Had my consult today...... - ThinnerTimes

Tudge · 04-25-2005, 12:19 PM

I had my first consult with the nurse/surgeon today - everything went well. I was told that I was a good candidate for either RNY or the lap band procedure .

My wife (she was at the appoinment) is now really in favor of the lap-band due to it being less invasive and reversable.

I am not sure what to think now - I really had my mind made up about the RNY before this appoinment and am now second guessing - I spent some time over at Obesity Help. com and there seems to be quite a few posts about people having problems getting the band filled correctly.......

The kicker is that I asked the surgeon what procedure he would recommend for my particular circumstances and he said the lap band - he said he always recommends the least invasive procedure, but AGAIN that it is my choice....

I am really confused now.....

Any words of wisdom I would sure appreciate...

LizardQueen · 04-25-2005, 12:51 PM

that's a tough one! I had the open procedure and I am glad I did! I had several small tumors on my small intestine that the doc was able to remove while he had me opened up. They were nothing, but he said when they grew I could have had serious problems on down the road. I think the recovery period is much shorter with the lap. That is a personal decision. Do some research and chose what is right for you.

Gladitsme · 04-25-2005, 02:48 PM

Tudge,
I don't know too much about the lap band procedure. I understand people can lose tremendous amounts of weight with it, but I was told that people can get ulcers from the band, and that there's also a possibility of infection from having the band adjusted. I suspect the number of complications is similar to GBS. And having heard about the complications from another GBS ed seminar, I'm not sure how much to trust it.

lealphachienne · 04-25-2005, 05:22 PM

So, can you do the lap band, and it fails, then can you get the bypass????

Anyway, I could have pursued the lap band, but I figure I needed something permanent and lifelong to keep me in check.

It's your choice. List the pros and cons of each procedure. Putting things in writing sometimes gives a different perspective.

Bypassingme619 · 04-25-2005, 06:34 PM

Hey T.J. it is a hard decision mainly when you are fifty fifty about it. I am going to say I am more for thee RNY due to its sucess rate and not the lap-band because like you I have seen so many have had to have revision or have had some other complications. But I would highly advise you keep doing your research abd come to a sound mind about it. In the end it is all what you are comfortable with. Hey if your doctor says lap then maybe that is best for you. Just be sure to take your time and think it out. God Bless you on your Journey.

anthrgdgrl · 04-25-2005, 11:10 PM

I agree with Denise. The RNY seems to be more of a lasting and permanent tool than the band. Just my opinion though. Definitely do what feels right for you. Good luck.

Barbarajo · 04-26-2005, 01:50 AM

T. J.

I was doing some research yesterday on Google and found some interesting results between lap band and RNY. The sucess rates long term and amount of weight lost is much higher with RNY than with the band. Please go and do some research with your wife and dicuss the difference between the two. I know you will find as I did that RNY has better results. But everyone is different.

Happy hunting.

tazbabygirl69 · 04-26-2005, 06:02 AM

T.J.

In the beginning I was interested in the band for the same reasons you mentioned. It is less invasive and reversable. However, I felt the ability to "cheat" with the band made it a less effective tool for me. I know myself and given the chance to sneak this and that I would take it. I felt that the possiblility of dumping for eating too much or eating the wrong thing was a better deterent for me. In my opinion you have to have discipline to succeed with the band. And if I had discipline, I probably wouldn't need this surgery in the first place. Good luck to you in deciding which path to take.