On the list!! (Whittington)

From the very first moment I decided to have WLS I've had it in my mind that the band would work better for me and it's what I would actually prefer. Even after attending the educational meeting with Kirsten & Lucy I came out even more convinced that the band was the best option for me, based on the information provided.

As you know I saw Mr Sufi this week for the first time and it's his opinion that I should have a bypass (it would be a full bypass and not a sleeve as I already asked that). Obviously his opinion is the most important and I have to go along with whatever he suggests. However, I do have a few niggles and reservations which I'll speak to him about.

I'm finding this really difficult to get my head around at the moment as I hadn't really considered a bypass so I need you guys to convince me that it's a wonderful thing and I would benefit so much more from it than a band lol

Added info:

a) my BMI is 'only' 40.9
b) I'm not a grazer/snacker - my meals/portions are too large!
c) I don't eat sweets/crisps/cakes very often either - once a month maybe!
d) I skip breakfast/lunch most days then have a huge evening meal!

It wouldn't be a good idea for any of us to try and convince you that a bypass is better than a band, it has to be your decision and one that you are 100% comfortable with as this is a rest of life decision. If you regret your surgical choice, whichever way you go, you will find it harder to get the results and work with the surgical method.

Did Mr Sufi explain why he thought bypass was best for you? I would recommend reading up on the bypass, read some of the diaries here, and look at the statistics in peoples signatures etc.

I agree with Shell, on the face of it I can see why you think a band would be better but the surgeon must have had his reasons for recommending a bypass.

Good luck x

Well, I don't think it *is* going to be my decision as I wouldn't ordinarily have opted for a bypass so it's come as somewhat of a shock. I know what the bypass involves and how it works from a medical/technical point of view, just not how it affects somebody mentally and emotionally. This is a whole new ball game I'm going to have to get my head around now

I had this dilemma. I wanted a band, mainly because is seemed a less 'complicated' procedure. The stay in hospital, the permanence of it, the vitamins etc. But you, like me, are volume eaters. And we would probably find a way of cheating the band. You and I are going to have to readjust our relationship with food. Our bodies can't cope with what he have been putting into it, that's why we are fat.
Have a really good think about what you want. I know a bypass looks like a scarey thing. To be honest I am scared sh*tless everytime I contemplate it. But logic must overcome fear, because for me it is the right way to go.

Tyraboots said:

I had this dilemma. I wanted a band, mainly because is seemed a less 'complicated' procedure. The stay in hospital, the permanence of it, the vitamins etc. But you, like me, are volume eaters. And we would probably find a way of cheating the band. You and I are going to have to readjust our relationship with food. Our bodies can't cope with what he have been putting into it, that's why we are fat.
Have a really good think about what you want. I know a bypass looks like a scarey thing. To be honest I am scared sh*tless everytime I contemplate it. But logic must overcome fear, because for me it is the right way to go.

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I was a volume eater too, which is why I chose the band as it restricts my portion sizes. Most banders were volume eaters - most not all.

Snackers, grazers and sweet toothed people could definatley if they continue to eat this way cheat their band.

Tyraboots said:

I had this dilemma. I wanted a band, mainly because is seemed a less 'complicated' procedure. The stay in hospital, the permanence of it, the vitamins etc. But you, like me, are volume eaters. And we would probably find a way of cheating the band. You and I are going to have to readjust our relationship with food. Our bodies can't cope with what he have been putting into it, that's why we are fat.
Have a really good think about what you want. I know a bypass looks like a scarey thing. To be honest I am scared sh*tless everytime I contemplate it. But logic must overcome fear, because for me it is the right way to go.

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I'm not worried about the operation par se, I'm happy to have whichever one is the *right* one for me. I didn't decide I wanted a band as an 'easier option' or anything like that, I just thought it seemed the more logical choice given my eating habits.

I'm also not concerned with how quickly I lose weight post-op or how long recovery takes etc, it's the 'living with it for the rest of my life' that is my biggest concern. I only get one shot at this so it's got to be the right one!

Thre seem to be more people at the whittington who are dissatisfied with the band and are awaiting conversion than elsewhere. This may be colouring his judgement. It certainly coloured mine.

