Madam Reverie

I posted this on another forum and felt it might be useful for other people to have a read of, if like me, you like your scientific facts.
Maybe the below will provide a bit of clarity as to the 'nuts and bolts' of some of the bariatric procedures and their long-term (within the limitations of the data) efficacy.
This first academic journal quoted was published in May 2013. So, it doesn't get more 'up to date' with regards to evaluating the comparative effectiveness in the three biggest weight loss procedures. I have only reproduced the abstract and have quoted the source below as the abstract covers the salient information we'd be interested in.
The second section is all about the metrics, with a snapshot of all the procedures being evaluated in a tabulated form (the table was removed from the cutting and pasting process, so read left to right) and the risks associated with the operations. The primary and secondary sources are also cited.
Better to make decisions based on rigorous scientific research, than hearsay and charasmatic sales pitches, I feel... Hope it helps.
Article 1:
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy (SG), laparoscopic gastric bypass (RYGB), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures.
Background: Citing limitations of published studies, payers have been reluctant to provide routine coverage for SG for the treatment of morbid obesity.
Methods: Using data from an externally audited, statewide clinical registry, we matched 2949 SG patients with equal numbers of RYGB and LAGB patients on 23 baseline characteristics. Outcomes assessed included complications occurring within 30 days, and weight loss, quality of life, and comorbidity remission at 1, 2, and 3 years after bariatric surgery.
Results: Matching resulted in cohorts of SG, RYGB, and LAGB patients that were well balanced on baseline characteristics. Overall complication rates among patients undergoing SG (6.3%) were significantly lower than for RYGB (10.0%, P < 0.0001) but higher than for LAGB (2.4%, P < 0.0001). Serious complication rates were similar for SG (2.4%) and RYGB (2.5%, P = 0.736) but higher than for LAGB (1.0%, P < 0.0001). Excess body weight loss at 1 year was 13% lower for SG (60%) than for RYGB (69%, P < 0.0001), but was 77% higher for SG than for LAGB (34%, P < 0.0001). SG was similarly closer to RYGB than LAGB with regard to remission of obesity-related comorbidities.
Conclusions: With better weight loss than LAGB and lower complication rates than RYGB, SG is a reasonable choice for the treatment of morbid obesity and should be covered by both public and private payers.
SOURCE: Carlin A, Zeni T, Birkmeyer N, et al. The comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric banding procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity. Annals Of Surgery [serial online]. May 2013;257(5):791-797. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA.
Article 2:
September 2012: Morbidity and mortality associated with LRYGB, LSG, and LAGB from the ACS-BSCN dataset
LRYGB LSG LAGB 30-d mortality (%) 0.14 0.11 0.05 1-y mortality (%) 0.34 0.21 0.08 30-d morbidity (%) 5.91 5.61 1.44 30-d readmission (%) 6.47 5.40 1.71 30-d reoperation/intervention(%) 5.02 2.97 0.92
SOURCE: Data from Hutter MM, Schirmer BD, Jones DB, et al. First report from the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has morbidity and effectiveness positioned between the band and the bypass. Ann Surg 2011;254(3):410–20 [discussion: 420–2], in: Timothy D. J, Matthew M. H. Morbidity and Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Adjustable Gastric Band, and Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity. Advances In Surgery [serial online]. n.d.;46(Advances in Surgery):255-268. Available from: ScienceDirect, Ipswich, MA

