Question:
Can I ask which type of surgery you had?
— Becky_Jo (posted on July 9, 2009)
July 9, 2009
I had Lap Band and couldn't be happier. I had a close friend who had bypass
the same time I had the band. I was very discouraged by her quick weight
loss at first, but then I saw her losing too fast, losing her hair and
having to deal with all the protein drinks and supplements. I personally
couldn't have dealt with all that. I know it is a great surgery for many
and I am not downing it, I am just happy that I went for the band. Much
slower weight loss, but in my opinion, a much healthier way to lose.
Trish
— dragonflier
July 9, 2009
I had RNY in 2002 and I lost approximately 120 pounds. It was a lot of
hard work but the pounds also came off pretty quickly. I looked and felt
great. I did get an incisional hernia from it which had to be repaired but
overall I'm healthy. I also have low iron all the time but that's pretty
common.
In 2005 I noticed I could eat more and I wasn't staying full. I thought I
was nuts...and I packed on the pounds. I'll also admit to getting a bit
lazy in my workouts and eating because it was easy the first year or so. I
kept gaining and felt bad. In 2007 I went on-line here and I realized it
might not be in my head and that I should have a scope done. Sure enough
the opening between my pouch and intestines was the same size. Meaning
everything I eat goes right through me. As a result I often had high and
low blood sugar issues. Dumping was common. I hear that its not a for
sure complication but there are enough of us on here that its not rare
either.
In 2007 I also learned that there isn't much they can do to fix me other
than a new surgery. I had to wait, new psych eval, gain weight etc and
then my insurance would approve me. I felt like a failure.
In May 2009 I finally got a Realize-C band. Or "Bob" as I like
to call it (Band over by-pass) The weight doesn't come off quickly. There
isn't perfect restriction right from the date of surgery. But the
principles are the same - no liquids while eating, exercise and make good
food choices.
I tell you all this because RNY was excellent for me and it worked well.
But when it went bad I realized what I had done to my insides is pretty
irreversable (without major surgery) The band however can be let out and
removed and you still have your same anatomy. I'll be honest with you, and
some may slam me for this - but the banders have it harder than the RNY
people. Its more of a commitment - especially when you haven't reached the
"sweet spot" of your band fill. With RNY you just start losing
and don't have to worry about restriction.
This is just my opinion and my view point that I wanted to share because
I'm one of the few people that have experience with both. You need to make
the best decision for yourself. Good luck!!!
— sillygirl18
July 9, 2009
i had RNY 10 weeks ago and so far so good!!! i have lost 43 lbs since my
surgery date. i am feeling pretty good.
— greenpunchbuggie
July 9, 2009
I had RNY 4 weeks ago and have already lost 30 lbs. I am not hungry - and
it is a challenge to get the water - but I was off insulin within a week -
so that is a blessing!
— ericahamel
July 9, 2009
I had RNY on 3/23/09. My highest wt. 289, day of surgery 262, today 207,
goal 175. Have had no problems staying with the program and have little in
the line of side effects -- no dumping.
— rkurquhart
July 9, 2009
I had an RNY in October 2009 and coud not be more pleased. I went from 4
insulin shots per day, CPAP at night and blood pressure med to nothing
except for my vitamins and calcium. I am nearly at my goal and feel
wonderful. It is a full time job, counting my protein, water,
exercise,etc, but clearly it has been the most pro-active thing I have
ever done in my life!! I would do it again in a heartbeat and encourage
others to investigate the procedure.
— psrd370
July 9, 2009
Had the Lapband 3 weeks ago. So far so good. First fill next week :)
— lysacat
July 9, 2009
I had RNY October ,2007 I am very happy with my results I lost 130 pounds
am off all my meds and cpap I feel soo much better ,I would to it again and
would encourge any one to look in to it Aug 5 th 2009 I am scheduled to
have my tummy tuck and a hernia fixed
— angelscent
July 9, 2009
Hi ! I had RNY 1 year ago and met my goal weight in 10 months. I have a lil
hanging skin, but not tons and its not enought o worry about. I started out
thinking I wanted the lapband too, but with all the fills needed and added
costs from that, and the lack of disipline in what you can, made RNY my
choice. the fact that I could be off my meds made the rny choice a good one
for me. I needed something that said..no you can't eat that, and not too
much now...I needed that. Me personally...Not everyone needs that. If you
have been a successfull dieter, then the band may be good for you. Cuz
thats what the band is...a good diet for a good dieter. Yes you feel full
faster, but you have to make good healthy choices. I have to do the same
now, only if I eat something bad, there are consequences...like vomiting
and who wants that, right? Best of luck to you and your decision. Only you
know you and how you feel about food. Nowadays, my thoughts are eat to live
not live to eat. Food is not a pleasure, its a necessity. But I am ok with
that. I took the "losing" time after surgery to come to that
conclusion. And life is good. I feel good and am told I look good, and I
have no meds to take that will kill me if I forget to take one, only
vitamins and calcium and they taste good!lol Hugs,Kim
— gpcmist
July 10, 2009
My surgeon recommended the Laproscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for me
and it is doing well 4 months out. I have no problem with things getting
stuck, don't have to have fills, the Sleeve doesn't stretch out as easily
as other surgeries, and dumping is minimal. The surgeon said that the
results that are coming in for this relatively new surgery are very good.
