everleigh

I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option. I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients. She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently. She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him. I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate. Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!) SLEEVE Pros: 1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.) 2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal 3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results) 4. No "bandster hell" 5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure. 6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me. Cons: 1. No way to fix or reverse at all 2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail 3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies 4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later. 5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately. 6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.) BAND Pros: 1. Reversible/removable 2. No removal of anything 3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon 4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs. 5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history. Cons: 1. Possibility of infection of band OR port 2. Regular followup and fill appointments 3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot. 4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.) 5. May not solve my hunger issue. 6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes! 7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again. 8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.

I mentioned before that Lexie, my only friend I've told about me getting bariatric surgery, told me that she heard the "sleeve" was better than the "band." My gastroenterologist said the same thing and wanted me to look into it and talk to the surgeon about the sleeve option. I mentioned it to the counselor today and she briefly said that she sees very few Gastric Bypass patients any more as most patients are choosing the band or the sleeve. She said it's been 50/50 on band vs. sleeve patients. She admitted that there's been more WL issues with the band patients (slower loss, not any loss, and band failure) in HER practice but she was quick to state that it doesn't mean that it isn't good and won't work. She simply said that in her practice there that the sleeved patients lose weight faster and have fewer WL issues apparently. She agreed with my gastro's advice in speaking with the surgeon and deciding what would be best for me. She told me to research both, have pros and cons, and analyze the options. Then have a list of questions for the surgeon when meeting with him. I planned to do that any way and I didn't get the feeling she was pushing sleeve. I think she was being very honest with me about her experience with both sets of patients which I appreciate. Here's my initial PRO/CON list for Sleeve and Band... (after I research more, I'll likely update and/or change and fix my list!) SLEEVE Pros: 1. One surgery, no "fills" (so I won't need to tote my toddler with me in for regular fills.) 2. Decrease in "ghrelin" hormone that induces hunger due to stomach portion removal 3. Faster weight loss (more immediate results) 4. No "bandster hell" 5. Much higher success rate associated with this procedure. 6. My friend and one of my dr's recommended this procedure and thought it might be the better option for me. Cons: 1. No way to fix or reverse at all 2. Staples may pop, cause leaking, or fail 3. No long term data including effects on pregnancies 4. There is still a possibility/likelihood that the sleeve will stretch out and may need revision later. 5. Hernias apparently more common with this procedure lately. 6. I haven't researched the dietary guidelines post op so I have no idea what the longterm eating management includes. (Maybe I'll research that next and do a post on the differences of that.) BAND Pros: 1. Reversible/removable 2. No removal of anything 3. Necessary dr appt followup (with fills) will cause constant analyzing of program/plan and communication with surgeon 4. As I need it, I can go in and get it adjusted tighter to meet my needs. 5. Two doctors recommended this procedure over sleeve or GB for me due to my medical history. Cons: 1. Possibility of infection of band OR port 2. Regular followup and fill appointments 3. Bandster Hell and the months it will take to get to Sweet Spot. 4. Possibility of necessary revision to sleeve or whatever..(have read several posts online of 3 and 4 year post banders going in for gastric bypass, sleeve, etc.) 5. May not solve my hunger issue. 6. Have heard from more than one person that as they got closer to goal- their port site or actual port became more visible- yikes! 7. Over fills.. this sort of worries me. I don't want to get overzealous and get over filled and then have to race back in to get unfilled and then wait weeks to get filled again. 8. The waiting between fills. I understand why it is set up that way but it doesn't mean I have to like it. :smile2: This is just my preliminary thoughts on both. I'm not an expert, I haven't decided yet, and I don't even know if the surgeon will think I'm a candidate for the sleeve. I'm starting to consider it as an option though. I've got some research to do.

