Strongly considering the sleeve.

[raegray19 0]

Hello, I have not decided on the surgery yet, but I go to a seminar on the 16th and I have researched a lot of info and spoke with people who have had it. I would like to know any info or opinions that anyone is willing to share. Thanks!

[Idlewood4 93]

I got my sleeve 12/9/13. It's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I had a lap band in 2007, and had lots of complications. It got me from 307 high weight to 247, but then I had 2 port replacements, and they were unable to fill it. I had a slip and couldn't swallow much and still didn't lose weight. They took out the lap band in 4/13, and I had to wait for inflammation to settle down. Started my sleeve program in 7/13, and had to go thru all the insurance requirements for the sleeve. I started the sleeve program at 257 pounds. Surgery weight was 240, and I'm now 222. I've been at a stall for the last 10 days, but I also went from size 26-28 pants to --------wait for it-------- today I put on a pair of size 16 pants. Of course I'm all gut still, I look like a basketball on stilts. Anyway, enough rambling, bottom line, I absolutely love my sleeve!!!!! It's not easy, but worth it.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Rae, for 10 years my husband and attended seminars on every kind of weight loss surgery, different doctors and hospitals. We know a lot of people who have had different surgeries. My husband's health really worsened in 10 years, but until the sleeve came along and was covered by our insurance, he was not willing to take that step and I sure did not push him. It is a big decision, especially as our health went downhill with diabetes, HBP, asthma, and age. In the past year I qualified for the sleeve and I am so glad. I saw nothing but doom and gloom for us without this surgery.

Our doctor - we loved from the get-go!!! Some of his staff who assisted him at the first seminar, told us he had done the sleeve on them. Everything combined, we knew the sleeve was right for us. We are both less than 2 months post op, and life is wonderful. Our only regret is that we could not have had the sleeve 10 years ago!

We do not feel like we had surgery. We feel great. No pain once we came home from the hospital. No issues. I am off the med Metformin for diabetes. My husband's issues with diabetes and HBP are much better, we are off a few more meds.

I love not having that constant feeling of being hungry!!!!!!!! It was like my stomach kept telling me to feed it. Thank God that feeling is no more! Best of luck in your decision. Linda

[Essence33 90]

Rae, for 10 years my husband and attended seminars on every kind of weight loss surgery, different doctors and hospitals. We know a lot of people who have had different surgeries. My husband's health really worsened in 10 years, but until the sleeve came along and was covered by our insurance, he was not willing to take that step and I sure did not push him. It is a big decision, especially as our health went downhill with diabetes, HBP, asthma, and age. In the past year I qualified for the sleeve and I am so glad. I saw nothing but doom and gloom for us without this surgery.

Our doctor - we loved from the get-go!!! Some of his staff who assisted him at the first seminar, told us he had done the sleeve on them. Everything combined, we knew the sleeve was right for us. We are both less than 2 months post op, and life is wonderful. Our only regret is that we could not have had the sleeve 10 years ago!

We do not feel like we had surgery. We feel great. No pain once we came home from the hospital. No issues. I am off the med Metformin for diabetes. My husband's issues with diabetes and HBP are much better, we are off a few more meds.

I love not having that constant feeling of being hungry!!!!!!!! It was like my stomach kept telling me to feed it. Thank God that feeling is no more! Best of luck in your decision. Linda

Congrats, to you and your husband. I'm happy you guys made the decision and doing well.

[TimeForANewMe 4]

This is a very personal decision and one I did not make lightly. In fact, the morning of my procedure I almost backed out because I was so nervous about possible complications. I was very fortunate...I have had absolutely no problems from surgery and am now 7 months out and down 76 pounds. It was the BEST decision I have ever made. I was a borderline diabetic, with joint issues, sleep apnea and borderline high blood pressure. Now I no longer need my cpap equipment because my sleep apnea has disappeared, sugar and bp are back to normal and my joints are a lot happier. This is the first time I have lost weight and see light at the end of the tunnel to be able to keep it off. If you should decide to do this, make sure your mind is set, you follow your doctor's directions exactly (even if others are posting that they have done things and had no problems) and learn to eat as they suggest and get your exercise in. The benefits are well worth it...

[Essence33 90]

This is a very personal decision and one I did not make lightly. In fact, the morning of my procedure I almost backed out because I was so nervous about possible complications. I was very fortunate...I have had absolutely no problems from surgery and am now 7 months out and down 76 pounds. It was the BEST decision I have ever made. I was a borderline diabetic, with joint issues, sleep apnea and borderline high blood pressure. Now I no longer need my cpap equipment because my sleep apnea has disappeared, sugar and bp are back to normal and my joints are a lot happier. This is the first time I have lost weight and see light at the end of the tunnel to be able to keep it off. If you should decide to do this, make sure your mind is set, you follow your doctor's directions exactly (even if others are posting that they have done things and had no problems) and learn to eat as they suggest and get your exercise in. The benefits are well worth it...

It is stories like this that makes me feel complete about doing my procedure. Congrats on your success to a healthier you.

[RunningA5K 645]

I was sleeved December 11, 2013. The surgeon said it was textbook (I followed the rules to a T), and there have been some panicky moments I the month following, but I know that I made the absolute best decision for myself.

I'm down 44 pounds from when I started the process, and am well on my way to goal. Best wishes to you on your journey!

[NMJG 1,266]

Was sleeved 5 months ago. I had a BMI of 36, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, arthritis in my hips, and knees about to give out. I was a size 20 XXL. Everything exhausted me. I'm 53 and felt every inch my age.

Today I'm a BMI of 25.9 - almost normal. I wear a size 10/12. Went from 3 blood pressure meds to one. Arthritis is nearly gone and knees are great. Trigycerides and cholesterol are excellent. Blood sugar is terrific. Energy levels are excellent, can even bike and do weight training now (ok, not well, but I'm doing it lol). I'm not hot all the time. For me it was the right decision. It was very hard, this is not a walk in the park. I have had to completely change my eating habits, but I'm really ok with it. For the first time I feel like my hard work paid off and will continue to pay off if I use this wonderful tool to its full extent. I am terrified of gaining the weight back, but I feel like I have a really good chance of keeping it off for life this time, thanks to my sleeve.

I'm just over 30 lbs from goal. I lose slow (be prepared for that - not everyone is a fast loser), but I couldn't be happier. I did have terrible throat issues the first 3 months, so hard to swallow, but that's gone now. Remember there is risk with this surgery. You may be the 99% that has no trouble or you may be the 1%. Prepare yourself for either case.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

NMJG FANTASTIC STORY. GOD BLESS YOU. SO PROUD FOR YOU! Linda

[lizv123 389]

I will be the negative Nancy on this thread. As a leak survivor it's my job. I followed everything to a T and ended up in the hospital for over a month with a leak. TPN strict NPO, MRSA, permanent lung damage, and here's the kicker: over a year out after following everything insanely strictly I stopped losing at 6 months. I regret it. I'm back at square one having to go back to different dieting, dealing my jerk of a doctor, etc.

Think about it CAREFULLY! Just because you follow the rules doesn't mean you won't get a leak. Surgeons are much nicer pre-op, but once you're cut, they're done. I'm not going to talk you out of it. SO many people on here have amazing and inspiring stories and it's changed their lives for the better. But don't forget about the small handful that this surgery has devastated. We're a small percent (Thank God) but remember you could be in our number. Slim chances! But it's a serious life change and risk.

Best of luck! (And before anything research research research! Think you know enough? Research more! So many people on here rush into things and then bit** and moan afterwards because they didn't do enough research beforehand) keep us posted, love!!