So confused

I did my seminar tonight at Fair Oaks with Dr.Moazzez, when I went there tonight I was sure that I wanted Lap Band done, now I have no clue. I really don't have anyone to talk to about this so I turned here for help and support.  I'm so ready to get out of this fat suite that I am wearing and find the real me under all this fat. I have started about 3 months ago with taken vitiams and walking more, but man my knees are killing me... I think I should  buy stock in Tylenol. So any info anyone can send my way it would help. I know I can always ask my doc but sometimes you get better advice from those who have been through it.

 So what is making you change your mind?  Did Dr. Moazzez not help?  I had my surgery at Fair Oaks and went through Dr. Anez.  He does RNY and Lapband.  Can I ask why you are choosing lapband over RNY?  I know you are seeking advice, but I'm not sure what you are wanting answers to.  I will be glad to help you!

Not sure why I really picked Lap Band, I guess it seemed less drastic of the choices. I think now I want RNY. Dr Moazzez explained things great. I'm ecited about the prospect of being healthier and thinner. I guess I just want to hear someone personal story of what they had done and know what the worst that they have dealt with. I mean it's different to hear soeone that hasn't been through say what it will be like, but to hear it from someone that has dealt with the good days and the bad day, just makes it more real to me.

 Just from my personal experience...

 Right away I knew the lapband was not for me.  I had known a few people who lost 60-80 pds and always went back in for maintenance.  I didnt want to go back in for anything and I didnt want my weight loss to still leave me 30+ pds overweight.  

 I am considered a 'lightweight' but knew RNY was the only choice that was going to keep me on the right path.  

 Today I am down 68 pds with 40 to go.  Today is my 3 month anniversary.  68 pds in 3 months?  Well thats more than my lapband friends in a year.  

 My lifestyle has been altered forever.  Bad food is not really an option.  Yes, I am one of those that 'dumps' if my sugar or carbs get too high in a meal.  I love that, because it keeps me in check.

 The mourning of food lasted a few weeks post-op followed by depression, but that was harder than the actual surgery.  

 RNY patients are committed to vitamins for the rest of their life to stay healthy.  Some people don't want to be bothered with that, but I think vitamins are vital to anyone's life...so why let something like that bother you.

 Im not bashing the lapband at all, but some of us need a bigger kick in the ass than what the lapband offers.

I spent a lot of time researching both options on the computer to make my decision.  I went to both Dr. Mo's seminar & Dr. Anez's.  I chose RNY for myself.  I did not want to have to keep going in for fills, I did not want the slower loss & I wanted more restrictions on what I could eat.  I was also a bit intimidated by the issues with port slippage and such with Lap Band.

I had my RNY almost three years ago.  I ended up being a slower loser than most but it worked for me once I wrapped my head around it.  I really don't dump on too much.  Occasionally things like pork, and rice bother me.  Sugars and fats don't so I have to watch myself.  The only issues I have had is that now I deal with low blood sugar.  I made it to goal at 18 months out, 150 lbs gone, I have recently gained about 5 lbs due to some bad choices & am trying to put myself back on track.  I have also dealt with some depression issues & sleep problems

Keep doing your research.  Google the different options.  Read peoples profiles on here.  Be a sponge & retain as much as you can.

I will tell you my personal opinion...but this is what was best for me...you, of course, have to make your own decision.  I researched my surgeon before the procedure.  I chose Dr. Hutcher who has been doing open RNY surgery longer than anyone else.  He only does open RNY however he has other doctors in his practice that do both LAP Rny and Lap Band.  He did discuss all of these options in his seminar and explained each of them and why he ONLY does his surgery open and does not do the lap band.  If you are interested in more specifice please PM me and I will gladly share.  I knew RNY was the choice for me.  I did not want to have to go back for fills.  Taking the vitamins was not a problem for me because I already took meds every day for HBP and thyroid issues.  I was able to stop taking those and now I just take the vitamins in place of it.  I have lost 260 pounds from beginning weight to my lowest before I got pregnant.  Of course I am gaining back now but it is in a healthy way and I am confidant that my tool will help me to get all the pregnancy weight off when the time comes.  I do not dump on a lot of things like most do but I am careful and eat in moderation if I chose unhealthy choices.  My tool allows me to keep a balance and the size of my pouch is wonderful.  I can eat more now than I did two years ago...but I could never imagine eating the amounts that I did preop.  I know one person that had the band slip up around their esophagus and almost killed them.  They have since had a revision.  Each surgery has it's pros and cons.  I hope the info you are receiving will help you to make the best educated decision fro your lifestyle.  Again, please feel free to PM me or e mail me ([email protected]) and I will answer anything that I can.  I am one of the longer out post ops and do help with a support group as well. 

