Need some advice, please?

Hello everyone. I am new to this and need some advice from others who have had either the lap-band, the gastric bypass, or the gastric sleeve.

I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager, but then I joined then I joined the military. While I was in the military I was good with my weight control until I moved to Alaska in 2007. I gained more and more, only losing enough pounds to pass my fitness test. I have struggled really bad with my weight since then. I am at my biggest I have ever been for me. It scares me. I've tried everything! The only thing that really worked a little for me was the military's fitness program but then I hurt my feet in 2011 while I was deployed. I have had an even worse time trying to lose weight and be healthy again. This past September the military discharged me due to being morbidly obese. I separated with an Honorable discharge, so I'm happy for the most part. Now my stress has changed from the military to being a full-time student :D

Anyway, I spoke to my doctor and he referred me to a bariatric surgeon. I have recently gone to the seminar where they spoke about the lap-band, gastric bypass, and the gastric sleeve surgeries (how long has this one really been around?). My doctor has recommended gastric bypass instead of the lap-band (what I originally went in to talk to him about). I was wondering if any of you can give me some insight on which one would be the best. I know for the lap-band I would have to go into have adjustments made, however, I am a military wife and we fly/travel a lot. We are also thinking about moving to Honduras permanently when my husband retires (in about 9-10 yrs), so I would not be able to have it adjusted there either. I would be flying back to the US at least once a year though. 

Thank you for your help. - Sabre'

I got rny 8 years ago and lost 100 bs.  I chose the tool of rny because I am a food addict.  I needed something that would make me throw up and make me change my eating habits.  This also gave me a chance to exercise and get into a good habit of eating .  RNY is mal absorption syndrome.  So in choosing it, I know i have to take vitamin and protein supplements the rest of my life, because my bypass has caused that (hence bypassing my stomach into my intestines where digestion is much different).

If you go into this looking it as a tool, not a fix all you will be successful.  If you are looking for a quick weight loss you will get it, but you can eat yourself fat again, if you dont' change your eating habits.  You can also eat yourself into the grave if you don't eat healthy.  Having said that, and without writing a book, check out my profile for more information.  Would I do it all over? Yes! would I choose RNY over sleave or lap band.  Yes.  Research all , discuss with your doctor and family  and pray about it.  Make the decision that is right for you.  Choose the tool that is best for you, then get with a good support group and start making the changes now that will forever be part of your life.  Remember, it's a surgical TOOL.

Hope this helps! Blessings!

Tamilynn

I originally wanted the lap band but the more I learned about it the more it led me to the RNY bypass. I also noticed the people I knew who had the band were mostly getting revisions to RNY or the sleeve. I agree with Tamilynn, no matter what surgery you choose, it is only one of many tools you'll need to be successful. The most important is being willing to change your lifestyle...completely! I did a full 180º to everything I had been doing prior to surgery. Get on the RNY board and the sleeve board and read all you can, the good and the bad, you'll learn lots. Only you can make the decision as to which surgery but you've taken the first big step in deciding to do something for yourself. Congratulations!

BTW....my surgeon no longer even does the band.

hello sabre, my name is tasha. nice to meet you. ok gastric bypass is the best  and it has been around and has the best results. the lap band is for small people who only want to lose a small amount of weight. most of the time when people get the lap band they always turn around and have the sleeve. its not fun to be cut on twice. so my advice to you is gastric bypass. trust it works the best and the fastest. also after two years then have your tummy tuck. i did and i am enjoying every moment of it. congratulations you have begun a new life.

I wouldn't recommend the lapband to anyone.  I've seen waaaaayyyy too many people have complications and end up having it removed because it has eroded into the stomach, perforated and caused infection, or people have just stretched it out.  Gastric bypass is helpful to people who have food addiction problems because for some, it will control overeating or eating of sweets because some people have dumping issues (NOT fun).  I started with gastric bypass, but ended up with the vertical sleeve, which I would highly recommend as long as you deal with your food addiction issues and realize that true portion control is key to any of the surgeries.  With the vertical sleeve, you cannot stretch your stomach out.  The excess is trimmed off or stapled (the best surgeons remove the excess stomach) leaving you with a banana shaped tube.  This allows your body to absorb all the necessary nutrients as it doesn't have the malabsorbtion problems of the gastric bypass/RNY which is great for your overall health.  However, if you cannot control your food addictions, you can get in the habit of eating 'slider' foods, with any of the procedures and regain weight.  You first need to identify what it is that causes you to overeat.  If you aren't already dealing with a bariatric Center of Excellence, then I highly recommend you find one.  They will require you to meet with nutritionists, exercise trainers, and with a psychologist who can help you identify any issues you may need to address to make this a successful journey to your new health.  Best wishes to you!! :)