What should I do?

Okay so I have my doctors appointment tomorrow... I get to meet with the surgeon and what not. I am so not sure what to do, I don't like needles so getting poked for the lap band every so often really gets anxiety rolling along. I want the VSG, but my insurance is in limbo and the military does it free in our main hospital but those jerks don't give a flying flip about me. My back and knees and feet hurt i am so done with being in pain. There are rumors that are keeping me from getting a RNY, all my family says that re-routing body parts isn't normal and there is a funny smell from people bodies.  I am damn near in tears... i want to get healthy and i just am stressed.

help me please.

Marie,

No one can really tell you what you should do, because the decision to have weight loss surgery and the type a person will have is one that is very personal and should be between you and your health care provider and based on your medical history.  The best advice I can give you is to research each type of surgery out there, list it's pros and cons and discuss with your health care provider and the surgeon which one is best for you and your health condition.

The other thing you might consider is to read the blogs of people who have had the various types of surgeries and most may tell you why they chose their particular surgery.  For me the choice was easy and my health care providers were behind my decision 100% and said it was the right choice for me.  I don't regret my decision in the least.  I had RNY and I don't smell any funnier now than I did before!!!   I wish you luck in your appointment tomorrow, please take the time today to research and read and start making a list of questions to ask your surgeon when you have your visit.  Ultimately, you will have the information you need to make an educated and informed decision that you and your health care providers can agree on.

All the best.
Barb

It's a tough choice....I spent about a year and half exploring various procedures and the RNY was the one I picked due to my weight 457lbs.

You have to choose for yourself which one is best for you.  Today, most procedures are practiced a zillion times and surgeon's methods, techniques, etc. are far beyond advanced!

Regarding body odor?  My wife has never told me I smell bad or I have a funny smell.  The one thing I personally experience are the deadly farts!  Since my intestines have been re-routed, I guess I don't absorb certain chemicals resulting in deadly stinky gas (sometimes)...I know...TMI

lol well atleast i can keep up with my husband.

I do not regret my RNY one minute.  NOT ONE!  I don't know who told you about an odor problem, but I have never been around anyone with RNY that smells any different, except as Gus said, the gas isn't no bed of roses.

Good luck

You are making a very tough decision, but remember it's your decision! Not your families!!! I had RNY on 1/16/2008 and went from 326lbs to currently I am 149.lbs. I have never regretted this choice. I don't smell bad, but according to some good looking gentlemen, I actually smell pretty darn yummy! 

Yes, it is true..the farts are deadly!! You will learn to sense your body & when your going to fart, it makes it easier to have dogs around, so you can blame it on them! LOL  I think when you go see your Dr. you need to just speak with him alone without other family members there influencing you! Don't get stressed, no matter what choice you make, it should be your choice alone! We all have made different choices and have chosen different roads, but in the end..we all want to be healthy and happy!

Good luck to you and remember, it's your choice!

Julie

Hi ,

I had rny 5 years ago it was the best thing I ever did. Like everyone else said I never had any odor I thought it strange someone would tell you that. there are lots of places you can research all surgerys now to find the best one for you. Google them and do lots of research if you are not sure thats what I did to help me pick the one best for me. It will make you feel better. And talking to people that have never had it you might get a lot of wrong info, you know the he said she said kind of stuff, I got that stuff and it scared me too so that when I found out on my own.


Bug hugs,
Celest

I had a RNY in June of 09.  I don't regret it one bit.  Its no easy road, but it is a journey with ups and downs just like anything.  For me its been mostly about where my head's at - because my body knows what to do.  Never heard of anyone smelling bad... but I can see the truth in that for some since there is a bariatric product my nutritionist shared with me that is a pill you take to neutralize bm and gas smells... ive never personally taken it.  There is a lot of misinformation out there and especially when people care about you or are scared for you.. they will say anything to sway your decisions.  I echo what everyone else has said here in that your decisions need to be between you and your surgeon as to what is best for you.  I got nothing but support from my family, but my other half and my mom were really scared for me.. so before surgery I took them to a couple of support group meetings with me ... it helped get us on the same page and helped them to understand the ramifications of the journey I was embarking on.  It also helped them to have the opportunity to ask questions of others at different stages.  Also remember much of what people and family members say too is out of fear.. fear that you will change.. fear that the dynamic will change such that you are not the biggest person in the room anymore.. or that you will be more confident and assertive, and sometimes I think its more about them and their own fears and insecurities than it is about you.  Try to keep it in perspective and be sure to get the facts.  All the best to you!!! Hugs!

It is a tough decision, but you will need to decide what you want for yourself. I was having the same problem and I am pretty sure I will be going with the sleeve but I am not 100% sure yet. I know a lot of people who have had the RNY and I have never known them to stink. Now their farts! OMG I had one friend clear out the Rodger Rabbit ride at Disneyland last year!!! It was soo funny!
Okay back to the subject. I had some really good suggestions from fellow OHers, try a pros and cons list for the surgeries you are considering. Make sure you include which one is covered by your insurance and if not how much out of pocket you would have to pay if done privately. Then decide what you need, whether it be more restriction alone or if you also really need malabsorption. I know this is not alot of help, but know you are not alone in this and I wish you good luck.