confused and upset

Until you are ready, keep researching.  If you have doubts you need to understand them.  The Doc sounds like he is on your side, and wants you to be sure you want to go this way.

I'm ot sure your age, how high your BMI is, or any other factors (are you planning on having kids?) all those play into your decision. 

I chose VSG because I needed to be able to take NSAIDS for my Arthritis, my insurance did not cover the DS for me as my BMI was to low, I may have considered that one if my Doc felt I needed that component as well.  I take a ton of supplements to manage my arthritis and fibromyalgia, and felt the Lapband Pouch would be a problem,  I have not trouble at all with my VSG tummy taking them since about 4 weeks out.   

None of the procedures are easy, they all require a commitment and understanding that you must use the tool correctly, and if you choose to "cheat, graze, or eat out of control" you can fail.  That is possible with any of the procedures, you must be commited to working on your issues, and have a good support system to help you through it.  If your Doc has a support group, go to each meeting. 

Truthfully, if I hadn't gotten this done, I know my lifespan would have been shortened, I had Co-Morbs and was in pain everyday.  I can now eat just about all foods (I still don't do sushi, or any raw meats, I don't do much bread, I prefer the crusts, rice can be a problem as it absorbs and fillys my tummy), and have found I can eat poorly if I choose to.  It is all about choice. 

I have been maintaining about 9 months, it is so much easier than before. That was something I could not do was to maintain, the weight would just creep back on.  I would like to lose a few more lbs, that would mean my really focusing and increasing my exercise, another  choice I have to make. I eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, meats, take my vitamins, see my doc every 6 months. 

I was tired and had trouble eating much for the first few months, but use that time to lose as much as possible, and those new habits (not drinking with meals, chewing well, etc). The pain the first 3-5 days was the worst, then it got better each day, The first 3 weeks while on liquids was tough, got easier on purees, and was thrilled to eat mushies....

There are a few who have had problems and may have regrets, there are some who may not have gotten off all the weight and have regrets they didn't get a malabsorptive component.  

Some have had problems with Nausea, or leaks, there are possible complications in VSG and any WLS, check the posts for politicaljunkie and novascotiadawn PJ had major nausea problems and NSD had a leak that took quite awhile for the doc to diagnose.

Lastly, have peace about your decision, if you don't feel it, keep researching and work it out.

Ter

edited to add:  I went to Jack in the Box2 days ago, , ordered the 3 "sliders" ate about half a bun, and 1 patty, and was full.  Pre-op I would have eaten all 3 plus supersized it! with a Huge coke!

The trick for most of us isn't loosing the weight.  Most of us can do that just fine - it's the keeping it off part that's near impossible (only about 5% of diets work long-term).  That's why surgery is such an important tool for those of us with major weight issues.

I'm 6 months out, and I have NO regrets at all.  Well, except when something tastes so good, and I just can't eat another bite.  True, it's hard sometimes (yes, I've even cried about it), but the point is that my obesity wasn't going anywhere - it was a permanent thing too, just like this operation.  But if I have something permanently, I'd rather have this surgery and my health than an obesity issue.

Good luck!

~Katherine

I am getting this surgery to help me when my willpower fails.  Right now, I can diet for a month, go out to eat once, and gain back everything I lost.  If the sleeve makes it so that I only gain back one pound before I get myself back on track, then I will stay on the road to success.

Honestly, I make the right choices most of the time.  It's when I don't have the strength to make the right choices that the sleeve will limit the damage, as long as I am not deliberately sabotaging myself.

If you look at the diiferent post, there are tons of people who had very different amounts to loss. Lots and not so much. I have seen someone who is a reasonable size but scaried of the soon to come 40's spread in all the women in her family and then the major health issues that followed them all, that was her reason. For me the yoyo the last 20 years or so was just something I coud no longer live with doing. I am now able to control easier the amounts and ever when I am eating. I was on the "can't I do this myself" and "What if I don't like it?". Like others have said, NOT like because,,, you can't pig ouy anymore? I can go out to eat, and OK yes there are things I can no longer eat but those things I should NOT have been eating in those amounts anyway!! In the long run all these things that lead you to seek this as an option can be the very reason you will love it.
Always remember it is a tool to help you to your goal, and yes, a lifestyle change, but health, happiness and just feeling good is a way you might want to go. It is something we have to do for our selves and no one else.

The side-effects from obesity are real and they are frightening.  
Ask you doctor to compile a list of the known comorbidities of obesity.  Is 95% chance of staying obese really worth the risks???
Absolutely NOT.
Doctors are just people too.  And they make mistakes, errors in judgment and sometimes they just don't understand a certain issue as well as they should.
Also, he may just be checking to see how serious you are about the surgery and playing devil's advocate.  Who knows. 
Go with your heart.  You know yourself better than anyone else.  When it comes to you, YOU are the expert!!
Good Luck!!!

