New to the Group

Hello All!!! My name is Annette, and I am just about through my pre-op stuff. I don't have a surgery date yet, but hopefully it won't be too far out once I am able to get my stuff done. I have been up with nightmares for a week now because, though I had been heartset on the bypass, people are trying to pressure me into the lapband because it's "safer." OK it may be but my Dad had the lap band at 425 lbs and he has lost 100 lbs, he isn't even close to healthy. I don't want to go through all of this so I can lose 40-60% of my excess. I am here for support and info. I have been reading some posts and I am excited to get to know you all. It is great to know Im not alone! Annette

Annette, Welcome! I can't tell you what to choose, that is a decision everyone has to make for themselves. I have heard reports on both the RNY and the Lap Band of people not loosing what they wanted to . . . or even gaining.  That is why it is so important that you view your weight loss surgery as a tool to weight loss.  It is not a magic pill that will make all your weight loss problems go away.  Working with a nutritionist and perhaps a psychologist will help.  You will still have a food addiction that you will have to control.  The lap band will help you with restriction so that you can't eat as much.  You will still need to make correct choices on food and listen for and obey the STOP signals your body gives you with the band. I am not to my goal yet but I am so much healthier than I was.  How long has your Dad had the lap band? Some of the reasons I chose the band were: 1. stomach stays intact - if there was a medical emergency the band could be removed. 2. I could still eat foods that contained sugar and fats. No dumping syndrome. 3. I wouldn't have any problems being able to absorb vitamins, medicine, etc. 4. I wouldn't risk becoming lactose intolerant - I love dairy. 5. The procedure was the least invasive with a short healing time. I can tell you that lap band has been great for helping me to gain control and get healthy. Good luck with whatever your decision is. Bev

Welcome Annette! I am 22 days from by pass surgery and I am in the same situation as you. People trying to pressure me into changing to having lapband done, or cancelling surgery entirely. You have to decide for yourself and stick with what is best for you. For me its bypass because lapband won't do much for my diabetis. And there are some days when I want to chcken out alltogether. According to my therapist, having doubts about having surgery is perfectly normal. Yes, I'm scared of dumping and strictures and all the other nasty stuff, but knowing my diabetis will be under control puts things in perspective. Best of luck to you, and feel free to talk/vent whenever you need to. Thats what we're here for. "Temporary" big bear hugzzzz to you, Rich

Hi Annette, I'm right where you are now--just about done with pre-op testing, etc. I chose the lapband after lots of research. Sometimes when I have a tough decision to make, it helps me to write down in two columns pros and cons of each choice. Getting it right in front of me brings focus to it all. The great thing is that there is so much information right here on these forums. There are successes and problems with both surgeries. I know that with the band it's my responsibility to stick to the rules and to get my exercise. I'm confident that if I do that, I will be successful. So take advantage of the knowledge and support here and I'm sure you will make the right choice for you. Best of Luck!!

hi annette, my name is cheryl and I am new too. I have my date 5-5-08. i have chosen RNY with the input of my doctors. I have lots of medical problems including diabetes that they do not think lap band will get rid of soon enough.(assuming it will) I take 8 shots a day now and am still unable to get it under control.  Like you ,my friends and relatives think lap band would be safer. I feel that I have chosen the right doctor and although I am nervous, I know this is the best decision for me. I need to lose a lot of weight and this is the best method for me.  I try and let my friends know that I have done a lot of research and reading and talking to my doctors. Still its hard when someone comes up with horror stories to tell you, unsubstantiated or not. It is a difficult decision. But it comes down to you and your own situation.  If you are unsure, maybe you still need to talk more to your doctors. I wish you the best. I love to read the profiles of the members who are already "on the losers bench" it gives me courage and hope. For sure you are not alone.

Hi Annette - Welcome to the board and best of luck with whatever decision you make - just the fact that you are doing something to improve your health is an excellent step. Don't let anyone talk you out of what feels right for you - trust your intuition.........it will never let you down!

