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Why You Chose That Surgery?



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Hi, I am still thinking of which surgery to choose. It would help me a lot to here from you all your choice and your reasons for that choice. I want to know all the factors that are or were involved in your choice of surgery. Also if you already had the surgery I'd like to here how you are living since you had the surgery. THANK YOU!!

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If you really want to know everyone's reason, start by reading about them in past threads and posts. There are thousands of stories on here. That will provide you with much more insight than the few responses you might receive to this one thread.

Same goes for post surgery life style. Happy reading. Try the search too. ;)

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the lap band chose me. I went into surgery planning on a gastric bypass. I was having the bypass because of my high bmi and diabetes and my health in general. but due to adhesions and scarring there wasn't enough small intestine to pull up and connect to the esophagus. but all my health issues have gone to the wayside. I no longer even take my blood sugar any more. and before surgery I was on a lot of insulin. I no longer have to take bp medication and I was on 3. so all my health issues are mostly gone and I didn't have to have anything re routed. I am happy with the band.

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I choose the best surgeon and practice in our area, and I listened to his advice. He strongly advocated the lap band, based on my age, weight and other health issues. My wife had the sleeve, but was considering the band. Again, the surgeon made the suggestion as to what would work best. But, you really have to trust that the surgeon is experienced and knows his stuff.

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I had RNY gastric bypass. I had acid reflux and this was the best option for me. This type of surgery had one of the lowest revision rates. If I undergo the surgery once, I do not want to repeat the process again. It also provided the greatest weight loss the quickest and those that underwent the surgery had sustained weight loss over time.

On the negative side, my stomach is no longer able to synthesize many of the Vitamins my body needs so I am required to supplement several Vitamins for the remainder of my life.

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My primary physician referred me to the bariatric clinic when I asked if I might be a good candidate for a lap band. My older sister had a gastric bypass years ago and had complications with an abdominal infection. What surprised me was that there was a third option called vertical sleeve gastrectomy, which I had never heard of. I liked the idea that there was no re-routing of my intestines, and no abdominal port like with the band.

So, I took the option of the sleeve and do not regret it. I am over halfway to goal and feel better because my spine (which was collapsing under my weight) does not have to bear such a burden. My internal systems are much happier with my healthy Protein - rich diet. I have been dropped from two medications related to pre-diabetes. I am very happy with my decision and would do it again.

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The decision for surgery is personal for all of us. What is right for one may not be right for the other. I chose RNY because I thought it would give me the best results based on the amount of weight I needed to loose. Whichever surgery you choose will be the right one for you.

Best of luck!

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I chose the RNY bypass because I was diabetic, had high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. I also had over 100 pounds to lose to get to a normal BMI. I am 8 months post-op and have lost 105 pounds with 5 more to go. No complications and I can eat everything I want in just much smaller amounts. I do try to eat healthy and exercise every day. Life is good. No regrets!

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Oops! I do try to eat healthy and exercise every day. Life is good, no regrets!

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Hi Risky Girl,

I'm very new here also, but have been doing a lot of reading recently - have not had surgery yet. My surgeon recommended the gastric sleeve to me. He said he would not recommend the lap band, as he has had to take more out lately than he would like. It seems that even those with lots of extra weight do get the lap band and have great luck though. My thoughts were: 1) Go with what the surgeon recommended 2) I didn't really want the maintenance of a lap band (going in for fills) 3) I wanted a reduced risk of dumping syndrome which I think is more common with the lap band? 4) I wanted to aim for a longer term solution than the lap band might offer 5) I did not like the idea of re-routing my small intestine - just personally seemed too much fiddling around with my insides! 6) A guy at work just had the gastric sleeve and he is thrilled with the results.....Those are just some of the reasons, but I'm sure you'll find many more as you read.

Best,

Janet

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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