another newbie :)

IRAZUCHICA · November 9, 2009

Helllo,

My name is Lettie and I'm 27 yrs old. I'm a single mom and have been struggling with my weight for my entire life. I want to make a change... a permanent change not only for myself but for my baby. I want him to have a healthy mama that is able to play with him and watch him grow.

I'm currently in the works of getting the verticle sleeve. I went for my first consultation in mid-october. My head was set on getting the lap-band. My doctor advised that I should get the sleeve for various reason. I'm scared and nervous about it. The thought of part of my stomach being gone is freaky. I keep reading all of your blogs and seeing your pics and it been comforting to me. It tells me that everything will be ok.

The plan is to be sleeved in January 2010 ... and I can't wait to be given a second chance and to change my life. I hope this gives me the confidence that I need and to be a better mommy.

janep · November 9, 2009

Congratulations. I had surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago. I'm 54 - I can't imagine how different my life would have been if I had done this when I was 27. My kids life probably would have been different too - I would have been more outgoing and willing to do more with them. It's not without problems - mine have been gastric reflux and belching - but it is still worth it. Just be prepared that you will have issues readjusting to food. Good luck - your life is about to change for the better. I also thought at first I would get the lap band, but it took very little research to convince me the sleeve was the way to go. I think you can tell by all the people that have had the band changed to the sleeve that the sleeve is a better choice.

WingRider · November 10, 2009

Isn't weird how so many of us went in thinking the band was the answer, yet after a little research come out wanting the sleeve? My surgeon during the consult for my band procedure told me hands down that the sleeve is what I needed.

Ira(shortened it up a bit, hope you don't mind),

I am 37 and only wished I had had the opportunity you are seizing at such a young age. It seems to me your motivation is all of the right reasons, for you and your baby.

Good luck

Bill

deedee · November 10, 2009

I think you are making a wonderful decision to explore this surgery further. When I was debating between the two surgeries, I too was worried with removing so much of my stomach, but then I discovered that many people with stomach cancer have had this done for decades and lived normal, healthy lives. I also liked the permanency of the VSG. I don't ever want to be fat again, decided I didn't want something that could be changed.

Good luck! This is a great place to learn and gain support as you await your new life.

IRAZUCHICA · November 11, 2009

Thank you so much for the replys and support!!!!! It just means a lot. Did any of you have to go through "hoops" before getting approved for surgery? My surgeon has all these things that I have to do and pass before I can have it. For example tonight I have to do a sleep study test.

Tiffykins · November 11, 2009

Hi Lettie, and welcome to VST. We're glad to have you join us.

Congrats on getting your life back. I consider the sleeve my lifesaver and changer. I had a band, and revised to the sleeve 8 months after getting the band placed. I had to have extensive bloodwork, chest xray, eKg, psych eval, and nutritional consultation with a dietician for the lapband. For the sleeve, my surgeon required the same tests/requirements except I was able to skip the nutritional consult.

Best wishes in your journey, and keep us posted on your progress.

janep · November 11, 2009

I had to get a sleep study test, lab tests, a psychological evaluation, chest x-ray, and if I had a gall bladder, I would have needed a gall bladder ultrasound. For some patients they also required a pulmonary function test. It sounded daunting, but really it wasn't that bad, and it was well worth it.

thinoneday · November 12, 2009

Helllo,
My name is Lettie and I'm 27 yrs old. I'm a single mom and have been struggling with my weight for my entire life. I want to make a change... a permanent change not only for myself but for my baby. I want him to have a healthy mama that is able to play with him and watch him grow.

I'm currently in the works of getting the verticle sleeve. I went for my first consultation in mid-october. My head was set on getting the lap-band. My doctor advised that I should get the sleeve for various reason. I'm scared and nervous about it. The thought of part of my stomach being gone is freaky. I keep reading all of your blogs and seeing your pics and it been comforting to me. It tells me that everything will be ok.

The plan is to be sleeved in January 2010 ... and I can't wait to be given a second chance and to change my life. I hope this gives me the confidence that I need and to be a better mommy.

I was going to get the lapband too. . .I finally convinced hubbie to come to a seminar with me after 1 1/2 years . . and when the seminar was over we were walking to the car and I asked him what he thought? he said "I won't support you with the band" I was so crushed and wanted to yell at him and tell him i didn't care i was going to get it anyhow. . .but i asked him why . . his answer nearly knocked me to the ground. . . "I won't support you with the band, but I will support you with the sleeve 100%" . . . wow, i asked why he said it was going to be cheaper in the end. . .with all the fills and complications that could happen, the sleeve was permanent and after it was done it was done. . . no fills no nothing and the seminar doctor said that if you don't get a leak after 2 weeks you won't get a leak and it sounded safer to hubbie. . . I was so happy. . . then i asked about going to Mexico cause it was cheaper. . . he just said NO! You're staying here and that's it. . . ok, ok, I'm not arguing. . . he said we could go on vacation another time. . . . eek

janep · November 12, 2009

Congratulations. It sounds like you have a very supportive husband. I agree with him, the sleeve is the way to go - I had to be convinced - but I absolutely think you have made the right choice. Good luck.

mountain_lover · November 12, 2009

I was going to get the lapband too. . .I finally convinced hubbie to come to a seminar with me after 1 1/2 years . . and when the seminar was over we were walking to the car and I asked him what he thought? he said "I won't support you with the band" I was so crushed and wanted to yell at him and tell him i didn't care i was going to get it anyhow. . .but i asked him why . . his answer nearly knocked me to the ground. . . "I won't support you with the band, but I will support you with the sleeve 100%" . . . wow, i asked why he said it was going to be cheaper in the end. . .with all the fills and complications that could happen, the sleeve was permanent and after it was done it was done. . . no fills no nothing and the seminar doctor said that if you don't get a leak after 2 weeks you won't get a leak and it sounded safer to hubbie. . . I was so happy. . . then i asked about going to Mexico cause it was cheaper. . . he just said NO! You're staying here and that's it. . . ok, ok, I'm not arguing. . . he said we could go on vacation another time. . . . eek

I agree with your husband, that is one on the reasons I decided that I didn't like the band as much as I did in the beginning. Also I found out that I had an autoimmune disorder, so the band is not a good procedure to have. Some doctors will not do surgery at all, so when I found out that I could still have the sleeve I was so happy. I really have learned alot about the sleeve and so many people say good things about the results. I wish you all the best!!

I have been approved for the sleeve, and surgery in Dec.2.

WingRider · November 12, 2009

Ira,

I had a sleep study done, two actually, and I am so glad that I did. My energy levels have sucked the last 3 years or so. I would be so tired come 4 o'clock in the afternoon that I would find myself nodding off, even when driving! I have been on the CPAP for 2 months now and I love it. I am not tired during the day, I wake up ready to go, and my mood has been much more pleasant. My family has pointed that out to me. I do hope that after I lose the weight I won't have to use the CPAP, but if I do, then so be it. If you have the syptoms they talk about, tiredness, waking up with a headache, etc. I would suggest doing it. Especially if you insurance is going to cover it.

Bill

Malaika · November 12, 2009

Lettie -

Welcome to VST and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. I, too, went to a seminar set on the band; however, after hearing about the sleeve, and hearing the doctor say that if he needed to have WLS the sleeve is definitely the way he would go, I started researching the sleeve and decided on it instead of the band. And, I'm so glad I did -- I had my surgery in Mexico and the pre-op tests required were blood work, urinalysis, EKG and chest x-ray.