Today was my psych eval and it went pretty great. The counselor and nutritionist actually have offices in the same office as my future surgeon. I got there a little early and as I was waiting for the counselor, the office mgr came out and asked if anyone was waiting for the nutritionist or needed to see her. I spoke up, (thinking I might be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and see the nut after the psych) and mistakenly thought the office mgr WAS the nutritionist. "I'm here to see (counselor name) but I need to see you too so if you have time today, I'd love to meet!" Embarassing pause. Not-so-friendly stare from mgr. "I'm NOT the nutritionist" she flatly announced and shut the door. I sat there a little uncomfortable in front of about 6 people in the waiting room. I mean since when is it offensive to be called a nutritionist? Whatever. Maybe the lady was having a bad day. Five minutes later, another office person came out and told me the "manager" needed to meet with me briefly. I grabbed my stuff thinking, "am I getting in trouble for thinking she was the nutritionist?" I sat at her desk and she asked me for my payment. She was actually pretty pleasant to me- not overly nice, but not rude either. She told me I could wait there at her desk with her or go back out to the waiting room. I opted to go back out to the waiting room but the counselor appeared and asked me to come to her office. The counselor was a fantastic lady who I immediately bonded with. Someone I would be friends with "in the real world." We talked about my medical history, my food issues, what led me up to surgery, my friends & family, my fears and hopes, and my understanding of the procedures and aftercare. I felt like I was talking too much actually but the counselor of course said that it was more helpful for me to be thorough and tell her what I could. Two hours later! Time flew by and towards the end we really were mostly chatting. She did say that felt that I was ready mentally for surgery and that I would be an excellent candidate in her opinion. She also thought that I would be successful post op. She is one of those counselors that tells you that you can call anytime and that she is available for the pre and post op (at the hospital) for visits. All of it is covered by the payment I made today- she doesn't charge if I call or email her prior to surgery. Nice. (For those that don't know and from my experience with counselors, that isn't common practice.) By the time I left, the nutritionist wasn't there so I emailed her and said to let me know when her schedule would allow our visit. We have been emailing back and forth and she offered to slide me in a couple days ago but I live over an hour away so I wouldn't have made it there in time. I'm thinking I will likely see her (nutritionist) sometime this next week. (Exciting!!!) One down, one to go!!!

Today was my psych eval and it went pretty great. The counselor and nutritionist actually have offices in the same office as my future surgeon. I got there a little early and as I was waiting for the counselor, the office mgr came out and asked if anyone was waiting for the nutritionist or needed to see her. I spoke up, (thinking I might be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and see the nut after the psych) and mistakenly thought the office mgr WAS the nutritionist. "I'm here to see (counselor name) but I need to see you too so if you have time today, I'd love to meet!" Embarassing pause. Not-so-friendly stare from mgr. "I'm NOT the nutritionist" she flatly announced and shut the door. I sat there a little uncomfortable in front of about 6 people in the waiting room. I mean since when is it offensive to be called a nutritionist? Whatever. Maybe the lady was having a bad day. Five minutes later, another office person came out and told me the "manager" needed to meet with me briefly. I grabbed my stuff thinking, "am I getting in trouble for thinking she was the nutritionist?" I sat at her desk and she asked me for my payment. She was actually pretty pleasant to me- not overly nice, but not rude either. She told me I could wait there at her desk with her or go back out to the waiting room. I opted to go back out to the waiting room but the counselor appeared and asked me to come to her office. The counselor was a fantastic lady who I immediately bonded with. Someone I would be friends with "in the real world." We talked about my medical history, my food issues, what led me up to surgery, my friends & family, my fears and hopes, and my understanding of the procedures and aftercare. I felt like I was talking too much actually but the counselor of course said that it was more helpful for me to be thorough and tell her what I could. Two hours later! Time flew by and towards the end we really were mostly chatting. She did say that felt that I was ready mentally for surgery and that I would be an excellent candidate in her opinion. She also thought that I would be successful post op. She is one of those counselors that tells you that you can call anytime and that she is available for the pre and post op (at the hospital) for visits. All of it is covered by the payment I made today- she doesn't charge if I call or email her prior to surgery. Nice. (For those that don't know and from my experience with counselors, that isn't common practice.) By the time I left, the nutritionist wasn't there so I emailed her and said to let me know when her schedule would allow our visit. We have been emailing back and forth and she offered to slide me in a couple days ago but I live over an hour away so I wouldn't have made it there in time. I'm thinking I will likely see her (nutritionist) sometime this next week. (Exciting!!!) One down, one to go!!!