I started my journey with the intention off having a band ~most emphatically! But more research I did the less sure I became. (The support groups were part of this). On the face of it the band does seem to be the easier option, but then I heard about slipping and erosion and some stuff about foriegn objects inside you and it all seemed less cushy. The band appealed cos it was less permanent, but then as my gp said why would you have it removed?

I'm a naughty person and knew in my heart that I needed stonger medicine than the band was going to give me. And eventually when pressed Mr Heath confirmed my suspicion that the band was not the uncomplicated easier option it first appeares to be.

Having said all that it *is* most definately your decision. He can recommend away to his hearts content, he can refuse to do the band (unlikely), but he can't make you have a bypass, that is deffinately your decision.

Good luck making your mind up I'm sure you will make the right choice.

iinklii said:

Thre seem to be more people at the whittington who are dissatisfied with the band and are awaiting conversion than elsewhere. This may be colouring his judgement. It certainly coloured mine.

I started my journey with the intention off having a band ~most emphatically! But more research I did the less sure I became. (The support groups were part of this). On the face of it the band does seem to be the easier option, but then I heard about slipping and erosion and some stuff about foriegn objects inside you and it all seemed less cushy. The band appealed cos it was less permanent, but then as my gp said why would you have it removed?

I'm a naughty person and knew in my heart that I needed stonger medicine than the band was going to give me. And eventually when pressed Mr Heath confirmed my suspicion that the band was not the uncomplicated easier option it first appeares to be.

Having said all that it *is* most definately your decision. He can recommend away to his hearts content, he can refuse to do the band (unlikely), but he can't make you have a bypass, that is deffinately your decision.

Good luck making your mind up I'm sure you will make the right choice.

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Thank you, that's certainly given me food for thought (ha! no pun intended) and makes a lot of sense. This is the sort of thing I'm hoping people might share with me so I can make a more informed decision!

I'm in the middle of writing an email to Mr Sufi but might postpone sending it just yet while I think more about it all.

Thanks

Also there are the fills to contend with. There are some people on here who have had the band, then have had a bypass later. On fat doctors Tuesday, the parent of the young girl featured had a band and she had lost 19 stones!!!
Plusses are: you can have the band removed if you want to. I don't think you get the dumping syndrome.

Ok, having read some more posts and spoken to some of you offline, I am now coming round to the idea of having a bypass. It was such a shock, having more or less convinced myself I'd be having the band, to find that I was even considered suitable for bypass surgery that I panicked lol

Obviously I've still got a lot to learn so please feel free to tell me all about your experiences. The more I know the better, and I'll feel far more confident that I've made the right decision.

Thanks guys, you're all wonderful! :thankyou:


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Sleep apnea test

I posted this question on another thread but thought I'd repeat it here as I guess this is going to be *my* thread and my journey through my WLS

The Sleep Apnea test - will the Whittington admit you into hospital overnight for this test? It would be far easier for me if they do as I doubt very much I'd cope with the travelling to take the machine home over night and return it the next day

Twiggie said:

I posted this question on another thread but thought I'd repeat it here as I guess this is going to be *my* thread and my journey through my WLS

The Sleep Apnea test - will the Whittington admit you into hospital overnight for this test? It would be far easier for me if they do as I doubt very much I'd cope with the travelling to take the machine home over night and return it the next day

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Not sure hun. Sorry. I have my appointment with the thorrassic (sp??!?) team on Monday..........you have a meeting with them then, if they decide you need the sleep study, they will arrange a later appointment for you. I'm hoping I don't have to have the actual study as I don't think I have sleep apnea!! I have really bad insomnia though!! Will let you know any info if I get it on Monday!!!

xxxx

i am also a whittington bypasser i had mine in may 09 ... i knew i wanted the bypass before i even went there as i knew i would beat the band ..

i have tried every diet in the book every pill .. every way possible ..

i had read up all about bypass and band etc .. over the years and i knew what i wanted ..

i found the whittington knew what they where talking about and there support groups proves this .. after so many people going down the road of a band and wished they never .. as they did it for all the wrong reasons ..

im not saying everyone feels this way just quite a few of them there and they seamed to have more issues with band than bypass people ..

i wouldn't worry too much about the op or the recovery time as long as it gets you where you want to be at the end of the day thats all that matters !!

we only want to do this once so lets do it right the first time and not keep having to go back on what we should of done what we could of done ..

i feel that when your a certain age and mobility that a band is not worth it cause routine comes in and after having a band you will start slipping back in to your old way of life of how you know it to be ..

a band can be cheated and non of us have 100% will power or else we wouldn't be in this situation we are now.

i think people with bands should be under 40 and needing to only loose 40% of there body fat. after meeting a million people through out these years of looking in to bypass i hear 50yr women saying all the time i was to scared for bypass so i got a band and i wished i never..

loads of people think its a miracle cure and its far from it..

sorry to rant on your post lolol im not saying all this is you im just giving my point ..

