Newbie needs advice, please

[Mommydog14 1]

Hi. I am new to this forum but have been exploring both lap bands as gasrtric sleeve options. I am 57 years old, have a "low" BMI (30 to 31) but have been a life long yoyo dieter. I have done everything that's legal, but I lose very very slowly (2 lbs a week on 600 cal diet), and always gain it back. In the last 10 years, I have gained and lost 50 pounds at least five times. In short, it is making me crazy. Durng my last "very low calorie diet", the Dr. suggested that i consider a lap band, and that a dr. in my area was conductng a study on people like me--lower BMI's and yoyo dieters. I was shocked since I thought it was an extreme suggestion for me. Now that I've regained that 40 pounds, I'm rethinking it.

My insurance won't cover this procedure since I am not big enough and have no comorbiditites. I am in good health and exercise vigorously 3 times a week. So, I started to research the Mexico possibilty. A friend of mine had a lap band done in Tijuana by Dr. Ramos Kelly and she spoke highly of him. when I talked to his coordinator to get information, she also recommended that I consider the gastric sleeve procedure. I don't know what to think: the band is a foreign object in my body that needs adjustment, but the sleeve changes my anatomy. Can anyone give me some help trying to think this thing through? Thanks.

[BonitaChica 1]

Welcome! On this site you'll find many differing opinions. As you can guess, most of us are pro-sleeve and couldn't be happier with our decision. In fact, there are many here who started with the band and then were revised to a sleeve. I am a low bmi sleever who was fortunate that I never battled weight until the past two years. I do have a very long family history of morbid obesity and comorbidities though so I knew that if I didn't eat right and hit the gym everyday they would come for me too.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 18 or so months ago and as my pain worsened my will power lessened and my drive to stay ahead on my workouts and nutrition took a nose dive. I slowly gained weight the first year. The next 6 months the pain became almost unbearable and I was put on a mix of meds that all had weight gain as side effects. Combined with my lack of mobility and my lack of heartfelt focus on anything but getting through the pain (I used food as a coping mechanism) I gained about 50 pounds in 6 months.

My doctor took a radical approach and suggested WLS as a tool to keep me healthy. If I could get the weight off my fibro pain would likely subside a great deal now that we have found a med mix that works for me. Even though I had a relatively low BMI I was still obese and headed for danger (high BP, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, etc). Together we decided wls was the right move for me.

After discussing the options we also decided that RNY was too extreme for my situation. The band also presented its own issues in that a foreign object may cause me to flare repeatedly. I also didn't like the idea of chasing the sweet spot and potentially having a visible port bump. That left the sleeve, which all around sounded like the best option anyway. One incision, no malabsorption, no adjustments, etc. Once we decided on the sleeve I was on the hunt for a surgeon and feel that I selected the best in TX. I know everyone says that and I'm glad they do. It's of the utmost importance that you have a GREAT relationship with your surgeon.

I am a month post-op, have lost about 20 pounds, and more importantly am feeling about 70% less pain. I still have bad days here and there, but I think I might be able to go back to work full time pretty soon! You have no idea what a blessing that is. Prior to WLS my Dr was encouraging me to look into disability because even my part time contract position was often too much to bear.

Edited April 5, 2010 by hugapug

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I think you should go to lapbandtalk.com and read the complications section.

Believe me, the band is a nightmare to live with. The sleeve is effortless. I am glad my anatomy is forever changed. I don't ever want to be fat again.