I Know it's my Choice BUT...

One thing I have learned about weight loss surgery is that you still have to do the work. It's not a magic cure all. You still have to eat certain things, drink water, exercise and take your vitamins. The same things that were recommended prior to surgery. I had VSG and there are still a lot of rules. Chew your food, don't eat too much...ect...The percentages are average. You can lose more if you do your part. I chose the sleeve because I felt it would be less complications. Just remember whatever you choose, you will still have to do your part...that's the biggest thing.

Thanks! I was thinking of VSG. I just overthink everything. I do know it will be alot easier to workout having a "tool" help me tool get some of the weight off.

I'm pretty sure I've told you this before, but---your very best chance for long-term success lies with the DS. Now, I'm not saying that you can't be successful with other forms of WLS, just that your odds are better with the DS. Stats are averages, so keep in mind that while some people will do BETTER than those stats predict, some people will do WORSE. And what you need to think about is the long-term---most people can and do lose a significant amount of weight with all of the WLS procedures. Where the rubber means the road is how well they can maintain that loss years later.

Have you spent any tome reading the Revision board? If not, I strongly suggest that you do. Keep in mind that many insurance companies now have "one per lifetime" clauses regarding WLS.

Hi MsBatt,

Thanks for the reminder about the once per lifetime max rule. I will see if that applies to my insurance. As for the DS, the hospital I work for is self-insured. We are also a COE and they do not perform DS. I did ask about it. I was told the doctors said the nutritional deficiency risk is too great for their liking. I can't go anyplace else without paying an arm and a leg. Even if I didn't work here, I would have still choice HUP in Philadelphia.

Then I'm going to advise you to go with the Sleeve. On down the road, if the Sleeve doesn't give you as much help as you need, it's MUCH easier to add the Switch to a Sleeve than it is to revise an RNY to a full DS. Of course, if the 'one per lifetime' rule does affect you, it'll cost you around $10K. And sadly, even if whatever insurance you have now doesn't have that clause, the insurance you have 3-4 years from now might.

Once YOU choose and have any wls there really is no going back.  You have to live with your choice, hence the reason no one is going to make it for you, nor should they.  Both surgeries can work for you, and the statistics about lose volume are just that, you choose what you lose also.  It's all about how much work you wish to put into this, how much you are willing to sacrifice long term, they are "forever" changes to be successful.  What you did for 31 years did NOT work, so none of it can come back into your normal new life and eating routine once you have surgery.  It is hard to change, that is why we need surgery to force us to do it.  I know for sure without my rny I could never ever ever get close to my weight that I have been for over 6 years now. 

Whatever you choose make it work for and don't look back.

Hi MyLady Heidi,

Thanks! You know, I never thought about the reason why they wouldn't help me narrow down on a choice of WLS but after reading the way you explained it, it does make a lot of sense. I think changing my mind will be the most difficult part of this journey. I have been making some changes lately following a higher protein-lower carb diet and I am finding the less I eat, the less I crave. I also find that just one french fry or peice of bread makes me want more to the point where I'm trying my best to avoid it just so that I don't have to fight with myself over it. I guess I'm trying to reprogram yourself now. I need to try a better way because my way is not working...at all. *my old way, that is)

I say *middle finger* to those percentages.

I started at 375, 60+ BMI and am now a normal BMI and have lost 100% of my excess weight. I had the VSG 2 years ago.

The REAL question is if you're willing to do the work. The reason that weight loss surgeries have 50% is because some people lose none, some people lose half and some people lose all of it.

Which group are you willing to be in?

Hi Sleevegirl,

Thanks! I'm an accountant and to us, numbers and statistics probably "carry more weight" in the real world than they should. Maybe the nurse was being conservative in her estimation. I don't know. But I absolutely understand that the WLS is just a tool and my success depends on how well I use it.

On another note, good job! I actually found one of your friend's blogs and read about all of the wisdom you shared and how you helped her.

I like the "safety" of the sleeve and leaving my intestines in tact. I think I'll need to spend some more time on the sleeve board as well.

Nita

Now I'm curious... which friend? LOL

I own a bookkeeping firm, so I totally know what you mean. The good news is that I've been able to step back and, even weighing daily, observe those numbers as data only and not get too personally attached to it. It's taken some therapy though. LOL

And absolutely join us on the VSG board. I adore my sleeve :)