Question:
Why do people have to try to scare you?

I was looking at another site and asked a question. That was the big mistake. The people at bandsters started telling me if I had rny I would die. That 10 out of 100, (which to me is 1 out of 10) people die that have this surgery, within the first 5 years. Where do they get this information? I wont die if I have the band. The band is the only safe way to go? Why do they feel the need to scare people into the band?    — tig797 (posted on May 16, 2003)

May 16, 2003
Some people are trying to convince THEMSELVES they made the right choice by becoming anti whatever they decided to not do. My step mom is that way about WLS, not just for herself but much of my family in phoenoix that is MO. Just ignore them and forget about it. Death risk is INDIVIDUAL to the person. A lightweights risk compared to a 1000 pounder is totally different.
   — bob-haller

May 16, 2003
I don't know, but it's amazing the "loyalty" that some have for their particular surgery. I don't care for the band, but I certainly wouldn't try and scare you out of it. When you're desperate to lose the weight, almost any of the currently accepted surgeries could help. Depends a lot on the skill of your surgeon, your own determination and a lot of factors that nobody really has any control over. Every surgery has risks associated with it - and I mean EVERY one...including dental. Research from as many independent sources as you can find and then go with your gut (no pun intended :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 16, 2003
I actually think it's kind of bizarre to see the fierce loyalty folks have to one surgery over another. We're talking surgery here, folks, not brands of ketchup! LOL I am certain everyone who made the point that they are trying to convince themselves that they made the right choice. But the right choice for one person is not the right choice for another. And keep in mind that WLS is still in it's infancy -- the kind of surgery a person has may very well be dictated by their doctor or their insurance. I, for one, would love to have my RNY done lap, but my insurance won't cover lap so I'll have to go for open. No, it's not my preference but it's also not my preference to become more and more at risk because of my weight. So when I hear sharp intakes of breath when I say I'm having my surgery done open, I get defensive, too. And not because I'm loyal to open RNY but because I don't have a choice. Maybe some of these folks didn't, either. There are lots of surgeons who are opposed to the RNY and if that's the only surgeon your insurance will refer you to, what are you going to do?
   — antiques55

May 16, 2003
I'm sorry that happened to you. Could be just what they heard and most people are just so hapy with their surgery, that they think there is no other way to go. B/c ofcourse, if you can't personally experience every surgery, you don't know which is "the best" I had RNY and am very happy, but whose to say if I had lap-band or DS I wouldn't be as well? But to clarify, 1 out of 10 do not die from this surgery, had that been true, I doubt it would be approved and so widely accepted! I believe the true statistic is .05% nationwide. But, every surgeon is different as well. Mine never had anyone die and he's done well over 700 surgeries. Another surgeon could've done 100 surgeries and have 2 die, so that average is higher. Really all depends. Every surgery has its benefits and its risks, its up to you to research it fully and make your own choice. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

May 16, 2003
Every surgery you have puts you at risk. I was told the same things when I got my tubes tied, when I got my gallbladder removed and even more so when I got the open rny done. Alot of people are'nt even educated on the subjects, they just listen to rumors and rare stories. When I had my rny done, they had like 14+ people on the floor with me and only 2 people were back in for impacted bowels. I have met and talked to many who have had no problems! You just have to go with what you feel is safe :o) I decided on the open rny because everything is open and exposed to see better and for my personal welfare, I felt that was the safest way to go. Do the research yourself and then make your choice. Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

May 16, 2003
I'd ask them where they got their statistics. I can understand them trying to scare you if they truly believed those stats-that would scare me too! The statistic most of us have hear quoted is like 1 out of 200 or 300, and that includes morbidly obese individuals that have a much higher risk of dying in surgery due to co-morbidities. And don't you think that if 1 out of 10 died within 5 years, the memorial page would be much, much larger and surgeons/and primary care physicians and the NIH would not recommend it?
   — Cindy R.

May 16, 2003
It is a personal choice. I evaluated the 2 procedures and decided what was best for ME. I think there is a place for both procedures and even room for those in years to come. Take advice from your doctors and make sure that you interview THEM well. Be comfortable with what you decide and understand that statistics are based on data that has already happened (I thinkwhat you were quoted is wrong though) and numbers can be made to look any way the presenter wants them to. Talk to your surgen and see what his or her stats are and then make a decision. Good Luck
   — meliss0725