Another twist in the road

I started with lapband....quickly changed my mind to RNY once I did a bit of research into both.  I felt I would be able to eat around the lab band.  I had a specific time frame to get the surgery done as my hubbys insurance was ending and mine does not cover WLS.  Had I more time, I may have done a bit more research on DS....but I may have been one of the few that can eat around that too as I was a carb addict.  With the RNY my result has been that I am not tolerant of processed carbs (not everyone expereinces this)...that has been a plus for me!

I do take many supplements...it will be a life long commitment to that routine to stay healthy.

I also do not think that weight gain is a given.  It seems that those that start gaining have gotten off track with carbs or portions.  I am not that far out yet...so I can't speak t that....and I pray that does not happen to me...but it seems like getting back to basics helps those that have regain issues.

Thank you all for the responses, I don't feel so anxious now!

I don't think you should rule out the VSG. Not everyone has problems with GERD and those that do control it with medication.

RNY is a great surgery, but you're looking at taking a lot of supplements and vitamins for the rest of your life. There are a lot of people who have to have iron infusions too.

think it over carefully, and weigh all the options. I would try to read as much as you can about  both  surgeries.

My insurance only covered Lap-Band and RNY for people under a 50 BMI so VSG and DS were not an option for me.  Therefore I didn't research either of them.  What I did know about Lab-Band scared me and the RNY felt like a better option for me AND my surgeon because of my LOVE for food.  I have always enjoyed ALL kinds of foods and the Lap-Band would have made it to easy for me to eat "whatever" I wanted.  Also I worried about overeating and causing my band to slide and cause erosion and then end up with a revison to RNY anyway.

I love my RNY as it helps me to keep the unhealthier food options out of my diet.  I too had GERD and that is gone now.  Mine wasn't as bad as many people expeience but I definitely don't have issues with it any longer.  As far as reabsorbing goes we will NEVER fully get our absorption back but we also don't lose it completely.

I guess for you this decision is a quality of life one.  What is better in the long run?  What will allow you to lead a healthy productive life?  I think that most people no matter how much research they do will ever truely understand the ultimate benefits of ANY type of WLS until they've lived the life one has after!  It took me nearly 5 years to take the leap because of my fears (I'm a CT Tech and I've seen the BAD that comes from people NOT following their plan) I didn't know if I was capable of living the lifestyle that is necessary after having WLS since I'd failed so many times before. 

I am now 1 year and almost 6 months post-op and I would do it again in an instant!  Do I struggle with the diet sometimes......ABSOLUTELY......do I forget my Vits ever.........SURE I DO......Do I understand the ramifications of not following the RNY lifestyle.........MORE THAN MOST!  So when I faulter I think back to those patients I've seen over the years who don't take advantage of the life they've chosen for themselves and I kick myself in the tush and say NOT ME!

Good luck in making the decision that is right for you!

I want to ditto what many others have said, my BMI was 42 when I started. I only had a choice of RNY or LApband because of insurance reasons. With being a military dependent, I cant guarantee I can always get in for fills and adjustments.
Of course we have ALL read the problems that can come about with ALL surgeries, they are surgeries and all of them bring their own risks. I personally know I would fail with the lap band so the decision was easy for me.

The decision ultimately has to be yours, I do have an ulcer but apparently I had it before surgery and I take nexuim for it, without surgery, I would still have to take it. As far as vitamins go, I was low on most of them anyway because I didnt eat right or even get outside, so what will taking an additional vitamin for the rest of my life hurt.
You really dont have to buy super expensive, they can be affordable, just remember them.

It is different for everyone, did I regret my decision a few days after surgery, yes, but now,I LOVE MY RNY! It truly has changed my life and my outlook on life.
Feel free to PM me if you wanna talk.

Stacey

Hi!  I am going to ditto what a lot of others have said.  I knew the lab band would not work for me and I didn't want the maintenence of it, I wanted something permanent and felt I needed the malabsoprtion.  The vitamin regime is very easy to deal with.  My BMI was 37 when I started and I had comorbidities.  I am at a normal BMI now and all my comorbidities are gone.  I did want to share that I developed GERD 7 months post-op and have to take prilosec now. 
Good luck in your decision!
Sandi

There are so many positives and negatives to all of the surgery types. It is a very personal and extremely important decision. I definitely did not want the band for all of the above mentioned issues, too much maintenance, foreign object in your body, chance of slips/leaks, etc. I have always had reflux/heartburn issues, but they have gotten better since surgery. I take Prilosec twice a day, and I may have to for the rest of my life. I chose the sleeve because I wanted to change the way I ate, and my whole family changed with me. Plus, the sleeve does not stretch as it is made from the tough side of the stomach, not the top stretchy part. Also, I did not want to dump. After reaching goal, I can have a piece of cake at a birthday party, or a cookie on the weekend, etc. But, I have to be really disciplined because I absorb every single calorie and fat gram that I eat. RNY is definitely a great surgery. The malabsorption and dumping syndrome are great tools. The DS is an awesome surgery too, but you didn't mention that one, so I'm not sure if it's an option. We have lightweights with all surgery types, you don't have to be a "heavyweight" to have the RNY.

It looks like it is going to be a tough decision.   I will talk to the WLS next week and see what her thoughts are. 

I ruled out the DS b/c my bmi is only 40 and my insurance does not cover it.  I read that 70% of RNY patients do not dump.  Then I saw that 1 in 50 people die within a month of surgery!!!

I don't have co-morbidities ---YET! but it will happen sooner or later b/c my mom died from complications w/diabetes and she was morbidly obese, and my sister is currently on meds for diabetes and HBP.

The statistics that I am familiar with for death following surgery are 1/200.  You need to keep a few things in mind though...each surgeon will have different results based on their skill level,  expereince and patient population.....some surgeons have not had any deaths.  Also, it is not just WLS that can cause death....I was quoted the same statistic for a hysterectomy I had years prior.

Also, you need to consider the physical condition of some of the paitents.  I was overweight...but at 40 BMI and having had some major surgery at that BMI a year prior with no complications....I felt my individual risk factors were much lower than say a 500lb paitent that is barely able to walk, has trouble breathing, advanced diabetes and other obesity related issues.

Good Luck with your decision.

I had GERD before surgery and still have it, but it is well controlled with Nexium.

Best wishes!