LETS DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME ..


as for sleep test yes you can stay over in whittington Cathy Hammond is the woman in charge of that department.. only thing is if u decided u wanna do sleep over you could wait allot longer for the test .. i know they can have up to 3 month waiting lists ..


i was 27 st in may 09 im now 18 st Oct 09 ..

lost 9 stone on my bypass .. and i eat all the things i use to just smaller amounts and i feel perfectly well and fit with no issues .. never been sick never dumped..

good luck on your journey Hun and im sure you will know whats best for you x

Meggie said:

Not sure hun. Sorry. I have my appointment with the thorrassic (sp??!?) team on Monday..........you have a meeting with them then, if they decide you need the sleep study, they will arrange a later appointment for you. I'm hoping I don't have to have the actual study as I don't think I have sleep apnea!! I have really bad insomnia though!! Will let you know any info if I get it on Monday!!!

xxxx

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Oh I see, right, didn't realise you had to see the team first to be assessed lol Poor Lorna, I've left her such a confuddled message on her answer phone this afternoon about dates I can book to stay overnight there etc.

Good luck on Monday hun, let us know how you get on x

Thanks Brett, you talk a lot of sense and much of what you have written in your post are the reasons I've now accepted that the bypass will be a better option. Yes, I would cheat the band if I had to, I know that now. I also realise now that I'm a compulsive eater rather than just eating portions that are too large.

I've gone on quite an emotional journey this week, taking a long hard look at myself. I didn't like what I saw but at least I know what I'm dealing with now.

I'm finally ready to start my journey to the losers side

brett30 said:

i was 27 st in may 09 im now 18 st Oct 09 ..

lost 9 stone on my bypass .. and i eat all the things i use to just smaller amounts and i feel perfectly well and fit with no issues .. never been sick never dumped..

good luck on your journey Hun and im sure you will know whats best for you x

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:wow: that is a fantastic achievement!!! Well done!!!!


Btw, can I just say what gorgeous eyes you've got!



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Twiggs - its time to look forward not back - you are in the best possible hands

Twiggie said:

Oh I see, right, didn't realise you had to see the team first to be assessed lol Poor Lorna, I've left her such a confuddled message on her answer phone this afternoon about dates I can book to stay overnight there etc.

Good luck on Monday hun, let us know how you get on x

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Haha I do that all the time. I do start with a clear thought in my mind but then get amazingly nervous and confused!!!! I'm sure she's used to it as we're probably all as bad as each other!!! Don't worry hun!!! Sometimes my messages are so bad that I send an email with the information apologising!!!

Caroline101061 said:

Twiggs - its time to look forward not back - you are in the best possible hands

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Thanks Caroline

When you said before that Mr Sufi is very quick to reply to emails, just how quick did you mean? lol

It's been almost a week since I emailed him (also cc'd to Kirsten) and I've not heard anything from either of them since. I also left a message on Lorna's answer phone last week but she's not called me back either. I'm starting to feel a tad invisible! lol :cry:

I don't want to pester any of them but it would be nice to hear something back by the end of the week!


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You and me both hunnie. I have a BMI of 40 and went to see Shaw Somers because I wanted a band. It would be less intrusive and little danger of malabsorption. He suggested that the bypass would be best for me, but there you and I differ. I am a sweet toothed person and can eat a whole family bar of chocolate, no problem. I graze all day and don't eat proper meals as such, apart from finishing the kid's meals (when they were smaller).

It is YOUR decision, I have gone through many worrying hours, thinking is this right for me, surely I can lose weight on my own, what if I can't get the right nutrition in. You're right, this is for life and you need to be 100% positive about it. That being said, there are so many people on this site who live very, very happily with a bypass and now eat what they ate before just small amounts. And that is what I have wanted all my life, just to eat what I ate before but in small amounts.

Good luck in your decision hun.