Comments on: Lap vs. Gastric Bypass?

By: Gladys Hodges

Gladys Hodges — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:15:24 +0000

I know for the most part it is a personal decision meaning the lap vs
the gastric bypass but 2 days ago I had a consultation with a nurse
who is very knowledgable with both procedures. She works with a
bariatric surgeon. She spent an hour going over my history told me I
am a candidate for either surgery. I t seemed to me that she was
pushing me to consider the lap-she sid you lose weight more quickly
with the bypass but it can be a more dangerous procedure-said 1 in
200 die ultimately from the bypass although the surgeon she works
with has never had a loss-just said can be more complications-my
present insurance policy doesn’t cover lap but I may be changing soon
to one that does. Any infor that anyone has as far as differences
advantages or disadvantages would be greatly appreciated. I have over
100 lbs to lose but no more than 120. I’m basically healthy knee
probs and snoring but that’s it age is 48 . (figure the facts can
influence decisions)I also wondered if Docs push lap for some reason-

any infor would be appreciated-Thanks Andrea

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By: Sammie Huff

Sammie Huff — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:18:14 +0000

Hello Andrea…. which insurance company covers the band? Haven’t heard of
anyone doing that yet.

I know for the most part it is a personal decision meaning the lap vs
the gastric bypass but 2 days ago I had a consultation with a nurse
who is very knowledgable with both procedures. She works with a
bariatric surgeon. She spent an hour going over my history told me I
am a candidate for either surgery. I t seemed to me that she was
pushing me to consider the lap-she sid you lose weight more quickly
with the bypass but it can be a more dangerous procedure-said 1 in
200 die ultimately from the bypass although the surgeon she works
with has never had a loss-just said can be more complications-my
present insurance policy doesn’t cover lap but I may be changing soon
to one that does. Any infor that anyone has as far as differences
advantages or disadvantages would be greatly appreciated. I have over

100 lbs to lose but no more than 120. I’m basically healthy knee
probs and snoring but that’s it age is 48 . (figure the facts can
influence decisions)I also wondered if Docs push lap for some reason-
any infor would be appreciated-Thanks Andrea

_____

By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:21:51 +0000

Hi, Judi! I threw up maybe 3 times last year. Almost all of them
because I’d swallowed something too big for the pouch! Glad to hear
you’re feeling so well. The clothes issue has finally resolved for
me. For a while I was living at Goodwill . What did you mean by
"stay with one doctor"?
Pam in Niceville

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I ad a gastri bypass done in Portand, ME. This was in March 2003. I
went from 32.1 lbs to 160 lbs now. Some issues like throwingup 1 day
out of 20. Not having any clothes that fit right. But I feel better
than ever and I look 25 again. Go for it but stay with one doctor.
keep in touch

am a candidate for either surgery. I t seemed to me that she was
pushing me to consider the lap-she sid you lose weight more quickly
with the bypass but it can be a more dangerous procedure-said 1 in
200 die ultimately from the bypass although the surgeon she works
with has never had a loss-just said can be more complications-my
present insurance policy doesn’t cover lap but I may be changing
soon
to one that does. Any infor that anyone has as far as differences
advantages or disadvantages would be greatly appreciated. I have
over
100 lbs to lose but no more than 120. I’m basically healthy knee
probs and snoring but that’s it age is 48 . (figure the facts can
influence decisions)I also wondered if Docs push lap for some
reason-
any infor would be appreciated-Thanks Andrea

_____

By: Candy Justina

Candy Justina — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:01:04 +0000

I understand that weight loss is slower with lap, and there are some
downsides to lap, too. If you tend to throw up easily, it’s not the
best surgery for you. Just as with any surgery, you can have
complications which can be fatal - but those are the exceptions,
just as they are with RNY. I have the RNY, and am glad I don’t have
the lap, but there are bandsters who are passionate about their
surgery, too. It will ultimately come to your decision. Her stats
are a bit off - my surgeon lost 2 in 1200. It depends on the
surgeon, and the person’s co-morbidities. (And it makes me wonder
how good her surgeon is. just as a thought.) The usual problem is
co-morbidities, not skill of the surgeon. So if you find a surgeon
with a higher death rate, you might try to find out if he’s willing
to do riskier patients. that would skew the numbers.) At 48 with
apnea and knee issues, you shouldn’t have a problem. Believe me,
people go into this with heart problems, with BP problems, with

apnea so bad that they can’t live without their machines, with a
tendency to throw clots. You’re relatively healthy compared to
others. Remember, this is just a tool, not "the answer" -
Pam in Niceville

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By: Agnes Vega

Agnes Vega — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:12:29 +0000

I ad a gastri bypass done in Portand, ME. This was in March 2003. I went from
32.1 lbs to 160 lbs now. Some issues like throwingup 1 day out of 20. Not having
any clothes that fit right. But I feel better than ever and I look 25 again. Go
for it but stay with one doctor.
keep in touch