Question:
What are the different types of bariatric surgery? I haven't met with a surgeon yet.

   — Isa (posted on December 24, 2005)

December 23, 2005
I know you will get several posts to this and they can tell you about their specific surgery. I had the mini gastric bypass (http://clos.net). This is a very successful less invasive and reversable surgery that has a very good success rate. Like with all surgeries, there are risks. I suggest you do your homework and research as many as you can. Then I suggest you pick the method you feel the most comfortable with and go from there. Good luck on your quest!
   — shoutjoy

December 24, 2005
There are several different types. There is the RNY- this can be done opened, or laproscopicly (sp) there is also the Vertical Gastric Banding, there is the Mini Gastric Bypass, I know I am missing some. I would not attempt to tell you which one is the best one becasue everyone is different. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/wlsjourney/surgery+types.php You can also go here and find out what the different types are. Good luch with what you decide to have done.
   — kizie23

December 24, 2005
there are three in the main forefront, the gastric band, the rny and the DS, the insurance industry seems to favor the RNY, the band seem the easiest, safest route, but it also is the least effective, the rny is effective, but has a harsher set of pouch rules to live with after wards, and can be easily, my choice is to pay for a DS instead of having a free RNY
   — walter A.

December 26, 2005
Isabel, I was reading your profile and saw that you live in Barcelona, Spain - cool! I love Spain! I've been seven times now - but I usually go to Madrid, and then hang out down around the Alicante provence. If you live in Spain - have you considered Dr. Aniceto Baltasar? He is one of the world's leading bariatric surgeons and is in Alcoy, Spain. He's also really super nice, really cares about his patients, and is committed to their care for life! He did my surgery and my husband's. There are several web sites you could check out. Try www.drbaltasar.com for Dr. Baltasar's personal web page. Then you could take a peek at www.bodybybaltasar.com - that's a web site that some of his post-ops have put together. And also check out www.duodenalswitch.com and go to the patients page - there are quite a few profiles on there of people who have gone to Dr. Baltasar. If you want a comparison of different bariatric surgeries, btw, let me suggest going to the ASBS site - www.asbs.org - it's kind of a long read, but it's excellent information. Also www.gr-ds.com has a comparison chart on it that's very well done. And of course, here at AMOS, there is a good comparitive overview of the different forms of WLS that have been endorsed and are being done today. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

December 27, 2005
Hi Isabel~ I had the Mini Gastric Bypass. I went this route because it is less invasive; the death rate is much, much lower to other weight loss surgeries(2 in 3400 i think). there are so many other reasons however, the fact that I was released from the hospital the following day and in the park on that thursday and friday, and my surgery should i need it to be, is reversible. Go to www.clos.net do your research and compare all the stats.. DS
   — ds

December 28, 2005
There are many choices....DS, RNY, Fobi, LapBand... My choice was DS for the better quality of life (compared with a cousin and a friend who've had RNY and have either gained it back OR had to be stretched out again due to obstructions)...Also didn't wanna dump and loved the better record/stats for losing more and keeping it off. Only you though can make the decision. My best advice is do NOT take the word of the first doc/seminar you attend. IF the doc you visit doesn't do a particular procedure he's NOT going to be likely to talk nice about it! Good luck!
   — T S.