weighing the options

Well I am a severe obese male at 39 years of age my weight is 575 lbs I am 5ft 9 tall my BMI is 84 I know I need the surgery its just the matter of which surgery that I am going to have that seems to be the problem I was going to have gastric bypass but the surgeon has suggested that lap band would be safer for someone of my size I don't know whether it will work as well in the long run on someone of my size or not anyone out there that has had either one done please give me a little input I have to make a decision soon we are shooting to try and get the surgery done before my 40th birthday any help will be appreciated

Hey Kevin! A lot of people will probably try to sway you towards the surgery they had. I've noticed that a lot on the boards here... It's not a bad thing it's actually understandable ya know? On to the point though, I feel like a person of your size would lose a substantial amount of weight with any of the procedures. I had RNY so I pretty much swear by it. Lap band is pretty good you just have to get the correct "fill" before it really gets going. Don't forget the Duodenal Switch, and VSG - Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Just make sure you do your research. Check out Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies; It's a very informative book. I'm pretty sure there is a Lap Band, DS, and RNY forum so maybe you could post this question on those also. Also keep in mind with any surgery there are risks involved. Hope this Helps! Katrina

Hey Kevin... Katrina listed some good things there in her post. One who is the doctor you spoke with? Where are you located at? Do you have any other medical conditions besides morbid obesity? ie depression, diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure/chloresterol. As for the band vs. bypass that is between you and the doctor you choose. When my diabetes started to go south on me and I finally decided to have the surgery, then I had to figure which surgery to have. At first I thought bypass, than I decided to have the band done. One day before I had my consulttion with Dr. Tom it hit me. Yeah weight loss with a band is slower and the procedure is not as invasive but I could still eat high in sugar products without a chance of getting sick. With the bypass sugar will nearly 99% cause you to dump. I wanted off the diabetes meds as much as possible. I was on five of them. So I chose the bypass. I posed the same scenario to the doctor and he agreed. He was going to recommend bypass also because of my other conditions. Both surgeries kinda knock the crap out of you. Depending on your weight distribution and your doctors skills and ability you might be open but I hope you can get it done lap.

Hi Kevin....I am pre op but have chosen the rny. I have made that decision because I know my body too well and I think it will work best for me. I am an overeater and if you over eat after rny you get very sick..and i hate more then anything to feel sick so i think it will work well for me. Good Luck!

I would either following my doctors suggestion or go see another WLS Doctor for a second opinion. I went to my primary care physician to talk to him about Lap Band and he said he would come closer to approving an RNY than Lap Band, simply because there is more change for infections with the Lap Band. Talk to all your doctors about your situation. Everybody is unique.

Its actually which surgery u feel safest with. I had open rny with Mark Shina up in Louisville at Suburban. I could have had the lapband but I had alot of weight to lose and knew I wouldn't with the band or I wouldn't have lost it as fast. Just research and go with whats in your heart. Good luck Ange

thank you everyone for the replies it is very helpful for everything that i have read