Maybe the below will provide a bit of clarity as to the 'nuts and bolts' of things. This first academic journal was published in May 2013. So, it doesn't get more 'up to date' with regards to evaluating the comparative effectiveness in the three biggest weight loss procedures. I have only reproduced the abstract, for copyright reasons and have quoted the source below. Besides, the abstract covers the salient information we require anyhow. The second section is all about the metrics, with a snapshot of all the procedures being evaluated in a tabulated form. The primary and secondary sources are also cited. Better to make decisions based on rigorous scientific research, than hearsay and charasmatic sales pitches, I feel... Hope it helps. Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy (SG), laparoscopic gastric bypass (RYGB), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures.
Background: Citing limitations of published studies, payers have been reluctant to provide routine coverage for SG for the treatment of morbid obesity.
Methods: Using data from an externally audited, statewide clinical registry, we matched 2949 SG patients with equal numbers of RYGB and LAGB patients on 23 baseline characteristics. Outcomes assessed included complications occurring within 30 days, and weight loss, quality of life, and comorbidity remission at 1, 2, and 3 years after bariatric surgery.
Results: Matching resulted in cohorts of SG, RYGB, and LAGB patients that were well balanced on baseline characteristics. Overall complication rates among patients undergoing SG (6.3%) were significantly lower than for RYGB (10.0%, P < 0.0001) but higher than for LAGB (2.4%, P < 0.0001). Serious complication rates were similar for SG (2.4%) and RYGB (2.5%, P = 0.736) but higher than for LAGB (1.0%, P < 0.0001). Excess body weight loss at 1 year was 13% lower for SG (60%) than for RYGB (69%, P < 0.0001), but was 77% higher for SG than for LAGB (34%, P < 0.0001). SG was similarly closer to RYGB than LAGB with regard to remission of obesity-related comorbidities.
Conclusions: With better weight loss than LAGB and lower complication rates than RYGB, SG is a reasonable choice for the treatment of morbid obesity and should be covered by both public and private payers. SOURCE: Carlin A, Zeni T, Birkmeyer N, et al. The comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric banding procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity. Annals Of Surgery [serial online]. May 2013;257(5):791-797. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA.
September 2012: Morbidity and mortality associated with LRYGB, LSG, and LAGB from the ACS-BSCN dataset LRYGB LSG LAGB 30-d mortality (%) 0.14 0.11 0.05 1-y mortality (%) 0.34 0.21 0.08 30-d morbidity (%) 5.91 5.61 1.44 30-d readmission (%) 6.47 5.40 1.71 30-d reoperation/intervention(%) 5.02 2.97 0.92 SOURCE: Data from Hutter MM, Schirmer BD, Jones DB, et al. First report from the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has morbidity and effectiveness positioned between the band and the bypass. Ann Surg 2011;254(3):410–20 [discussion: 420–2], in: Timothy D. J, Matthew M. H. Morbidity and Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Adjustable Gastric Band, and Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity. Advances In Surgery [serial online]. n.d.;46(Advances in Surgery):255-268. Available from: ScienceDirect, Ipswich, MA

I'm totally new to this site. After perusing for a while without signing up and knowing I was going to be sleeved, I thought it a good community to get involved in. Primarily as there are so many of you on here, the information you provide is truly invaluable and it is often served in a witty and compassionate way. It is also remarkable that it is hosted for free.
Because I'm new, but certainly not new to the internet, I thought I'd state what I think is a view with fresh eyes. I can see parity in certain behaviours between this website and others. This place is a community - just as you would get outside in the 'real' world. With groups and hierarchies and cliques and quite importantly and rightly, rules that govern us and our behaviour.
The condition of being severely overweight, is often a solitary condition. With pre-op people, like myself, feeling quite vulnerable and alone on our journey as we haven't got a clue what to expect and are genuinely apprehensive. If you are not lucky enough to have a support network in the 'real world', I can see how people become reliant on the kindnesses of strangers; particularly ones who have walked this path already. Consequently and however well intentioned, I can also see how whether through selfless altruism or indeed, for social or fiscal reward (and there is no accusation in this, because I know squat about the personalities here), how lines can be crossed.
In my appraisal of what I've seen so far, I can recognise the 'pluggers', but I can also recognise those, and these are in the majority, who just want to give a shout-out to the person(s) who helped change their lives. While the attempt to 'catch the person out' was albeit a clumsy one, I can see why concern was raised.
Not everyone, like myself, are cynical and alert to what is 'out there' on the internet. Some people can be really quite vulnerable and as a consequence, easily misled in their search for the 'right' answer. Of course, this cuts both ways, which is why there is a duty of care by those who manage the site (particularly if you have business interests in providing WLS) and those who participate in the site to not put people 'wrong'.
I know some people genuinely want to be of assistance. However, it is fair to say that in their heartfelt endeavours, it is easy to lose site of the rules that govern the vehicle they are using and why those rules were instigated in the first place - for protection.
In conclusion and this is how I'm going to approach it. I'm going to ignore what appear to be plugs, I'm going to do my own research -as wisely said above (sorry, I can't remember your name), enjoy this vehicle; sharing in the community experience and hopefully making new cyber-chums. However and most importantly, I will try to maintain clarity and crucially, objectivity.
Nice to meet you all )

I am not having surgery in MX but as a newer member I appreciate Alex and Susan investigating offers to accompany strangers to a foreign country for a surgery that leaves you vulnerable pre and post op. I feel safer as a part of this community knowing that someone is monitoring for scams, shysters, and predators.

What a mess this topic has become. I think the original poster was wrong to post this way. They seem well intentioned, however I would be cautious if I had read some of the posts Alex mentioned the man and his wife have posted. But isn't that how anyone should approach information provided on these forums? I do think Anniemay deserves a little defense here. I understood her first post. Forum readers do not always have it in their mind that the forum owner is Alex. The forums helped me choose a doctor and I had my surgery one month ago. I never got the impression that I was being "scammed" or pressured by coordinators lurking on the site. But maybe that is just because I chose the forums that seemed sincere to me and didn't pay much attention to the rest. Now that I have had a good experience in Mexico, I don't look at this forum so much, because topics like this--all the bickering back and forth, just turn me off. I am glad I did not notice so much of this bickering before I made my decision. I hope this type of topic doesn't turn off new people who are just looking for information.

