Howdy from Texas! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Arsonal · 06-30-2009, 11:24 AM

Hi everyone.

I just found this site after changing my mind to gastric bypass from the lap band.

I had my seminar/consult with Dr. Hadar Spivak in Houston TX this past Saturday. His staff was great, and my wife and I really liked him.

I originally chose lap band due to finances. My insurance has weight loss surgery as an exclusion, so we obtained a Care Credit card. The limit was enough for lap band, and I thought bypass would be atleast 10K or more above the lap band price. Dr. Spivak's price on bypass is about 4K more than the band, and his staff (and him) said, without hesitation, that the office would work out payment arrangements for any money not covered with the card.

My surgery date as of now is August 5th.

Just wanted to introduce myself, and looking forward to learning and losing as much as possible.

Still-Just-Jenn · 06-30-2009, 11:57 AM

Howdy Arsonal, from down here in the Valley!

I think that's great that your doctor *and* his staff are so supportive and cooperative! You are very fortunate.

Stick around -- as I'm just learning (4 years out and after a bunch of mistakes), there's a LOT to learn here. And the people are great!

Cheers!

banditry901 · 06-30-2009, 12:11 PM

why did you reject lap band besides cost? my hubby is interested in lap band. Good luck on your surgery?

Marella · 07-02-2009, 02:08 PM

Welcome to Thinner Times, Arsonal - great to have you here.

IMO, you made a wise choice.

Crimson Kittie · 07-02-2009, 07:11 PM

Nice to meet you!!

Claire-in-Texas · 07-03-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marella

Welcome to Thinner Times, Arsonal - great to have you here.

IMO, you made a wise choice.

I agree with Marella. You made a wise choice if you have 100 lbs or more to lose.

Where in Texas are you? I'm halfway between Houston and Austin.

Lots of good luck!

Beth in Texas · 07-03-2009, 06:40 AM

Welcome! I'm just starting out myself, and I look forward to getting to know you!

--Beth

Arsonal · 07-04-2009, 10:25 AM

Sorry it took me awhile to get back on here - work and life has been a little crazy.

banditry901, this will be a little lengthy, but I'll explain my decision to switch from band to bypass.

I originally went to lap band out of cost since my insurance exclude weight loss surgery on my policy. During the seminar, I heard some things that leaned me towards the bypass.

The biggest reason I switched is that, on lap band, you have to me a lot more diet compliant. It's not that I don't plan on following the rules, but I have made a history of myself with trouble sticking to a diet. With lapband, you can still have sweets and sugars - it's up to you to make the right choices. With bypass, for the most part, if you take in sugary foods, you "dump" them. Lapband as the PB (productive burp) that is somewhat similar to the dumping. I heard both sides from people with experience at the seminar, and the dumping definitely seemed in a class all its own.

There was a lady in the office that had bypass, and she described how dumping felt. I can say that, after hearing about it, I DO NOT want to have it happen (simply put, your body won't process certain foods, and gets them out of the body as quick as possible - both ends or whatever is quickest, yuck). Knowing that eating the wrong foods will cause that is a huge motivator. I'm sure I will have dumping at some point because everyone's body tolerates foods differently, but I think it is good to have something in place to kind of force my hand. That is me personally.

Secondly, the percentage of weight loss on average. My surgeon, Dr. Spivak, used average weight loss from all of his patients that he has tracked. Lap band average was 50% of EXCESS weight loss. Bypass average was 80% of EXCESS weight loss. I currently weight 369lbs, and need to lost about 180lbs for my height. That would put me at 189lbs, and I would probably be happy in the low 200's.

With lap-band, the average weight loss would only get me to weighing about 279lbs, which, for me, isn't enough to justify the surgery cost out of pocket.

Could I lose more that 50% with lapband? Sure, after all, averages take in the lows and highs of that 50% - there are some that lose 100% of excess weight with the band. I personally felt that I would be one of the ones in the less than 50% part of the figures. That is me personally, based on my own self.

I weighed things out in the office after learning that the bypass would cost me 4K more. My lack of confidence and nervousness about compliance pushed me towards the bypass. The average weight loss expected kind of nailed it down.

I have an aunt that had RNY about 6 years ago, and has kept over 100lbs off since then. She told me the other day that it can be a struggle at times, but she definitely has the tools and ability to keep her weight in check now.

I think both are great tools in weight loss. I just feel that the bypass suited me better.

Claire-in-Texas, I'm around Orange, Texas, right on the TX/LA border on IH-10. I'm about 2 hours from Houston where Dr. Spivak's office is.

Since beginning the pre-op journey, I have found some pretty good resources of information. I found a good video series on youtube.com where a male gave updates about every two weeks for a year. The transformation is astonishing. I've heard others talk about books, but I haven't heard if one would be the best all around choice.

If anyone has any good ideas or sites for researching, or maybe book selections, please let me know.

Thanks for the warm welcome - I'm looking forward to this journey.

UndercoverDiva · 07-04-2009, 10:50 AM

Welcome to TT, Arsonal! I think you made the right decision between lapband and rny. One thing, though, is that not everyone experiences dumping. I think stats indicate 30% of gastric bypass patients do dump. I can tell you this, however, I was not willing to eat anything that might cause dumping because I was afraid to dump (didn't want the sick feeling) and afraid not to (if I didn't, I knew it would be easy for me to eat crap). I did find out that I do dump after I ate half a banana. It is NOT a good feeling!

Good luck on your journey!

~MsKee~ · 07-04-2009, 11:39 AM

Arsonal,

I think you have covered all bases as far as getting to know what is going to be good for you. The key is research and support. Without those two you are clueless as to what can or might happen. Id like to welcome you to TT. Believe me this site is truly a GODsend. The people hear are friendly, compassionate, and caring towards each other. You wont find any negativity twards you and your decisions.

I wish you well,

MzKee