I have not had surgery yet, problems with new job and getting time off etc. I decided to wait until December when my fmla kicks in. I began working with a nutritionist and lost 12 pounds in a month eating good, real, non processed foods. It just pretty much fell off. That was almost 2 months ago, have not lost a single ounce since. I broke down on Saturday after trying on an outfit ordered from a catalog for large girls and while the pants  where great, at a size 26, the top was snug and OMG MY ARMS WHERE SHOWING>that wasn't going to happen. I thought there is no way I can continue like this and scheduled my surgery for Sept. 30, hopefully work will understand. Like others have said, they can lose but not keep it off or they only lose a little bit. I have a lot to go and don't think my health will hold out unless I take the leap of faith. I have been on the boards for about 3 years I think and choose Dr. Aceves. I think of regrets all l the time but then I think of how I felt when I looked in the mirror with the new outfit that did not fit. I would rather have a little of the foods I like than to carry arount this weight any longer just to eat more. Getting my passport application in the mail this week! Good luck.

It's kinda like getting married - if you are not 100% certain - DON'T DO IT ! 
Well, okay, maybe not 100%.  We all worried a little, too. (like when we got pre-wedding jitters !)

You don't say how old you are.  If you are very young - sure, listen a bit to your respected doc.  You have been successful at losing weight on your own so far.  So just keep doing what you are doing.   (they will be plenty of time later for surgery, if you really NEED it, and still want it.)

But if you are older, if you have tried and tried and failed time and time again, or you have "succeeded" only to regain over and over again - well, the VSG could well be the answer for you.

I only wish I'd done it sooner !   Good luck with your decision !
Hugs,
Judy

Ditto what Erica said -- a small fraction of successful dieters keep the weight off long term. The majority of successful wls folks keep it off. Why wouldn't you go with your best odds for success??

WLS is an invaluable tool -- and I fully expect it will be merely a tool. I'll have to do the hard work. Arguably, wls is successful in part because a certain type of committed person is determined and brave enough to go under the knife.

It is not the easy way out, not the cop out, not the plan B. It's just my opinion, but I truly believe for most adults who have tried diets before and have a BMI that puts them at risk -- wls is the best option.

Is this person a treating doctor for you, or just someone you know?  If he is a treating Doctor, then you might want to listen to him.  If he is just someone you know and respect, then come back at him with this question, "Why would you discourage me from doing something that could significantly improve my health?"

Unless he REALLY knows you well, your medical history, etc., he should not be giving you any medical advice.  If he does really know you well, then the above question is doubly important.

I can only speak for myself.  After doing very detailed and very extensive research, using the libraries at UC San Diego, USC, and all of the major hospitals in the San Diego area, researching on-line, etc., I chose the VSG because it offered safety, excellent success, and no mal-absorption.  I could take all medications necessary, for the rest of my life.

It has vastly improved my health, my energy, and it has literally given me back my life.  I have more energy now that I had at 40 (I am 65).  My diabetes has resolved, my cholesterol and triglycerides are now normal, and my blood pressure is low normal range.  All of those things required a boatload of medication to control.  I no longer take any medication for any of them.

You make your OWN decision, in consultation with your treating physicians.

 Hi - I need more info from you - such as - how old are you and how much do you weigh and how long have you been overweight.  

The surgery is wonderful for helping you get that fat off - but it is something you will live with for the rest of your life and it isn't perfect - you will probably miss eating - I do still unfortunately.  But that's so far the only problem - I'm 62 and have had 120 lbs of fat and couldnt' stick to a diet longer than 2 months and maybe 20 lbs at the most.  So now I've lost over 60 pounds and feel and look so much better and would definitely do it again - plus I am now working at losing the rest of the weight - but it is tough to see others around you enjoying their meals and you eat about 4 bites and have to quit and sit there and wait for the stomach to digest the food before you can even drink a glass of anything - 30 mins recommended.

Doesn't sound like a huge deal compared to the health risks of being obese plus the drain on your self-image, etc.  But it is still something that will be there for the rest of your life.  So your doctor saw you do so well and maybe thought you could just continue that and not need to get the surgery - only you know whether you can lose it without surgery.

Forget about the 'quitter" thing - instead you need to figure out what works best and what you are willing to give up - for example - most of us have had to pay cash for the VSG because our insurance still considers it investigational.  Is it worth the money, the little bit of pain, discomfort and then the giving up of eating as much as you'd like?