I originally wanted the Lap Band surgery and it was because I was afraid of the RNY surgery.  It sounded so permanent and in my mind the Lap Band was reversable if anything went wrong.  I had lap RNY with Dr. Moazzez just over 2 months ago.  Since the start of this process I have lost almost 60lbs and I feel great.  Dr. Moazzez is an incredible surgeon who truly cares about his patients.  What changed my mind?  Honestly, my insurance denied the LapBand procedure, my BMI was too high by 1 point.  Now I look back and I think it is the best thing that ever happened to me.  I am losing at a good pace, about 15 lbs per month.  I have to keep reminding myself everyday that this is awesome.  For some reason I feel like I should be losing faster and thats silly.  I just have to remind myself that I wouldn't be losing at all if I had not had the surgery.  When I went in for my 2 month post-op the nurse told me I was doing great and that if I had done the Lap Band I probably would not have lost any weight yet simply because the appointment I was there for would have just been my first fill, there would not have been any restrictions up to that point really.  Now, for me, how frustrating would it have been to have gone through the surgery, be 2 months post-op and maybe have lost 10lbs?  I also feel like the hardest part is really behind me and if I had done the Lap Band I would just be starting really.

Now, I have nothing against the Lap Band procedure, it was really what I wanted to do, but now on the other side, RNY was the best option for me.  Go and meet with Dr. Moazzez one on one.  He will honestly answer all of your questions and it might make your decision so much easier.  As for the most difficult part, it was making the decision for me.  So far I haven't had any issues with anything.  I have to be careful because sugars and fats don't seem to bother me.  Don't get me wrong, I haven't really pushed things and don't plan on it anytime soon.  I have found that my cravings have virtually disappeared and when I step back and examine what the real reason is for wanting something I shouldn't have, I find I don't really want it to begin with.

Feel free to PM me with any questions or what to expect, I am happy to answer any of your questions.

Amanda

Hi  I was going to have the lap ban surgery first until my hubby had it done  1 months before and when I saw how slow his weight was coming off I changed my mind. So I had RNY done in Feb. 2008 and have only 10 more pounds to my goal. He has only lost 71 lbs to my 121 lbs.  Lap Ban is so much slower but it is up to the person themself. My hubby wish now he would have had the RNY but at the time he was scared of going through the surgery. 
So you decide what's best for you.
I will pray for God to show you the way to go.
Tomygirl

All the posters above is really how I feel. I only wanted Dr. Hutcher, so I did the surgery that he performed. I wish you the best luck in your choice.

As far as I am concerned, it all has to do with your BMI. Once it reaches a certain point, the Lap Band just isn't nearly as effective as the RNY is.

I would, like others have suggested, take a look around, and gather as much information as you can. Now that you've been through the seminar, set up a consult for yourself. I know that when I walked into my consult, at 5'3" and 399lbs, that he took only one look at me and there was no question about which procedure I needed. He did take the time however, to explain my options anyhow. (at which point he told me that I would not be happy with results from the band) I had made my mind up beforehand anyhow, my sister was a successful RNY patient and I wanted the same results.

2.5 years later, and even though I dump sometimes, and even though I have to watch my blood sugar, I have never regretted it for a minute. These issues are SO minor compared to carrying the extra 240lbs that I was dragging around.

Good luck, and if you decide to go with him, know that he is a very thorough surgeon. And he is really nice on top of it.