OldMomOf3

I’m looking to get sleeved in a month (insurance pending). When I got the band I only told my husband. No one else knows, not even my kids. I have not regretted that choice. However, I don’t' feel great about not being completely honest. Yes, it is my business and no one needs to know, or has a right to know about my medical decisions. I totally get that and I totally agree. That is why I didn’t tell anyone. I also didn’t care to hear opinions. I didn’t want any negativity or any disparaging remarks. Nevertheless, my conscience does not sit well with hiding things. For example, when people ask me how I lost the weight, and I reply with, “I ate less and exercised more,” I know I am not being completely honest. While that is true, it is a half-truth. I absolutely never could have lost the weight and kept it off without the band. I don’t think there is anything wrong with keeping your medical choices private. I don’t think there is anything wrong with not telling people. For me, though, I think I am to the point of just wanting to free myself from the burden of keeping it private. As I ponder telling people about the sleeve, I think I am leaning toward telling AFTER I have the procedure. I don’t owe it to anyone to tell them what I’m doing. I don’t want to hear anyone’s opinion on the matter before I do it. After the procedure I think I will tell people when they ask. I’m not gong to post it on facebook, but I’ll tell anyone who asks. It has taken me 3 years to get to this place, but I really don’t care what people think. They are going to think it anyway. I can easily defend my choice (not that I need to). I will simply say, “I had health issues that would only be resolved with quick, permanent weight loss. I did what it took and it has been the best decision I have ever made for myself and my family.” If they don’t like it, then they don’t have to have weight loss surgery. My family will be supportive, and if they aren’t, I don’t care. My heavy family members might be inspired to have surgery and I would be happy to share with them and support them. My friends are all skinny, so I don’t have to worry about my heavy friends being jealous. Some of my skinny friends will make accidental snarky remarks, but right after that, they will become distracted by the cute new clothes I’m wearing. Other friends will tell me I cheated and took the easy way, and I will remind them that we are all looking for an easier way to lose weight (and then I’ll tell them this wasn’t easy!). I’ll inform them that the doctor didn’t cut off my fat – I still have to eat less and exercise more. There isn’t any magic here. My social circles will gossip – they already do. My workplace won’t care. I’m expecting some of the critical people to really level me with their remarks. I’m ready to respond sweetly, and simply tell them they are entitled to their opinion, but I would prefer their support. Every day I am more ready to be open about it. I know the surgery is the right thing to do. The decision came with a lot of time, thought and prayer and I have a confident, clear conscience, so their criticism will roll off.

Thank you for the input everyone. Thanks for being nice too! My band is working, as far as restriction goes and that's why I'm nervous about making a change. I don't want to end up less restricted or more free to eat with the sleeve than I am with the band. It's working for weight maintenance, it just isn't working as far as weightloss (again, my fault because I eat too much and don’t exercise regularly). Ultimately, I'm tired of dealing with fills, and really tired of being terrified of getting the stomach flu and throwing up (not stuck, but actually sick). I also worry that I may not always have great insurance, and if things go bad with the band, or I need fills, etc, I won't be covered. A permanent, one and done, with the sleeve, seems like a better long term option. I wish I had chosen this surgery first. I am going to take the chance, and do it. I would actually consider the surgery successful, even if I stayed exactly the same weight, but freed myself from the complications of the band. That said, I am finding myself more and more motivated to "work it" once I get the sleeve. If I lose a little bit (20-30 pounds of the 40-50 I need to lose), and keep it off for life, I'll be a satisfied customer. Thanks again for all of your wisdom!

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I am wondering what the sleeve feels like on a daily basis? What do you feel when you eat? What do you feel that makes you stop eating? What happens if you eat after you get that feeling?

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Do you have any regrets, words of wisdom, advice, precautions?

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Thesuse2000, Hahahahahah! That's funny!

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Thank you so much!

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