Today was the seminar with Dr. Hadar Spivak in Houston, TX. I went there convinced lap band was the way to go. During the hour-long seminar, something happened and I've now signed up for the RNY.

I think it was when he said the average weight loss for his patients with gastric banding was 50% of their excess weight. At that rate, I'd still be morbidly obese. And I can't live with that.

What made you choose RNY over other procedures?

I orginally was banded 1/9/04 with the Inamed 4cc band, but; after 3.5 years with that band I had a serious slip and erosion. I had to have the band removed in an emergency procedure and decided I did NOT want to be re-banded and I went for a revision to RNY. Today I am almost at goal, VERY happy, and most important of all VERY HEALTHY!!! My new obcession is bike riding and I participate in long distance rides, usually 50 miles and I'm training for my 1st century ride in September

I was originally scheduled for lapband on 8/20/08, but after my first visit with the surgeon she mentioned maybe thinking about bypass as well since my BMI is in the high 40's and the weight loss is more significant with the bypass. After researching and speaking with several people who have had the bypass I have decided to do the bypass as well. I'm still young, I have no serious health risks yet (except high blood pressure) and I have not had any major surgeries other than 2 c-sections. Good luck to all of you deciding to go the bypass route.

I originally had my mind set on the band. Then I went to the doc and he mentioned the RNY in passing. He told me he thought I'd do better with the RNY. I was SOOOOOOO confused as I thought I was set on the band. After a grueling week or so going back and forth with my decision, and asking people for their opinions on different forums, I decided on the RNY. I'm very happy with my decision!

Babynicole,

As you know previously my daughter had her RNY the end of May this year and has already lost over 100 pounds. She's had a few bumps from the beginning and it was just found that she had a stricture and after a really great time in the "hospital from hell" (long story) this week she finally had an endoscopy done today as her opening was almost closed completely shut. They dilated it today with a balloon but she's to be scheduled in two weeks to have another one as they supposedly can close up again after the first attempt. Fun times but I'm hoping after this second one she'll be fine and be able to get her all nutrients in again and start on the road to normal!

Good luck to you, I don't know how common this stricture is, kind of got the impression it is, and her surgeon was surprised she got it 3 months post-op as opposed to a few weeks but like I've said prior she's always seemed to have a hard time getting in all her meds and supplements and food/water. So I wish you good health and success with yours, brandyII alias Nanook.:wink2:

Babynicole,

As you know previously my daughter had her RNY the end of May this year and has already lost over 100 pounds. She's had a few bumps from the beginning and it was just found that she had a stricture and after a really great time in the "hospital from hell" (long story) this week she finally had an endoscopy done today as her opening was almost closed completely shut. They dilated it today with a balloon but she's to be scheduled in two weeks to have another one as they supposedly can close up again after the first attempt. Fun times but I'm hoping after this second one she'll be fine and be able to get her all nutrients in again and start on the road to normal!

Good luck to you, I don't know how common this stricture is, kind of got the impression it is, and her surgeon was surprised she got it 3 months post-op as opposed to a few weeks but like I've said prior she's always seemed to have a hard time getting in all her meds and supplements and food/water. So I wish you good health and success with yours, brandyII alias Nanook.:tt2:

Hey BrandyII :biggrin2: I wasn't sure it was you until I saw your name down the bottom. Sorry your daughter had a stricture. :whatchutalkingabout I know they are pretty common with RNY. May I ask...was your daughter on liquids and/or puree for a while? If so, I swear that's a contributing factor for the anastomosis healing so tightly. I was on mushable (chicken, fish, etc.) from about 10 days out! I haven't had any problems (knock on wood).

On a good note...I can't believe she's down 100lbs. That is so great! I'm so happy for her! :wub:

Hey BrandyII :biggrin2: I wasn't sure it was you until I saw your name down the bottom. Sorry your daughter had a stricture. :whatchutalkingabout I know they are pretty common with RNY. May I ask...was your daughter on liquids and/or puree for a while? If so, I swear that's a contributing factor for the anastomosis healing so tightly. I was on mushable (chicken, fish, etc.) from about 10 days out! I haven't had any problems (knock on wood).

