Newbie Here :)

Hi!  I'm Trish...27...married...from Baltimore, Maryland.  I recently began researching WLS and was told this was a great support site.  So here I am. 

I am totally unsure what type of surgery I want to persue though.  I weigh 214ish, but at 5'2", size 20, I am a little round ball of fat.  I know the decision is mine...but how did you decide which surgery you wanted to have?  

Part of me thinks that I want to go with a lapband because it's a progressive loss rather then rapid loss of weight and I guess I am concerned with how people will react to me having the surgery.  My husband is supportive and in fact after attending a seminar with me the other night, he is now considering looking in to surgery himself.

Being so young, how did your friends and family react?  

 Hi Trish, welcome to the board! 

You are right when you say that it's a very personal decision what surgery to have and going about everything.  We have about every type of surgery represented on this board, so there's lots of stories and information at your disposal.  

My choice was either RNY or Lap Band.  I was set on Lap Band but after looking into it further and really coming to terms with my eating problems (compulsive/binge) I decided that the restriction plus malabsorbtion was the best choice for me.  Other's have done incredible with the Lap Band as well as the RNY but for me the best thing to go with was RNY.   My family was scared, which is normal and good, but they were very supportive.  If you do go the route of RNY, don't worry about the rapid weight loss and people caring.  Yes, people will notice and react but for me it's been all positive..plus, you are doing this to better your health and extend your life...how could anyone argue with that??  

Good luck to you! 

~Emily~

 i haven't heard surgery yet, in fact my inital consult was just 2 days ago, but i have been thinking about it for quite some time. i already know i'm going with rny, i started out thinking i was going to do lapband but after the first seminar i went to, i knew rny was definitely going to be the better option for me, pretty much for the same reasons emily said. 

i'm just starting to tell people that i'm going through the process, and so far all i've gotten is support. i almost want someone to be negative just so i know how i react. 

HI girl, wellcome to the board, and yes u'll find lot of support all the girls here are amazing. u gonna lovem!.

as a light weight yes lapband is a great option for you. make sure u reserch on VGS. i personaly would rather to go with the VGS. thats why u should do ur reserch.
im a RNY'er and i love love love it!. it gives u restricition and malabsortion as well as DS. that is a great option 2. i woulda like to  reserch more about the DS before having my RNY. but no regrets!!! i love my RNY.

remember that all surgerys are great and work s, it depends of each one of us to make it work 100%.
good luck and keep us posted!!!.

Hi Trish!

I originally was going to get the lap band, which is a great procedure, and I have friends that have been very successful with it. But, after doing further research and speaking with my surgeon, I decided that the VSG (the sleeve) was the best choice for me. I was a lightweight as well... My beginning weight before surgery was 200, yet my highest was 214. I'm 5'0 tall. I chose VSG, because I didn't want to go back and get the band tightened, loosened, etc. Also, VSG is irreversible which can be seen as a good or bad thing. I see as a good thing for me, because I know that I can never go back (but not that I'd want to. haha). Also, I didn't want to run the risk of the band slipping, my body rejecting it, etc. But, like I said, I did what was best for me with my surgeon's support. I lost most of my weight in about 6 months or so. I had surger 7/15/08 and was at goal (125) around the 1st of the year. But, then I lost about 7 more through the course of the next couple months. Granted, I worked my ass off at the gym to amp up my metabolism. So, that ,combined with my new eating habits, contributed to the loss at a moderately rapid pace. If you need any advice or have questions, let me know.

 I was set on the band for about 1 1/2 years.  I saw others have success with it and I saw some fail.  Thankfully someone recommended that I at least look into the VSG.  I almost immediately decided that the sleeve was for me.  I couldn't be happier with my decision.  
My husband has been supportive through the entire journey.  He also believes that the sleeve was the best choice for me.  The sleeve also ended up costing me less than the band would have cost me even before paying for all the fillings. 
As far as other people noticing your rapid weight loss..... good for them!  Tell them you're working out like crazy, eating healthier than ever before, and training with hopes to run a marathon.  ; )
Best wishes on your decision!