Finally made the decision and now I'm petrified

[Fixerupper 335]

As I was making my decision this time around I joined RNYtalk, Sleevetalk, and Bandtalk. I looked at the success stories and complications. I have a hiatal hernia, gastritis, and esophogitis from band complications along with horrible reflux that I did not have before the band. This is why I opted for the gp over sleeve because I could see from the forums that reflux was a problem after the sleeve and I am trying to resolve mine. I have a good friend who was sleeved a couple of months ago and is very happy, and another who was sleeved and suffered a life threatening leak. There is a much longer suture / staple line with the sleeve so I understand there is a higher risk of leaks. I have lost and kept off 50 pounds with the band over a five year period and I have lost and regained another 20 multiple times. One of the things my surgeon told me is that the risks associated with gp are now very close to that of gallbladder removal and appendectomy in the hands of an experienced surgeon. That gave me alot of comfort for some reason and helped me make my decision (I have to have my gallbladder removed anyway). You will see on the boards that the band does work for some people. For me, the scar tissue that formed around my band causes me to be too tight even with my band completely unfilled. I didn't cause that problem, the band did. That leads to eventually surviving on what you can which are junky "slider" foods. I have to take responsibility for doing that with my band. But, I would get so hungry that I felt I needed to get something down to my stomach and keep it down. Don't get me wrong. I too am scared of this surgery. But, I am just trying to focus on the positive. I wish you the best of luck in your decision. I know t is difficult. Sorry this is so long. I'm usually just typing from my phone but today I'm on the laptop so I could say more. Feel free to message me if I can be of any help or if you have questions.

[btb2013 84]

and petrified is not an understatement.

Here's my story. I've been "big" my whole life' date=' but it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I entered the obese/morbidly obese categories. I've had moderate success with Weight Watchers, but haven't been able to maintain. At one point, I was able to get down to 197, but that was short lived. Now I'm 41, 5'6", 274, BMI 45.4, and "pre" everything you can think of.

While I've been contemplating weight loss surgery for some time (and have some excellent role models), it wasn't until last month when I was convinced that I was having a heart attack (really the onset of a migraine) that I decided I needed to talk with my doctor. We both decided that I should pursue weight loss surgery. She referred me to the GWU Bariatric Surgery Center and I got ready for the appointment.

I had it all set in my mind - six months from now I would have gastric band and I would be on my way to the healthier me.

I met with the PA. At the end of the history, she asked what I was considering. I confidently announced - "I've done my research and I want the band." She politely told me that she didn't think that was my best option. I decided to wait to hear from the doctor because she was "just" a PA?!

Dr. Vaziri met with me and talked about everything he had read and heard about me. He told me that I was very healthy and an excellent candidate for weight loss surgery - just not the band. Now this doctor was telling me that I was wrong and he knew more about this than I did! The nerve. He explained that, given my cravings and current body weight, I was a much better candidate for RNY.

Here's the truth - I had wrapped my brain around the band and commited to implement the changes needed to be successful. There's something about the band that makes it seem so minor. And now I'm told that the best thing for me is the one that I perceive to be scary, scary and scary.

I'm going to go forward and I know that I will educate myself over the next 6 months and I'll realize that the doctor is correct, but right now all I can think of is every side effect etc.

Would love to hear from people that were equally as scared and what they've learned to put everything in perspective.

I'm so glad I've found this forum![/quote']

Sheba, the P.A. Is good! ( I may have misspelled her name).

They both require Surg. But the band requires multiple fixes and adjustments, bills, copayment, hospitalizations. Plus being imbedded in the ab wall. Plenty of revisions on this site of band to RnY......

My op w/ Vaziri is on Tuesday.

I chose RnY because I needed faster weight loss and long term restriction due to a neuro health condition I have. If I did not have these things in place, and due to ongoing health probs from that my next level of health prob would be near death or death.

I am scared because of going under. I am scared of anything that calls for possible human error impacting my body. I have bled out twice on the op table and have had bad reactions to anesthesia leading to hospital stays. But I am also scared of dying from my condition and leaving my two children and husband and a life where I have not left my legacy in my personal and business lives.

HW 245; CW pre-op: 229; Surg Date: 2/26/13