Question:
I am scheduled to have gastric bypass in a few days and i was wondering if any one ou
I am scheduled to have gastric bypass in a few days and i was wondering if any one out there changed there mind before surgery.i think i want to switch from gastric bypass to lapband.it sounds like a weird question any respose to this would be great 10 Q — jenjen7 (posted on April 6, 2008)
April 6, 2008
I am so glad that I had gastric bypass as I have lost 145 lbs in 6 months
there was a ladie that had lapband on the same day as me and she has only
lost 40 lbs and she is so upset they say it will take 2 years for her to
lose the weight she needs to thanks Cindy
— toyotawife
April 6, 2008
I am very very happy with my Gastric Bypass. I had the surgery 8/17/07 and
have lost 140 lbs. I think it is a more permanent solution than the lap
band, and I know I made the right decision for me. Talk to your Dr. and
let him or her know your feelings. Do not be scared...this surgery is a
blessing and will change your life in so many ways you just do not realize!
Best of luck and GOD BLESS
— Kathleen L.
April 6, 2008
Patients more suited to Lapband surgery are those that only need to lose
60-80 pounds. If you have more to lose, then the RNY would probably be
better. The lapband does have problems too--band slippage is one major one
which requires another surgery to put back into the correct position.
— Dave Chambers
April 6, 2008
I choose the bypass ...Lap band is slower and I do not like the idea of
fills and a gadget being inside of me. My body will heal from the bypass
..I am afraid I would always be stressed out that the band was messed up or
something. I hear all this port flipping, fills not right and slippage
stories....
Also have aafriend that has lapband and regrets she did not do bypass
instead...she as lost a lot of weight...but has apparently hit a set point
now that wont budge...still 80 lbs over a good weight. She thinks the
malabsorption factor with the rny would make a difference and get her past
that...who knows but I respect her opinion.
OR maybe you just have the jitters...spend a little time alone and center
your thoughts...the answer will probably come and be the right one...Deep
breaths!! Best og luck!!! HUgs, not long now...OOOOOXXXXX
— [Deactivated Member]
April 6, 2008
I was going to have bypass but changed to the DS Duodenal Switch and I am
so glad I did! I love my DS. Almost 4 years post op and lost 185 lbs!
— SameButDifferent
April 6, 2008
Having Gastric Bypass or Lapband are such big decisions in your life. If
you have any questions, concerns, maybe that you might want to switch,
please talk with your surgeon! I had the lapband March 18. I have lost 14
lbs, but I am much healthier than I use to be. Yes there may be a problem
with slippage -- that's with patients who don't follow their doctors and
dieticians instructions. Yes, you do lose faster with gastric bypass; but
the excess body skin is worse. I had a co-worker who had the gastric
bypass a couple years ago -- he can't eat vegetables without getting sick,
he can only eat meats. Plus he now weighs more (400 to 500). Gastric
Bypass does work for some people and not others; just like Lapband works
for some and not others. The recovery time for Gastric is a lot longer
than the recovery time for Lapband. I stayed over night, less than a day.
I was up moving around at home the next evening. An important thing to
rememberGastric bypass is permanent; Lapband can be taken out. Don't worry
you'll make the right decision. Let us know how things go. Congratulations
on making the decision for weight loss surgery!!!!!
— jct001
April 6, 2008
Alot of people have the perception (encouraged by the lapband industry)
that the banding is "less permanent, but the reality, according to my
research, my doctor, and friends that have had it, is that, yes, the
lapband can be removed, but the weight will VERY likely come back on.
I went to the doctor with the intent of having the lapband also, but after
discussing it with him, and a second doctor, I decided that from the weight
I wanted to lose and my comorbities, the RNY was better for me. I am lucky
and have insurance, so cost was not a determining factor, my health, and
getting the most out of the surgery were. I also was a little skeptical
about the long term effects of having plastic in my body for the rest of my
life. I am not saying the surgery is bad, but the truth is that there are
about 20-25 years of studies on the bypass and only about 7-8 years on the
lapband. No one really knows what the very long term results of having
that hardware in your body will be. My sister HAD to choose the lapband,
because of certain health problems that she has. The doctor simply wanted
the proceedure tht would have her under anesthesia the shortest amount of
time. She has lost weight, but it has been very slow, comparitively, and
still stuggles today with problems like throwing up and choking some.
Follow the advice of your surgeon and make a decision based on what you
need to lose, any health problems you have, medications you are on, age,
etc. If you are having second thoughts, wait. It is never good to have
any proceedure done if you have doubts. Seek a second opinion. Either
surgery will have life altering impact, and like marriage, should not be
entered into lightly.
my two cents.
Best of luck!
— Jeanne Aldrich
April 6, 2008
I couldn't decide either, my doc recommends RNY for me (scheduled for 4?14)
but said she'd do either, and I can change my mind up to the day before.
