the help of my supplements.
I personally am glad I had the DS. I thought about the sleeve and realistically knew I would need more. I only wanted one WLS and I was afraid the restriction of the sleeve alone would not be enough.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
The insurance point is also valid. I was lucky in that my insurance covered the procedure I wanted. You talked about your eating habits. It's good to be aware of them. Mine were important in my choice. You didn't mention any medical conditions you have. That also needs to be considered. I take buckets of vitamins and supplements. They range from $ to $$$$. Insurance does not cover them. Although with a letter of medical necessity, I can get reimbursed from my flexible spending account.
I agree that with a BMI in the low 50's a lap band may not be enough. You may not like the idea of malabsorption, but it does have some very good things going for it. Remember, malabsorption does not equal malnutrition. I had 6 abnormal labs at 3 months out. At 10 months out, they're all normal with the help of my supplements.
I personally am glad I had the DS. I thought about the sleeve and realistically knew I would need more. I only wanted one WLS and I was afraid the restriction of the sleeve alone would not be enough.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us." Stephen Covey
Don't litter! Spay or neuter your pet
Like everyone else said, research, research and then research some more.
Ilike John started out wanting the lapband then I changed to the rny then I
heard about the DS and as soon as I started reading about it I knew WITHOUT A DOUBT that was the one for me. My starting bmi was 43 so I
wasn't the heaviest person, but I knew I only wanted 1 surgery and I knew
that I was an addict with food and I had to be stopped. My sleeve is small, so right now I can't eat much, but later when I can I wanted the malapsorbtion that comes with the DS. My common channel is 125 cm so
I will not not malapsorb as much as some do, Dr. Houston works with his
patients on a one on one basis. I take vits everyday also,but better that than
all the prscription pills that go along with obesity,
Make your decision based on your needs and wants.
Ronda S.
HW262//CW 122 140lbs lost !
5"6 Tall
I'm going to approach this in a different way.
First I agree with everyone else all great opinions.
But I believe you need to do some soul searching or get professional help before you enter into WLS.
Why?? You stated you have a BMI of 50 but you only eat twice a day and no snacks and small meals. Well I believe your in denial! You don't get a BMI of 50 by eating like that its literally impossible.
So before you under go WLS you should get to the bottom of what is really going on with your eating habits or you will never be successful long term with any kind of WLS.
If your going to tell me you have a medical condition causing your obesity then you are not a candidate for WLS.
Good luck C'ya Bob
First I agree with everyone else all great opinions.
But I believe you need to do some soul searching or get professional help before you enter into WLS.
Why?? You stated you have a BMI of 50 but you only eat twice a day and no snacks and small meals. Well I believe your in denial! You don't get a BMI of 50 by eating like that its literally impossible.
So before you under go WLS you should get to the bottom of what is really going on with your eating habits or you will never be successful long term with any kind of WLS.
If your going to tell me you have a medical condition causing your obesity then you are not a candidate for WLS.
Good luck C'ya Bob
Hi everyone, this is Renee's husband. First of all, I just wanted to thank everyone for their encouragement and suggestions. This has been a stressful process for her,and i am very thankful to everyone who is walking with her during this time. In saying that, I read the comment about her being in denial, and I have to say you are plain wrong. You should know a person before you make a comment like that. First of all, I have lived with her for almost seven years, so i would say i could confirm her eating habits. It frustrates me when people think that because someone is larger, that they must over eat.This is not always the case. Metabolism, and heredity play a large role in a persons weight. I for example eat more often than she does, with poorer food choices, and still weigh the same 165 at 5ft ten, which I have since high school. I know alot about diets, life style changes, and weigh loss for a skinny guy, because I have walked with my wife through several attempts in lossing weight. She has tried the adkins diet, the body for life diet, the body type diet, weigh****chers, curves, and various other work out programs. I have found that, in her case, she does not eat enough. So when she does eat, her body stores it. In saying all this, I would like to say that this site is called obesity help, not obesity discourage, so in the future please reconsider before you make a false accuasation about a person. My wife is a soft spoken person and will not be happy with me for replying to a post about her, however I had to defend her honor. Again, my utmost gratitude to everyone who is helping her through this time.
Renee's husband,
I have no reason to apologize the reason this board is successful in support is because we each bring something to the table.
You can pick and choose what you want. But if you really spent time here you would know each one of us truly want everyone to succeed.
So you have your opinion and I understand you trying to defend your wife. But like I stated if she has a medical problem and her calorie intake is so low already the WLS will not help her.
Because WLS only restricts what you eat and if she is already restricting her diet and thats not working then what good is WLS.
With her BMI of 50 if WLS works then obviously it is from over eating and maybe you don't understand obesity sense you've never had a weight problem. But I have and I've been working on mine for 18 months, I don't take the time to reply just to be mean, I've got better things to do. C'ya Bob
I have no reason to apologize the reason this board is successful in support is because we each bring something to the table.
You can pick and choose what you want. But if you really spent time here you would know each one of us truly want everyone to succeed.
So you have your opinion and I understand you trying to defend your wife. But like I stated if she has a medical problem and her calorie intake is so low already the WLS will not help her.
Because WLS only restricts what you eat and if she is already restricting her diet and thats not working then what good is WLS.
With her BMI of 50 if WLS works then obviously it is from over eating and maybe you don't understand obesity sense you've never had a weight problem. But I have and I've been working on mine for 18 months, I don't take the time to reply just to be mean, I've got better things to do. C'ya Bob
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