not sad, just confused(thats the best smiley they had lol)

Hello all. Im Katie and very much to all of this. A post-op women i met through a support group for bariatric surgery recommended this site. Right now i am 260, 5'7...and very confused about which surgery i should get. I have been weighing the pros and cons for a while. If anyone out there can be of assistant, with personal experiences or advice please let me know! I have already gone to a support group meeting with people and talked about their experiences...it doesnt help when the lapband patients say to go with the lapband and when the gastric bypass people say go with the bypass. Maybe you guys out there can help..How is it living everyday with the bypass and or the lapband procedure? Thanks!

I would tend to believe that you're going to get the same types of responses from people here too. I think you should have this discussion with your surgeon and then decide. Have him explain both procedures and the pros and cons of each and then you must decide for yourself. I'll tell you why I decided on RNY and this is my feelings about it. Not based on anything but what I think. I didn't want the lapband because I didn't like the idea of having that port under my skin. It reminded me of a colostomy and that thought grossed me out. Again, I think you speak with your surgeon and then make a decision. Joanne

Thanks for your response! I have talk to a suregon already and n ow i have a week or so to decide which to choose. My fear is what is life going to be like down the line with the bypass...the data and numbers is so low these days for death and complications but my parents are very concerned...i feel if im going to do this, i need to do it right the first time...get the weight off and the bypass will make sure it will stay off...i feel the lapband gives me flexability i can play with and with my past history already i dont want to destory my chance of freeing myself of my current medical conditions and weight. How is your life with the bypass? any complications? how much do u eat at meals?

perhaps this article will be of help for you. ITS a personal choice and i know for me i started my journey wanting gastric banding read books on that and bypass and with my surgeon made the choice that was right for me. I had the RNY gastric bypass 11 months ago and dont regret my choice. GOOD LUCK! http://www.renewedreflections.com/gastric-bypass-information/lap-band-surgery/obesity-surg eries-popular-but-which-kind-is-best

thanks for responding! I have met with my surgeon talking about both procedures and i have read and met people who have had both done, but im still puzzled about what will benefit me in the future. You had the bypass 11 months ago...how is life with it now? is it difficult? have you had any complications?

Hi Katie, All the different procedures have both their plusses and minuses. It truely does come down to a personal decision. I could list for you all the reasons I choose RNY and they could all possibly mean nothing to you. I think almost anyone you asked would recommend the surgery they chose. You need to decide what are some of the factors that lead to your weight gain. Then choose the surgery that best helps you to get the weight off and keep it off. Choose the one you can live with best. Good luck and take care. Nick

HI KATiE YEP, on june 1 2006 I will be one year post op. AND this has been a wonderful perfect experience for me. I started my journey at 310 lbs, size 30/32 clothes BMI 51 NOW i am 157 lbs, size 8 capri jeans BMI 27 I had a perfect surgery, and no complications. A year later i am so healthy and happy. I weigh less now then i did when i was in high school so this totally blows my mind. I had my birth defect fixed and i now eat small lady sized portions. I have been very strict and followed every instruction exact and have been a very rapid looser. I would do this surgery again in a flash with no hesitation what so ever. THIS link below shows my progress in pics.... http://w5.photobucket.com/widgets/dynamicflash.php?featuretype=bucketstrip&featurename=fr1 endly2&pa=/y164/fr1endly2/ FEEL free to email me or IM me anytime for any support all the best hugs lisa xoxo

Katie, This is a big choice that only YOU can make.....please read and learn as much as you can on each... I for one wanted the RNY because I needed more strict help, with the band i knew i would push that fact that "I" was in control of getting the fills and that i could still eat the sweets. I like the fact that I can dump from sugars, not all the time but I notice from time to time it still tells me who is the boss and I NEED that. With either one you still need to deal with your eating issues or that will come back to bite ya as I am learning now. I just wanted to offer that one piece that made my choice for me. Take care and keep us posted.....Congrats on taking another step to a healthier YOU! ~Hugs~ Debra P

Thats EXACTLY how i feel. I feel i would have the ability to toy with the lapband, even though i should have control, but since i know its there and its not as serious as if i had the bypass, i could go back to the way i am now. Thats why now im leaning more towards the bypass, but as well as my parents (more my parents)...im a little scared of the bypass...im only 20..how will be 40 years from now? (my concern and my parents as well)...they also dont like the fact that its Irreversible...but i feel i should just do this big thing and get it over with and start all over. I feel i need that restriction bc hey, thats why i am partly the way i am now...overweight. How are you doing now post-op? How long has it been? any complications? hows daily life for you? Thanks so much its a great help to hear from ya! Todays my Endoscopy, wish me luck!

Hi Katie, First off..good luck with your endoscopy today. 2nd, it is definitely a personal choice.To be quite honest I never really researched the lap band. I wanted the RNY because I knew that it was irreversable. I just didn't want something that I can change my mind with down the line. I wanted this to be all or nothing. For me I didn't trust myself to stick with the plan if given a choice. With the RNY there was no turning back and I prayed a lot about my decision and when I had a peace in my heart about it, I went ahead with it. I am happy to say that I had no complications. I had my surgery on a Wednesday and was home by Friday. I started out with my highest weight at 255 lbs. I am 5'0" tall. I lost some weight with South Beach prior to my surgery. So the night before my surgery I was weighed in at 222 lbs. I went down to 130 lbs. Last week after being 18 months post op I had my Tummy tuck and breast lift. They removed an additional 4.5 lbs. I am currently between 127-126 lbs. I couldn't be happier with the decision I've made. My blood pressure is now back to normal, no more asthma, panic attacks gone, no more sleep apnea. No more meds.. just vitamins for me. Whichever procedure you choose just research it and I'm sure if you follow all of the doctor's guidelines you will be successful. I don't think either procedure is better or worse than the other. I know success stories with both and I also know failures with both. It's always very individual. God bless you which ever way you choose. God Bless.. ~Angel 255 highest/222 day of surg/126 at Goal!!