Newbie Here :)

[Linda 66 34]

Hi all~

I'm new to this site and just reading into the sleeve. A little about me, 46 yo, had the lapband in hmmm 2002/3 lost over 100 lbs and thin. Stood that way but then 2 yrs ago had to have my band removed and dr said he's never put the band on me again I LOVED my band. I have complete trust in my dr and don't want to change sooooooo here I am. He said (when i had band removed) if you ever gain the lbs back I would do gastric bypass or the sleeve. I'm looking into both but I think the sleeve would be better for me. I haven't gone back to my surgeon to tell him that I wanted to do this but my appt is nxt week.

I've been feeling crappy, no interest in going anywhere because I don't want anyone to see me...many people know me thin only. I get winded easily and no energy. So many complaints but why bother, right? lol. I have been going to my regular md for a cpl of months now and he's been making me do alllll types of tests due to my complaints. Everything came back fine except my right lung is elevated due to my enlarged (fat) liver but he said losing weight will help/solve that. I've had since May, an endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound sono, stress test, blood/labs, xrays, just went to a pulmenologist (sp) and waiting on a sleep apnea test. Just wondering, though I know all surgeons want their own types of tests done...what is USUALLY required for this test for the doctor and or insurance? Here's another question that has me wondering...risks...w/ the sleeve they say there is a risk of leakage. isn't there the same risk of leakage w/ bypass? They cut the stomach w/ bypass also. When the staple the stomach in the sleeve, do the staples remain there? If they used stitches they could at least disolve. I'm very ignorant about the little details lol just curious. To be honest, I (like many) really don't want surgery and even though I want to feel good and look better, I just havent used self control. I know w/ this, (just like my lapband) you need/have to make better decisions. It's a tool to help, but you need to learn your limits.

Well, I'm sorry for my long winded post. I hope to have my questions answered. This isn't an easy decision for any of us or an easy way out. It's trying to get control of your life and to live again and for some, to live for the first time. I wish for the best of all of us. Good luck to the pre ops and the post ops!

[Bronxbubbles 36]

Well Linda, let me be the first to welcome you to the forum!! You'll find a lot of great information here and answers to all of your questions. I'll answer the few I know about, but I'm currently pre-op so I won't have them all. You can use the search function at the top right hand side of the screen (if you're using a PC) to search for different threads that have answers to your questions- and the ones you can't find, just ask!!

Regarding the required tests- my insurance only requires that I see a NUT (nutritionist) for 6 months, but that was the only physical appointment that was required of them. My surgeon, on the other hand, required a sleep study to check for sleep apnea, a psych evaluation, an upper endoscopy to check for h pylori, medical clearance from my PCP and a blood panel- but that's just so far. Once I get cleared by insurance, I'll then need to have pulmonary and cardiology clearance and maybe some other stuff...

As far as risks are concerned, yes- there are risks of a leak. Many surgeons do a leak test AS they are operating to make sure there are none- and then after the surgery you do a swallow test to make sure that there are none. Again- I'm pre-op so any post-op people who want to chime in, please do!!

The reason I'm personally choosing to do the sleeve is because it's actually less invasive than the DS or RNY but i have the option of doing either of those as a two-step surgery should I choose. (Personally, I'd rather not as I've seen many people that are super successful with the sleeve alone). The Bypass and DS actually require more cutting and the re-arrangement of your intestines so it's not really for me.

Regarding your question about the staples, it is my understanding that the staples stay in...

I hope I was at least a little bit helpful with your questions- and again, if there is something you need more clarification on, please ask. Everybody here is really helpful and friendly. Good luck with everything!!