MiladyB

My insurance would only cover lapband or RNY. Considering I had over 200 pounds to lose and had a multitude of co-morbidities the choice was pretty easy. I knew the lapband wasn't the answer for me. That being said, if the sleeve had been an option 3 years ago I would have gone that way. From my experience, taking care of sleeve patients they do as well as the RNY patients in regards to weight loss without the possible long term complications that you have with the RNY. I've had complications starting in my 3rd year postop. Three put me in the hospital and 2 of those 3 landed me in surgery. Even with that though, I'm not sorry about the decision I made. I do think it is extremely important to be very diligent in regards to your labs and your vitamins postop. Just because your labs are normal over that first year there is no promise they will stay that way. Mine were great for 2 years now they are trending down even with the increase of supplements. Again, I'm not sorry for the decision that I have made but my need to be very attuned to my body has to stay in the forefront of my mind. You eliminate the malabsorption end of all of these and many of those possible long-term complications fall by the way-side.

In regards to weight loss? I'm down 210 pounds. I obtained that weight loss in 2 years and 4 months. 170 of those pounds came off the 1st year. I lost another 25 the 2nd year and the rest came off the 3rd year. Now I've been maintaining for almost a year.

__________________
~Beth~

Little Victories; Grand Rapids, MI
Bariatric Support Group

Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol,
peripheral vein disease, joint pain and 210 lbs GONE!!


Century Club: July 3, 2006
ONE-derland: Dec. 22, 2006
Double Century: May 29, 2007
Goal: June 15, 2008

Lap RNY: 1/30/06-Dr Randal Baker
TT/BL: 09/21/07-Dr Ronald Ford
PS Revisions: 04/29/08-Dr Ronald Ford
Gallbladder: 05/14/08-Dr Randal Baker
Emergency surgery (Intussusception): 02/29/09-Dr James Foote