AnneGG

June 22 for me! I was supposed to have a band put in May 26, but they couldn't because of a huge hiatal hernia. So sleeve it will be, and after doing research, I'm pretty happy with with my alternative. People on the board who have had revisions of the band to the sleeve sound very happy with the sleeve, as do the people who have only had the sleeve. I'm grateful the sleeve is covered by my insurance!

Hi, all! Thank you so much for all the support, encouragement, and feedback! It has meant a lot. I saw my doctor this morning, and he had some interesting things to say. He showed me pictures of my hiatal hernia- no wonder he couldn't do the band! He's turning me over to the senior doctor of the practice who has more extensive experience with bariatric surgery, including the vertical sleeve. I see him June 10- more hurry up and wait- and we'll discuss options then. I know for sure I'm not doing bypass, and I still don't know about the sleeve. My next surgery if I go ahead with it is June 22, and both doctors will be present for it. Another consideration I have is that we have a trip booked and paid for July 3rd-13th- I hope that's not to early for flying and extensive driving. I know I'll probably still be on liquids, which shouldn't be a problem. Dunno about the stress of traveling, though. I spent the weekend doing research, and people have lots of good things to say about the sleeve including minimal complications and no problems with malabsorption. Living with the sleeve seems similar to living with the band, but without the fills. Small portions, small bites, and chew chew chew! And of course exercise. That I can do, and have been doing. But I don't know about doing it on my own long term. Hey! Pretty cool! I'm with you in Onderland, Stacie! Whee! Congratulations to both of us! Karen- Good luck Friday! And don't go too nuts with the scale! Leigha- I like your new picture! Lee Anne, I appreciate you sticking to your diet even during such a stressful, painful time. Best wishes to both you and your mom. Crystl- Good luck with restriction! Amy- Sorry about your before pictures! Maybe someone else has one? Bob being back at least a little while is bad-ass!

"The truth will set you free but first it will piss you off!"

And I stand by my post. 22 years old is old enough to make an informed choice. 16 years old is old enough to have valid experience. Lap bands and gastric sleeves and other forms of bariatric surgery have valid complications; in erieli's case they could last a lifetime. On the other hand, if she works it right, she could be one of the marvelous success stories here. Reassurance will have nothing to do with either result.

I think, rather than write someone off as telling horror stories, it's important to know the possible complications and stats for those complications for surgeries a person is considering. There are advantages and disadvantages to all the types of bariatric surgery. "Reassurance needed" doesn't mean filling a person with just the positives. erieli, you need to make an informed choice for yourself, not an emotional one. This is major surgery affecting your body in a big way. Freaking out isn't going to help; neither is positive thinking. I myself was scheduled for a LAP-BAND last Wednesday. I went into surgery and came out without one- my hiatal hernia is huge, and my misshapen stomach ruled out a LAP-BAND as an option now or later. At first I was very disappointed, but in doing research, realize the gastric sleeve might be just as good an option for me because of fewer complications! Go figure!

acp and WaitLoser, and everyone else, thanks for your support! I know my doctor and I will come up with a workable alternative, and I know it won't be RNY. I would rather keep going on my own than do that. Which pretty much leaves the sleeve. I so hope my doc agrees. I'm going to miss this board!

Tiffykins, thanks for your response, and thanks for all your responses. You are most helpful! The more I'm reading, the more I think the sleeve is the way for me to go, and the more I'm glad the band didn't work out for me. And I would rather go it on my own than go for RNY. I'm so glad I found this board!

Amen!!! The only way you're going to get the guts is to do what you're scared of anyway, and then discover you will survive, and then not only survive, but thrive! Your dad is so right!