But insurance has approved bypass, etc. and I think it's the best long term
for me. After reading this forum for a month or so, seeing how much all
the bypassers are losing, I'm going for it! Best wishes to you!
— Gay L.
April 6, 2008
It is a personal decision, however, keep in mind if you are using your
insurance to pay for surgery, then your insurance company already approved
the GB. You would have to cancel your surgery and your surgeon would have
to re-apply for coverage for the LB. If you are self-pay, then it
shouldn't be an issue to switch at last minute. If you are unsure, I think
you need to postpone your surgery until you decide what is best for you.
Good luck with your decision!
— ALafferty
April 6, 2008
Some people do change their mind...Only you can make that decision. If you
are looking for approval to change your mind because you are scared...Know
that while many are mostly just excited that they will finally lose weight,
their fear is still immense! If you just do not have peace of mind and
really just don't think the surgery is for you...then don't...No one but
you has to live with that decision. People who just had surgery and tell
you they would do it all over again are not the right people to give you
advice. (It's like asking people on their honeymoon whether they would get
married all over again) You need to do research and talk to people who have
had the surgery for 5 and 10 years...LONG after this happy joy joy stage is
over. Surgery is not risk free...None of them are. I know a person who on
surgery morning told her surgeon she just couldn't do it...and he just
postponed it for her and totally understood that she just was not sure yet.
I had a year to wait for my surgery and plenty of time to think and I was
certain on surgery day...Some of you get approved in a few weeks and are
scheduled in a month or so. It was excruciating waiting a year...But the
anxiety some of you must feel in just a month must be overwhelming! See if
your doc might give you a later date to think about things so YOU feel
right.
— .Anita R.
April 6, 2008
I went back and forth on which surgery up to the day of the surgery. There
are pros and cons of each and it WAS a difficult decision to make. Most
people, however, lose faster on bypass so that's why I went with it. Even
though the band is less invasis and adjustable I just didn't want a foreign
object in my body and I've also heard that it can take a while to get the
fill amount right. I just wanted to have the surgery and start losing
weight...not mess around with the fills. Am I happy with my decision.
YES!!
— cjjordan
April 6, 2008
I am also so happy that I had a gastyric bypass. I had to pay myself as my
insurance changed policies after appriving it when I took the 6 months to
meet all their conditions. I had a freind that had a Lab Band two weeks
before me. He was about the same weight as I was, but was not able to give
up drinking so my surgeon would not do a RNY on him. He went elsewhere and
they did a Lab Band. I have lost 80 pounds in 4 months and he has lost 34
in 5 months. He is very discourged, and has giving up drinking and is
thinking to go back and have the Gastric ByPass, as the Lab-Band just is
not doing it for him. Talk to your doctor. RNY is a major change in your
life, both in weight and they way you live it. For me it will add many
years to my life, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Best of
success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 6, 2008
Have you considered the gastric sleeve? (VSG) I didn't want lap band
because I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body and RNY
concerned me because of all of the re-routing. Also, I'm self pay and the
VSG is $5000 less than RNY. It seems to me like the lap band people aren't
losing as much weight and they are able to beat the surgery pretty easily
with slider foods. I also had to decide what my level of commitment was to
this process and decided I was 100% committed to making the sleeve work for
me.
Just my 2 cents. But please do not have any surgery that you are not
completely comfortable in choosing. Good luck to you in whatever you
decide!
— GlitterGal
April 6, 2008
I think you can only answer that one yourself,I was going to have lapband
but My Dr don't do lapband now I'm glad I had RNY down 45 in 2 months have
about 40 more to go .good luck with what ever you choose
— ELAINE44
April 6, 2008
Wow, there are a lot of fans of gastric bypass out there. Well - I will
probably be the lone voice crying out on behalf of the lap band, but I will
try to do it justice. I am a lap band patient and could not be happier.
Just 3 months out and I have lost over 50 lbs. I am actually pleased that
the weight is coming off a bit slower than with RNY. I have not had any of
the problems reported here - such as choking or vomiting. The surgery was
a breeze, and for me, anyway, the band has delivered exactly as I hoped. I
can eat almost anything I like, just in smaller portions, and the hunger
than has been the monkey on my back my whole life - is finally under
control. The adjustments are very easy - no worse than a blood draw. I
like that the band is adjustable as I lose weight - I like that my gastric
system has not been permanently altered - I like that I do not suffer
"dumping". Especially if you are around a BMI of 40 or less (I
was at 40 exactly when I had surgery) - I think the band is a very viable
option.
