Question:
How do you decide what procedure to have?
— chemo_mom (posted on July 22, 2009)
July 21, 2009
My easy answer is this. I decided to have RNY because of the unpleasant
side effects, like "Dumping Syndrome", if you don't follow the
"Rules of the Tool". I needed something to keep me in check.
Dumping Syndrome is something like Antibuse is for Alcoholics. If you eat
the wrong thing (too much sugar or too much fat) you will get so sick it
will make you think you're dying. Hot and cold sweats, clamminess,
palpitations, shakiness, nausea, vomiting, severe cramps, explosive
diarrhea... and it lasts for at least a couple of hours. I don't EVER want
to get it, so I NEVER push the limits. With the other types of surgeries,
people can easily find a "work around" to the "rules",
and unless they are committed to getting healthy and they respect their
"tool", they end up overeating again, and eating the wrong food,
and putting the weight back on. Also, I've read about more problems with
the lapband than I would have been comfortable with, and additionally, you
lose weight faster with the bypass. There are a couple of other options
out there like the gastric sleeve, but you can still eat all the old foods
you used to, without fear of making yourself sick.... I just needed that
extra little threat to persuade me to stay in line.
— Erica Alikchihoo
July 22, 2009
Tia,
I have a website that has a comparison surgery chart on it. Follow my
instructions on how to navagate through the website to find it. It is
wonderful. Go to www.lapsf.com
on the left side blue box click weight loss and revisional surgeries then
click "Intro-What are my Options", scroll down to where you see
the picture of a stomach- click here to view the surgery comparison chart.
Print this email so you can follow my directions. It is great. It shows
the pros and cons for how each surgeries is done. I chose the RNY because
I had 90 lbs to lose and it was covered by my insurance company. Most
insurance co are now doing the others, but I really didn't feel like
fighting with them to get something else, plus with needing to loose less
then 100 lbs, it was a good decision. I don't regret one moment.
— Kristy
July 22, 2009
Well for me it was going to my Dr's information session and them giving me
access to a site called my Emmi. I leaned towards the lap band because it
was cheaper and I had to pay but after the sessions and my Emmi I decided
on the RNY. It appeared there were too many complications with the lap band
and constantly having to have the band adjusted was another factor in my
decision. Too many people with the band eventually have to have the RNY or
sleeve down the road. Good Luck!
— sallie H.
July 22, 2009
I see this question a lot on the forum. Seems like the lap band has gone
"out of style". All I can say is that it has worked wonderfully
for me, without any complications at all and I am 6 years post-op. Most
Dr's have a plan that includes fills as part of your aftercare, but that
does vary from doc to doc. I have gone from 300 lbs and wearing a woman's
size 24/26 to 189 lbs and wearing a size 8. I personally felt there was a
much bigger risk with detaching or removing part of the stomach and
intestines, so I opted for the band. Also, I see a lot of folks post that
you can work around the band. This may be true in the beginning when your
band is not at the correct fill, but once you reach your "sweet
spot" with your band, it is physically impossible to overeat. Most
times I can eat 4-5 bites and I am full.
That is just my personal experience.
Hope this helps,
Trish, RN
— dragonflier
July 22, 2009
There are two commonly performed procedures; RNY and lap-band. Two less
commonly performed are the VSG and DS. Please check out both these
options, as they allow you to retain your functioning pylorus (unlike RNY -
VSG'ers and DS'er have a STOMACH, not a pouch) and you don't have a foreign
object placed in your body (like lap-band). VSG (vertical sleeve
gastrectomy) and DS (duodenal switch) both have forums here - also please
check out duodenalswitch.com and dsfacts.com for more information on DS.
The DS is comprised of a partial sleeve gastrectomy (the VSG portion of the
surgery) with intestinal rerouting, resulting in restriction to get the
weight off, and long term fat malabsorption to help maintain the loss. All
surgeries require vitamin supplementation - the DS requires the most
careful monitoring of labs to adjust supplementation, but anyone having
surgery needs to make sure they monitor labs to prevent nutritional
deficiencies. A person who is obese due mainly to volume or emotional
eating which can be controlled solely with restriction should do well with
just a VSG. A person who has a metabolic disorder should look more closely
at a combined restrictive/malabsorptive procedure. DS and RNY are both
considered restrictive/malabsorptive, but over time, the amount of
malabsorption lessens considerably with RNY. It lessens a little with DS,
but always remains a component of what makes the surgery work. DS is also
a great choice for someone with type II diabetes. Deciding what procedure
to have is definitely a personal choice based on what has caused your
obesity. Please make sure you consult with a surgeon who performs all four
of the most common surgeries to get an unbiased evaluation of what
procedure would be most successful for you. Best of luck to you!
— Privacy Please
July 22, 2009
My answer was easy. I just asked the surgeon what he thinks is best for me
personally. He said the RNY. So thats what I'll be getting.
— SPIRIT2002
July 22, 2009
Research! Make sure you understand exactly how every procedure works. Be
sure you include the Duodenal Switch and the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in
your research. Personally, those are the only two procedures I would ever
have considered for myself. PubMed is a great research tool. For the DS,
http://www.dsfacts.com is a great site, and if you're looking for the
procedure with the best results in the long-term, and the best quality of
life and eating, the DS is the only way to go. Spend time on the OH support
forums for each surgery to learn what life is like for patients of each
surgery type.
— Anna G.
July 23, 2009
I was originally leaning towards lapband and then I went to meet with my
doctor. They explained to me about the vertical sleeve which I had seen
some info online but not as much as the other two. They told me I didn't
need to lose enough weight for the DS but explained that the VSG had the
fewest complications and is close in success to the RNY. Also when they
take out the large portion of your stomach they remove the hunger hormones
so you don't get as hungry. I did choose the VSG and am very glad I did. My
insurance normally does not cover just having the VSG however my doctor
entered it as stage one of a RNY. My insurance did cover it under these
circumstances. My doctor has really encouraged me to eat healthy and
exercise to see the best results from this surgery and so that I don't need
to finish getting the RNY. As the people prior have said the best thing to
do is reasearch and I prayed as well. My family and friends all agreed this
seemed like the safest surgery and were all on board with me getting it and
have been very supportive all through it. It has been 4 months since my
surgery and I have just hit the 70 lbs lost. That includes the 12 I lost in
the pre op diet. The main thing is to choose the surgery you feel the most
comfortable with and at peace about getting. That helped me. I hope you
have great success with whichever one you choose.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
July 23, 2009
First and foremost, FIND A SURGEON THAT YOU TRUST. Your surgeon will make
informed recommendations, and you can check those out. Here's to your good
health.
— jtoothman
July 23, 2009
I decided a.) after talking with the surgeon and getting his opinion as to
which one to have. b.) wanted to lose the weight fast. c.) was ready to
make serious lifestyle changes. d.) the surgeon I went to was top of his
game and the hospital he is affiliated with is top-notch. Good luck.
— jammerz
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