I went into surgery last Wednesday with the intention of coming out with a lap band. I came out of surgery and woke up with no lap band- my hiatal hernia is huge and had misshapen my stomach too much to make the band an option now or later. So- back to the drawing board! At first I was big time bummed, but then got on my computer and started researching. At this point I think I am glad the band didn't work, because I think the sleeve would work better for me. I'm hoping my doctor agrees with me- I see him again Tuesday. He already has my next surgery booked for June 22, so I don't have long to wait. Wish me luck! I've been posting on LapBandTalk for awhile- I was so happy to find this site!

Well, I went into surgery for the band, but came out not banded because of a huge hiatal hernia. My doctor said a band is not an option for me. Needless to say, I spent yesterday very disappointed. Today, however, I am feeling better and have been researching the possibilities other than the band. So far the one that looks the best would be a gastric sleeve as it doesn't rearrange my plumbing. At any rate, I see my doctor next Tuesday. I'll certainly be having lots of questions to ask him!

Thanks so much for all of your feedback- please keep it coming! I think the reason my doctor didn't repair the hernia yesterday is that my stomach is so misshapen he wants to do everything at once when he goes in again. He did consult in the OR with the other, more senior, doctor in the practice. At this point, even with my relatively low bmi I am leaning to the least invasive bypass surgery, possibly the gastric sleeve. My problems with weight and food and regaining weight lost are the same as they would be if I weighed 300 pounds. I have to weigh (no pun intended) the risks of bypass surgery against the long term risks of obesity and yo-yo dieting. I'm not so concerned with the rate of loss as I am with regaining what is lost. I'm feeling better today in spite of my disappointment, and clearer-headed. I am certainly committed to continuing my momentum, and at the same time I have to be realistic about my abilities. I'm sure going to have a lot to talk about with my doctor come Tuesday!

Well, unfortunately, it didn't happen. My hiatal hernia was so large they aborted and closed me up again and sent me home. My only option now is a gastric bybass along with the hernia repair, which I'm not sure I want to do. It's such a big procedure. I see my doctor next Tuesday to discuss options. However, while I'm very bummed, I will simply continue the work I have been doing. Thank you for your support. What would you do in my case? Please be honest- I'm going to need to be getting lots of opinions. Welcome back, Bob aka Mark, etc. We missed you lots!

I'm in tomorrow, too! Good luck to both of us! We will do whatever it takes! Welcome to the board!

Just heading in for my surgery tomorrow AM- I am psyched and ready to go!

Whoopee!!! Tomorrow's my day, 8:00am is the time! I'm grateful for using all my time to act as if I'm already banded because now I'm not scared at all. I know I can handle it well, and that's a very good feeling. Just takes persistence and not giving in to my negative voices that love to whisper into my ear! All I have to do now is keep on truckin' (heavens, I'm dating myself)! Thanks for the support and feedback here- it's been most helpful.

Woo-hoo! Quick update! 200.5- almost Onederland- and day 14 of 14 pre-op- and I didn't cheat once- kudos for me! So- tomorrow- D-day! Wish me luck! Thanks, Karen- and all of you!

Woo-hoo!!! Almost there- day 14 of pre-op OptiFast today and tomorrow the day I'm banded! I made it, and (pat myself on the back) I didn't cheat once! Woo-hoo!!!

It never works to try to hold on to a relationship out of fear. I admire your courage in telling him, and facing what you were afraid of. He's simply not worth it, given his response.

Thank you, Spartan. I was about to do a post saying the same thing.

Sure can tell the difference! Way to go!!!

Good luck to both of you! I'm on the 26th at 8am!

I'm sure you'll do just fine making your choice. You're doing the necessary research.

Tell him straight, otherwise what's the relationship worth? Especially about something so important to you! What will the future of the relationship be if you are withholding? And be proud of yourself for taking such a major step to improve your well being!

I don't agree either. I just think there isn't enough research in yet as to what works best, so you have a whole spectrum of approaches.

I've had the Tribest for years, and it sure does the trick with anything. Even took it to China with me. I'm going on vacation the beginning of July and will still be on mushies, so it will be going with me then, too.