Private Op

[roxyroo]

Would anyone be able to shed any light on this for me??

If you decide to have say a band done privately can the surgeon refuse to do it, advising a bypass/sleeve would be better for you?
Ive been reading on here that people go in wanting x and getting y because the surgeon advised against it, or is this just via the NHS route?

Thanks in advance xx

 

[JO28172]

They'll recco based on your lifestyle/eating habits but I didn't experience any attempt to change my mind.

 

[top_kat]

They will give advice on the options available and the most suitable method of surgery for you. When I went I was not thinking of anything other than the band, I was shown and talked to about the other options. When I saw Dr Ashton (the one who approved me for surgery) he said that putting everything together for my situation he would also go with the band. In the earlier consultation tho, the lady explained to me that if he didn't think it was suitable, they wouldn't proceed with a method they didn't think was right, even if it was what I ultimately wanted.

 

[Samsara]

From what I can gather (reading from others experiences) you get more of say/what you want when going private - unless there would be very concrete reasons why you shouldn't have a certain procedure - or any procedure at all (i.e. you are medically not fit enough for surgery). I can't imagine why a private surgeon would say no to you having a band and encourage you to have a bypass/sleeve? As long as you have read up on the band and you know what to expect/go into your consultation with the knowledge of the procedure you want, you should be fine Good luck x x

 

[roxyroo]

Thanks for all your help guys xx

 

[Paul-H]

Some procedures are better suited to a certain type of patient, eg a type 2 diabetic asking for a band would be told they would be better off having a bypass as that has a very high success rate in resolving your type 2 diabetes.

Every type of surgery has its pluses and minuses, and your surgeon is best placed to guide you.

Unless the surgeon you have gone to has little experience in some of the more complicated surgeries and will advise you to have what he/she is comfortable doing.

Once you have found your surgeon do a search and see what he/she is experienced in and of equal importance their mortality rate.

Paul

 

[JO28172]

Even more so study what their after Care is like and feedback on this. A band is higher maintenance post op than the other surgeries and you do need a good reliable aftercare team as you'll be visiting monthly for first six months for example!

 

[Paul-H]

Also don't forget that te band has the lowest success rate as well, with many band patients eventually converting to bypass after a few years. More will power is needed to succeed with the band.

Statistics from the last ten years show the bypass has the highest success rate of all the common WLS types.

Just something to think about before you spend your hard earned cash.

Paul

 

[roxyroo]

jo28172 - this is something I am very interested in, as it seems once they have your money they don't look after you as much as they could. Im sure this isn't the case 100% of the time but its seems more and more stories are coming up about this!xx

 

[Localizer]

.... I went private & had a consultation with the preconceived desire for the band. During the consultation I was advised that I should consider the sleeve which seemed a better fit for my circumstances - I left with advice & a bunch of reading/thinking to do.
Whilst I could have had the band if I had wished, I ultimately choose to go the sleeve route - I came around to the personal view that indeed it was the best solution for me and didn't have the aftercare requirements of the band.

So, I think in essence, money has a voice as long as you are not asking for something that is wrong/risky for you - but the consultation will try to derive the best solution for you regardless of funding source.

 

[daisylou]

I went in thinking I knew I wanted a band, but once the maintenance had been explained to me, the restrictions by only being able to eat dry foods and the statistics of issues post banding I looked into sleeves and bypasses. I was told my surgeon hadn't performed a band since Feb last year. But having said that I was told that if I wanted a band that is what they would do.

 

[JO28172]

jo28172 - this is something I am very interested in, as it seems once they have your money they don't look after you as much as they could. Im sure this isn't the case 100% of the time but its seems more and more stories are coming up about this!xx

Some do some dont like with any market out there. I can only speak from my personal experience and say Wls group have been spot on and delivered on their promises completely. Just bear in mind you want somewhere within reasonable distance if the band is chosen because of going back for fills. That said I'm happy with my choice as for me I like not having to monitor sugars, no risk of dumping as you get with some surgeries and its not permanent. So like now as I'm expecting I have the option to loosen restriction so i can eat mire then ill tighten back up post baby! They'll be pros and cons with all which is why we all have a unique story x

 

[roxyroo]

Thanks. I like the fact its not permanent and I could have if removed if the worst came to the worst!
Congratulation on your baby news btw xx

 

[Paul-H]

Just remember having a band removed a few years down the line is not an easy option, it is a lot more work to remove a band than it is to put one in, especially if it has started to cut into the stomach out wall as some do, or the scar tissue has grown around it.

All WLS has its pro and its cons, do a lot of research and make an informed educated choice.

Re the comment above about Dumping, you only dump if you make the wrong choice of food, the idea is that you make sure you don't make the wrong choice or it will punish you, Its called aversion therapy.

You pays your money and you makes your choice as the old saying goes.

Paul

 

[flutterby1966]

As Jo said, I also liked the idea that the band / level of restriction is not necessarily permanent and it can also potentially be a less invasive op than other surgical options. Aftercare is extremely important. I do agree with Jo, that to chose somewhere quite close by is a sensible option and that's why I chose my provider. There have been some poor reviews (but often the majority of feedback you read about service is when something has gone wrong, rather than something positive). All I can say, is that I have had only positive experience of THG.

As Paul said, do your research and chose what you think is right or you. It may not be as straightforward to remove a band as putting it in, however the restriction can be reduced by removing the saline inside it.

All surgery has pros and cons. Likewise, success of the specific procedure is also a responsibility of the person who has had the procedure. Any/all of the procedures can be cheated/not succeed!

 

[Samsara]

A very good point that many people will only write and talk about negative experiences. So there may be many positive experiences out there but you just don't get to hear about them as often. I have read several positive private band stories on here (including THG) as well as in other places when I was researching for myself. I was going to have a band for the very reason that it is reversible as I would like to conceive at some point. I was looking at Mr Sigurdsson at Dolan Park - he seems to come highly recommended x x x

 

[Localizer]

.......... Hmmm - not sure I can get comfortable with the idea any WLS is temporary/not permanent - apart from a balloon. Whilst all may have remedial options available to the surgeon (stretching, removal, replumbing) I hate to think of the emergency or medical position that would invoke them - or the cost of going private if the NHS won't get involved. For me , going on a diet was a temporary step, band or sleeve I approached as a permanent change and one I ultimately became happy to accept.

Reads like a lecture - not intended to be, just how I rationalise my procedure decision.

 

[Mazza]

Lets not turn this into a band vs bypass battle. People are always going to defend the option they chose and its not nice to hear others who havent had the same op relay failure and negatives.

Yes you need to be in full possession of the 'facts' but everyone and every journey is different.

The original poster was asking if you chose your surgery or if the surgeon does. As has already been said - research, be honest and let the surgeon guide you.

It has to be the right choice for you. Good luck xx

 

[roxyroo]

In my mind I know what wls I would like to have but if the surgeon I choose strongly disagrees then I would seriously consider another option.

I really do appreciate all your comments, good or bad. And youre right that people are more likely to write about a bad experience than a good one.
xx

 

[Slimstar?]

Hi I'm 1 week and 1 day post band. I went in with the idea that I wanted the band but must say when I met with mr hewin from THG he was very good and actually asked me if I had considered other options. I actually waited three months between seeing him and having it done and they were always there if I had a question. I was happy with my choice after doing a lot of research but then I'm inky a week out inky time will tell x