adjustable band or bypass?

[madameruby]

So, after my Dr. ok'ed me for WLS, I recieved a call from the Bariatric clinic, and the director and I just talked for awhile about what my expectations were, ect. I would really like to have the adjustable band, as it seems much less painful a procedure than the whole bypass thing. Also, in a few years I would like to perhaps have another child, and I think it would be much easier to meet my nurtritional needs during pregnancy with the band.

I wanted to ask here, from people who have had either procedure done, which they chose and why.

I'm so hyped up about my 1st appt. That day i will get to meet witht the program director, the surgeon, and the nutritionist. She said I would be there awhile that day. They said its about six months of the program before the surgery, but I'm really hoping to move things along. I already had a sleep study done, and have been using my cpap machine for over 6 months. And, I have no hypertension or anything, so it may not be nessesary for me to see the cardiologist. I do have to see the endocrinologist though. They require a 10% body weight loss before they will do the procedure, but honestly I can pull that off in no time flat, because I retain so much fluid all the time, all I would need to do is cut salt and carbs for a month and could be down 30lbs easy.

[melsreturn]

I chose RNY (gastric bypass) because I wanted to lose ALL the weight VERY RAPIDLY. Also, because of dumping syndrome. I needed that "extra benefit" or reason to stay clear of sugar. It worked! I lost the weight in 8 months, 1 week and have maintained the loss. I had surgery three years ago (next month, Oct 10th) and still am very regimented in my eating.

[madameruby]

How awsome that you have maintained your weight for 3 years. I hope to be that sucessful with the help of the WLS.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to have the surgery is because you just can't eat sugar, because it makes you really really feel ill. I know that is really important for me, because I'm not a habitual overeater. I just really overindulge in high sugar foods. I know that if eating sugar makes me feel sick after the surgery, I will only do it once or twice, and then I will come to the conclusion feeling so crappy isn't worth satisfying the sugar craving, so I would just be able to give it up. Sort of whats worse, feeling nausiated and ill, or having a sugar craving? I hate feeling nauseous, so it wouldn't take me long to learn that lesson.

I know I need to make a permenent change about my weight, but at the same time I just don't know if I am willing to do the RNY. It seems so extreme. The band seems like it would be a great way of keeping yourself in check, without doing anything too severe. My family doc and I talked about it, and he really feels that RNY is the best choice for me; however wants me to discuss both options when I meet with the surgeon. My idea height/weight would mean I would have to lose 200lbs. That amount is mind bending. I would be satisfied to just make it down to 200-220lbs. Thats how much I weighed most of my life, until I had a kid, then I managed to gain like 100 lbs. and never was able to take it off.

[myyellowstang]

Originally Posted by madameruby

How awsome that you have maintained your weight for 3 years. I hope to be that sucessful with the help of the WLS.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to have the surgery is because you just can't eat sugar, because it makes you really really feel ill. I know that is really important for me, because I'm not a habitual overeater. I just really overindulge in high sugar foods. I know that if eating sugar makes me feel sick after the surgery, I will only do it once or twice, and then I will come to the conclusion feeling so crappy isn't worth satisfying the sugar craving, so I would just be able to give it up. Sort of whats worse, feeling nausiated and ill, or having a sugar craving? I hate feeling nauseous, so it wouldn't take me long to learn that lesson.

I know I need to make a permenent change about my weight, but at the same time I just don't know if I am willing to do the RNY. It seems so extreme. The band seems like it would be a great way of keeping yourself in check, without doing anything too severe. My family doc and I talked about it, and he really feels that RNY is the best choice for me; however wants me to discuss both options when I meet with the surgeon. My idea height/weight would mean I would have to lose 200lbs. That amount is mind bending. I would be satisfied to just make it down to 200-220lbs. Thats how much I weighed most of my life, until I had a kid, then I managed to gain like 100 lbs. and never was able to take it off.

Only the RNY has this effect on you. With the band you can eat anything you want... but just how much will fit in your pouch.

[Mysstwalker]

Originally Posted by madameruby

How awsome that you have maintained your weight for 3 years. I hope to be that sucessful with the help of the WLS.

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to have the surgery is because you just can't eat sugar, because it makes you really really feel ill. I know that is really important for me, because I'm not a habitual overeater. I just really overindulge in high sugar foods. I know that if eating sugar makes me feel sick after the surgery, I will only do it once or twice, and then I will come to the conclusion feeling so crappy isn't worth satisfying the sugar craving, so I would just be able to give it up. Sort of whats worse, feeling nausiated and ill, or having a sugar craving? I hate feeling nauseous, so it wouldn't take me long to learn that lesson.

I know I need to make a permenent change about my weight, but at the same time I just don't know if I am willing to do the RNY. It seems so extreme. The band seems like it would be a great way of keeping yourself in check, without doing anything too severe. My family doc and I talked about it, and he really feels that RNY is the best choice for me; however wants me to discuss both options when I meet with the surgeon. My idea height/weight would mean I would have to lose 200lbs. That amount is mind bending. I would be satisfied to just make it down to 200-220lbs. Thats how much I weighed most of my life, until I had a kid, then I managed to gain like 100 lbs. and never was able to take it off.

Something you also need to bear in mind, not everyone has this effect from their RNY. I am 19 months out, and I do not dump from sugar. Therefore, it takes a lot more discipline and dedication for me to resist the temptation. You might end up being one of those people that dump horribly from sugar and/or fat, or you could end up being one like me, that sugar and fat dont really bother me. Something to keep in mind.

[Moons_Mom]

If I were at the beginning of my Weight Loss Surgery journey today I would start with the obesity help website.

They have at least 7-8 different surgical forums most of the procedures I had never heard of before.

So many people think that WLS is either Gastric Bypass or the Lapband and the reality is that there are way more options than just those 2 procedures. I personally chose the Duodenal Switch surgery and once I read about the experiences of DS-ers I knew that it was the surgery for me.

Good Luck, do lots of reading and investigating.

[celestyna]

neither.
VSG or DS