— jtoothman
July 10, 2009
RNY 5 1/2 years ago...Lost 158 lbs and weighed exactly the same amount...
Then gained back 8 at year 2 putting me at 165 lbs where I stayed the rest
of my 5 1/2 years with little trouble maintaining my weight loss...My only
troubles are with malabsorption of vitamins... I have had to work hard
especially after 4 years to maintain good vitamin levels...It's a bit of a
chore...but it's managable. Vitamin defs usually show up years later so
keeping up with vitamin taking schedules and getting all my vitamins
checked with labs yearly and even twice a year is the only thing that I
personally have a harder time with...It's just more of a chore for me than
watching what I eat...Eating healthy is something I totally enjoyed making
a life style change to...and even getting in fun exercise is very
rewarding/fun as well...Popping vitamins and getting labs are not so fun
for me day after day.... after 5 years! OOOH...but you gotta do what you
gotta do!
— .Anita R.
July 10, 2009
I had vertical Sleeve VSG on March 25 and have lost 54 lbs in three months.
I am very pleased. There are no real complications, I have no real dumping
at all. I am not losing my hair and I feel great. This is one of the safest
surgeries out there and the results so far have been really good. That's
why more and more doctors are suggesting this surgery. I hope you choose
what is best for you and have great success.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
July 10, 2009
I was trying to get approval for VSG but most insurance won't budge until
months later! So I decided to go for the RNY but my doctor suggested the
Lap Band. I want RNY instead because like one of the posters commented the
band is going to be more of a Jenny Craig like diet! If you are good at
staying on a diet and don't have that much to lose, go for it, but for
me...I need to lose almost 160 lbs in order to be at my ideal weight (I am
only 5'1) and to be healthy! Good luck on making your decision.
— Papoose79
July 10, 2009
I had a laproscopic sleeve gastrectomy and met my goal weight in 6
months.There is no problems with vitamin defiencies/malabsorbion.No problem
with dumping.I have been told you need to end up with a VERY small stomach
post-op for it to work.A problem is insurance co.won't pay for it.Even
though loss data over time looks promising. I payed for my own surgery
because I did't like the idea of my intestines and stomach being changed so
drasticly.Its not common but lap. bands can slip and a bowel obstruction
can occur, it also possible they can break down and need to be replaced. I
don't think the chance of this happening is high though.
— gay_
July 10, 2009
I had lap band surgery May 1, 2009 and have lost 37 pounds so far. I have
another 80 pounds to go to reach my goal weight. I opted for lap band
because I didn't want my intestines and stomach messed with to the extent
of the gastric bypass. I believe that whichever surgery we choose, we
must make a commitment to ourselves to change our lifestyle and get rid of
the old habits and thoughts that got us here in the first place. None of
it is just a diet. If you go into either surgery with that mentality you
most likely won't be successful in the long run. Good luck to you!
— Char-Ree C.
July 10, 2009
hi my name is sandy i had the lap band done and i am very happy with it .
— sandy fairweather
July 10, 2009
I had rny distal, 10/94. 262 to 112, average loss then at 150. What type
of surgery? Pouch like any RNY, but the intestinal arrangement like a DS.
I would choose this again if it was still available. I think only 3 docs
still do it as a first procedure. So, let's eliminate this one. I'd
choose a DS, but would customize to be as much like this as possible.
— vitalady
July 13, 2009
I had the RNY 10/30/2006 and ive lost 242 lbs. and I feel like a new woman.
LOOKs like one to. No regrets at all.
— sparkle8062
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