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Ok, so I am sure my questions have all been asked before, but the board is so overwhelming! This process is so overwhelming! How did you know which surgery was right for you? The doctor in my area only offers 2 types, VBG and Lap band. Aren't there others out there? I know I sound like a dodo bird, but what does all of it mean? RYN, VSG, Revision, DS????? I tried looking it up but it only gave me the meanings of LOL and things like that. Just feeling overwhelmed, but in need of doing something soon!!! Tired of being overweight!

Another question, how do you add a signature?

I have not had surgery yet (scheduled next week) so I don't know all the answers. But I think the RNY (gastic bypass) is the most commonly performed. I chose that over the lapband because I did not want to go in every few months for fills. Also, I think the weight loss is faster with gastric. There are many people on here that can answer your questions about the other surgeries. Also, talk to your dr. to see what he recommends for you.  Best of luck to you, Penny

RNY is also readily available in Hampton Roads if you are interested.  Dr. Spencer and Dr. Moore are great and have a complication rate well below the national average and usually can perform it laparoscopically.  Good luck with your choice.

You are right - there are many diferent surgeries out there and you need to study them all and talk to a doctor about what surgery is more suitable for you...I have tried to break them down for you by getting descriptions from various surgeries. I am not sure we have any people who are DS'rs on this board.... Also it may depend on what your insurance is prepared to cover....... Briefly:  Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RNY) uses a combination of restriction and malabsorption. During the procedure, the surgeon creates a smaller stomach pouch. The surgeon then attaches a Y-shaped section of the small intestine directly to the pouch. This allows food to bypass a large portion of the small intestine, which absorbs calories and nutrients. Having the smaller stomach pouch causes patients to feel fuller sooner and eat less food; bypassing a portion of the small intestine means the patient’s body absorbs fewer calories.  That is what most f us have here because we wanted the restriction and the fastest weight loss. LapBand (Gastric Banding) Gastric Banding is a restrictive surgical procedure. During this procedure, two medical devices are implanted in the patient: a silicone band and an injection port. The silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach and molds the stomach into two connected chambers. The injection port is attached to the abdominal wall, underneath the skin. The port is connected to the band with soft, thin tubing.  The lapband is the second most common procedure here- it is a newer surgery so long term studies are limited but weight loss is usually much slower and you do not have the restrictions or malabsobtion that RNYers have. Sleeve Gastrectomy Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive bariatric surgery. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a small, sleeve-shaped stomach. It is larger than the stomach pouch created during Roux-en-Y bypass—and is about the size of a banana. Sleeve gastrectomy is typically considered as a treatment option for bariatric surgery patients with a BMI of 60 or higher. It is often performed as the first procedure in a two-part treatment. The second part of the treatment can be gastric bypass. 

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty is a non-adjustable form of bariatric surgery that is performed to decrease the size of the stomach. During a Vertical Banded Gastroplasty procedure, the upper stomach near the oesophagus is stapled vertically to create a smaller stomach pouch. By decreasing the size of the stomach patients begin to take in less food so that natural weight loss occurs. In Vertical Banding Gastroplasty, the outlet from the stomach pouch is restricted by a ring or band that slows the emptying of the food. This portion of a Vertical Banding Gastroplasty procedure is especially effective in creating a feeling of fullness for those being treated for severe obesity.

Revision - which if you haven't had surgery you don't need to worry about it lol!  Patients who have gastric bypass occasionally require revision, either for inadequate weight loss or for complications. The incidence of major postoperative complications following revisional bariatric procedures is substantially higher compared to primary operations. Early morbidity rates range from 15% to 50%. The mortality rate reported after revision operations ranges as high as 10%, Undoing any bariatric operation without conversion to another weight-reduction procedure is invariably associated with the patient's promptly regaining the lost weight. The most common complication resulting in reoperation is intractable marginal ulcer. Gastric bypass patients with anatomically intact operations and unsatisfactory weight loss have probably "outeaten" the operation. Duodenal Switch surgery is also a very effective weight-loss surgery that differs from gastric bypass in several ways. Rather than bypassing part of the stomach, about 75 percent of the stomach is removed. This restricts the amount of food a person can eat at one time. The outlet valve (pylorus) between the stomach and small intestine is left unchanged. The small intestine is then rearranged so that the section carrying food from the small stomach does not join with the section carrying digestive juices until very far downstream. This effectively decreases the amount of fat and calories that are absorbed from foods eaten. To prevent deficiencies, a high-protein diet and lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation are necessary.  Hope this helps  ;-) Jackie

Wow, thanks so much for all the info! So how did some of you personally chose what you had done, or are going to have done? What were some of your pro's and con's?

I chose to go with the Lap Band since this procedure has the least amount of risks with it.  Also, if there were any complications, the band could be removed.  Unfortunatey, with the Gastric Bypass once you arrange the intestines to bybass the stomach, there is no way to reverse this.  Yes, there is quicker results with the bypass as far as weight loss, but losing to fast can be a danger.  What ever you choose has to be a well informed decision that is made between you, your support system and surgeon.  Good Luck. 

I chose the RNY becuase I considered this as my last option for health and success.  I wanted something that would give me the greates rate of success. Then, I chose my doctor - Dr. Clark.  He is in Hampton and is wonderful!

I chose RNY because I am a weak person and wanted the restrictions of RNY - I wanted consequencies if I ate what I shoukdn't - the fear of that to this day prevents me eating sugar or candy bars etc.... With Lapband I could have still eaten what I wanted and there would be nothing to stop me doing that. Plus I wanted a faster weight loss - as a person with no patience that meant a lot to me!  I have never regretted my decision! You have to choose the option that will work the best for you.... Jackie

Hi!  I have not had my surgery yet, it is scheduled on April 30.  If you are wanting to know all you can about every option out there, which you should and is a smart move, may I suggest one of the best books available.  It is called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies".  I found it at Barnes & Nobles, in their "For Dummies" section.  It discusses the WLS topic from deciding if it right for you, which option may be right and all the surgical options available.  It helps with picking a surgeon up until pre op and even post op.  It was extremely beneficial to read and I found it very informative.  I completely recommend it.  I hope that it helps a bit.  I chose the RNY because I wanted the weight loss to be faster for health reasons and I didn't want to have to go for follow up fills.  It is completely a personal choice.  Good luck! Theresa