I am new to this site but I need some help - I am almost thru the testing process - I am borderline eligible for surgery - but due to medical conditions (diabetes, fatty liver, cloestrol, high blood pressure) - have been accepted as a candidate. My Surgeon seems to think Gastric would be better but I am not sure I want to go that drastic. Can anyone tell me if they had similar difficulty making up their mind? Thanks:confused:

I am new to this site but I need some help - I am almost thru the testing process - I am borderline eligible for surgery - but due to medical conditions (diabetes, fatty liver, cloestrol, high blood pressure) - have been accepted as a candidate. My Surgeon seems to think Gastric would be better but I am not sure I want to go that drastic. Can anyone tell me if they had similar difficulty making up their mind? Thanks:confused:

I am not in your situation, however I did consider briefly, Gastric Bypass. I say briefly because I really feel it is a personal decision. I have struggled with losing and gaining the same 100lbs. over and over again probably 8 times in the last 20 yrs. Never able to maintain longer than about 2 months. I know what I am supposed to do, I just can't maintain. (I was also a candidate for Bypass)

The only health issues I had going into this (blessing) was severe Osteoarthritis, and borderline HTN. All which is managed when I lose the weight. When I researched the lifestyle changes and recovery....The band took it, hands down! AND....if need be, it can be adjusted OR removed. Speak honestly with your surgeon and do your own research. Good luck on your decision!:scared2:

I have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. As for the fatty liver, I believe that if your surgeon has you on a pre op diet, it will help with that--it is, in fact, the reason for the pre op diet.

I have read of people on these boards, and some in my support group, who have been taken off medication--I am one. My doctor took me off one of my blood pressure meds.

I also have heard that a lot of surgeons recommend gastric bypass for a lot of their patients, but the final decision is yours.

The lap band was the best thing I could have done for myself.

Good luck, and please let us know what you decide.

Debbie

I have all the same medical conditions as you except for the fatty liver. My surgeon and my PCP both recommended by pass for me but i did not want to go that drastic and permenant. Their reason was because of my diabetes, they said that that the odd's to improve that was better with the by pass. Well I stuck to my guns and had the band and am very happy with my decision so far. My blood sugar number since surgery is about half of what it was pre surgery. I am hoping to get off some of my meds with this diet or at least get them reduced!

Good luck!