cutie0615

HI, Dr. Goyal did my Lap Band in 2005 and the removal in 2007. I wouldn't go anywhere else that is why I went back to them for my sleeve and I am getting it done on May 11th. They truly care about their patients and they whole office staff is wonderful. I might see you around at the support groups or outings they have. Maybe one day we will cross paths. Good Luck on your journeys & wish me luck.....I am so nervous

Thank you all (I sound like a broken record) for the support!! I will be using this site as one of my main support systems because it truly does help people. I feel so much better after having posted this and reading your responses. I am going through with the surgery and I am not discussing it with anyone else (besides my best friend and husband) As far as the rest of my family knows, I called it off a week ago but I never made the call..something I couldn't bring myself to do because I know in my heart I still wanted the surgery. Anyway, May 11th here I come..I will keep you all posted. Thank you !!!!! Any tips to prepare myself for the big day??????

I totally understand how you feel. I just posted on a another forum that I was thinking of backing out and mine is next Wednesday..a week after yours. Everyone on there replied to me with encouragement and support. Everyone is here for the same reason...we all understand. It is a HUGE (no pun intended) decision, one that I have thought about and obsessed over( someone else on here said the same thing) for months and I am sure you have done the same as well. We care about ourselves and the people who love us but yet we are not living a "full" and "happy" life because of our weight...I think it is time that we start LIVING and enjoying our lives and to me this is a step in that direction. The evidence of the research you have done does not lie and neither do the facts. This surgery will save our lives in the long run. We have to just keep telling ourselves that. You will be in my thoughts & prayers on Wednesday

Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! I am fully committed now

Thank you I have made my decision and I am having the surgery on May 11th. I am just going to keep it to myself and not let a lot of people know what I am doing. It is better this way Wish me luck!!!!!! Thank you all!!!!

thank you all for the positive messages. I know I didn't explain my reasons but one of the main ones was my 2 children. I just want to be okay and not have any complications..I know everyone wants that but that of course is my biggest fear. Another fear is food...as nuts as it sounds..I am afraid I will "mentally" freak out when I can't consume what I want. I know tihs sounds nuts because I am getting the surgery for that very reason but the mental part of it is what freaks me out more than the physical part. I already bought books on how to deal with these emotions and I am in therapy as well for my "eating" issues so i am trying to right the wrong before i do the surgery. The final reason is my family. My mom has threatened not to speak to me and my aunt was crying for days saying I'm "crazy" and what is wrong with me. People can be so harsh its crazy. I finally resolved not to tell them of my May 11th date and I am embracing the support of my husband and my best friend who had the surgery. So that's my story. THANK YOU for the feedback..you are all inspirational and have helped me clear my head for a little bit.

Hi Everyone, I have been on here for a few months and have had the pleasure of meeting so many great people. That being said, I am scheduled for my sleeve on May 11th, 2011. I am at a point where I do not know what to do. I change my mind everyday about this surgery, whether to do it or not. It is partially from the lack of support I am receiving from family and some friends. My husband is so sick of me changing my mind and also so sick of hearing about my weight since we have been together the past 14 years. I am so miserable, this consumes my life on a daily basis. I know I have tried everything, I know I have given it my all and I am just tired and so unhealthy and so DONE with it!!! I know the surgery is not an easy way out (as all my non supporters believe) but I need a tool, I need something to help me get to a normal weight. I know that I will have to make healthy choices and excercise after the surgery and I get that, but I feel like a failure that I cannot do this on my own. I want to know in all honesty, does anyone have REGRETS??? I really need to know this before I get this surgery done. I am at such a crossroads right now and I do not know what to do anymore. Any feedback would be helpful. Thank you

WOw, Thank you for being so honest. It is funny you mentioned about WLS having risks that people don't even talk about. I have come to a decision that I am going to give it a go on my own for the next 6 months and if I can get off my meds then I know that I will have accomplished one of my goals. I am very scared to do the sleeve and it is very drastic. At least with the band you can have it removed but being as sick as I was with the band and having it slip was very scary as well. I wish you luck on your journey to a healthier you. I hope we can both do well!!!! Thanks, Christine

Thank you all for your HONEST opinion. It is such a tough decision but I am probably going to go with the sleeve for the reasons you all listed. I am just getting major resistance from my family because they think the sleeve surgery is worse than the band. I already had the band I definately could have used more restriction at times so I feel that while its not a bad surgery, I just need something more. Again, thanks for the honesty!!! Good luck in all your journeys!!!!!