I'm totally new to this site. After perusing for a while without signing up and knowing I was going to be sleeved, I thought it a good community to get involved in. Primarily as there are so many of you on here, the information you provide is truly invaluable and it is often served in a witty and compassionate way. It is also remarkable that it is hosted for free.
Because I'm new, but certainly not new to the internet, I thought I'd state what I think is a view with fresh eyes. I can see parity in certain behaviours between this website and others. This place is a community - just as you would get outside in the 'real' world. With groups and hierarchies and cliques and quite importantly and rightly, rules that govern us and our behaviour.
The condition of being severely overweight, is often a solitary condition. With pre-op people, like myself, feeling quite vulnerable and alone on our journey as we haven't got a clue what to expect and are genuinely apprehensive. If you are not lucky enough to have a support network in the 'real world', I can see how people become reliant on the kindnesses of strangers; particularly ones who have walked this path already. Consequently and however well intentioned, I can also see how whether through selfless altruism or indeed, for social or fiscal reward (and there is no accusation in this, because I know squat about the personalities here), how lines can be crossed.
In my appraisal of what I've seen so far, I can recognise the 'pluggers', but I can also recognise those, and these are in the majority, who just want to give a shout-out to the person(s) who helped change their lives. While the attempt to 'catch the person out' was albeit a clumsy one, I can see why concern was raised.
Not everyone, like myself, are cynical and alert to what is 'out there' on the internet. Some people can be really quite vulnerable and as a consequence, easily misled in their search for the 'right' answer. Of course, this cuts both ways, which is why there is a duty of care by those who manage the site (particularly if you have business interests in providing WLS) and those who participate in the site to not put people 'wrong'.
I know some people genuinely want to be of assistance. However, it is fair to say that in their heartfelt endeavours, it is easy to lose site of the rules that govern the vehicle they are using and why those rules were instigated in the first place - for protection.
In conclusion and this is how I'm going to approach it. I'm going to ignore what appear to be plugs, I'm going to do my own research -as wisely said above (sorry, I can't remember your name), enjoy this vehicle; sharing in the community experience and hopefully making new cyber-chums. However and most importantly, I will try to maintain clarity and crucially, objectivity.
Nice to meet you all )

I'm totally new to this site. After perusing for a while without signing up and knowing I was going to be sleeved, I thought it a good community to get involved in. Primarily as there are so many of you on here, the information you provide is truly invaluable and it is often served in a witty and compassionate way. It is also remarkable that it is hosted for free.
Because I'm new, but certainly not new to the internet, I thought I'd state what I think is a view with fresh eyes. I can see parity in certain behaviours between this website and others. This place is a community - just as you would get outside in the 'real' world. With groups and hierarchies and cliques and quite importantly and rightly, rules that govern us and our behaviour.
The condition of being severely overweight, is often a solitary condition. With pre-op people, like myself, feeling quite vulnerable and alone on our journey as we haven't got a clue what to expect and are genuinely apprehensive. If you are not lucky enough to have a support network in the 'real world', I can see how people become reliant on the kindnesses of strangers; particularly ones who have walked this path already. Consequently and however well intentioned, I can also see how whether through selfless altruism or indeed, for social or fiscal reward (and there is no accusation in this, because I know squat about the personalities here), how lines can be crossed.
In my appraisal of what I've seen so far, I can recognise the 'pluggers', but I can also recognise those, and these are in the majority, who just want to give a shout-out to the person(s) who helped change their lives. While the attempt to 'catch the person out' was albeit a clumsy one, I can see why concern was raised.
Not everyone, like myself, are cynical and alert to what is 'out there' on the internet. Some people can be really quite vulnerable and as a consequence, easily misled in their search for the 'right' answer. Of course, this cuts both ways, which is why there is a duty of care by those who manage the site (particularly if you have business interests in providing WLS) and those who participate in the site to not put people 'wrong'.
I know some people genuinely want to be of assistance. However, it is fair to say that in their heartfelt endeavours, it is easy to lose site of the rules that govern the vehicle they are using and why those rules were instigated in the first place - for protection.
In conclusion and this is how I'm going to approach it. I'm going to ignore what appear to be plugs, I'm going to do my own research -as wisely said above (sorry, I can't remember your name), enjoy this vehicle; sharing in the community experience and hopefully making new cyber-chums. However and most importantly, I will try to maintain clarity and crucially, objectivity.
Nice to meet you all )

Many thanks for the warm welcome, it's nice to be here.

