Question:
Diabetic and considering Lap Band
I chose Lap Band for several reasons. First, my personal doctor and his nurse have had it done and they recommended the surgeon I am going to. I went to the seminar and found out that the surgeon and most of his staff have also had the Lap Band procedure as well. I chose the Lap Band because it is the least invasive surgery and being 53, I don't want the down time from other surgeries. I have been diabetic for 16 years and am on Metformin, inhaled insulin at each meal and Lantus at bedtime. I would like to be off all of it if possible. I have read up on the LB surgery and talked to dozens of people that have had the procedure done, but with all postive results. Now I am confused about the other. I thought this was what I wanted, but now I am hearing from many of you that it is not the best way to go. I have been to many doctors appointments so far as to see the surgeon, internist, Phy-med and the nutritionist. I think I am waiting to see if the insurance's decision before they send me anywhere else. I am not sure what's next. — katann (posted on October 17, 2007)
October 16, 2007
Kathy, I am astrong believer in brutal honesty.Especially when it comes to
these surgeries.Haven't we put our bodies thru so much anyway?I won't sugar
coat this answer for you. Yes, everyone is different and many people do
great w/the band.....but Bypass has been around since the 70's and is
proven to work no matter what. You lose 10 times more weight in half the
time as the Band. In 6months to a year you lose around 100lbs w/Bypass. I
know ladies w/Band that haven't lost that much in 4 years.I work at
UTSouthwestern Medical center in Dallas, Tx. They have a bariatric program
here that is honest. Listen to people when they talk about immediate
results w/Bypass. I'ts permanent and no scarry changes.The band can have
slippage and move on you and cause so many problems down the road.They take
the same amount of time to do both suregeries.Half the follow up, and more
results is constant w/Bypass. Unless you weigh around 500lbs Bypass is not
risky. That is a marketing tool used to sell those plastic peices of junk.
Who knows what they will do to you body in 15 years-they haven't even been
out that long....and that sounds more risky to me. I'm all about the long
run honey..any questions feel free to comment or respond at
[email protected]
Best wishes in you decision. We have to be honest about these procedures
and stop worrying about being sued. I care about ladies making an informed
decision, not one based on marketing a hunk of plastic much like the breast
implants that were recalled-(Silicone).
— [Deactivated Member]
October 16, 2007
Dear Kathy,
You remind me of myself. You are a researcher! You have thoroughly
investigated your options! And now the tables are starting shift and you
are unsure of your choices.
I haven't had my surgery yet, either, and the longer I wait the more I
question what I thought the day before. I have developed a medical
complication (advanced sarcoidosis) which may affect my choices and twice
my surgery had to be postponed.
I try to look at the big picture. Health, health, health. What is best
for you and you alone. If this surgery can free you from diabetes it seems
lap band or rny are both winners. Lap bad is least invasive. Also what
will your insurance cover? The right decision is made from tallying a
combination of facts and you and you alone can determine how you want to
live in the future.
Take all the time you need. WLS is always elective.
Best of luck,
Carmen
— [Deactivated Member]
October 17, 2007
Hey Kathy. What I find most informative about your post is near the end,
where you say "...now I am hearing from many of you that it is not the
best way to go."
Step away from this for a second and pretend a dear friend wrote your post
and you are reading it. What would you say? As much as I enjoy
obesityhelp.com, it is a glorified message board. Would you ever seriously
consider medical advice from an Internet message board?
You have done your research. Now it's time to do some soul-searching.
What is it exactly that "many here" have said that have made you
second-guess? Does it contradict what you've learned in your research, or
what your medical professionals have told you? Is it results-based? (My
DH is a type 2 diabetic and, though he has not reached goal, the loss his
Band helped him achieve has greatly improved his health.)
It is good to keep in mind that you have options, but don't fall victim to
analysis paralysis. Every person you encounter on any online WLS board is
going to be loyal to "their" surgery and want you on "their
team". It's best to know yourself well before entering those waters,
as you now know.