I finally contacted my psych consult (Thursday) and left a message with the nutritionist so hopefully I can get that scheduled soon. I forgot a lot of people say on the boards that it can take a really long time for these pre-appointments to get set up. I hope I don't regret waiting a few weeks from the seminars to set these appointments up. The counselor sounded really neat on the phone so I'm looking forward to the appointment. I got this massive attachment, however, in the confirmation email she sent. Ten pages of all things weight related. Normally I don't mind filling out forms but when it's all about your weight history it's depressing. I'm still eating like I'm preparing for famine. Chips, soda, pizza, crap crap crap. Today I started looking online for outfit ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although there's a lot more these days for size 22/24, it doesn't make me feel any thinner. I forgot to mention on here that the friend I told about LB, (let's call her "Lexie"), the only friend I've told about it (aside from my parents and dh knowing), has turned out to be more supportive than I thought. I don't think she loves the idea of me getting it, but she's agreed to support me no matter what. I'm SO GLAD to have someone I can talk to about it that is a good friend. I have two other pretty close friends that I have not told and probably won't. I'm so glad to have a girl friend to talk to about it. DH will discuss but it's not the same as talking with the girls! Actually, in talking with Lexie, she said she heard the gastric sleeve was a much better procedure. Funny, my gastroenterologist said the same thing. I figure I'll talk to the surgeon about it once I get my one on one consult but right now the reason I was not thinking the sleeve was because A.) It's too new.. not enough long term data B.) It's absolutely irreversible and C.) Since I want more children, I've been told the band is a better and safer choice. But as I'm no expert, I could be wrong. :smile2: I'll keep you posted.

I finally contacted my psych consult (Thursday) and left a message with the nutritionist so hopefully I can get that scheduled soon. I forgot a lot of people say on the boards that it can take a really long time for these pre-appointments to get set up. I hope I don't regret waiting a few weeks from the seminars to set these appointments up. The counselor sounded really neat on the phone so I'm looking forward to the appointment. I got this massive attachment, however, in the confirmation email she sent. Ten pages of all things weight related. Normally I don't mind filling out forms but when it's all about your weight history it's depressing. I'm still eating like I'm preparing for famine. Chips, soda, pizza, crap crap crap. Today I started looking online for outfit ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although there's a lot more these days for size 22/24, it doesn't make me feel any thinner. I forgot to mention on here that the friend I told about LB, (let's call her "Lexie"), the only friend I've told about it (aside from my parents and dh knowing), has turned out to be more supportive than I thought. I don't think she loves the idea of me getting it, but she's agreed to support me no matter what. I'm SO GLAD to have someone I can talk to about it that is a good friend. I have two other pretty close friends that I have not told and probably won't. I'm so glad to have a girl friend to talk to about it. DH will discuss but it's not the same as talking with the girls! Actually, in talking with Lexie, she said she heard the gastric sleeve was a much better procedure. Funny, my gastroenterologist said the same thing. I figure I'll talk to the surgeon about it once I get my one on one consult but right now the reason I was not thinking the sleeve was because A.) It's too new.. not enough long term data B.) It's absolutely irreversible and C.) Since I want more children, I've been told the band is a better and safer choice. But as I'm no expert, I could be wrong. I'll keep you posted.

I keep saying I'm going to get serious & set up my nut & psych appts but I still have not. I want to but then feel guilty because dh is still not working (he's not laid off either- it's a weird vortex of manipulation really c/o his co.) Dh has said he doesn't mind me going in for the nut & psych but the conversation always ends up with him asking why we wouldn't tell his family about me getting LB. He's close to his family & as much as I love them too, I have come to the conclusion its better to keep it private, especially since its not happening for sure right now. As I was getting ready for bed, I decided I'm calling to set up the appts for sure tomorrow. Then I started thinking about the actual surgery. If dh's job situation works out, & I get surgery, we're gonna have to tell his family. I have a toddler who I don't want hanging around the hospital (swine flu anyone?) I don't have any of my family close either. I'd be ok on my own a night or two in the hospital but the day of & day leaving we'd need help w/ dd. They will want to know why since we never ask. I don't know if I can give them the hernia excuse. Originally that was my plan but now what if I have a complication & they have to watch dd again? If I claim its hernia surgery I would have to stick to the story or come out a liar. Ughhhh. Its really just two members of dh's family who have big mouths (both men oddly.) I just don't know but I gotta figure it out.:smile2:

I keep saying I'm going to get serious & set up my nut & psych appts but I still have not. I want to but then feel guilty because dh is still not working (he's not laid off either- it's a weird vortex of manipulation really c/o his co.) Dh has said he doesn't mind me going in for the nut & psych but the conversation always ends up with him asking why we wouldn't tell his family about me getting LB. He's close to his family & as much as I love them too, I have come to the conclusion its better to keep it private, especially since its not happening for sure right now. As I was getting ready for bed, I decided I'm calling to set up the appts for sure tomorrow. Then I started thinking about the actual surgery. If dh's job situation works out, & I get surgery, we're gonna have to tell his family. I have a toddler who I don't want hanging around the hospital (swine flu anyone?) I don't have any of my family close either. I'd be ok on my own a night or two in the hospital but the day of & day leaving we'd need help w/ dd. They will want to know why since we never ask. I don't know if I can give them the hernia excuse. Originally that was my plan but now what if I have a complication & they have to watch dd again? If I claim its hernia surgery I would have to stick to the story or come out a liar. Ughhhh. Its really just two members of dh's family who have big mouths (both men oddly.) I just don't know but I gotta figure it out.