Hello Annette, Since I've had the lapband and four years later revision to gastric bypass, I think I have a little experience on both surgeries .  I had the lapband placed in 2002. I never lost more than 30 lbs and gained most of that  back.  I had 3.5 cc in my band and never felt restricted at all. My surgery was painless, quick recovery and the whole experience was pretty uneventful.  I was able to fool the band. I did have lots of productive burps, most of the time after only a few bites. Once that came up I was able to eat more than I should have.  I don't blame the band. It was me not being able to work with it.  I had a cast iron stomach and now I have a cast iron pouch too. Let me preface this by saying I personally know several people who have had some decent success with the band as well as the people on this board who have had wonderful results.  It is my opinion I was not honest with myself about my eating habits. I am older and my metabolism is slower.  I needed the malabsorbtion factor of the gastric bypass.  I discussed this with my Dr's office after 4 years of no success with the band we decided on a revision.   I had the gastric bypass done late in 2006 and have done a whole lot better.  I am over a year out and tho the weight has not exactly fallen away I certainly am much better off than I was with the band.  In my opinion I chose the wrong surgery the first time around. I guess I must be an oddball.  I've never even gagged with this bypass, did not lose my hair, have no problem eating anything and do not have dumping syndrome (not so sure that is a good thing).  My loss has been slower than some, the weight has not fallen away, but I feel great none the less. I am still working at it.  My blood pressure is normal, my once pre diabetic blood numbers are normal. I do not snore or have sleep apnea anymore.  I feel great. I guess my suggestion would be to go with your gut.  You can discuss this with the dietician and the psychologist, be very honest about your eating habits.  I had no expectation the band would not work for me.  It just wasn't extreme enough for me is the only way I can explain it.  I am very self indulgent. Not a good thing. Good luck making the right decision for you.  You do not have to do that alone.  Your surgeon's office has staff to help you with that, hopefully a support group and of course this board.  Keep us posted. helen

I can't add much more than what has already been said: You have to go with what you feel is right for you. The first decision was that you needed to get control of your weight and health and decided that WLS was the way to go. The type of surgery you choose should feel right to you.  I went threw the same situation with people telling me I was nuts to try this.  Others saying I should try lapband first...    I talked to my PCP who i have had for a long time now... I've always been open and honest with him.  After my talk with him I came here and checkout the surgeries available to me...  I talked to a few people who had them done as well (both Lap and RNY)... in the end I decided I wanted RNY done...   Some of the reasons I choose laparscopic RNY for me: 1. I wanted the best chance at having my diabetes either controlled, or hopefully in remission.  As of my last blood work, it looks like its going into remission.  2. I wanted the best chance for me of suceeding in WLS. I know my habits, I discussed this with my PCP and we both concurred that Lapband might be a good option but for me RNY would probably be the better one. 3. I was diagnosed, not only with diabetes, but high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, etc...  I need something drastic, I felt, to get back in control of my health and i felt that the slap in the face and rearlity check was RNY...  4. I loved sweets and baked goods to much and i knew I could "cheat" with the lapband and it would be harder to do so with RNY...   In the end, if faced with the same decision I would choose RNY again.. it just suited me, my goals, my personality and situation. I'm not saying RNY is the way to go for everyone...  think carefully of your choice. Research all your options. Discuss with your PCP, surgeon and perhaps even psych about the options.   Then make your decision, one that you feel is right and works for you and stick to it. My husband didn't want me to have this done... now he embraces the new me and loves to show me off to everyone and boast how much I've lost and how great I am starting to look. He also loevs the fact that medically I am getting healthier to.    Those that may be against it or trying to change your mind, will later on be the ones blown away by the results... (at least that has been my experience)

Thank you all so much for your warming welcome. I am sure I will continue on my journey with the RNY thanks to all the experiences I have read on the OH boards. I am excited to have found such an awesome support. Now I just need to wait until I can get the next two things done. :)  Annette

HI Annette, I just want to say that I wanted to have the RNY and everyone tried to convince me to have lapband saying it was safer. I on the other hand KNEW that I would eat my way through a lapband. I needed the control the RNY would give me. Plus, I have issues with needles and was so not too keen on the idea of fills. I knew I wouldn't get them done so what was the use of having the surgery if I wasn't going to follow-up with fills? Also from past experience I knew if I didn't loose fast enough I would give up. I have seen great loss in my 7 weeks. All in all, the best advice I can give you is go with what you think is best for you. Only you and your doctor can decide. Best of luck.