Hi All, Was opting for the LapBand, but insurance won't cover it, so here I am...not my first choice to get "regular" gastric bypass as my sister had it done, almost died, and continues to have complications, but I am desperate!! Any one take gastric bypass over lapband and if so, why? I am scared to death, but cannot live like this anymore! Am also wanting to get pregnant and not sure if I would have to wait a certain amount of time after surgery and if I did get pregnant soon after the surgery, what would the medical concerns be? Is it really dangerous to get pregnant soon after? My biological clock is ticking and don't want to have to make a decision about bypass or having a child, though I know I may be forced to! Any feedback would be appreciated!!! Kathy

Hello VBG Family, I just came across something I had never seen before here at OH. Maybe I am the only one... but I thought just incase I would tell you all about it as well. Off to the left under Resources in the blue border area is an underlined option (here is a link) http://www.obesityhelp.com/mailprefs.php?mbid=558 called Subscription Preferences. If you click on that you can select to have a Daily Digest sent to your email box each day. It will give you a view of all of the posts to the VBG message board that day! It also tells you about upcoming surgeries, anniversaries and recent profile updates. I thought it was pretty cool... thought you might too! Did you all already know about it?? Sharon

Good Morning Sara, Sorry to hear that you did not receive the RNY you were hoping for. But keep your spirits up as you can be successful with this surgery too! My 1 year anniversary for VBG will be on 10.28.04. I have lost 117# so far. I started at 340#. I think the weight loss is slightly slower than with RNY. But I don't think it is by much. The basic thing to keep in mind about VBG is that it is truly a tool as there is no malabsorption of calories. Your success and continued success is always up to you. Because we are able to consume sweets we must choose not to. I have provided a "bookreport" version of my experiences with VBG closer to the top on my profile. Check it out if you would like. It's true that there are a lot fewer of us out here that had VBG. But we are a supporting group overall. I do visit the main messageboard on occassion as well. But mainly I come here to the VBG forum. In case you are wondering I would have this same surgery again tomorrow. Wouldn't change a thing! Best Regards, Sharon -117#

Hi Sara , I had the same thing happen to me too except I also had a takedown of intestal by pass anyway there are many good things about the VBG like no dumping and no need to take B-12 under the toung in fact you will get all your vit from your food calium too but I take a mit vit and calium any way just to be on the safe side. I do think the weaight loss is slower but I think we look better than the people who have the rny I was like you realy ready for the rny and was lost as to what to do and expect the people he are few but very helpful . also if you look under the resureing your surgery you will find all the kinds of surgery the pre and cons it was very helpful for me anyway welcome allyson harris VGB 6-30-04 -38lb from 268

Hi Janna! Great to 'see' you my Angel! Yes, I had heard that Dr. Hall moved to Dallas. I've also heard he is doing more RNY now. That is good. I still wonder sometimes if I should have pressed having the RNY, but ultimately, I believe success is up to each of us, and not dependant on the type of surgery we have. My body has definitely adapted, because I went back to old eating habits, including drinking with meals. (BIG mistake). Now I can eat as much of whatever I want. I still remember how unhealthy I was though, so I'm working hard not to regain. I try to remember what Sharon says- 'eat for fuel'. In fact, I'm eating an apple right now. My fuel for the long walk up a steep hill during my lunch break. We don't really have support groups here in Oregon, they are just for local surgeons patients. But some of us from the local message board at this website get together and make our own support group (drinking and dancing until 2 am on a Friday night counts, right? lol.) If you check out the new support group, let me know how it goes! Tammy