Complications!

[Boobear7 7]

Please tell me about your complications. I am deciding between the band and rny surgery. Thanks.

[PdxMan 4,292]

I was sleeved with a hiatal hernia repair almost 2 and a half years ago and had no complications, as I believe most people don't. In each of the forums, you can find a sub-forum that has threads from folks who have had complications. You can read a whole history from many folks.

Just be mindful of the overall statistics for each procedure. While you may be blown away and frightened by the stories in these forums, know that people, like myself, seldom post their stories about how smooth everything went. It's like at a restaurant. People will always complain about what went wrong but seldom make note of great experiences.

Just know that during your research, Banders are going to say their surgery is the greatest because of X ... Y ... Z. Sleevers believe their choice was superior because of J ... K ... L while RnY folk know their choice was the best because of H ... I ... J. Each has passionate reasons and stories, so try to stay objective.

Good luck with your research and decision.

HERE is a link to that sub-forum for Gastric Sleeve:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/429-gastric-sleeve-surgery-complications-support-group/

[oldoneyoungagain 200]

3/17/10 had lapband. Never, never, never had a problem with the band that I knew of. The problem I had was my surgeon quit the practice 10 months after I had surgery. Ended up switching to the NP in that WLS clinic. Never once in those three years did they ever fluoroscope that band, only right after surgery. But there again I didn't seem to have any problems, or so I thought. Anyway the nurse was to have called me regarding laps, after waiting six months (I had gotten the laps myself, but she had already po'd me) I switched doctors. He did the fluoroscope and found the band had slipped. I ended up having to have the band out and 10 weeks later had bypass. I did a lot of research during this waiting period, including the complications with the band which is now coming in. The doctor recommended bypass vs sleeve for me because I'm a diabetic and there are better results getting this in remission than with the sleeve. In my research bypass has been so perfected in the past 30 years I had to agree with the doctor. I'm not sorry I had the band as it started my weight loss journey, just wish more research had been done three years ago and I would have eliminated two surgeries. So I would definitely research all the major hospitals, mayo Clinic, Cleveland, all of them and then determine what would be best for you.

[oldoneyoungagain 200]

Meant labs not laps. Fingers got a little happy. Sorry.

[PdxMan 4,292]

Also wanted to add, that there is also a LOT of incorrect information given when one participant of one type of bariatric procedure discusses details of another procedure. My advice would be to reap the information they relate about their OWN experience, not what they have been told by someone else. It is always very easy to find studies to support any side of the point of discussion.

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

Also wanted to add, that there is also a <strong>LOT</strong> of incorrect information given when one participant of one type of bariatric procedure discusses details of another procedure. My advice would be to reap the information they relate about their <strong>OWN</strong> experience, not what they have been told by someone else. It is always very easy to find studies to support any side of the point of discussion.

brilliant suggestion!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Interesting to post a question about band vs bypass on the sleeve forum!!!

Advice from me, remember that most active posters on all forums are less than a few years out so highly biased toward immediate post op woes and honeymoon period. That is good info too but my issues with the lapband became bad a few years out though I had problems from early on....I was no longer posting on forums. Alot of people who aren't doing well stop posting-true of any surgery. Also look at published studies and talk to surgeon about complications and regain stats etc.

My opinion? Get the sleeve! I can't speak to the bypass but DON'T get the lap band. Draw your own conclusions from the pros and cons.