Has anyone chickened out?

[Malaika 50]

I decided on the sleeve vs. the band after attending a seminar and then doing research on my own. I didn't like the idea of having a foreign object placed inside of me and all the after care that would be required along with the band. I don't know of anyone who is sorry to have had the sleeve; however, I know LOTS of people who have been sorry they had the band - and several of them are on this forum - and I am sure they will pipe in with their opinions.

[Deb 0]

Do any of you ever go to the sleeve chat room? I have not found anyone in there yet

[Malaika 50]

Do any of you ever go to the sleeve chat room? I have not found anyone in there yet

Yes, it just depends on what coast or time zone you are in - just keep trying, you'll eventually catch someone in there.

[Deb 0]

I start my preop Tues...my birthday so my sweet family did my cake today. I must say I am getting nervous about the sleeve! I am concerned about my hair falling out. Does it fall out even if you manage to get in enough Protein? I can not afford to loose any hair. I am also wondering how long you have to dring Protein Drinks. Is that a forever thing? It can not be healthy if you loose your hair can it? (Like I am healthy now)

[moparmemaw 0]

I too have thoughts about dying on the table. I have normal BP, cholesterol and am not diabetic. Just old and fat. LOL But I think about people who have heart disease, diabetes, etc. and get through surgery just fine. In fact, when you think about it, people who have had major heart attacks go under the knife for bypass surgery (not the gastric persuasion - the heart kind) I don't even have a date yet and these thoughts enter my mind. But I want and need to lose the weight so badly, I'm just going to have to put on my big girl (no pun intended) pants and just do it! After all, if we don't get the excess weight off, our chances of a heart attack or stroke are way up there on the charts of probability.

Thank you Helen. You gave me the right things to think about.

I'm in my 50's and have been overweight so long I worry about the risk of heart attack or stroke ( I have high BP ) while having the surgery. You are pointing me in the right direction. I do need to realize that my overall "health" won't hold out if I don't fix things now. As the one doctor said to me, most health issues for obese people are just around the corner if they have not already hit.

I envy those who can have this surgery at a younger age so they do not have the higher risk situations. But you're right. It's still a gift, an opportunity. And it's nice to know not everyone is major brave and carefree about this step. Even us worriers can make it work!

Thanks. And congrats on your loss!

[Lee 19]

Deb, good luck on Tuesday. I too started out wanting a Band but over at lapbandtalk.com I read about the sleeve, then found this place. I am now on board for a Sleeve and I'm delighted. I'm 59 so I understand about being a little older and having surgery. I can tell you that after a life of no surgeries, I had ankle surgery in 2008 and just last month had my gallbladder out. Everything went perfectly. I bet you're going to do just fine. I can't wait until you're posting in a few months how this was the best decision you ever made.

Again, good luck with your pre-op!