— jnbwilds
April 6, 2008
I was scheduled to have the LapBand surgery and the week before surgery
decided to go with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I have not regretted
my choice yet. I have only been out about a month but have already LOST 44
pounds! I can's say that the results would be the same for YOU. I am sure
that they WON'T but they are MUCH better than the LapBand and COMPARABLE to
the Gastric Bypass without all of the severe side effects and
complications. I urge you to STUDY your options and DISCUSS them with your
surgeon before making any changes.
Check out my Profile for more information regarding the most common forms
of Weight Loss Surgeries. I have studied them to some extent and have put
the information that I have found on a blog that can be found on my profile
page. If you can't see it when you first go to my page, check the Archived
blogs. It won't be TOO deep.
I hope this helps,
Hugh
— hubarlow
April 6, 2008
This is too serious to go in with any reservations. Don't do anything
until you are 100% sure! Good luck!
— lesleigh07
April 6, 2008
No this is not a weird question, alot of people change their mind at the
last minute. I haven`t changed mine at all for my surgery is 4/9/08 for
Lapband. My BMI is 43 and I want to lose my weight slowly so I can tone as
I go. Dr. told me after my month after surgery then I can get some solid
foods but at a much much smaller amount then I can slack off the protein
drinks, and etc. The Lapband is a total different way of life then some of
the other surgerys. You have to chew, chew, chew, nothing to drink
before, during and 15min after each meal, and what I like most about it
they won`t be cutting or stapling any of my body parts inside. Most all
the Drs. are using the new band thats out now TheRealizeBand.com The
percentage of slipping, or any other previous problems is very low now. So
I think you should check out this web site about the lapband, and others
that have it. www.lapbandtalk.com
But most everyone that has wls will lose and keep it off as long as they
listen to their Drs. and not go off the band wagon for all these surgerys
are a tool to use to help you lose and keep it off for life as long as you
go by what your Dr. and your nutritionists tells you to do. So if your
Dr. is for you and not for the difference in the price of the surgerys then
call his office and ask to see him. Just remember whatever you deceide
your the one that has to be happy with it. So good luck .
— moosey52
April 6, 2008
Hi, I was scheduled for gastric bypass and changed my mind a couple of
weeks before surgery to have the lapband. There wasn't a problem just that
the insurance company had to approve it eventhough they had already
approved the gastric. I am 6 weeks post-op and so glad that I changed my
mind. Good luck.
— yviator
April 6, 2008
I am so happy i did the bypass. i was going to do the lap band but decided
against it. I work with a girl who had the band and she is still big 2 yrs
after surgery. She says she weants to lose more than 85LBS still. I had the
bypass 4 yrs ago and I lost 150LBs and i have kept if off. I was a size 24
I am now a size 5. And I am so happy I did it. With the badn you can still
eat everything. The tool you have its harder to use I think. With bypass
you cant eat a lot of carbs, sugars and such or you get dumping. Which is a
good thing becasue it stops you from eating. I only dumped in the
beginning. If I eat too much carbs or sugars now I feel a little crappy for
about 1/2 hr to 45 min and then I am fine. I highly recommend bypass over
the band. You will be much happier with the band if you want to lose
weight qucik and keep it off, as long as you follow the drs orders and eat
right all the time.
— Joanc
April 6, 2008
This is a tough situation deciding between, i know. I am going to tell you
a story but i will make it quick. in Aug of 2005 i had lapband. it was my
choice, my doctor told me i should consider the RNY because of the amount
of weight i had to loose and i love chocolate, well i decided i wanted
something less invasive so i did the band. Well now i just had my band
removed because of slippage. And it was not because i did not do as i was
susposed to. My body could not tolerate the band, the food no matter how
small would make me puke, and it got worse with fills. I would get stuck to
fill, then 30 minutes later stuck to get unfilled and on and on. You port
has a long life of needle sticks , i believe 10000 or so, not positive, but
at the rate i was going itwould need to be replaced before the life of my
band expired. I lost under 80 lbs in 2 1/2 years with the band. (I also
gained it ALL back plus 5 lbs after the slippage got worse, and this is
with puking daily) I am post op 6 days and lost 10 lbs!!! The loss will
slow down but it will not be adjusted and readjusted. (this was my main
problem with the band because of fill unfill)
Someone said slippage is with patients who dont follow dr's orders,However
this is not true, slippage can occur even though you do follow orders!!!.
Some people exercise and their skin is not any worse with bypass vs band, i
believe and dr told me it is all in how YOU as the primary healthcare giver
handles your life. Now for recover, my lapband i had pain and gas and was
slow for about 2 weeks. Tommorrow will be one week for bypass and i have
had NO pain, went camping for 2 days and was out of the hosoital the day
after my surgery!!! I felt this was a blessing in the amount of time it
took for me to feel ok. I would have been ok when i came into my room
except for my back was killing me from being on that darm board!!! I wanted
to walk immediatley after but they made me wait one hour, boy i was mad, i
wanted out of that bed...Maybe i was lucky but i had it very easy. I never
used pain meds once i got out of the hospital!!! The bypass can be reversed
just as the band can be taken out. I know the day before my surgery i was
asking myself if i was doing the right thing. Soul searching can also help.
