I really need some help in deciding which WLS to have. I would appreciate any hands-on experiences about either method. Also, I am from Canada and would like info about the different Toronto doctors. Thanks

Our GeezerSue converted from the Band to the DS, and she's doing really great so far. I say so far, because she just recently had it done, like within the last month. She's still in the healing phase, and is very happy with her convertion. ( I just love Sue)

I expect that Sue will do just great with her new DS, since she's a real trooper! Other than Sue, I don't think we have anyone else who's had that particular WLS.

This is a board dedicated to the Band, so you will find few people here with other types of WLS. We are all very pro-band, and so you will get lots of pro-band folks. Which isn't a bad thing, but it is a little one-sided.

Good luck in your research!

I think Rachele did the same thing as Sue, but they were both banded first and then converted to the DS. You're probably not going to find anyone here who decided on a DS right out of the gate.

One thing I would do first now is to have a motility study...manometry or whatever. I'd want to know the condition of my esophagus/stomach fucntion before deciding.

I really need some help in deciding which WLS to have. I would appreciate any hands-on experiences about either method. Also, I am from Canada and would like info about the different Toronto doctors. Thanks

Read this thread - http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12356 about what Photo learned in her lap band informational seminar. Actually, the entire thread is pretty good.

Another place to investigate Lap Band is SmartBandsters at yahoogroups.com. More and more lap band surgeons are being approached by previously operated on patients to have conversions to the lap band. You see, the lapband is a life-long adjustable tool. It never stops working - you just have to work with it and get adjustments as needed to lose and then maintain. But after 2 years out, many GP patients, of whatever sort, find that their gut begins to process and absorb calories better again and the restriction diminishes, too.

And if they never really changed how they relate to food and thus started eating healthy, then they begin regaining the weight lost. This is not true of Bandsters who keep their band adjustment prime and eat the Bandster way ---- solid Protein first, green lightly cooked vegetables second, extras last.. And no drinking during meals and don't resume for at least 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Spend some time investigating and learning the lifestyle changes either way involves and decide if you are ready to commit. I'm doing great now, but I had to work thru some issues before I was ready to commit. I had "last meal syndrome" really bad for about a month or two.

Hi, I was a member of this board earlier in the year when I was deciding what type of surgery to pursue. I had an open DS on 7/11/05. I am very happy with my choice and have been doing quite well.

If you are interested in learning more about the DS, I would suggest you go to www.duodenalswitch.com. There are several regular Canadian posters, although most of them came to the states for their DS as I understand it is very difficult to get this surgery in Canada with very long waiting lists.

Since my surgery, I've lost 92 pounds and I continue to lose.

I decided against the band because it wasn't right for me. YMMV.

Lots of luck in your decision making.

Sharon

Open DS 7/11/05

Dr. Peters

272/180/140

I'v decided to go with the lap band out of Toronto. Thanks everyone for your info. It was a huge help. :)

To Sharon T - PA

so glad your DS is working for you and all is well. I took your advice and visited duodenalswitch.com and received a lot of info there. However, I had a really bad experience last Dec with a RNY and so that is why I went with the band. I guess I'm just afraid of this type of surgery again even though I know that everything would probably be fine. Continued success to you.

Marlene

Hey Sharon T- PA...good to see you and glad to hear you are doing so well! Yay you!!! Visit more often, okay? We always have folks asking these questions and it's good to have accurate info.

Hi Cheeringranny,

You mentioned that you had a bad experience with RNY last year. What happened? I'm really curious.

I'm curious too. You don't mean that you personally had an RNY one year ago, do you?

I have to applaud anyone that has had one then converts to another. To be strong enough to undergo both surgeries has my hat off to you!

Cheering granny

I know some awesome doctors in Mexico who are certified and awesome. Some friends of mine have had some lapbands or cosmteic surgery

in the pass.Great price everthing included. email; me if you want more info.

treasuredbeauty2003@yahoo.com

I really need some help in deciding which WLS to have. I would appreciate any hands-on experiences about either method. Also, I am from Canada and would like info about the different Toronto doctors. Thanks

I know some awesome doctors in Mexico who are certified and awesome. Some friends of mine have had some lapbands or cosmteic surgery

in the pass.Great price everthing included. email; me if you want more info.Hospital is clean. Great results I also had surgery cosmetic surgery there., Last year. Lapbands 6,500.00

treasuredbeauty2003@yahoo.com

Hi Everyone, I don't want to go into specifics but I went in for Lap RNY and a freaky thing happened. My aorta was punctured before they had time to do the actual surgery and so now I have to have it again. I am now very afraid to put myself in that same situation again and so I have decided to go with the band because it is much safer. I may not be able to have it laparoscopically because of all the scar tissue (they had to open me right up in order to repair my aorta). Unfortunately, I am right back at square 1, but this time it's the band for me. I'm worth the $15,000. and so is my family. Marlene ON MY WAY AT LAST!!!!!!!

P.S. I am not going to Mexico for my lap. I found a wonderful surgeon in Toronto and I am meeting with him on Jan 9. Hoping for my surgery in Feb.