Questions

This is my first time to this site. So far, I love it. I have some questions... 1. How do you know when you're ready for surgery? 2. After watching the Oprah special, I'm scared that I will transfer my addiction to something else. Is this a common problem or did Oprah exaggerate? 3. I'm just really scared about starting this. Does that mean that I'm not ready or is this normal. 4. I think I would prefer the lap-band. I'd love to hear from anyone that's had it. I'm interested in how much you can lose with it compared to the gastric bypass. 5. How much pain am I looking at? 6. Any other advice would be so helpful! Thanks, Melissa

Welcome Melissa, You will find much love and support here. 1. When you have exhausted all other avenues and know that you cannot lose the weight on your own...then you're ready. 2. Oprah showed extreme cases. However, I highly recommend a therapy group to help you discover the reasons you overeat and break the addiction before surgery. 3.You're normal. We were all scared, just determination won out. 4. Talk to your surgeon about your options. 5. I had a Lap RNY. No pain meds were required after the first couple of days. I didn't even require Tylenol. 6. Keep coming here with your questions. Building a support group is the most important tool in your toolbox for success. Best Wishes, Annette

Hi, I thought I wanted a lap band too, because it sounded less invasive, but after talking with my surgeon, I decided RNY was best for me. She said people typically lose and keep off only about 50 lb with the lap band, and I wanted to lose more than that. Also, I was off pain meds within a week after surgery. Linda Vicory

Melissa, Welcome to the site. I'll give you questions a go. 1. Only you can answer when you are ready for surgery. For me, it was when I had tried so many diets...and GAINED each time. I knew I was looking at several surgeries for medical issues if I didn't do something. Most insurances require that you be at least 100 lbs overweight and a 5 yr or more history of morbid obesity. Many also require a 6 month physician supervised diet. All, I believe, excellent requirements. Those who are just barely over the 100 lbs, I would recommend whole heartedly trying the physician supervised diet. Weight loss surgery is NOT an easy fix and should only be considered when other means have failed. 2. Anyone can make a negative statement conviceable for any given situation if they would like. Over-eating can be a habit, that is replaced with another habit. But it can also be a lack of good health skills that when taught correctly, can be eliminated without a negative impact. I personally DO shop more...because I need clothes that fit more often than before. Some people do drink. Some people go overboard on so many things. Hmmm...but so do people who have never had a weight issue. Blame it on weight loss surgery??? No. Some people either have the propensity to be addicted to _________ or they don't regardless of weight loss surgery or not. 3. You would not be normal if you were not scared. 4. I would suggest you investigating surgeons & hospitals. Find one that you will feel very comfortable with and then leave it in their hands on which as to which on. Alot of it is based upon how much you need to lose and what your eating weaknesses are. If it's sugars, RNY is usually best. If it's carbs, the DS is probably best. Just discuss all of your concerns and questions with the surgeon. The biggest difference with the lap band is that you need to have regular mainenance in getting the band filled. Jodi on here would be an excellent person to seek advise from since she is a lap-bander that has been very successful with it. 5. The pain level is different for each person. Part of it depends on if you need an 'open' (long incision) or 'lap' (5-6 small incisions). Part of it just depends on you and your body. Given that you have a lap and no complications, you'll probably be out of the hospital in 2-3 days and off pain meds within a week. If you have open, add a week. The important thing is to follow all of the surgeon & hospitals instructions: take your vitamins, eat your meals, drink your fluids, drink your protein, walk. 6. When I first came to OH.com, I went to the section where I could read about the surgeons & hospitals. That is how I decided on which surgeon to have. I am going for my first plastic surgery consult on January 8th. I decided on which surgeon to go to in the same way. Read what the surgeon's stats are. If a surgeon's stats are 90% open...guess what? You'd probably end up with it being open. If you want lap, stick with one who does lap the majority of the time. You're welcome to come on here as much as you'd like. This site is NOT just for people who are considering, or have had WLS (weight loss surgery) although most of us has. It is for anyone who is obese. We can offer suggestions on losing...or just be a friend to say hi to. Sherri

HI and be sure to stick around....which surgery you pick is up to you, but the band i believe has a much greater rate than that thinkiing of 2 ladies i know with it...and our own board jodi is a fine example of the band..dr clark says the band loses the same as a rny in the end, slower but the same at the end..and i would think not for sure the band would have less gain cos you could always go in for a fill.....correct me anyone if i am wrong on that...jodi also lost fast and 2 gals i know a month apart on dates one band and one rny the band has lost more in x amount of time than the rny...though the bander was also had more weight to lose than the one that had rny....this is just what i have seen...and each person and surgery is its own and hard to compare...

#1 YOU WILL KNOW.. #2 Angie is addicted to shopping at Goodwill on 1/2 price days.... #3 Opps your normal.. fear is good.. keeps us from rushinginto things with our eyes closed. #4 Jodi is the PERFECT one to ask.. I had RNY.. wish I had had BOTH!! sometimes I get hungry to soon... MY fault for drinking with the meal.. #5 Not much pain for my lap RNY.. just aches.. #6. Make your decision.. research it, talk to your DR.s, and then go for it and dont let others talk you out of it. or scare you out of it. Sucess is up to you!! Best wishes on your decision. MY OPINION LINDA

Hi Melissa! This is the first time I have come out from lurking to post! I wanted to let you know that I am in the pre-op/approval stage right now and I have felt very similar to what you seem to be feeling now. The biggest help to me was actually meeting with my surgeon. She did not pressure me to pick any certain surgery, just gave me the statistics and info, then answered my TONS of questions. I also thought I wanted the lapband, but decided for the RNY. I think that you will know which is the best choice for you after meeting with a good surgeon. I am currently in the certification period through my insurance (1 month left of 6 month waiting period) and will hopefully get the approval by the end of the year. It can be a long process going through the insurance stuff, but once you are approved, it is good for one year so my advice would be that there is no harm in atleast checking it out since you are not pressured to make a choice right away. I actually will not have the surgery prior February since I am breastfeeding my twin girls and won't wean them until they are a year (February 1) BUT it would be great to have all my ducks in a row when I am ready to move forward with this next phase of my life. Best wishes, Belle