New to Site and VERY CONFUSED ON WHAT TO DO - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Melfi · 11-04-2009, 04:36 PM

I am so glad I found this site and really hope I get some good feedback. I am approx 95 pounds overweight and like so many, have lost and gained over and over again. I have finally gotten approval from my insurance company for the band or sleeve (which is covered at 100% - yeah). I just cannot decide which way to go. I have seen so many successful and non successful stories on both. How do you really decide which is best for you? I do know that I do not want the full by-pass.

poet_kelly · 11-04-2009, 04:47 PM

I think you just have to read about the risk of each procedure and the benefits and decide which seems right for you.

I would personally go with the sleeve. No going back to the doctor for fills, no foreign object inside you that can malfunction or cause problems, and you're likely to lose more weight.

Of course, there is the fact that it's not reversable, and the band is, and I know that's important to a lot of people.

Which does your surgeon recommend for you?

Kelly

Melfi · 11-04-2009, 04:53 PM

I have an appointment with the surgeon in two weeks. I am also seeing my primary Dr. on Friday to get his opinion as he does not stand to "profit" from my decision.

poet_kelly · 11-04-2009, 04:57 PM

I think it's a good idea to get your PCP's opinion. Just be aware that some PCP's don't really know that much about WLS. And he may not be that familiar with the sleeve, since it is less commonly done. So I guess what I'm saying is, listen to his opinion and advice, and consider it, but kind of take it with a grain of salt, too, you know?

Kelly

Melfi · 11-04-2009, 05:06 PM

I understand, thanks!

Claire-in-Texas · 11-04-2009, 05:30 PM

My pcp was against the idea of my surgery. Fortunately, I didn't need her approval to get it. I'm not really sure why she didn't approve of it, she never really said. I simply told her I was getting gastric bypass, and that was that.

As to which surgery, there is a combination of factors. Definitely the surgeon is one factor (what he says), and then there is your own gut instincts after you read up on all of your choices. For me it was a no-brainer. I knew what I had to do, and I did it. And I'm so grateful!

Best of luck to you on your journey!

Josephine · 11-05-2009, 01:44 AM

I had the lapband in 2004. About 15 months later I had a lot of pain in my body. I suffered for MANY YEARS with chronic pain. We didn't realize it was the band doing it until Jan 2009. My body had rejected it as a foreign object.

The lapband was removed and I had the sleeve done October 2, 2009, and I feel a bit better, but still have pain issues because the port was stuck to my stomach tissue so they couldn't get it off. I'm sure I will suffer with chronic pain for the rest of my life because of my choice to get the lapband surgery.

I'm very happy with my sleeve. Good luck with your decision hon!

djjmak · 11-05-2009, 04:33 PM

yeah my PCP was not for the surgery either- I think his words were " If you just start exercising more, you would be suprised how fast the weight comes off" REALLY, I had never tried exercising.... sometimes I think doctors really don't listen to us, they just have 1 answer for everything and everyone-

I personally like the idea of the sleeve over the band due to no fills, no foreign objects and more weight loss.

jerseygrl684 · 11-05-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melfi

I am so glad I found this site and really hope I get some good feedback. I am approx 95 pounds overweight and like so many, have lost and gained over and over again. I have finally gotten approval from my insurance company for the band or sleeve (which is covered at 100% - yeah). I just cannot decide which way to go. I have seen so many successful and non successful stories on both. How do you really decide which is best for you? I do know that I do not want the full by-pass.

Look for the screen name Suebry on here, she is a lapbander who has done AWESOME if not surpassed some RNY & Sleeved people with her dedication to losing weight and making her band work for her.

With each surgery you are going to have your good and bad. Whats the reason for no full-bypass, but you are willing to do the sleeve?

rsw · 11-05-2009, 05:52 PM

I hate my lap band and having it converted to RNY in a few months. The success has been minimal, and the discomfort and amount of follow up have been enormous. I chose the RNY instead of the sleeve b/c there is a lot more history of proven effectiveness. I am 75 pounds overweight, so it seems a little extreme, but my surgeon told me he doesn't think I will get too thin and he believes it will be effective. So I decided to do it, tho some may think I'm a little crazy. Of course, lots of people have much better luck w/ the band. Not really helpful I guess, but that's my story.