I KNEW i was making the right choice and i was just tired of puking. I used
to cry from puking so much it was a nightmare, BUT not everyone has this
problem. Just as not everyone has a problem with longer recover times, more
pain etc with the bypass. Do what your heart tells you , not what your
nerves tell you and you will make the right choice for you! Good luck in
your decision making and in your weight loss journey.
— Terri C.
April 7, 2008
Hi Tham me again...
Well I just want you to know that in Dec 07 the U.S.A. is using the new
band called the realize band. It`s the Band the Swedish started using 10
years ago and now it was approved for us. There is less erosin,
slippage, and etc then with any of the other bands. This is the one my
Dr. is using on me. My Dr. has been doing this and other surgerys for a
long time. He even teaches other Drs. all about all the different kind
of WLS. So still I would talk to your Dr. before going through with any
surgery.
Check out the other site though www.realizeband.com I learned alot about
the banding there. Good Luck..
— moosey52
April 7, 2008
Trust your Doctor. I had the Gastric Bypass 7 years ago and It is the best
thing I ever did. I lost the 1st 90 lbs in 90 days the rest took a little
longer. My aunt was so amazed by my transformation she went to have the
same surgery and like you she changed her mind at the last minute and had
the Lap Band proceedure instead. That was 2 years ago and she still has not
lost her weight. You will be so glad you did it, the transformation is
unbelievable. When I tell people that I once weighed 325lbs they seriously
cannot believe it. I have run into people that I new when I was large and
they do not know who I am. It is amazing! I feel completely blessed and I
know that I was given a second chance which a lot of people never get. Go
for it, give this to yourself, a new life!
— Annie P.
April 7, 2008
Your question is not 'weird' but you've not stated WHY you want to make
this last minute change. As long as you're "going under the
knife", why not just "Go for the GASTRO (bypass), go for the
GOLD! If you're worried about not having success after your surgery,
chances are that neither one will help.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 7, 2008
If you have doubts you should speak to your doctor. I had the lapband and
had it removed and then had the RNY bypass. I did not lose weight with the
band and it is alot of going back and forth to have the band adjusted. Too
loose and I had no stricture, too tight and I vomited all the time. I had
the band a little over a year and lost about 20 lbs. They took out my band
and there was a lot of scar tissue the doctor had to remove, this really
surprised me since I only had it in for a year. Since the bypass surgery I
am now at goal after one year (actually it only took about 9 months), I
feel great and can eat again! I could not with the band, mostly soft foods
and liquids only. I can go out to eat, what I do not eat I have the next 2
days, I actually feel normal again. I also had less pain after my bypass
than I did with the band, I guess because they cut muscle to get the band
in, not sure why. I would do it again in a heartbeat. No problems except
occasional constipation, thats it. I hope you really think about your
decision, most insurance companies now say one weight loss surgery per
lifetime, I was lucky to have mine done right before the new rule went into
place, so I wish you luck with your decision and let us all know what you
decide, best wishes and see you on the loosing side!
Diane
— noboat4u
April 7, 2008
I guess if you're still not sure you really need to take a good look at
what you hope to accomplish.
Some myths: You can only lose 60-80 lbs w/lap band. Not true. Many lose
over 100#, it just takes longer. Studies are showing that long term lap
band has greater success at maintained weight loss.
Lapband doesn't last: Not true: Lap band is there forever to help with
maintenance once your weight loss is complete.
Lap band is slower: True: the 1st few months until a proper fill
restriction is reached is frustrating with little to no weight loss for
many (but not all). Overall weight loss is a "medically healthy"
1-2 lbs a week up to several years depending on the amount of weight loss
needed & the size of the band inserted.
Truth: For bulk eaters lapband is an appropriate option. If you have a
strong sweet tooth & are hoping for dumping bypass is more the way to
go.
Truth: Nutrtionally lapband has fewer long term side effects such as gall
bladder disease, vitamin deficiencies...
Truth: Either way you go the surgery is "a tool", there is still
hard work to do.
— Donna O.
April 10, 2008
I, too, am one of the few ladbanders out there. I did my research and
decided that since I didn't gain the weight in 30 days I didn't need to
push losing it in 30 days. There are medical complications with both and
you have to weigh which you can handle. I was hesitant to live with the
malabsorption and iron deficienies associated with the RNY. I agree that
my hunger issue has been pretty much settled since this surgery. I am
convinced that this was right for me. All of us questioned our decision as
time for surgery got closer. Ask questions. Listen to the answers and see
what you can live with. Good luck!
Julie
— JulieJD
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