marcia5000
Roux and Y, Vertical Sleeve or Lap Band - so confused!
May 01, 2009
I have already been approved for RnY with Dr. Pohl. I have an appt. with him on May 8th and I should get my surgery date then. Recently I have been second guessing if I am choosing the right surgery. I did not learn of the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy until I joined this site. The more I read about it, the more I became interested in it. I live in RI and there are NO surgeons around here that perform the VSG. I did a search on the VSG forum and found doctors that were listed as doing the VSG in Boston and RI. I called all of them and none of them do it. The only one that had some experience with it was Dr. Sax in RI. I made an appt. with him and saw him this morning.
Let me just say that when I first saw Dr. Pohl back in January, I had basically no knowledge of weight loss surgeries. I had not done any research and did not have any questions prepared to ask him. There were so many questions I thought of in the following months. I wrote them all down and brought them with me today to the appt. with Dr. Sax. He started out by telling me that weight loss with the VSG is only about 55% of the extra weight, 50% with the LapBand and 70% with the Roux and Y. He said with the VSG, the pouch is larger (long and narrow) than the RnY pouch and that contributes to less weight loss. He has only performed it on patients with bmi's of 60 or more. He also said it would be impossible to get insurance to cover it. I know he's been doing RnY for years but when I asked him how many VSG's he has done, he said TEN! He used to practice in NY and did some DS surgeries there. As I was sitting with him I realized right then that the Sleeve is not going to be an option for me. I'm disappointed, to me it seems like a great alternative to RnY. Then I proceeded to ask him my questions. The questions pertained to any WLS but a lot of them were about complications from RnY. Since I have only one kidney and also have Cardiomyopathy, I am very concerned about being able to absorb medications I may need in the future. After I asked him a few questions, he said, "Look, you're obviously very anxious about this, so I would recommend the LAP BAND for you." I really don't feel I was acting "anxious". I feel this surgery is a major life decision and I should research everything I possibly can. I told him that I was not interested in the LAP BAND and continued with my questions. About 4 questions later (I had 20) he stopped me again and said "With you being so anxious about this, I would really recommend the LAP BAND. You won't have to worry about most of these things you're asking me if you have the band." Now I'm sooooo confused. Dr. Pohl's recommendation was for me to have RnY. He said with the co-morbitities that I have, RnY would be a better surgery for me. Today I'm told I should have the LAP BAND. I really don't want the Band, but now I'm doubting my decision. Both doctors have good reputations here in RI. My PCP spoke very highly of Dr. Sax. I'm even confused as to which surgeon I should use. I started with Dr. Pohl. At my first appt. I was scheduled at 1:30 but wasn't seen until 3:45. I hope that's not the norm there. Today I waited about 5 minutes. Dr. Sax's office also has a Nutritionist in the office. ( I don't know if that matters as long as I have a Nut.)
Okay, I've rambled on enough here. I have an appt. next week (5/8) with Dr. Pohl. I'm just so confused about what I should do. I'm usually not indecisive like this! 
