SParkle

Good luck!!

Congrats on your date Morgandobes..... hopefully I'll be able to report back soon with one.... although whichever I pick I think it'll be June onwards as we have a wedding to go to at the end of May so think it would just be easier to wait until then, and thats only 6 weeks away so not really that long in the scheme of things.

HI Mini me I could go with either if it was my gut reaction....they both came across very well. A is more used to the procedure having pioneered it here in Spain, and actually probably taught B.... B has the top class facility with ICU on the spot, should anything go wrong. Aftercare can be ok with either - A is used to dealing with it via the net as he has patients world wide. B can either see me in the office (at a price) or via email with results etc.Both require labs every 3 months. A does leak tests on the table and while in hosp then you do them yourself for a week (with drains in) B does 3 leak tests (on table and then before discharge). I have had contact with previous patients of both surgeons and they all say go with the one they went to..... so at this moment its more like flipping a coin, unless anyone can give another side I haven't thought about.

Tiffykins - thanks for that link - I am deciding between 2 surgeons, one uses a 32 and one a 34, so only 0.5mm between them, nothing really..... so that has helped me a bit. Thanks for all your hard homework!! Kathy

Hi Bookleen I'm about to decide which surgeon to use, and have a BMI of 34.9. We live in Spain and it will be a self pay here, having priced it in the UK and also a couple of others in Europe. Like you I can't handle any more failed diets, and am really looking forward to getting this sorted once and for all! Good luck with your decision Kathy

I've been talking things thru with my hubby, who is behind this 100% - we have made the decision to proceed, and now need to decide which surgeon to go with. One query I have for you all..... for those with lower BMI - did you shift your weight approx at the same rate as those with higher BMI or do you think it was slower as you are a lower weight to start with? I'd like to shift say 70lbs.... possibly a little more....and presently have a BMI of 35.5.

I know this is somnething many have asked.... but when I had my first consult the surgeon said I would loose about 73% of excess weight..... The 2nd surgeon said he works on a formula which blows all the % out of the scale, as it takes everything into consideration, height, weight and BMI..... he is one of the leading surgeons inthe world on sleeves and is actively teaching/lecturing worldwide as well as operating. He reckoned, after researching all his prior patients (including DS as well) that you take the pre op BMI divide by 3 and add 14. That would then give you your new BMI after weightloss..... Sounds a bit weird I know, but with me that would make my BMI 25.7. I wondered for those of you who are post op and maybe at goal..... how does this theory work for you? Kathy

I'm sorry I didn't understand your whole situation.....and I do hope you'll manage to avoid much more confrontation about your surgery (counting the days for you!!) and your rebirth.

I agree! I went to my consults armed with questions I wouldn't have thought of without this site. Its great to be able to talk openly about it where in real life I can only what it thru with 2 people and not anyone who has had the op so I have made the decision with full knowledge of what I will be going thru on the other side!!! Thanks to everyone here!! Kathy

Well, I have now had my 2nd consult and we need to sit down and talk thru both surgeons and decide which to go for. The choices are: Dr Ferrer,Valencia. Done about 160 sleeves, very low complication rate - virtually zero. Uses size 32 bougie, does 3 line staples and sutures. Does 3 leak tests before you leave the hospital. Dr Baltasar, Alcoy. Done over 700 - as used them before the DS years ago, and is one of the leading in the field,talks all over the world about it and has done loads of ops on people in the US and Norway, as well as Spain and Europe. Again very low stats with problems. Uses size 34 bougie, 2 line staples and suture, does leak test no table, and next day and then you have to test at home as well while the drain is still in. I think he actually taught the other surgeon! I am leaning towards Dr B, although felt comfortable with either of them. Pricewise, as we are self pay, theres not much in it at all....Dr F does an aftercare package or I can pay via appts, Dr B does pay by appt - but as most ofhis patients are out of the country he has a very good web based service where he tracks them like that. So the 'better, more experienced surgeon' might actually work out cheaper. Well.... thats my news, exciting times ahead I think..... I did see a patient in the waiting room who had a DS a year ago, and has lost 90kg! Looking fantastic!! Kathy :thumbup:

Thanks Tiff - I need to do my list of pros and cons of each one - my hubby has given the go ahead so now its this decision and the timing of it all as I have a wedding to go to in England at the end of May, so fear it may not be until after that (but am worried I may go into pre op food fest mode and eat everything in sight!!!) Kathy