Hi Everyone, I had a very important question to ask all of you out there. Since you have had the band, if you ever had to get it removed due to an issue, would you get the band again? Have you had enough success to get it a second time around? I ask this question because I had the band and it slipped and I had to have it removed in 2007. I have gained a lot of weight since then and I am now considering doing the sleeve gastrectomy surgery. I am a little nervous about removing 85% of my stomach. So, I was thinking of getting the band a second time around..but maybe the realize band this time. I know the band does work but you have to "work" it and I am prepared to do the work this time around. I just need opinions please!!!!!! Thank you, Christine

Hi, Thank you for the wise advice. Yes, you are completely right I have more reasons not to do the band and I have a perfect example of how great the sleeve can be. I am going to go to the seminar to get the full info on the sleeve. I already know everything about it but before I go in for surgery (which should be sometime in April) my friend told me to go one time before making the final decision. I am pretty confident that I will be going with the sleeve just because my gut is telling me that this will be the best decision for my health. Again, Thank you for the feedback, it is truly appreciated Next time I post something hopefully it will be my surgery date )

Hi, I too am a nervous wreck...I have my follow up visit tomm. and I have completed all the pre op steps that I need to complete. I was thinking of getting the band put back in because that is what I had previously before it slipped and I had to get it removed. Anyway, my best friend got the sleeve in Dec. and she said she couldn't be happier but when I see her eating so little I wonder if I can handle that mentally. I know the point of surgery is not to eat but I still want to eat in moderation and learn to live healthfully. I am so confused. I really don't know what to do...I would also LOVE to get more feedback too.. the other thing I am afraid of is the long term results..I just want to be healthy for my 2 kids...so I'm confused..again

Hello everyone, I wish you all luck on your upcoming journey. I should have an April date as I am almost done with all my pre-op testing. I am just a little nervous because this is my second time around doing this. The first time I had a slippage and had the band removed in 07 and decided to try again on my own. As you can see, I was not very successful with that approach. I am actually in a worse position now than I was the first time around with more co morbidites too. So, anyway, I am praying for April Hopefully we can all discuss our surgery together. Talk to you soon Good Luck

Hi Everyone, I am in desperate need of some FEEDBACK also I had the band in 05 and had it tremoved in 07 due to slippage. It wasn't my choice, it was an emergency surgery and it was awful. Now, 4 years later I am struggling more than ever and I am at my highest weight ever along with some medical issues. I have been researching the sleeve for months but I am just so scared of cutting my stomach out. I spoke with my primary doctor yesterday and he said NO WAY...he said to go back to the band because it is the less invasive procedure and it can be reversed and I am living proof of that. So, I know since I had the surgery they have better "bands" and the process is much more common. I was looking into the Realize band..any thoughts on this??? I had the regular lap band before. Also, my friend had her band out and the sleeve done and is doing wonderful but again, she gave up on her band and didn't watch her diet or exercise. I believe the band does work if you WORK the band. You have to make the right decisions and that was something I struggled with when I had the band. I am in a different place now and I feel confident that I will make the right choices. I know with the band you can still eat and enjoy food as long as the quanities and small. With the sleeve my friend can eat maybe 2 chicken nuggets and that is it. I also have 2 friends who did the bypass and gained all their weight back. So, anyone out there give me your opinion. I am doing my pre operative testing now I just have to choose the right surgery for me. Thanks, Christine