VSG Mike

I also had a terrible experience with the band. Inserted in 13 and removed in 14. Nothing but problems. I have recently (April 13th) had the sleeve done. This thing is amazing. I couldn't have been happier. It sucks that I had to wait as long as I did to find out how nice this was. To the main task.. waking up in the OR. It really is a scary feeling. You can literally lay there and watch everything happening to you (from the reflection above). It seems like you had a bad experience with the anesthesiologist. It won't always be this way. Everyone of them are different. I've been through an interesting number of surgeries in my life. The worst was my vasectomy and that's because they basically handed me a Valium and told me to just relax. Sorry.. the boys are a bit sensitive and that's not enough. I really hope that you are able to heal up quickly and get your sleeve done ASAP. [emoji16] Youll he much happier.

Good luck today!

I had the gastric band done in May 2013 and had to have it removed in June 2014, due to complications. I had lost a very quick 75lbs and everything was fine. (I lost all of the weight BEFORE my first bit of fluid went into my band). Went to have my first fill and the doctor realized that he put the band in backwards. They were unable to do anything. A year later, a lot of sickness and hospital visits for dehydration and another surgeon.. I had it removed. Ive since had the sleeve and it has been so much better. I'm sure the band works wonders if its done right, but I wasn't one of those lucky contestants.

I am scheduled on May 7th. But I work for a hospital in NJ on a surgical floor that performs it. I've personally weighed the option for more then a year. I've tried many other options including a gluten free lifestyle (which the first two weeks is basically the liquid diet for this surgery, fun fun...)

Hello! It's not so much about taking so long before the surgery it's honestly about the doctor/staff making sure you have enough information about the surgery before actually doing it. They want to be sure that you know what you're getting yourself into. The office will also make sure you are in the right state of mind before being able to do the surgery (Psych Eval). You are also to meet with a Nutritionist as well so you know what kind of guidelines to follow after surgery. Most if not all doctors want to get clearance from the following: Family Doctor, GI, Cardiologist, Pulmonary and as mentioned the Nutritionist. The reason for those are to make sure you are not a high risk surgery, because the doctor doesn't want something to happen during or after surgery. All things being considered it really isn't that long of a wait for surgery. You have to see all the doctors listed above and do all the test that they may order. As for payment/cost it's all about your insurance. If you have coverage for this kind of surgery is always a good thing, otherwise I believe in most cases it could cost upwards around $10,000. Not cheap, but could be very rewarding.

Think of how far you've come, what you have already accomplished. You don't want to stop now, do you? If you spend time in the gym change it up a bit don't do the exact exercises, do something completely off your norm and see if it helps. I wish you the best and remember...you CAN do this!

Hello! Keep pushing forward, it will be worth it in the end. You CAN and WILL do this! You've got this, it's all in your mind. - Mike

Hello and welcome. I have also just recently joined the "Bandwagon". My date of surgery is May 7th and I cannot be any happier to get there.