Best of luck to you! :)
— Jeanie
October 17, 2007
Kathy! You and I are the same age and have had diabetes for almost as long
and I will tell you that RNY is the way to go...I decided against lapband
for many reasons, less restrictive (I had a sugar addiction), slippage, and
I didn't want a port in my stomach and have to go for fills...when you talk
about less invasive, the surgery is the same, you get 5 small incisions,
the difference is that your intestine is not re-routed with lapband but the
weight loss is much much slower plus you get the malabsorbion with
RNY...for me, I wanted immediate results, I wanted to get the weight off in
8-9 months. My ultimate goal was to get off the diabetes meds. So now
it's 11 months later, I am now below goal, with a weight loss of approx. 92
lbs. I worked hard after receiving my "tool", following my
nutrionist's plan to the letter and exercising regularly. Unfortunately, I
still need to take meds to control my diabetes, so I may have been a
diabetic even if I was never overweight. I have no risk of heart disease,
high blood pressure or other medical problems related to my weight. I
enjoy the compliments I get on my looks and I love being able to fit into
small sized clothing! I feel great, have lots of energy and I recommend
RNY to everyone! I had no complications. Please don't talk to people
because it's YOUR decision and YOURS alone. Ask yourself if you need a
more restrictive program...what got you overweight in the first place? Was
it large portions of food, certain types of food, i.e. pizza, fries, etc.
or sugar??? You can have anything with the lapband but not with RNY. Feel
free to email me, maybe we can discuss this further. Good luck.
— Sheri A.
October 17, 2007
Dear Kathy- I had open RNY on Oct 2 (2 weeks and 1 day ago)
I am 42 and have been diabetic for 23 years I was taking 8 shots a day
(over 210 units of insulin) and 8 pills a day. I had this surgury for the
primary purpose of my diabetes. I am overweight and on surgery day
weighted 265lbs but the diabetes was my primary purpose. In 2 weeks I now
am taking 50units of insulin and 2 shots a day. The research I had studied
suggested that when performing the RNY something happens with your gut
hormones that helps with the diabetes. That was my reasoning for choosing
the RNY. I also have physicians friends whom felt the risk of infection was
greater when a foreign body remained in you body then to modify what was
already existing. I know you will make the right decision for you. I just
wanted to share my research.God bless you!
— kisha1965
October 17, 2007
Just want to add my 2 cents worth. . I have only been diabetic about 3
years. Before surgery I was taking fortamet, byetta, and insulin, as well
as diavan and zetia for other diabetes related issues. I have not taken
anything since surgery. My A1C was done 3 months post op with a result of
5.7. My morning sugar is now 95-100 instead of 130-140. My surgery was
7/5 and I have lost 56 lbs so far, with another 90-100 to go. I don't
think you get this kind of improvement with lapband. There is some sort of
hormonal activity that is diabetes related that occurs in the intestine.
The bypass procedure impacts that hormone production. Keep asking
questions. Ultimately the decision has to be yours. Good Luck!
— Susan M.
October 17, 2007
The Lap Band is less invasive. Yes, But from what I have seen, heard, and
read you don't loose as much with the lap band and not as quickly. You also
have to deal with adjustments to it. If its less invasivness your looking
for then it's for you. If loosing a lot of your weight then RnY might be a
consideration. You loose weight with the Lap just not as much. Again I
don't know this from personal experience. Just what I have seen, heard and
Read. Hope I helped
Your WLS friend Jo
— Jo_Michalko
October 17, 2007
I had lap band at the end of May, and have lost 40 pounds. I have to say
that there are times when it seems like a maddenly slow process, but I only
had about 100 pounds to lose - Band seems to be a good option for
lightweights like me.
Many other people who have had RNY lost so much weight more quickly than I
am. With the band, it can take 6 months or more to get your fill to that
sweet spot where you have the right restriction and can truly eat just a
few bites and feel full, and I have to say there have been times when I
wish I did RNY because I get into an impatient mode.