I'm totally new to this site. After perusing for a while without signing up and knowing I was going to be sleeved, I thought it a good community to get involved in. Primarily as there are so many of you on here, the information you provide is truly invaluable and it is often served in a witty and compassionate way. It is also remarkable that it is hosted for free.
Because I'm new, but certainly not new to the internet, I thought I'd state what I think is a view with fresh eyes. I can see parity in certain behaviours between this website and others. This place is a community - just as you would get outside in the 'real' world. With groups and hierarchies and cliques and quite importantly and rightly, rules that govern us and our behaviour.
The condition of being severely overweight, is often a solitary condition. With pre-op people, like myself, feeling quite vulnerable and alone on our journey as we haven't got a clue what to expect and are genuinely apprehensive. If you are not lucky enough to have a support network in the 'real world', I can see how people become reliant on the kindnesses of strangers; particularly ones who have walked this path already. Consequently and however well intentioned, I can also see how whether through selfless altruism or indeed, for social or fiscal reward (and there is no accusation in this, because I know squat about the personalities here), how lines can be crossed.
In my appraisal of what I've seen so far, I can recognise the 'pluggers', but I can also recognise those, and these are in the majority, who just want to give a shout-out to the person(s) who helped change their lives. While the attempt to 'catch the person out' was albeit a clumsy one, I can see why concern was raised.
Not everyone, like myself, are cynical and alert to what is 'out there' on the internet. Some people can be really quite vulnerable and as a consequence, easily misled in their search for the 'right' answer. Of course, this cuts both ways, which is why there is a duty of care by those who manage the site (particularly if you have business interests in providing WLS) and those who participate in the site to not put people 'wrong'.
I know some people genuinely want to be of assistance. However, it is fair to say that in their heartfelt endeavours, it is easy to lose site of the rules that govern the vehicle they are using and why those rules were instigated in the first place - for protection.
In conclusion and this is how I'm going to approach it. I'm going to ignore what appear to be plugs, I'm going to do my own research -as wisely said above (sorry, I can't remember your name), enjoy this vehicle; sharing in the community experience and hopefully making new cyber-chums. However and most importantly, I will try to maintain clarity and crucially, objectivity.
Nice to meet you all )

I'm totally new to this site. After perusing for a while without signing up and knowing I was going to be sleeved, I thought it a good community to get involved in. Primarily as there are so many of you on here, the information you provide is truly invaluable and it is often served in a witty and compassionate way. It is also remarkable that it is hosted for free.
Because I'm new, but certainly not new to the internet, I thought I'd state what I think is a view with fresh eyes. I can see parity in certain behaviours between this website and others. This place is a community - just as you would get outside in the 'real' world. With groups and hierarchies and cliques and quite importantly and rightly, rules that govern us and our behaviour.
The condition of being severely overweight, is often a solitary condition. With pre-op people, like myself, feeling quite vulnerable and alone on our journey as we haven't got a clue what to expect and are genuinely apprehensive. If you are not lucky enough to have a support network in the 'real world', I can see how people become reliant on the kindnesses of strangers; particularly ones who have walked this path already. Consequently and however well intentioned, I can also see how whether through selfless altruism or indeed, for social or fiscal reward (and there is no accusation in this, because I know squat about the personalities here), how lines can be crossed.
In my appraisal of what I've seen so far, I can recognise the 'pluggers', but I can also recognise those, and these are in the majority, who just want to give a shout-out to the person(s) who helped change their lives. While the attempt to 'catch the person out' was albeit a clumsy one, I can see why concern was raised.
Not everyone, like myself, are cynical and alert to what is 'out there' on the internet. Some people can be really quite vulnerable and as a consequence, easily misled in their search for the 'right' answer. Of course, this cuts both ways, which is why there is a duty of care by those who manage the site (particularly if you have business interests in providing WLS) and those who participate in the site to not put people 'wrong'.
I know some people genuinely want to be of assistance. However, it is fair to say that in their heartfelt endeavours, it is easy to lose site of the rules that govern the vehicle they are using and why those rules were instigated in the first place - for protection.
In conclusion and this is how I'm going to approach it. I'm going to ignore what appear to be plugs, I'm going to do my own research -as wisely said above (sorry, I can't remember your name), enjoy this vehicle; sharing in the community experience and hopefully making new cyber-chums. However and most importantly, I will try to maintain clarity and crucially, objectivity.
Nice to meet you all )

This is a common occurrence. Counseling as a couple would be a really good idea. I wish you the best. :-)