On a good note...I can't believe she's down 100lbs. That is so great! I'm so happy for her! :wub:

I saw your other note about the book, all I can say is "good luck!", lol.

You know that's something that was brought up by her on-call surgeon and I suppose that may have contributed to it or it's the circle thing where you have a hard time getting stuff down and eat the softer stuff, so I'm not totally positive if we can find out the exact reasoning behind it. I posted it on the forum you are on to see how common it was.

She's a partial vegetarian but has started eating fish/seafood and that's pretty soft too. So she doesn't eat any red meat or poultry. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? She was never a big Protein drink person though and really needs to supplement more. Who knows, I do know that I could tell a long time ago that things were not just right, mother's instinct, but convincing doctors/PA to do something is a whole other ballgame sometimes. Same surgeon team but felt like was being blown off at times.

Up to last week she was eating cooked veggies and baked fish or tuna from the pouch but has always had a hard time with her supplements and meds.

Since I have the lap band it's sometimes hard to relate as it's almost night and day when it comes to a lot of our issues. I was concerned because the doctor's office would say she's doing well because she'd lost so much weight but I was like, "hey, she's really not thriving like she should be" you know and they weren't getting it. The last time I spoke to the surgeon at the hospital yesterday he even said that her weight loss was too fast for her, she's six feet tall and started at almost 360 lbs and is under 260 lbs and her surgery was 5/27.

She can start soft foods again tomorrow and hopefully build up to solids again but I feel better knowing they're going to do another endoscopy just to be on the safe side to stretch the opening even though they are not fun as you are awake!

Anyway thanks and I'm glad things are going well for you and I do think you're right about getting in the solids that may have kept you from having this problem. I have to go to your forum when I have issues with her and everyone is so nice and helpful. I wish you the best and good health take care, Nancy.:tt2:

Hi Everyone,

I started my journey to a slimmer, healthier me three months ago. The first surgeon was an idiot and did nothing to get me started. I went to another seminar much closer to home with a great doctor. I was convinced the lap band was for me and researched it thoroughly. I even bought two books and read them cover to cover. I read just about every post I found interesting on this website. I had my first surgeon's appointment this morning. He thinks the RNY would be better for me because I am a terrible sweets eater. It didn't help any with my DH sitting there telling the doctor about my Dr. Pepper habit. So now I am having the RNY instead of lap band.

Can anyone recommend any books on RNY and some websites that are good? My surgery will most likely be the beginning of October and I want to read up on everything. Thanks for any and all help! Lisa :crying:

I saw your other note about the book, all I can say is "good luck!", lol.

You know that's something that was brought up by her on-call surgeon and I suppose that may have contributed to it or it's the circle thing where you have a hard time getting stuff down and eat the softer stuff, so I'm not totally positive if we can find out the exact reasoning behind it. I posted it on the forum you are on to see how common it was.

She's a partial vegetarian but has started eating fish/seafood and that's pretty soft too. So she doesn't eat any red meat or poultry. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? She was never a big Protein drink person though and really needs to supplement more. Who knows, I do know that I could tell a long time ago that things were not just right, mother's instinct, but convincing doctors/PA to do something is a whole other ballgame sometimes. Same surgeon team but felt like was being blown off at times.

Up to last week she was eating cooked veggies and baked fish or tuna from the pouch but has always had a hard time with her supplements and meds.

Since I have the lap band it's sometimes hard to relate as it's almost night and day when it comes to a lot of our issues. I was concerned because the doctor's office would say she's doing well because she'd lost so much weight but I was like, "hey, she's really not thriving like she should be" you know and they weren't getting it. The last time I spoke to the surgeon at the hospital yesterday he even said that her weight loss was too fast for her, she's six feet tall and started at almost 360 lbs and is under 260 lbs and her surgery was 5/27.

She can start soft foods again tomorrow and hopefully build up to solids again but I feel better knowing they're going to do another endoscopy just to be on the safe side to stretch the opening even though they are not fun as you are awake!

