I have read some posts on this website about surgeons who tried to "pressure" patients into having the Gastric Bypass procedure rather

than the lap band. In my case, I have to have the lap band, because

I am a self pay and just cannot afford the gastric. I just want to know

what I might be in for when I meet the surgeon.:omg:

Good Morning,

In my case...my surgeon is predisposed toward RnY (99% RNY - 1% Lap Band), but she was...and is very supportive in my decision. What was interesting to me is the other people through this process who have questioned this decision. I've had a couple co-workers who have had the RNY try to tell me I'm making the wrong choice...the Physician who oversaw my sleep study and put me on a CPAP just told that his patients who have had RNY have gotten off the CPAP...but wasn't sure if the band would allow me to lose eough to do so...and finally (the worst one) the psychologist hwho performed my psych evaluation got quite nasty about it...strongly suggesting I was making a bad choice for sudccess. The best way to describe his demeanor: it was like an ex smoker who has become militant against smoking confronting someone with a cigarette in their hand. It was very surreal. But...after 10 minutes of going back and forth...he strongly suggested that I do more research and passed me. I did...and am more than even committed to the lap band.

I know this is going to take work. I know it's going to be hard. But for me...the lap band is a much better tool than the RNY...and I'm looking forward to my surgery on the 24th.

The moral of my rambling...do the research...talk to people...go to support meetings...and if you decide that the Lap Band is best for you...do not let anyone else convince you otherwise.

I hope this helps. Take care and have a great day.

Bud

My name is Pattie and Yes my doctor prefered for me to have the By pass surgery. I also am self pay and the Lapband was $19,000 and the by pass surgery was $7,000 more. I had my surgery on June 28th and I received a handbook from my doctor and 80% of pertains to By pass. If you have not had your surgery yet go to a book store and ask for books on Lapband.

Actually, my personal doc is VERY adamantly against it. She refuses to do the preop, and sent a letter to my surgeon stating her feelings.

My Dr asked me why I wanted the band verses bypass. He said he is not there to sell me on either surgery. He gave me "stats" And felt I may not be able to loose all the weight I need to with the band. He told me I will have to work at it. My reasons for having the band over the bypass; less risk, I told him it could be reversed and he said I was not coming in his office in 2years and asking to have it removed he would not do it. That of course was not my point. I meant that if there are complications the band could be removed. Also if after loosing the weight and I am able to get pregnant the band could be loosen to provide better nutrition for the baby. I had asked my Gyne when making the decision and she could not tell me that with the Bypass what complications or issues there might be with pregnancy. I have also had to cousins that had the bypass and are gaining their weight back.

Although my Dr questioned me about my decision he did not pressure me one way or the other. As Long as I knew what I wanted. I had also told him that my PC and my GI both wanted me to have the bypass and I told them absolutely not and that if I had not heard about the band I would not have been sitting in his office.

Just know what you want and be firm in your decision. As with all medical concerns, it is your life and your medical decision NOT your Dr's. They can recommenda Treatments, provide advice but it is always your decision.

Best of luck to you!!!

My doc was very business like in providing all the facts for both the band and the bypass. But, then I met with him personally, and he suggested the bypass when I told him I wanted the band. Since he's all about the numbers the average is only 50% success with the band. I refused the bypass; it's just to invasive for me and I'd like to keep all my parts together (thank you very much). He did not push it further. From what I've researched, to make the band work you have to do the work as well. It's not as easy as getting the bypass. Hopefully with changing my mind as well as my body, this will stick!!

Good luck!

Thank you, everyone, for your feedback and well wishes. As much as I have been praying the past two years to have the surgery, as it draws closer I am having last minute what-ifs. I am sure this is normal.

I have been researching it for awhile and my original gut feeling was to go with the lap band, so I am sticking to it.

As far as pregnancy goes, my sister had the Gastric Bypass procedure seven years ago and had a healthy baby since then. As for me, I don't

have to worry about this as the "baby factory" has been permanently

closed!

Actually, my personal doc is VERY adamantly against it. She refuses to do the preop, and sent a letter to my surgeon stating her feelings.

It is time to find a new PCP. She is supposed to work for you. You (or your insurance company, or both) pay her for her services.

When I called my family doctor's office to get my pre-op appointment, the sceretary gave me so much attitude because I did not tell them "first".

I am self pay and have done my research, I went for my consult with the surgeon and felt this is the way to go for me.

My Family doctors secretary was telling me stories of others who have not been happy etc..Very discouraging.

Anyways, I go for my pre op appointment next week and hope the doctor is more supportive.

I am very nervous though. I know ultimately it is my decision and I am doing this.

When I called my family doctor's office to get my pre-op appointment, the sceretary gave me so much attitude because I did not tell them "first".

