Betterbytheday

Kathy, as a former bandster, I lost lots of weight and made the decision not even to tell my sisters (same as the newpaper), as my suburb area is medium sized but due to my large extended family word would get around and then it would become my "story" or identity (think early gastric bypass folks) and I didn't want that at all. I just told people that I just had to eat smaller portions and used portion control to lose it, I feel certain that I would pass a lie detector test with that one as that is the essence of it really. My best friends know and many strangers along the way but not the general populace as this is something in my body and I consider a private matter as well, I would feel odd asking people about their gall bladders or kidneys, I kind of lump it in the same group. I apologize for my secrecy even on this website as so many of you are so open about everything, and I appreciate it, but I just can't go there for now. Portion control was what Dolly Parton said was how she lost all of her weight years ago, if it's good enough for Dolly, it's good enough for me.

I thought my lapband was for life, right? So I gave away all of my large sized clothes with a fond "bon voyage" kiss, then my band slipped and had to be removed..... I was also told that it would be at least a year before I could re-band (I didn't, I went with the sleeve instead) so up crept, no, actually leapt my weight back on and I had to buy clothes all the way back up again. I fortunately didn't give up my smaller sizes so will be so happy to go back in them in the months to come. I can't tell you how much clothing I have stored now and my eyes roll when trying to determine what stage of the roller coaster they are, it's all a mess!!!!

Thom and Lynne, look into the sleeve plication, where the stomach is folded into the stomach and stitched, twice. The benefits are that there's no possibility of leaking and it's reversible if needed. It had all that I needed to feel secure about doing it. Problem is there are only 3 Drs. in the US that do it, look on Youtube at the video of the procedure, it's more difficult as a revision, with that in mind, I paid for it myself and Had it done down in Mexico with a Dr. there that's done 60 of them, just look at all the possibilities as it's a big step.

Hi everyone, I was banded in 2005 and I really believe it slipped early on as I never really had a time where I could eat and feel secure that I wouldn't be sick afterwards, it was always a gamble. I eventually took it out and now two years later I weighed more than before I got the band (part of that was that I thought I would put another band on so wanted to enjoy the forbidden foods before I did). I then heard about the sleeve, then the sleeve plication. That seemed to be the answer for me as I work for an airline, some of the security sensors are sooo sensitive I know the metal staples would set off the alarms, then I'd have to show paperwork or explain it everytime I went to work. So that, coupled with the reversible nature of the plication seemed great for me. I flew down to Tijuana this past week and arrived at my hospital (gorgeous and sooo much nicer than anything I've been in here in the states and I have great insurance) by mid morning, by later that afternoon, the surgery was done. There were no shortcuts, it's just that it is all done seamlessly with no wait time, very well orchestrated. I was accompanied by a concierge type lady, extremely bilingual, through the paperwork, bloodtests, introduction to all of the Drs. etc. My understanding is that there are only around 3 surgeons in the US that do the plication. So I was lucky to have found Dr. Corvala, he is a terrific surgeon and he even admitted it was a tough go. Apparently with mine, there was lots of scar tissue where the band was that needed to be cut, this caused some bleeding so a 5" tube was run into the abdominal cavity to allow it to drain out. I had no idea that our cavity was full of this golden Fluid, which drained out with the residual bleeding. Having had the band, I was at work 3 days later, with very little pain. This revision was much more tender on the inside. I couldn't really catch a deep breath on my heart side, where the work was done. This persisted until yesterday (4 days out). I rested today and plan to not do anything really strenuous for a few days as I don't want anything to be pulled or stretched or torn. I am being very strict with myself on this as I don't want to go under the knife again (this was #3 on weight loss) so I'm really being a good girl. There were many gals in the hospital getting banded and it was hard for me not to be kind of down on it (even though I would have done it again if no other options were available). But I didn't, I took total responsibility for the slippage and warned them about it so as to take care. I wished them all well and do sincerely hope that it works for them and truly hope that this sleeve works for me. I would say the difference between the band and sleeve is that the band is like food going through a toll booth and having to have the arm raise to pass, whereas the sleeve seems to me like three lanes have been narrowed to one lane where we can go, just slower and the lanes fill up easier. Let me know revisionists, if I'm seeing it right or whether I'm seeing it the way I'd like to see it. I don't share this with too many people (don't want it to become my identity) so I'm really grateful to have this group to come to for their wisdom and advice. Anything you can offer me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Working on that, and really need to do it, will post when I get them. I'm only 4 days out so I doubt any visible difference will show.

No, generally down in Mexico it's self-pay. I began at 213#, which is simply obese, not morbidly obese. However, my body, coupled with flying, didn't respond well to the excess weight. I have sleep disorders, joint pain, not to mention, difficulty getting around on the plane due to very narrow aisle, compact jumpseat, etc. My hope is to get back down to 130 as I had with the band and I think that's achievable. The thing about Mexico is that it is so much less expensive it becomes affordable (it's priced as a package), whereas, here in the states, surgery is a gamble, you know what "some" prices are but the rest are up in the air and can bankrupt you. I know that my surgery is less than a year old and is very low priced now, and I was told that it would be going up in Sept. which prompted me to go ahead and borrow a bit to get it done. If the band was any example, I'll be able to pay it back from what I save on food costs. I hope that answered your question.

Anne, I just returned from having the sleeve plication (stomach is folded in on itself and sewn, no leaks, nothing is removed and it's reversible), at one point, one of the visiting Drs. asked me if I was the one who had the hernia? I said no, I was the revision so I know that Dr. Corvala down in Tijuana is a great surgeon for all types of procedures that other Drs. won't touch. (like banding bypass people who have stretched out). Do contact the rep for the hospital if you're interested. She can be reached at: 925-957-6743 office 925-324-6524 mobile 1-866-978-2573 ext 129 Her name is Sandy. This hospital is a self pay so I don't know if that will or will not work for you but I found them to be quite reasonable. Good luck to you.