Question:
Has anyone thought of waiting for some new or improved type of surgery?
All this discussion of RNY and Lap Band surgeries brings up a question I've had for awhile -- maybe I should wait and see what new surgeries or improvements on current surgeries come along in the next few years. In a few years will I be wanting a revision because I had the 'old' type of surgery they did in 2003!? Is there anything new 'in the works' that anyone knows about -- like at an experimental stage? How have you dealt with this question for yourself? — Laura K. (posted on March 30, 2003)
March 30, 2003
I thought a LOT about that pre op. What finally decided it FOR ME is my
health couldnt wait. I chose the RNY, since it was popular for a long time.
A NEW surgery might have a problem that shows up only in 5 years. Just like
Phen Phen worked good for awhile and then started killing people. Most
think its a certinaity a safe effective drug treatmnent will be developed
for MO within the next 10 years. Can you wait? UIts a issue of health and
quality of life while waiting. I am very happy with my choice.
— bob-haller
March 30, 2003
This is a great question, and I actually ran across an article on this
subject today. I pretty much agree with Bob. My health just can't wait on
some newer, more innovative surgery. I take 6 anti-hypertensive pills a
day and the smallest chance that I can either reduce or eliminate these
meds and finally come out of this medication-induced fog is what gives me
hope and propels me forward on this WLS journey. With the strides medicine
is making today, it's almost a certainty that there will be some newer,
more effective WLS in the near future. But again, great question!
— Leni M.
March 30, 2003
My family, discovery channel junkies, wanted me to watch all shows that had
anything to do with weight loss. I specifically remember shows about fat
rats & something that blocked fat absorption I think it was, also one
on a vegas (sp?) nerve stimulator, lap bands, and anything else they heard
of or saw. They were all interesting but very experimental and years away
from even trials on humans. Like everyone else here, if you're here you
probably don't feel you can wait another 5 or 10 years for the next best.
— Shelly S.
March 30, 2003
it depends on the state of your health, your age and your desire to take
this treatment or wait for one down the road. several years ago, when i was
"only" 100 pounds overweight but able to exercise, i had no
comorbidities except sleep apnea and had no desire for surgery. Now I'm 50,
more than 200 pounds overweight, and have diabetes and hypertension in
addition to the apnea, and cannot walk more than a block without severe
back pain. i don't think i can wait five years without risking severe
disability or death.
— Kasey
March 30, 2003
I thought about this pre-op too. I decided to have the RNY because in a few
years if I didn't, I would have asked myself this question again in a few
years, and not had surgery waiting for the next best thing. And again in a
few years after that. Think about it, there've been procedures and
medications on the market for at least 30 years that I can think of, but
I'm sure it's even older than that! You are a few years off from something
in the experimental stage that's in the works now and then would you want
to be the guinea pig? Look at what happened with phen-phen and those people
who used it and ended up dying or with serious complications. Good luck in
your decision.
— Yolanda J.
March 31, 2003
I'm with most of the other posters on this -- I felt I was lucky to be able
to get approval for the surgery while my health was still pretty good (or
so I thought :~P), and I knew without a doubt that I'd keep getting heavier
and heavier without it. A really good, safe, responsible medication
would've been great, if it was available -- but for now, there's no such
thing.
— Suzy C.
March 31, 2003
You can just about guarantee that something new & improved will come
along...but when? Improving current procedures is the natural progression
of science. But... CAN YOU WAIT?
I had thought about this so many times. But ... do I want to be the
experimental guinea pig when the new procedure comes out??? NO.
You will always have 'what ifs' to deal with. What if they find a way to
make food non-fattening regardless of how much is consumed??? Wouldn't that
be great?
I'm teasing on that one...but please... think this out for yourself but
don't base it on the future providing you with an easy fix as opposed to a
tool.
Good luck!
— Diane S.
March 31, 2003
Very interesting you ask this question today. I saw an article this
afternoon about research trials on a new obesity drug that many had thought
would the "next best thing," but unfortunately, it doesn't appear
to be so. Here's the article from Yahoo! - Reuters.
______________________________________________________
Regeneron Sinks on Data for Obesity Drug
March 31, 2003
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:REGN - news)
said on Monday most patients in a pivotal-stage clinical trial developed
resistance to its key obesity drug, sending its shares down more than 50
percent. The stock hit its lowest level in more than three years and was
the worst percentage loser on the Nasdaq.
Regeneron said that although the drug, Axokine, met primary and secondary
goals during the year-long study, it also produced only a small weight loss
in the patients who took it.
"The previous stock price reflected expectations that Axokine would be
better than existing drugs, but it turns out that it's comparable and still
more cumbersome to administer," said Yaron Werber, an analyst at SG
Cowen Securities.
The Tarrytown, New York, company said it plans in the near future to
complete its analysis of another clinical trial of the drug, given in a
daily injection, among patients with type 2 diabetes, the most common form
of the disease.
After analyzing its various studies, Regeneron said it would discuss all
the data with regulators. The company said about 30 percent of the 1,467
patients taking Axokine developed antibodies to it by the end of the study,
meaning their immune systems produced a type of protein that may have
reduced or neutralized the drug's effectiveness.
Werber said the drug's ultimate usage could be limited to about 10 percent
of the overall market for obesity treatments -- people who respond quickly
to the drug and do not produce antibodies to it. An earlier-stage trial of
the drug had created expectations that it would generate superior weight
loss compared to pills like Abbott Laboratories' Meridia and Roche Holding
AG's Xenical. Some analysts had projected that Axokine sales could reach
nearly $1 billion a year.
The Phase III trial showed that in patients who did not become resistant to
treatment through the development of antibodies, the effect of the drug
appears in line with currently available treatments for obesity, Regeneron
said.
The company said a greater proportion of Axokine-treated patients lost at
least 5 percent of their initial body weight, compared with people who took
a placebo. Axokine-treated patients also lost an average of about 6.2
pounds, compared with 2.6 pounds for the placebo group.
Shares of Regeneron were down $9.52, or 55 percent, at $7.79 on Nasdaq,
after falling as low as $7.48 earlier in the day.
_________________________________________________
— Juan C.
March 31, 2003
There is always a chance of a new drug or surgery coming along in the
future. You are already in your late 40's..I guess the question for you,
is, can you wait for them to develop a new drug/surgery, then go thru a few
years of testing before its on the market?
— Cindy R.
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