Carol111

Hi, this procedure has only been performed in Australia for around 3 years, it is pretty fresh. They are doing much more sleeves now, and even though my surgery was priority because of the hospitals mistakes with my band, the waiting time 6 months ago was only a few months. Now its more like 8-12 months! I just am so happy that I have found something that is working so well for me. My father has a lapband, and he looks at me wishing he had known about the sleeve before. But never mind, he is at his goal weight now.

Thankyou Michele, your post was very kind. I am hoping I did take a few of the posts the wrong way!! I hope I havent caused any problems. I always say that when we speak, we speak in a rainbow of colors. But we type in Black and white only, so yes it is easy to misconstrue what others are saying. I am sorry if I have gotten it all wrong. Carol.

See I am in Australia and insurance doesnt play a part in if you choose the sleeve or the band or any other form of weight loss surgery. So I dont have any knowledge on that sorry. You are on the right track! the Sleeve Gastrectomy removes the majority of your stomach, in fact up to 80% of it. In removing this, they are taking away the stomach tissue that creates a hormone called Grehlin. Now, Grehlin is the 'hungry' hormone, so when you have such a big stomach from over eating, or for whatever reason, all of that stomach is creating this hormone that seems to make you want to eat all the time, and never satisfied. When this is removed, so is the hunger, and that is why you might hear some Sleevers saying they need to remind themselves to eat, and it does take some getting used to!! I totally agree with any healthy positive way to lose weight. Whether its the gastric bypass, the balloon (which is so ancient now!), the band or the sleeve. Asnewme1, make sure you do all the research, then you will know for sure if the sleeve is the best thing for you to choose. You may find another way that you think is better!! Dont just do whatever the doctor said sounds good to him/her, do your homework, then when you make your decision, you will feel confident that you have chosen it for you and only you. Thankyou for your email, I will keep in touch. Carol.

And just to add to that last post, I also had a lap band in for 3 and a half years, it was the worst three years of my life, I ended up extremely unhealthy, lacking in vital nutrition and was vomiting blood on a daily basis. They took the band of death out of me and then sleeved me three months later, I havent vomited once since being sleeved, I live on a very healthy and balanced diet, I dont have to be ruled by a peice of plastic, what can I eat today, what cant I eat today etc... I can now eat a healthy salad, that most banders cant eat without having painful Bping and it getting 'stuck'. I am not totally against the band though, I have some dear freinds that are banders, and they dont regret it, and it has somewhat helped them. Your post to me Hastings made me feel like utter crap. If you were aiming to make me feel unwelcome here as I am a sleever, then you have succeeded. Congratulations. Although I doubt anyone would care really. Carol.

Hastings I'm not pushing the Sleeve in any way, I was answering the first post regarding the sleeve. this forum might be for the band, but this thread is about the sleeve, I hope that doesnt offend ya! Why does it seem that when lap banders hear about another kind of surgery, they seem to get all defensive and dont want to hear about it?? there are not many forums for sleevers, and that is why sleevers come here!! If you dont want to hear about a surgery that may be better than the band in someone elses opinions, then dont go into a thread called 'something new - Gastric Sleeve' Yes thanks Hastings, you need to go do some research yourself if you want to comment on a surgery you know nothing about. And yes I have been sleeved for over 4 months. See ya all, I will go find a freindlier site.

This is why you need to research it yourself. There is no dumping, No Pbing at all, You cannot 'go septic and die', it does not stretch over time just like the bypass. There have been no long term studies to show that you can stretch the stomach, although I am sure if you dont stop eating you will put weight on... just like the band, the bypass, the balloon etc...

Hey hey, Thanks Renae for referring me to this site!! Hugs!:thumbup: Because the Sleeve is so new, there is no long term studies on it. But since you have added a site that is helpful to you, I will add one too that I found awesome! Sleevers Support Forum Give it a whirl if you cant find the research you are looking for. Hopefully in time there will be just as much info here!! I hope this helps. :thumbup: Carol.