Initial Drs visit

crabcake · March 2, 2007

Hello Banders! I recently went to a LB seminar and have my initial drs appointment coming up. I first thought I'd go w/ the bypass, but my husband prefers I do the LB. Any suggestions for questions I should ask at that first visit? I'm really torn between which procedure and would really appreciate your recommendations.

Thanks!:biggrin1:

ReneBean · March 3, 2007

Hey Crab Cake!

Welcome to LBT!

I know that by the time I got to the Seminar, I have been surfing LBT for about a month - so I didn't have too many questions to ask...

I think if you are wavering between two surgeries, you might want to be sure and research both.

If you are visiting with a surgeon that does both - he may be biased toward one or the other.

You should grill him on complications and mortality rates between the two surgeries.

Your DH is probably biased toward the band because it has the lowest mortality rate both immediately at the time of surgery - and certainly over the long haul.

I know my husband was DEAD SET against me having the ByPass. He was afraid I would die on the table, or end up with malnourishment issues, or, or, or... I was actually afraid he was against ANY surgery - but he was totally ok with the band.

Keep re-searching until you are SURE of what YOU want. ByPass is great for immediate gratification - but no so great for Long-Term maintenance. You get a window of opportunity, and if you waste it - it's done.

The band is not so great for immediate gratification - but much better for long-term maintenance because it can be adjusted to increase or decrease the restriction level.

Me, I flaked out for the first year - ate verything I wanted, didn't exercise enough... and while I lost some weight - I didn't lose as much as I could have. If I had done that with the ByPass, I would have wasted the surgery - and been permantly altered in the bargain.

Sorry - I want to be objective - but I am a 100% band supporter. You can go to a ByPass site and get the other point of view.

Hugs, and good luck!!

crabcake · March 3, 2007

The band is not so great for immediate gratification - but much better for long-term maintenance because it can be adjusted to increase or decrease the restriction level.

Thanks ReneBean!

I guess this is why I'm torn...immediate gratification vs. the long haul. The main reason I was leaning towards the bypass was that the insurance would cover it. However honey says we'll recoup the investment from what we don't spend due to my health issues. The one thing I keep thinking about is the 'one shot deal' thing. I'm actually scared this won't work for me either, like the many diets I've tried. At least with the lap band I know I can go back for adjustments.

GayleTX · March 3, 2007

Another thing to consider is what kind of eater are you? What got you to this stage? Many people who are sugar addicts go with the bypass because when you have the BG you cannot tolerate sugar - it causes dumping (vomiting, cramps, sweating, etc) and it gives people no choice but to stay away from it. If you are a volume eater, the Lapband keeps you from eating very much food at one time and the band can be tightened as much as you need it to be to help you limit volume. At least this is my take on the situation.....

I had the LapBand and I eat like an RNY and it was worked for me very well (low carbs, high protein).