New to all of this....
I've just started my journey. I'm in the 6 months of supervised weight-loss and will hopefully be having surgery in Dec.
I am 90% sure I want the sleeve. 10% is still thinking about the band.
I'm in need of advice. The more I think about surgery the scarier it gets. Is this normal? I'm really scared of all the life changes. I know I can do it. I have to do it!!
I am 90% sure I want the sleeve. 10% is still thinking about the band.
I'm in need of advice. The more I think about surgery the scarier it gets. Is this normal? I'm really scared of all the life changes. I know I can do it. I have to do it!!
I wanted the band initially at first too. Then I read about it and I'm surprised they are still even allowed to put that in people. So many people on these boards in this VSG forum are here with band revisions (their 2nd surgery) because it gave them so many problems. Do some research and you'll see. Even my surgeon told me how likely I would need other surgeries down the road if I got a band. I only want ONE surgery LOL. I quickly changed my mind about the band. Either too much food passes through or its so tight your vomiting every time you eat, it perforates into your stomach lining, it slips and gets out of place in the wrong position, and the list goes on and on.
I'm glad its only 10% on your list :)
Surgery can be scary and it is for most people. Just about everyone feels that way, usually the days just before surgery are the worst. For me though, I was never really scared. I knew it was what I wanted. There was no doubt in my mind. It was either have this done or KNOW that I was going to get high blood pressure, diabetes, have a potential fatal heart attack, potentially have a debilitating stroke and wind up in a nursing home at age 45 paralyzed on one side of my body, etc etc etc. The list of complications from being fat goes on and on and on....
There was nothing for me to be nervous about .. other then those things I mentioned from NOT having the surgery. That was what I was scared of, not the surgery itself. I was wheeled into the O.R. with a smile on my face ... KNOWING this was going to save my life.
Good luck!
I'm glad its only 10% on your list :)
Surgery can be scary and it is for most people. Just about everyone feels that way, usually the days just before surgery are the worst. For me though, I was never really scared. I knew it was what I wanted. There was no doubt in my mind. It was either have this done or KNOW that I was going to get high blood pressure, diabetes, have a potential fatal heart attack, potentially have a debilitating stroke and wind up in a nursing home at age 45 paralyzed on one side of my body, etc etc etc. The list of complications from being fat goes on and on and on....
There was nothing for me to be nervous about .. other then those things I mentioned from NOT having the surgery. That was what I was scared of, not the surgery itself. I was wheeled into the O.R. with a smile on my face ... KNOWING this was going to save my life.
Good luck!
I have been in your shoes. Two years ago yesterday, I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy performed. Since that time, there is no way to describe the improvement in my emotional, mental, and physical being. Not only have I lost the 100 lbs. that I needed to lose, but I no longer take cholesterol medications and I am able to enjoy life! The reasons I chose the sleeve procedure are that 1) I have a good friend that had underwent the procedure about 1-1/2 years previously and had done excellent 2) I had heard of problems associated with the lap band (not as much weight lost, many go on to have other WLSurgeries, and having a port implanted underneath the skin for "adjustments" later.) I really didn't like that idea.FYI - Also the nurse that heads up the support group that I attend, just had the sleeve 9 wks. ago after not being happy with the lap band. 3) the gastric bypass was so much more involved with the rerouting of the digestive tract. The data seem to support the sleeve procedure as the best overall. Immediately the next morning after surgery, I thought to myself, "what in the world have I done?' - but my mind replayed all of those many weight loss attempts with the regaining of the weight each time. I was so tired of fighting the battle in a war I could not win!!!! having the surgery has forced me to realize that I had a major addiction problem - carbohydrates and sugar. I am now eating healthy and my small stomach aids me in controlling my portion sizes. I now want to put healthy food in my body. Having surgery is a tool - I can not say that enough. You will deal with the food issues for the rest of your life, but you will regain the ability to know when to stop eating. It is very important to attend support groups. You will learn so much from others that have been through what you will be going through. You must take the prescribed vitamins and other supplements recommended. This is a second chance at life that you do not want to mess up. I hope that this helps you in some way. The hardest part for me pre-op was dealing with the feelings of failure in that I could not conquer this demon with food on my own and had to get help. I am so glad that I did. Also, I only told my closest family and friends - I just didn't need others questioning my decision pre-op or constanting asking how much weight I had lost post-op. That was one of the best decisions I made.
Congratulations on the beginning of your journey! It is very normal to be scared out of your wits when it comes to surgery. If you weren't worried or scared, THEN that would be something to be concerned about. I was terrified up until the morning of my surgery, but you know what? I figured that this surgery was my way of correcting all of the abuse I had subjected my body to all of these years. And that comforted me.
When I started the supervised diets, I didn't even consider the lap band. Why? Several reasons.
1.) I knew three people who had previously had the lap band. While all three lost weight, they regained all of their weight (and MORE) when they had it removed.
2.) There is a chance, ever so slight as it may be, that the lap band could erode onto your stomach, causing ghastly results and even more surgery.
3.) The chances of your band slipping are pretty high. Then they need to fix it.
4.) The thought of getting poked with a needle every few weeks for a refill on the band (which they charge per session) did not sound all that great to me.
5.) You need to have another surgery to get the lap band removed.
6.) I've seen several people on this forum who have started out with the lap band, but moved on to the sleeve. I'm sure any of them can be of help to you on the lap band vs. sleeve debate.
So yes, while the lap band may not be a permanent thing, it certainly carries more risks.
Hope I kind of answered some of your questions. :)
When I started the supervised diets, I didn't even consider the lap band. Why? Several reasons.
1.) I knew three people who had previously had the lap band. While all three lost weight, they regained all of their weight (and MORE) when they had it removed.
2.) There is a chance, ever so slight as it may be, that the lap band could erode onto your stomach, causing ghastly results and even more surgery.
3.) The chances of your band slipping are pretty high. Then they need to fix it.
4.) The thought of getting poked with a needle every few weeks for a refill on the band (which they charge per session) did not sound all that great to me.
5.) You need to have another surgery to get the lap band removed.
6.) I've seen several people on this forum who have started out with the lap band, but moved on to the sleeve. I'm sure any of them can be of help to you on the lap band vs. sleeve debate.
So yes, while the lap band may not be a permanent thing, it certainly carries more risks.
Hope I kind of answered some of your questions. :)
Starting: 284. Op Day: 264. Current: 185.80. Goal: 180.
Main goal: To be able to take the "morbidly" out.
I have 2 words for you
NO BAND!!!!!
For starters they aren't permanent and have to be removed in 5-10 years, many many of us are having serious problems with the band and it is just not an effective surgery for most. Yes there are a few who have done wonderfully but they are exception not the rule. Please do yourself a favor and stick with the sleeve. If I knew then what I know now I would NEVER get the band, I would rather be fat than live with the band. You will do just fine with your surgery, nerves are normal!
NO BAND!!!!!
For starters they aren't permanent and have to be removed in 5-10 years, many many of us are having serious problems with the band and it is just not an effective surgery for most. Yes there are a few who have done wonderfully but they are exception not the rule. Please do yourself a favor and stick with the sleeve. If I knew then what I know now I would NEVER get the band, I would rather be fat than live with the band. You will do just fine with your surgery, nerves are normal!
Most Active
Recent Topics
