ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum - View Single Post - From lap-band to DS or RNY??

Phoenixfire · 01-14-2009, 07:04 PM

Hello, it's very good that you've found this forum and welcome to the TT family!

You've asked some questions that are near and dear to me personally, and helping to answer these questions is the second most important reason I participate here on TT.

A little warning though, I'm a very direct person and I'm passionate about the subject of weight loss surgery and succeeding after surgery. So hopefully this will read as me being honest and not mean or attacking. Hopefully I can share with you some thoughts, based on personal experience and observation of other people, that will help answer some of your questions. Understand that my directness is not at all meant to be hurtful or harsh, but is just direct and no B.S. (which is hopefully what you're seeking here).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaminofthin

Now, let me tell you, I have not followed the band rules. ... I am the first to admit that I've not done my part; however, my portions are much less than pre-band - but that doesn't stand on its own.

I'm guessing that you've pursued more band fills in order to give you the right restriction on the amount of food you consume right? If you haven't diligently done your fills, then you must do that based on what I know of the band. I had RNY so I don't know as much as others do about the band.

You have to know that if you have not followed the band rules then you stand a very strong chance of not following the rules after bypass. Because there are obviously reasons that have caused you to not follow the band rules, right? So digging deep inside yourself and then being very honest with yourself about WHY you haven't followed the rules is very critical when having bypass surgery. Because once you have a tiny stomach, there are so MANY emotions/issues you will have to face and deal with or you will fail to lose all that weight OR to keep it off. It's called the "brain surgery" we must do after the surgeon does his part. If you don't do it, then you're seriously handicapped in the work that must be done after surgery.

Do you think you've addressed the WHY question for your obesity and the lack of success with the band? It is THE most important part of choosing any sort of weight loss surgery. As said in the post above, getting therapy to help you identify and work hard on your issues with food and eating can help tremendously. For some of us it is essential to get therapy to work on our issues. I know I sure needed it post-op and it's one of the keys to my success. Personally it's my opinion that EVERYONE who has surgery has to work on the issues that cause us to choose overeating and eating the wrong foods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaminofthin

From what I hear about the dumping syndrome - I don't expect I'd do it more than once or twice...okay MAYBE, just maybe three times, but no more. However, with the band, there are no unpleasant side effects from eating sugary things - other than it hinders weight loss.

Do you know that many of us post-op people don't ever dump? You cannot expect to have dumping. There are many people here who don't dump but wish they did because it would help in the way you are saying. So it is not a safe bet to count on dumping to be the way you succeed postop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaminofthin

I'm having a hard time sticking to the band rules and find myself cheating.

I'm sorry to say that it is possible to cheat after this surgery too. Again, if you find the reasons you haven't stuck with the rules, and you decide to face them and change them, then you won't fall into the pattern of the cheaters who sabotage themselves post-op. It's not simple for some of us, but it CAN be done. I had to learn self-control just like everyone else has to do, and as you know from being obese it is not an easy task. The surgery HELPS you to have discipline, but it is NOT a cure for a lack of self-discipline. It is just an aid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaminofthin

I usually get "if you can't follow the rules of the band, what makes you think you'll follow the rules of the bypass?" Her response to me was "the bypass MAKES you follow the rules". OK, now we're talking. If I am forced to do something, I will do it; however, if you give me an inch, I'll take a mile. This made it sound really easy - though I know it's not like that.

You're right, it isn't that easy unfortunately. It takes A LOT of work, over a long period of time, and surgery (as you've discovered) is just a part of the job. When I read your post I had the same thought as other people who have said the above words to you. It's a big red flag to see that and it immediately causes concern about whether or not you are prepared for how hard it is postop. Only you can answer that of course, but reading others' experiences here can really help you see how hard it is. Sometimes it SUCKS to have a tiny tummy! And the rules must be followed if you want to succeed. I wish the pouch alone was all it takes to lose the weight (many of us here wish that too) but the pouch alone is not enough. Your doctor said "the bypass MAKES you follow the rules" but I think she is wrong. There are PLENTY of people who have managed ways to work around the rules and they have not had success stories. It is a struggle, and you have to MAKE yourself follow the rules. It's a HUGE challenge sometimes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaminofthin

I'd love any and all advice - I'm really seriously thinking I need a revision WLS, but I don't know what the best route to take is. I would like to know if anyone out there can relate?

I hope that I've given you some advice that helps you see inside the way things are from the "other side" of surgery. It's been six plus years since I had surgery and since my surgery I have learned A LOT on my own and now quite a bit here. I really do wish I'd had this forum when I had surgery because it would have helped a lot. So you take a look around on the past threads and do all kinds of searches so you can get as much information as possible. You'll be more prepared and confident that you know all that the decision to have surgery entails. And I hope you have the best success in conquering the challenge of beating obesity! It IS possible!