Anyway thanks and I'm glad things are going well for you and I do think you're right about getting in the solids that may have kept you from having this problem. I have to go to your forum when I have issues with her and everyone is so nice and helpful. I wish you the best and good health take care, Nancy.:rofl:

I just wish I could get rid of that darn book! I read it when I was thinking of the band, and it's a great book! :crying:

Sorry again, to hear about your daughter. She's so young to have to deal with these problems.

I'm going to my doc today and am going to ask him why he doesn't recommend purees. I'm also going to tell him about my hypothesis about healing the connections.

Thanks BabyNicole,

So far so good, she's in good spirits today and is able to get her meds down and is on soft food so she can get in her Protein drinks now, take care and good luck with the book, Nancy.

Thanks BabyNicole and Nanook! :Banane37: I am going to order that book and join ThinnnerTimes today. I am also going to watch a program called Emmi that was recommended by the surgeon. Thanks again!!!! Lisa

Hi Everyone,

I started my journey to a slimmer, healthier me three months ago. The first surgeon was an idiot and did nothing to get me started. I went to another seminar much closer to home with a great doctor. I was convinced the lap band was for me and researched it thoroughly. I even bought two books and read them cover to cover. I read just about every post I found interesting on this website. I had my first surgeon's appointment this morning. He thinks the RNY would be better for me because I am a terrible sweets eater. It didn't help any with my DH sitting there telling the doctor about my Dr. Pepper habit. So now I am having the RNY instead of lap band.

Can anyone recommend any books on RNY and some websites that are good? My surgery will most likely be the beginning of October and I want to read up on everything. Thanks for any and all help! Lisa :biggrin:

try Weight Loss Surgery: Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You, by Barbara Thompson. Its very down to earth about what to expect options and her own experience with RNY.

What is the program called Emmi? Where can I find it??

Hugs

Charlene

Hi Charlene,

When I saw the surgeon I was given a packet at check out. Attached to the packet is a page about the Emmi program. Emmi is a program that you view online about your surgery. I go to www.my-emmi.com, then type in an access code the doctor gave me, my date of birth, and click begin. It's a short video that explains a lot about the surgery and it pauses in places and gives me an opportunity to type in any questions about the procedure at the time. I can print out the questions at the end of the video and have them ready for when I see the doctor. The video is in a cartoon format, which I liked because I can get grossed out seeing the real thing as far as the surgery goes. Lisa

Wow sounds interesting..I'll have to ask my Dr about that :thumbup:

Thanks!!

I originally had my mind set on the band. Then I went to the doc and he mentioned the RNY in passing. He told me he thought I'd do better with the RNY. I was SOOOOOOO confused as I thought I was set on the band. After a grueling week or so going back and forth with my decision, and asking people for their opinions on different forums, I decided on the RNY. I'm very happy with my decision! :biggrin:

I'm in this place of confusion at the moment Nicole. I saw the consultant & his team for my initial appointment last Monday, all organised, researched, prepared & even excited about the thought of a band. THEN I saw him last of the day & he says he thinks bypass would be the better option for me, mainly because of the frankly amazing & instantaneous results on 84% of type 2 diabetics undergoing bypass surgery.

My BMI is 'only' 38.1 so I'd considered bypass too drastic an op for me, now I'm just confused & changing my mind daily & sometimes even hourly. My family & friends are 100% supportive of whatever I decide, but all have said they would feel happier about me going for the less invasive procedure of the band. I phoned the team nurse Friday & she was very helpful, but confused me more really because she said she didn't mention bypass to me as she thinks I'd succeed with a band & my BMI being relatively 'low'. She also told me that 48% of type 2 diabetics find their diabetes 'reversed' within 2 yrs of banding, basically due to the weight loss. 48% is a great figure, but 84% & instant is better..... oh I'm :confused2:

Another consideration that the nurse told me is that Derby don't currently do bypass surgery but are hoping to from January. They currently send their bypass patients to Leeds - who may not consider my BMI of 38.1 high enough to perform a bypass.

Good news is, they let me know within 4 weeks if they are accepting me for surgery. Both the consultant & the nurse have now told me they were recommending me for it & the consultant said he would recommend putting me on the band waiting list & then I can change to bypass if I want after reading more about it. So I am under no pressure to make my decision :thumbup: Got job, innit? :smile: