New Member and I have a Surgery Date! woohoooooo

Hello everyone, I've been trolling this site for about two months now since I decided on Labor Day weekend to start looking into WLS.  Well after two months of solid research and Psych Evals, doc's appointments, bloodwork, couseling, and nutritionists  I have a date!!! Monday December 19th!  Its far away because I am a music teacher and this is my busy time of the year and I didn't want to miss any concerts.

Even though I  have a date, I'm still tryng to decide which surgery is best.  Either the full bypass or sleeve.  I'm meeting one on one with my surgeon Friday Nov. 11th and we will make the descision but I would like to hear opinions from other people.  I fully understand that the surgery is just a tool and my sucess rate is really dependant on me and how hard I'll work.  I'm an all or nothing kind of girl so I figure I'll be fine.  But I'm honestly scared of having the bypass because I don't want my intestines to be messed with and the whole dumping thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  So right now I'm leeaning towards the Sleeve... what do you all think?

Well, obviously *I* think the DS is the best surgery---that's why I had it. (*grin*)

Of the two procedures you mention, I'd take the Sleeve over the bypass every day of the week,. and twice on Sundays. The Sleeve preserves the pylorus and all normal stomach function, and simply has fewer potential complications than the pouch/stoma combo of the gastric bypass/RNY. And it's looking like the Sleeve will wind up with about the same success rate as the RNY, too.

I urge you to also research the DS. Your profile doesn't tell us how much weight you need to lose, whether you have co-morbs, etc.---but the bottom line is that the DS has the VERY BEST long-term, maintained weight loss stats, AND the best stats for the resolution or prevention of co-morbs like diabetes and high cholesterol. Your current surgeon doesn't DO the DS, but if you decide the DS is right for you, you can always change surgeons.

Check out www.dsfacts.com, www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/, and www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/

 Thanks for you quick responseI  I have researched the DS and that is the procedure that I really like.  However my sugeron who comes highly receommended does not do that procedure and neither does anyone in CT.  So the choice I have is between the sleeve and the bypass.  

I have not updated my profile yet because quite frankly I'm embarrassed.  I know I shouldn't be especially on this forum but thats the truth of the matter.  I'll suck it up and update it later tonight or tomorrow..  

Thanks!
T

There are DS surgeons in twenty states and DS patients in 50 states.  MANY of us had to travel.  My surgeon was in state, but it was still a 3.5 hour drive each way on a good day...and since you Right Coast people have those teeny states, you can probably make it to SEVERAL vetted DS surgeons in less time.

There are, however, several good DS surgeons not too far from you---check out the list at www.dsfacts.com. I drove 2.5 hours away from home for surgery. My surgeon's office was very good about scheduling pre-op testing, psych eval, seminar, consult, etc. so that I could get them done in one trip. VERY do-able.

If you have co-morbs like diabetes or high cholesterol, I strongly urge you to settle for no less than the DS. Better than 98% of diabetics who have the DS see permanent resolution of all symptoms, and are often all meds before leaving the hsopital after surgery. And because the DS causes us to only absorb 20% of the fat we eat, most of us have cholestrol numbers around 100. (Yes, that's 1-0-0, one hundred. And we eat BACON! *grin*)

Good luck with whatever you choose, but I really hope you'll hold on to your pylorus!

Thank you. And good luck. Keep me posted. =)

I had the sleeve done 6 weeks ago. I did however have complications.  I developed gallstones and had my gallbladder removed and they found a blood clot in my liver so now Im on blood thinners. So even tho its been bumpy I think the sleeve is better then the bypass. Id ask your surgeon to maybe check for possible blood clot presentations or maybve they can start you on blood thinnners before and take you off after, Ive hit a bump and stopped losing weight cuz Im not a great protein drinker but Ive heard water is a must. Im working on since Ive only lost 25 pounds. Good luck with your decision.

 Thank you so much for sharing.  Blood clots have always been a concern for me because I am the one and the million person who got a blood clot in my lung from birth control pills.  I am very familiar with blood thinners.  Thanking I was only on them for about 6 months after my blood clot and I was on them my entire pregnancy.  I am going to insist that I go on them before and after surgery and I'll be getting my fat but  up and walking as soon as I can.

Here I am going on and on about me when I should be offering your graduations on your sleeve!  I"m sorry for the complications that you've had. But the way I see it, even with all yoru compications you've still lost 25lb!s.  YOU GO GIRL! 

I'm really put at ease that even after all you've been through you are still saying you would prefer the sleeve.  Thank you for your advice and support!  Best wishes for a no more complications...

T

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