Regrets?

Hi, Everyone: I have been lurking around these boards for a few weeks without posting.  But everyone seems so knowledgeable and supportive that I thought that I'd give it a try. Currently, I'm in the process of deciding between Lap Band surgery and Gastric Bypass.  I have about 100-110 pounds to lose.  Originally, I was very anti-gastric bypass and was leaning towards the Lap Band.  But I really haven't liked some of what I've read about it on these boards, and am now leaning more towards the gastric bypass. As I've mentioned, I've been reading posts and replies on these boards and also watching Big Medicine.  It's quite obvious that there are some negative "side effects" and complications from the surgery(and of course, this can be said with many surgeries).  The permanence of gastric bypass rather scares me, though.  I'm really afraid that I'll be constantly nauseated or in pain and say to myself, "WHY did I do this to myself?  So while I hate start my experience here by being negative(I like to call it being a realist :), I 'd really like to know...is there anyone out there who feels that the gastric bypass was NOT an enhancement to their life, and in fact, really regrets it? Does anyone know how common it is to experience complications like incision infections, debilitating nausea/vomiting, etc? Thanks so much, in advance, for your insights and support!

First off I'm proud of you for doing your research and discussing your options.  Both surgeries are very serious undertakings that require a lot of commitment.  You need to openly discuss with your surgeon what his/her complication rates are.  My doc gave me a written statistic report on his past years surgeries.  Make sure that your surgeon has a LOT of experience.   My case is a little unusual in that I had a lapband that never worked.  I was one of the first 15 that my surgeon had done...BIG MISTAKE.  I didn't lose any weight and developed a huge hiatal hernia.  I had a bypass 3 weeks ago today and I've lost 21 lbs in 21 days.  I am thrilled that I had the surgery.  I know that it will not be this easy in the future but I am working hard to make good food choices and develop good habits.  Hope this helps a little...

Hi, Stephanie: I really appreciate your response and good advice.  Actually, I am about to change surgeons because of lack of experience compared to others in his practice.  So, I'm going to need to go in for a re-consultation.  Also, at the time of my initial consultation, I was not considering gastric bypass but solely thinking of the Lap Band. Congratulations on your weight loss...that's very exciting!  How have you been feeling?  Have you had any complications or excessive nausea? Thanks again, Lisa

Please understand I am in no way anti-lapband, I just picked the wrong surgeon.  I too have several friends that had good success with their bands. Anyway, no complications, no nausea except for the first 24 hrs post-op.  So far I haven't dumped on anything so I have been able to eat a large variety of foods.  Feel free to check out my profile.

Only you can know which surgery is right for you. There are a lot of happy and successful folks out there with lap bands. Have you visited the lap band forum? Or maybe a local support group? My support group has a few people who have had and are very supportive of the lap band. Unfortunately, I cannot give you any regrets about RNY. My experience has been great so far.. I have had a couple of non-tolerance issues with food, but it has been extremely rare. I chose the RNY for two reasons: 1. past binge eating behavior, 2. addiction to sugar. I could have worked around the band more easily and continued these behaviors. With 100-110 pounds to lose, either surgery is a could be a viable option for you. Its not an easy decision. good luck.

Hi, Jessica: You and I sound like we have a few things in common.  I, too have, at times, been a binge eater, and I'm also a sugar addict.  Sometimes I think that I could just live on sweets. I have visited the lap band forum, and just haven't liked some of the things that I've read about it(of course, I'm not wild about the incision infections and chronic vomiting that I'm reading about here, either :)  I think that I really didn't do enough research prior to going to a lap band/gastric bypass seminar. But better late then never.  I won't be eligible for surgery until after the 1st of the year(6 month supervised diet), so I have plenty of time to continue my research.  I can tell, though...it's going to be a tough decision.  Unfortunately, certain family members are not being very supportive.  They've seen me lose weight before and think that I should be able to do it again.  They miss the point.  I don't want to live the rest of my life "doing it again." Thanks very much for taking the time to response.  And I wish you continued health and success. Lisa

I decided on the RNY because of past binge eating and sugar addiction, just like Jessica. My surgeon felt this was my best option and I agreed. I am only 20 days out, but so far have lost 23 lbs (!!!!!) on top of the 49 on the pre-surgery diet (started on Feb 16). I had pain the first 3-4 days after surgery, but easily controllable with liquid vicodin. The pain was mainly when getting in and out of bed, not when walking. I had mild nausea in the hospital, again easily controlled with medication. No problems since then. I am still only eating 1/4 c 3 times a day so haven't gotten to the point of over eating and experiencing any of those problems. Hopefully I never will. I sometimes wonder what the hell I did to myself, knowing I'll never be able to eat and drink like I did before, but when I wake up each morning and find another pound gone, I have no real regrets. LOL.  I've met several people who had lap bands and later had RNY because they just didn't lose like they would have on the RNY. Plus I guess you don't feel full and that is something I really need in order to succeed.

Hi, Michelle: You mentioned feeling a little wistful that you won't be able to eat or drink like you used to.  Do you feel ravenously hungry or have overwhelming cravings(I know that it's still early in the game for you)? Also, do you have any idea why people are nauseated during the recovery process?  Many congrats on your success!  That must feel great! Lisa

Hi Lisa, na, I'm not ravenously hungry, it is just mild and it is frustrating to follow the Kaiser program. It allows far less food than most as we get no snacks, just 3 meals a day. I have a hard time making it from lunch to dinner and have resorted to cheating about 5 (dinner is after 7). By cheating I mean maybe 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese, 1 slice of deli meat or some other high protein, low calorie snack. This is highly frowned upon by my skinny little nutritionist. LOL. The only cravings I've had is for Mexican food. Being in CA, that's a basic food staple and it is hard to just eat deli meat, tuna and cottage cheese all the time! I want flavor - lots of flavor! But it's not that bad, I'm doing ok. LOL. The anesthesia makes a lot of people sick. I was a little nauseated for a couple days, but the Drs are great and give you a shot. If you are still a little sick at home, they'll prescribe something. After being on liquid vicodin for 4 days, it was making me a little sick. Thanks! Other than being tired, I feel great! And clothes are falling off. YEA! LOL.

Hi, Michelle: Thanks for the further elaboration.  What is the Kaiser program though?  And why is it so terrible to have a snack...especially the measly little one that you described? And anesthesia does make me really sick.  But I've had some past surgeries, and as long as I tell them this in advance, they give me something before, during and after the surgery to keep me from being nauseated and throwing up.  Yuck.  After losing 71 pounds, I'm sure that your clothes are falling off.  That must be a great feeling.  I'm certainly looking forward to that part...just not the part where discomfort is involved. Thank you again. Lisa