However.... then I go to my support group, where there are a lot of bypass
patients, and I hear them all talking... Almost all of them have had
complications. Almost all of them have had to have a hernia fixed. Several
have had to have follow-up EDGs and procedures to stretch their stoma (the
opening at the base of the stomach) because it was constricting. They have
all had serious problems with hair falling out due to extreme rapid weight
loss. They all talk about how they can't eat this, can't eat that, have
this problem and that problem... They throw up, have acid problems, etc.
And I sit there and say, "not with Band", "Band is
different", "haven't had that problem" - so the pre-surgery
newbies in the room understand the full picture. ... I am considering
joining a "Lap Band only" support group because the issues are so
different.
So, a lot of it depends on how patient you think you can be. RNY patients
get a very fast result, but they pay for it with increased risks of
complications and lifestyle changes.
Beth
— Beth F.
October 18, 2007
You have allot of people telling you what you should or should not do.
This Surgery is a very personal thing. Both surgeries will aid your
Diabitis. One works faster then the other, but both work. You need to
decide what you want. Go into the computer and read the pros & cons of
both surgeries. Everybody is telling you that " I had this, and this
is what you need to do". Don't listen to anybody but yourself. Your
age is not an issue. It is what you can live with and what "You"
want. Read up and discuss with the surgeon. Check your insurance and go
from there. Good Luck with your choice. Judy Harris
— jk_harris
October 18, 2007
Kathy, This surgery is, of course your personal choice. I had initially
planned to have the lap band. I was 58. I think I embarrassed still, that
I could not lose the weight, and since the lap band was less invasive, I
thought it would be the NEXT step in losing weight. I finally decided that
I was not getting any yonger and that I wanted what I felt was the most
effective surgery and I would have the better results with the RNY. I had
insulin resistance and was on an oral agent and was eventually headed
formore meds and maybe insulin. I think I always wanted the RNY but
couldn't make myself decide that as it was admitting I had a bigger problem
with weight. I had the RNY on 4-10-06 and have lost 164.2 pounds and am
still losing slowly now. I was off of all my blood pressure meds, diabetic
agents, cholesteral lowering meds etc. within the first month. I also had
done research on which surgery would provide the best effect on my diabetes
and found that the RNY frequently CURES diabetes and the least it will do
is dramatically increase the use of oral agents and eliminate or decrease
the use of insulin. The research is continuing and is more and more
positive for the effectiveness of eliminating diabetes from our lives. I
am happy with my decision and you need to do all the research for each and
make the best choice for your health. Julia
— Julia W.
October 18, 2007
Upwards of 55% of people fail with the RnY. So many more fail with the
lapband after y ou get to goal. It is harder to keep the weight off. You
needs to go for fills, which is not always a covered aspect. Please check
out the duodenal switch weight loss surgery. No one here mentioned that
one. Don't pass it up. It may be the answer to all your prayers.
— KRWaters
October 18, 2007
The important thing it to pick the surgery that you feel is right for you.
There are lots of people that have different opinions about each type of
surgery, but they are just that their opinions. If you have discussed
everything with your physicians and they are also supportive of your
decision that is the important thing. You may also find that the insurance
decision may limit your choices.
I wouldn't get too focused on all the stories you hear about things going
wrong or problems people have had with any of the types of surgery. I
think we hear more about the problems then the successes. And it is true
that people tend to be a cheer leader for their type of surgery.
After you have done your research and made a decision you are comfortable
with don't let others chnage your mind.
Good luck with your surgery.
Amy
— Radgalut
October 18, 2007
Hi Kathy, I havent had surgery and Im not sure which one I want. I have
met with my doctor and the one thing that he was very clear on was with RNY
since you are bypassing the stomach and the hormone producing region that
this method of surgery is the one that really helps clear up the diabetes
and other issues. I do not have diabetes but clinically found it
interesting as he went on to describe how it worked. Good luck with your
choices.
— Gilliegrl
October 18, 2007
after working with bariatric in Houston for a while I would say rny would
be best , but that is choice only you can make
— DonnaB.
October 19, 2007
i have heard from several people that has diabetes that once you have
surgery and loose all the weight that you dont have to take meds or
anything anymore.. - kim
— Kimberly F.
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