I am self pay and have done my research, I went for my consult with the surgeon and felt this is the way to go for me.

My Family doctors secretary was telling me stories of others who have not been happy etc..Very discouraging.

Anyways, I go for my pre op appointment next week and hope the doctor is more supportive.

I am very nervous though. I know ultimately it is my decision and I am doing this.

When I was in the process of getting everything approved I had gone to my GI's office and spoke with his office manager (we are pretty good friends) and she had said her sisiter got the band last year and was not doing well with it and was very discouraging, however my GI had recommend WLS and when he found out that I got the band he was not discouraging at all. The office staff do not know everything, your Dr is the one who will now your history and it is different for everyone. People who not understand the difference between the Band and RNY expect Lap band patients to have results right away like the RNY and do not understand that it is a little slower than RNY so they believe patients with the band fail which is not true.

Good Luck and I hope your Dr is more encouraging. If he is encouraging, I would tell him that his office staff are handing out medical advice over the phone and explain it to him. They really should not be saying anything.

I had a procedure done in a hospital and the nurse comes and starts pulling the blankets off of me and telling me I had to get up, I was in so much pain I could not move and I refused to get up. I have gotten pancreatitis from the procedure ( a known complication) and was in the hospital for 3 days. My next follow-up with the Dr I told him about it and he apologized and did go back to the staff. So staff do not always know.

Good Luck with eveything!!!

I guess I'm pretty lucky because my surgical group here really pushes the band, although they still do quite a lot of bypasses, it seems to be more on the very morbidly obese patients.

When I went in for my consult, my doc explained both procedures equally and then we discussed my medical conditions and his recommendation for me was the band. I originally had thought I wanted the bypass, but after he explained to me why the band would be better for me, I went with that and am very glad I did.

I think that there are certain medical reasons that the bypass works better for some people and it's the same for the band. But, you really need a surgeon who knows his or her stuff and can explain to you which one will work best with YOUR medical conditions. It is very individual and there are a lot of factors involved.

I would say go in with an open mind and armed with lots of questions and go from there. Hopefully you'll have a great surgeon who is also open-minded towards the band and will help you make the best decision for you!

Good luck!

My PCP said she didn't have any experience caring for a patient with the Lap Band, but she was MORE THAN HAPPY to give me the referral when I asked her to. As a matter of fact, I've been emailing her as my journey progresses (I'm still not banded, but soon!!!) and she says that every bit of information that I tell her is a piece of wisdom that she can pass on to other patients, which in turn makes her seem like a very smart doctor! :-) (I LOVE my doctor, can you tell?)

Anyway, I just met with the surgeon yesterday, who does both RNY and Lap Band, and I asked what, in his professional opinion, he would recommend for me. (I told him I'm 99.9% sure that I want the band, but wanted to know what he thought.)

He said that with my age (I'm almost 32), knowing I'd like to get pregnant sometime in the future, etc, etc. that the Lap Band is a very wise choice for me.

So that sealed the deal! I'm so happy with my whole medical team so far. And I believe that anyone that discourages patients from getting the Lap Band, just doesn't know enough about it. I mean, it's still fairly new in this country, so most people (Dr.'s included) just don't have as much experience or knowledge about it as they do with gastric bypass.

My doctor present the information for both and actually the decision was mine. I was adamant as I could not stand the thought of having my insides rearranged. His statistics show that the lap band and the RNY have about the same outcome 5 years out. And yes, the lap band is slower weight loss and more work.

In my Dr.s office, they have 2 sets of handouts, one for lap band and one for RNY. The staff work with you and help you through the process. The coordinator actually had RNY surgery about 5 years ago and so has walked the talk.

I agree that this is your decision. Knowing the risks/benefits and what you are about to go through will help make you a success, I believe. I know my road is not going to be easy, but to get where I am today, has not been easy either. Easy to stuff the food in my mouth, not easy to cope with the results.

Good luck to you!

SueS.

My doctor (pcp) was all for it, my surgeon never mentioned bypass, I don't even know if he does them. My pcp was happy with my weight loss, and I have gotten off alot of meds so it has to be a good thing.

so far while ive been in the program the staff are all trying to get me to do the bypass. i had the director tell me that id better have some really good reasons why i shouldnt do the bypass. its a little intimidating but i know what i want and i guess i have to stick with that. i am nervous to meet with the surgeon because shes all for the bypass and has only done 45 lapbands since 2003

My PCP was very supportive of the lap band and never talked about by pass to me. The surgeon and her staff were all really happy that i picked the lap band. The Surgeon even told me that she would not have done by pass on me because the nurses get upset when she operates on young people ( i was 19)Overall everyone was very positive.