I've been in hiding since all of our company left & my sweat pants & 3x tshirts have become my uniform again. Today dh's former co-worker I've never met was coming by for the day so I brushed my hair, put on a very light makeup coverage, and dressed comfy but nice. Over the past several months I've felt so big & gross I haven't been going very many places with dh or his friends/family. Right or wrong- I feel like I shame everyone with my obesity even though nobody says it. Today, dh's co-worker friend, walks in and remarks on our home (which is pretty nice if I do say ) and then looks at me sort of in shock. His eyes big, his eyebrows furrowed, his mouth slightly open.. I saw it, 'wow- disgusting.' I hadn't ever met him before but I've met his kind- pretty boys, the kind who have the skinny blond gfs and wives (or both) and who pity anyone who doesn't. The rest of the time he was here he didn't look at me. I didn't really register that he didn't shake my hand until after he & dh left to go get a beer. I appreciate dh so much & feel more sad for him now. How embarassing. As for me, I sit here sad, shameful, and SO ready for a change!:smile2:

I've been in hiding since all of our company left & my sweat pants & 3x tshirts have become my uniform again. Today dh's former co-worker I've never met was coming by for the day so I brushed my hair, put on a very light makeup coverage, and dressed comfy but nice. Over the past several months I've felt so big & gross I haven't been going very many places with dh or his friends/family. Right or wrong- I feel like I shame everyone with my obesity even though nobody says it. Today, dh's co-worker friend, walks in and remarks on our home (which is pretty nice if I do say ) and then looks at me sort of in shock. His eyes big, his eyebrows furrowed, his mouth slightly open.. I saw it, 'wow- disgusting.' I hadn't ever met him before but I've met his kind- pretty boys, the kind who have the skinny blond gfs and wives (or both) and who pity anyone who doesn't. The rest of the time he was here he didn't look at me. I didn't really register that he didn't shake my hand until after he & dh left to go get a beer. I appreciate dh so much & feel more sad for him now. How embarassing. As for me, I sit here sad, shameful, and SO ready for a change!

I am 32 but got the same attitude when I went to my gastroenterologist & had to see an associate dr because mine wasn't available. This was a couple weeks ago & I have only been talking about getting the band- I haven't yet. The assoc dr looked at me like I was a lazy slob who wanted a quick fix. I tried to be polite & calm as she, who you could tell had never had weight issues, told me that it was something that young people really shouldn't expect to solve all our problems. She then continued to go on about how if I really made an effort I would see this wasn't necessary. It just takes discipline. She also remarked how after I had children I might feel different about playing russian roulette with my body. I was so floored at her attitude that I gave her my reasons, explained my issues & what I had done and remarked, 'actually, I've already had 1 child, my almost 2 yr old daughter. Being obese through a pregnancy was one of the scariest & worst experiences and I want to do everything I can to make my life and hers the healthiest possible.' She shut up a bit but obviously was not going to support this 'radical' bariatric intervention.. (whatever lady!) I made it clear to this dr that I knew I wasn't an expert and I would trust her opinion as well as others. If any of my drs didn't think it was a good idea for me, I'd likely not get it done. That being said, I wanted to see my regular gastroenterologist. I saw my reg gastroenterologist today & he was supportive & overwhelmingly agreed that surgery is the right decision for me. When I explained about his assoc's position & my last appt he acted shocked & disappointed. He didn't say, but I got the impression they would be having a quick chat about it. I'd definitely tell someone that you'd prefer not to work with that tech in the future. You have the right to request medical personnel you trust. As i'm pre-band too, I feel very emotionally fragile about having to defend this big decision and it sure can ruin your day having to deal with idiots like that.

I am not banded yet but I too name everything. :thumbup: I plan to call my smaller stomach 'Smidge' or 'Smidgen' (as in I can only have a smidgen of that.) The band I had planned to call Jesus (as in a Savior) but then decided as a Christian it wasn't probably the best idea. I'm still thinking about the band name. I know when I do get LB I will say I've moved from 'Lazy Acres' to 'Bandyland.' :crying: