[MotoCO]

Hi, it is me again.

I have been pushed to the floor with promises from my nutritionist. I have to go to her for 6 months per my insurance company. Which I have done. I have complied with her instructions and last month she said I have to "tow the line" and she would release me and I went to the appointment and was absolutely devastated when she did not release me. She stated that she did not think I could do it. But I had. And wanted me to come in for another month. I was so hurt and upset that I actually cried. (I am not a crier). She agreed to "split the difference" with me and she is seeing me again in two weeks.

My husband went with me to see the Dr. (to interview him) and then he went with me to the RNY class to hear about the procedure. We have both done research and have gone to dinner with a friend that has had the LAP done. It has taken her 2 years to lose 60 lbs. We are both leaning towards the RNY. Although I think I am "healthy" scared of this surgery and altering my body... I also feel at 42 years old and having gained this weight over the last 5 years I am taking years off my life. And my quality of life is being diminished severly. The nutritionist is pushing me towards LAP. I am flat out worried about a foreign substance in my body. And something that causes slippage and can also "grow" into my stomach. Although the RNY does alter my body it also gives me a 40 percent chance on average to keep the weight off for my lifetime.

Here is the deal. I used the be thin and healthy. I used to run and bike with my husband. Now I huff and puff to get up the stairs. Going to Honduras with my husband I stared wistfully at the zip line there and wanted to go on it so bad I could taste it but at 275 I did not think it would hold me and I did not want to be embarrassed by going up and asking. When we went to Europe two months ago I was horrified that I would have to ask for a seat belt extender in front of my lean runner husband (luckily I did not). And that when I heard the Tower of London had 335 steps I was worried I could not make it up them (they are not all in a row, thank goodness). I DO NOT want to have to live my life like that anymore.

How do I make sure I am making the right decision? I am fearful I am making the incorrect one. I have never had major surgery before. I am a bit worried about that too in that I don't want to leave my husband if something goes wrong all because I did not want to be fat and all I needed was more will power?!?!

Please give me some words of wisdom. Something to easy my troubled mind, my troubled heart and my big fat butt.

[DocSanae]

Read as much as you can on this board.
I have moved this thread from where it orignally was, to the section where there are a number of threads discussing the choice of type of surgery.
Back up to the top of this page, and click on the blue letters, Types of weight loss surgery, and bring up the index to this section. Then, browse the titles, and read threads discussing the choices between surgeries, and whether you are choosing the right thing.

Ultimately, you are the only person who can make the choice for yourself, but being armed by a lot of information can make a big difference.

Last, keep in mind that lap band uses an apparatus that is commercially manufactured and distributed. This means that the manufacturers have a vested financial interest in the product. This often brings a lot of people into a game that looks profitable, with not always so good intentions. You really need to watch out for that.

(((HUGS)))

[sweetmo6969]

I did so much resreach when I was looking into it. I talked with my WLS Dr. and he said with my age and the amount of weight I needed to lose the LAP would take to long. I had the RNY and I am so glad I did. I am 7 1/2 months out I have lost 125 and only have 36 more lbs to goal..... You have to do what you feel is right for you... You are in my prayers

[Alora]

Are you diabetic? If so, LAP won't help as the RNY will. There is a huge research study in the Journal of British Medicine (May 2009 I believe) about the efficacy of RNY over LAP for Type 2 diabetics. This was what made my endocrinologist start me on my journey.

Here in Ontario the Ministry pays for diabetics to have the RNY but will NOT pay for LAP because it's not considered effective for long term weight loss AND diabetic management.

Just some more info to consider!

Shelley

[dixieladybug]

It is YOUR body and your choice. I though I wanted lap band but had two doctors talk me out of it. Get what you want. Read and research and I think you will know what is best for you... Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[pretty woman]

Hi MotoCo,
Wow such a dilemna! I originally thought I would have lap band. But I needed to lose a chunk of weight and didn't feel a lap would do it. I also didn't want the port and to be tied to a surgeon for "fills" the rest of my life. In support group, some have laps, RNY and now Sleeves. The Lap people vary. One gal lost 90 lbs and just got her first fill... some have had a couple of fills. One gal has lost a good number of pounds on lap but regrets having it due to all the probs she has had.. others report good success with lap. A new gal with lap came into group and needs a fill. (She had surgery elsewhere) but the surgeon here will only fill his "own " patients.
In the end I went with RNY, I have had very little problems and lost about 93 pounds in 5 months. In the mid 70s my mom had RNY.. it was quite questionable back then and boy was I scared. But she did quite well..lost weight and kept it off. So I think her experience, led to my choice. (She had no support group, counseling, nutritionist etc back then...)
Keep reading and talking. Somehow you will figure out what is right for you.
OK? Keep posting and let us know how you do. GOOD LUCK.
(I can't wait to go parasailing and not have to ask how much weight the rope will hold- been there, done that.)

[Perfesser]

1) Nutritionists are trained in ... nutrition. They are not medical doctors. They are not qualified to practice medicine. They can tell you of the experiences of others they have known, but they cannot give you medical advice. They have no responsibility nor accountability for your results if you follow their recommendations about surgical techniques. They are qualified to teach you how to relate appropriately to food. End of story.

2) Surgeons are medical doctors. They are trained in surgical techniques. They have years of experience with the different types of surgeries. They have the qualifications to give you valid medical advice. Your surgeon will have accountability and responsibility to you for the operation performed.

Your nut is abusing you by changing the rules at the end so she can get another fee out of you. Your nut has no qualifications at all to "push" you into anything.

I initially looked into the band to mollify my wife, but after we both met with the surgeon and he showed us his data on the different types of surgery, we both agreed that RNY was the way to go. It worked so well for me that my wife had it done to her, too.

You have to live with your choice for a long, long time. Your nut doesn't. Choose wisely.



CT

[pretty woman]

Yeah, I agree with CT on this one.
WHy should your Nut tell you which surgery to have?(Does she get a cut?)
Sorry to be so crude but that is how it is sounding.
It should be your decision- talk to your PCP and one or two surgeons that do both surgeries. (If they only do one kind, well you know where that will head.)

[MotoCO]

Thanks for all your replies.

I am still pretty upset at the nutritionist. I did feel at the time that they were trying to squeeze another fee out of me. I did exactly what she asked out of me and when she had made the comment that she "did not think I could do it" when talking about towing the line that month and she would release me. I have to say I was about ready to scream!!! Even the doctor that she sent me to when I met with him, he told both my husband and myself that he just wrote an article about how he felt about 3 to 6 month "counseling" or whatever for insurance companies because he feels like it scares people or just discourages some people from the surgery because the 3-6 months were too daunting for them. It was the DR. she sent me to!!!

I do believe out of the LAP and RNY the best for me is the RNY. Now, if I got to choose the sleeve I would choose that one. But my insurance doesn't offer that. As far as being a diabetic...no...but my sugars were very high the last time I was tested. So, I know I was going down that road but not there yet. My highest...283...I am at about 270'ish right now and I am 5' 6. I know I am fat. I don't feel that fat most of the time. I can motor along pretty good most of the time. But then it hits me in the face from time to time.

I am hopeful that next week I will be passed by the nutritionist and then the phase I starts. I have to go through the physchological thing. Which I understand isn't that bad and have to do something else. From what I understand it is under 2 months but more likely 1 month time frame.

My husband is a marathon runner. He is supportive. He has been great. I have been off the soda. I can see that drinking with meals will be hard for me. I just am ready to begin the journey and am frustrated due to this nutritionist and her mini God complex.

I am ready to get on with it.

[hippiechick72]

I do not understand your nutritionies either. I had great staff at my bariatric clinic. But when I went for pre-op testing I actually had the dr. there try to talk me out of surgery and told me she was going to tell my surgeon I should see an endocrinologist and get my diabetes taken care of, then I could lose weight. I was upset, but my surgeon laughed and said the other dr. overstepped her bounds

You know what you need to do. I knew the RNY was for me because of my diabetes. I also knew it would not let me cheat I think if you listen to yourself you find the correct answer.
I was thin until 15yrs ago(2nd child was born) I was very active too. I feel like I lost a part of me in all the fat. But I am excited to do all those things again.
I wish you well on your decision!