Hi I'm English, and have been living in Spain since 2003, loving every moment!! We moved out 'cos I met my other half (on the internet) and fell in love! - He had already decided he wanted to move to Spain and so I took a chance on love, and came with him. We've been together since then. We live about an hour from Valencia (its a small village, so Valencia is the nearest big place, but its a beautiful area. In fact we are taking a few days to visit Valencia this coming week in our motorhome. We use it to travel all over Spain - and love Barcelona! There are such wonderful places in Spain and such a variety of scenery. - Where we live I look out my office window and see the mountains, look out the back and theres our pool and garden.... pure bliss! And we are only 15 minutes from the sea. If you like Barcelona then its worth seeing Granada, and also a lot of stuff around Madrid, - Segovia being my fav, Toledo, Aranjuez, Alacala de Henares, Cuenca, Albaracin....... the list is endless!!! Its a beautiful country, with beautiful people, a lot of ex pats from various countries, but a more relaxed way of life than England. Kathy

If anything it proves your family love you enough to want to be involved.....but I can understand your nervousness.....I won't be telling any of my family (maybe after the event but not before....) as I know they will try and talk me out of it. Why not find some links you can email him to look thru.....with information etc. Also sit and explain to him why you want it.... many people (especially those who have never had weight issues) can't get their head around diets /yoyoing etc let alone surgery to help you..... I'm sure if you do a search on here you'll find some info to help you. Good luck Kathy

Oooohhhh.. great news!! Well done. I'm prob aiming for early June as I have a wedding at the end of May in the UK and don't think I want to risk having it done only a couple of weeks before then (although I really can't wait!!!)... as don't want to be on liquids at the wedding (although may change my mind). PS: Just spotted your birthday is only 5 days after mine, same year - hope you have a good one... I think being 42 will be great for us!! Kathy

HI Michelle I say go for it hun..... if you've got the offer from the NHS, then thats saving you in excess of 10k.... I know 'cos I had some quotes from the UK as I was undecided whether to get it done in the UK or here in Spain, but I think for the aftercare and if any problems arise I will be getting it done here. Both surgeons are within 1hr 30 of home so better for me. Good luck with the date..... let me knwo how you get on. Kathy

I was speaking to my hubby last night about this panic issue, and possibly eating more before the surgery..... at first he really couldn't get his head around it all.... why would we do this when we want to loose the weight. The only thing I could make him understand with was cigarettes - if he knew he had to give up I bet he would sit there and chain smoke his way thru loads before hand.....then he got it. Some of us are probably food addicts.....which makes it even harder, as you need some food to live, you don't need cigarettes or alcohol.... and you can to some extent avoid them, you can't really avoid food... which is why its so difficult for some.

Hi Michelle I'm at the same stage you are really - I've had consults with 2 surgeons and now need to choose one...I'm also weighing up the balance between spending all that money and the fact I should be able to do it for myself. In reality if I face it I have spent the past 20 yrs dieting, and have regained every time and then some (bar this last time when I managed to stop myself before I did). Never have I reached goal weight, even right in the start when I had less to loose.....I slip into denial and start eating foods I shouldn't...... so I know I can't do this on my own, I need help. I've tried hypnotherapy, and all the usual diets (WW, Slimming World etc.....) but have finally seen the light and really want to go for this. Having read up all the blurb on the net and thru forums like this one of people who have had the various options open to us, i think the sleeve is the most practical one (for me). The band and the bypass just plain scared me if I am honest! As Tiff says, the emotional part of it is something most of us need to overcome, I am hoping the lack of hunger will help with this and the quicker weightloss will spur me on as I see my new body forming. I wish you luck with your decision, but this forum is the best place I have found for opinions, and everyone here seems fab.....

Thanks for all the replies.... Jolanda - I appreciate your comment - hence the post, trying to work out if if worked for others.... I'll be happy to loose even half of what they predict for me!!

Well done Barbannn - great weight loss....I think if it is slower for me it might be a little easier to explain to people, as only 2 people will know about it so I'll have to think of something for the others.

Thats a great result Sabrina! Congrats!! Can't wait until I will be able to post that too!!!

Good luck to you all...... I'm so jealous!!! Can't wait, not got date yet as still trying to decide which surgeon to go with.

When I had my consult I was told they would do this.... to test your system before the op to make sure all is ok. I think its a good thing to check.

Thats a great weightloss... keep it up! You must be so pleased.

Chancie you look fabulous!!

It's a concern I have too, as I know when I set my mind to it I can loose... but every time I do it I never get to goal, and always put it back on.... this time is the only time I have managed to reign in and not gain it all back and more. As radical as it may seem I know this surgery is really the only answer for me. My comment to you (as I'm also pre op) would be about your payment method.... your trust fund. Your Grandfather left you the money for your future - your life. This surgery will give you a much better life as a result, if you did falter with the diet and gain it all back and more its puts you in high risk bracket, so I am sure given your situation he would understand. I wish you luck with your decision... but I would say go for it. Kathy