So - to continue the story.

So before Xmas I went to a seminar in Wellington on the surgery options. The seminar was pretty focussed on the lap band but definitely mentioned gatric bypass and (less so) the gastric sleeve.

I also really liked the way they were talking at the seminar where ths surgeon said that the difference between me and him (healthy weight) was that food "does it" for me. I thought that statement really rang true in my case.

I was defintlely liking the sound of the lap bad. Mainly the adjustability and reversability aspects.

That was until I went to the doctor in January. He said that he had "researched the topic" and that he thought that the gastric sleeve had great results and that this was something I should seriously consider. He gave me some contact details and I got some info and a quote.

So the place I got the sleeve quote from was a lot more expensive and the surgeon at the seminar did sleeves also and was very experienced...

So - is it the sleeve or the band?

This was a nighmare. There were advantages and disadvantages for both. The main advantages as I saw the band was as above. The adjustability and reversability. But always in the back of my mind was - yes it's the safe option but what if it doesn't work? A huge amount of money down the drain! Wouldn't I be better to do it once and do it right? What if the "lower risk" band failed and I have to have another procedure?

So - the research began. The internet is sometimes your friend and sometimes not. "Lap Band" Sites extolled the virtues of the Lap Band. It was the only way to go! "Sleeve" sites did the opposite and talked about erosion and a miriad of other problems with the band... So I did heaps of research (including watching you tube clips of both procedures). I just couldn't make a decision and wasn't sleeping well at all....

So having selected a company to go with I booked in for the appointments with the nurse, psychcologist and dietician. Before the appointments I made a list of pros and cons of each operation and questions with the intention of making a decision. I also booked tentative dates for BOTH operations and had the intention of making a decision the day of these appointments. I was really impressed with the organisation I chose and the fact that they took wholistic approach to the whole procedure and payment included 2 years of after surgery care.

So appointment day arrived. I went to see the nurse first which was great. She took the vatal stats and basically said I was a good candidate for EITHER operation! AAARRRGGGGHHHH! :-). No criticism of her as I think it is important that I made the call, but I was hoping to get a "steer" one way or the other given my individual factors. No such luck. After a really interesting half day I came out much more knowledgable, but no closer to making a decision! So both dates remained pencilled in until I saw the surgeon 2 weeks later. I turned up with my list of questions to that appointment.

I chatted with the surgeon. I discussed the Sleeve v the Lap Band. He does mainly lap bands and bypasses and had only done 5-6 sleeves. By far his most common operation was the band. He commented as folows:

- The sleeve was a relatively new procedure in comparison with the other 2.

- There was no data availabile on long term effects with the sleeve

- He had patients have success with both the bypass and the band

- All operations could be "cheated"

- many people who had one operation then went to another failed in both because they hadn't addressed core overeating issues.

- results after 2 years were similar for all operations

So it was time for a decison! The thing that really swung it for me was the lower risk of the band. I thought carefully about my core issues again:

1. I eat the wrong foods

2. I eat too quickly

3. I eat too much

I thought that the band will help me with 2 and 3 - but solving all 3 is up to me. So why not go with the lower risk/reversable option? So that's what i decided. And i haven't had any second thoughts since!

Pre-op diet in 2 weeks and op in 6.