Question:
What are the basic surgery types and their abbreviations? Which is the most popular?

I really want to have surgery, I was against it for years. My doctor finally convinced me that I need to do it, but now my employer no longer purchases the rider from Anthem BC/BS. I don't know much about the surgery options (types) and wanted to get some info under my belt before I go toe-to-toe with Anthem and my employer.    — witsend (posted on March 14, 2006)

March 14, 2006
The most popular surgery is Lap RNY. It depends on you and I think you should do much more research before you make a decision. The surgery cost approx 50k plus. For me it is close to 63k as I had a few issues. Go to a support meeting in your town and learn what everyone went through. Then you have to contact your surgeon to see what he will or will not do. Some doctors will not do all types available. Good Luck
   — Steve Cohen

March 14, 2006
Go to the home page of ObesityHelp.com and READ everything your can get your hands on about weight loss surgery. There are several different surgeries and criteria. After you have done your research, discuss wls with your primary care physician. Join a support group or two and listen to what post ops have to say about their surgery. The good, the bad and the ugly. When you have done your research and still have questions or want opinions........we'll all be here. There is a lot to learn and everyone has their opinion about the surgeries offered. Read up on the different types of surgery before you are inundated with everyone's personal opinions......just my humble opinion, of course! Good luck....get reading! <smile>
   — LauraA

March 14, 2006
GB= Gastric banding VBG = Vertical Banded Gastroplasty Roux-en-Y/RNY/RYGP = Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (most frequently performed. BPD = Biliopancreatic Diversion DS = Duodenal Switch Good Luck! Cheryl - surgery date 4/14/06
   — classite

March 14, 2006
you have several choices, the "lap" refers to Laproscopic" meaning done with tools thru portals instead of Open hands on. the prefered is Lap, less structural damage, a little more costly,and or time consuming. done on all proceedures. next is which proceedcure, common is 1 the rny or gastric bypass, 2 the lap band, and 3 is the duenal swicht, go to the forums and drop down the list and read about each of them. My preference. not that I have one actually i can only have the DS, not compatible with the rny or the band is the DS. I am forcing Aetna to provide it for me. it is excluded but they will make a exception for me. visit the DS forum and ask about it. many pass the free rny up and pay for a ds in mexico,or brazil about 15k total from one of the best doctors.
   — walter A.

March 14, 2006
I gotta go with Laura on this one. Whichever surgery you end up with, you have the best chance for success if you *educate yourself*, and thoroughly. Asking here is only one step, and one best taken later. Read up on this forum and others. Google the names and abbreviations you've learned here. There are some decent books out there now. Talk to your doctor. Find some support groups. Do your homework, develop some specific questions, then come back here. I stress that you must not rely on us for all or most of your info. We're not professionals .. we have incomplete, sometimes inaccurate info and human biases. You need a balanced overview, and you'll be best served to use several resources. Best of luck to you. :)
   — Jeanie

March 14, 2006

   — [Deactivated Member]

March 15, 2006
John, There are currently six types of WLS that are endorsed by the medical community as effective and defendable surgical procedures. There are some GREAT online resources to see what is out there, and learn the details. See: www.asbs.org http://www.dssurgery.com/generalinformation/comparison.php www.duodenalswitch.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/wlsjourney/surgery+types.php Probably the best thing you can do for yourself is to meet LOTS of people who have had surgery - get to know them (i.e., local support groups, etc.) and find out what their quality of life is like 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 years post-op. Also, Yahoo groups have some great groups out there that will tell it like it is. Join a bunch and get ready to do lots of reading. Remember - this is about the rest of your life. It is worth every ounce of effort to make sure you make a sound choice - one that will affect your health from now forward. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride