I'm a girl, I know the name ParamedicDuke is confusing sometimes.

I opted for the sleeve because I didn't like the idea of a foreign object in my body, and didn't want bypass because I felt like it was almost an extreme (I know weird, but that's how I rationalized with myself, I didn't want my intestines re routed).

Although my BMI is less than 50, my insurance company covers it anyway, which is a score for me. I am also happy to get 85% of my stomach removed along with some of those pesky gastrin hormones.

Ironically for my age cosmetics came no where into the picture for me and my decision. It was all health based, I have some thinner friends who don't understand where I'm coming from, and say things like "OMG you'll look so good!" or "You better not get smaller than me I'll be pissed". Granted they aren't some of my better friends, but you can get a picture of what my age groups mentality is.

I have a bum knee, and PCOS, and being 130lbs over weight and having to maneuver in the tough terrain us EMS personnel deal with is risky business. Not to mention only being 5'6'' and having to jump in and out of the Ambulance seventy times a day has it's toll.

I get sleeved on November 16. I'm not really afraid of surgery, being in medicine is a good, and bad thing I've found. One because the RN that started my IV for my endoscopy touched the area with her unwashed hands after she cleaned the area, and another is that I intubate people frequently, and I don't like the idea of being on the receiving end of it.

But it can be a positive thing. Being able to understand the risks better, and knowing statistics are good. And since you know the process it's nothing new to you, so you have a lot less on your mind.

I think the scariest thing for me is the incision pain. Probably a silly thing to be worried about in such a procedure, but I've never had surgery and probably have never experienced pain like that. So the unknown is what worries me. But I'll work through it best I can.

I would appreciate any suggestions, comments, or advice from anyone, banded, sleeved, or bypassed. Thank you!