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I've lost a total of 25 pounds since I started Kaisers Options class I still need to lose 8 more pounds and I have about 7 more weeks of class. I also have been using the FitBit which I love so much it shows you so much that you do throughout the day. After my class I'm hoping I get an appointment with the surgeon right away and get to have my surgery within 2 to 3 weeks after that date.

After going through so much I finally got approved. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. My surgery is scheduled for thursday. Not sure what I should take with me when I go but will soon figure it out

I had my EGD on Thursday last week and I am fine, I do not have Hiatal Hernia. That made me feel much better. I am feeling more confident each day and each weigh in. I will be getting the surgery for sure as long as insurance approves it.

I was dead set on having the Sleeve when I started my journey. Due to my weight and BMI, my surgeon recommended RNY. In the end it was up to me and after much investigation, I chose RNY because I did not want to have to worry about GERD and having to have another surgery for revision if it developed. A nurse in my surgeon's practice had RNY 18 years ago and she is healthy and having no issues. I'm 5 months Post-Op and feeling great. My knees, back and hip have so much less pain than prior to surgery. My pre-diabetes has gone away and my blood sugar is in the normal range.

Ah yes, went through the same dilemma. In fact I changed my mind the week of surgery, for the exact reasons that you list. That being said, I have heard there are some metabolic benefits to the RNY that the sleeve does not provide, but I am not sure if that is true, and if so, how long those effects last. I can tell you in the 9 weeks since I was sleeved I have not touched a blood pressure pill. My BP has been perfect. Also, my sugars have been in the normal range ever since surgery. So, with the sleeve I was able to get rid of 2 medications. As for sleep apnea, I have not had a sleep study done yet, but I was at 400lbs so it will be a bit until I loose enough weight to help with that issue. Ultimately you have to decide which you are comfortable with. I personally think all things equal the sleeve produces about the same weight loss and with quite a few less risk factors, but then again I chose the sleeve, perhaps someone with RNY has had better results than I have. I'd personally rather lose less weight and not have to worry about the complications that come with RNY. As an aside you will see a lot of evidence suggesting that GERD becomes a real issue after the sleeve. I had GERD, with pills and chewables each day I still had issues. Since the surgery I have not had a single problem with reflux, but then again I am only 7 weeks out.

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry you went through that with your husband. I think he will come around and be okay with it once I have it and he sees my progress. I had a talk with my aunt today because she and him have been talking and working each other up and she has agreed not to discuss it anymore with him. Thank you for your support and I hope you are doing well! I can't wait to find out my surgery date! It's getting closer!! [emoji847]

I gave up alcohol before surgery. I had the occasional mimosa with brunch because I am civilized. I had communion at 2 weeks, not thinking. It burned really bad. And communion wine is watered down. I imagine real alcohol would burn like hell. It is your birthday do whatever you want, you are an adult, but you have been warned, it might really hurt. I'm not even going to bother with empty calories and all of that, because it doesn't even matter.

Congratulations. You have lost a amazing amount of weight.. down 119 lbs. You should feel really proud of yourself. You seem to have a great attitude towards this !! Keep posting Kate

I was the total opposite. I walked into my consultation with my heart set on having the sleeve. My surgeon asked me one thing: "do you have acid reflux?" My answer: "yes. Not much though" and that was followed by "well VSG could make it worse." Along with that, and the amount of weight I'd like to lose, I pretty much walked out of there with my mind changed to the bypass

I was banded in 2007; it worked lovely for me, I lost almost everything I wanted in 1 year -- then I got pregnant & it broke, gained it all back, had a baby, revised band -- lost it all again, got pregnant again & it broke again -- gained it all back again, had a baby, revised band. Worked again, but slower... broke again.. gained it back... this has continued on and on.. I have had a total of 2 replacements & 6 revisions. The last revision didn't take, I don't feel the same as I use to, and that revision was early 2015. This is between 2 surgeons. Back to my original 2007 pre-op weight, my band has been bothering me... Found out it is slipped & has to go. They had to move my port from belly, chest, belly... port has flipped 4 times... port disconnected once... tubing broke once... and now slipped. Keep in mind, since day 1 I am self-pay, so I could have bought a house by now with all I have paid. Doctor said we either revise the band again, remove it, or convert it. I refuse to revise the band again, I hate the booger at this point. It will be $9k to remove it -- $22k to revise it to a sleeve. I am too afraid of GP, even after all this time as a bariatric patient. In 2012 I wanted to convert to the sleeve, but the price difference was too much to justify everytime I had to go under the knife (if I only knew how many more surgeries I'd be paying for since then because of the band!!). This time, I decided -- remove it, and be done. When I can eat 'normal' again for the first time in years, I'll work on eating things like fruit, veggies & salads -- which I can't eat now. I thought a little more & talked with family, and we've all decided I should just take out a 2nd mortgage and bite the bullet, because I'm not healthy anymore and would very much like to be, and if I decided later on I want the sleeve, it's going to be another 20k+ the 9k I pay now. So, I have it all scheduled now. Surgery first week of January 2017 (for tax purposes, I asked to wait until the new year). I've been absent from the forum for years, feeling that I have nothing to contribute as a lap-band failure, and the great friendships I made through this forum, I talk to all the time. But I am back, now that I am going to be a 'newbie' in the sleeve world. I am very excited now that I've gotten over the initial shock of how much money I'm going to be shelling out..... again. Here's to my new success, and good riddance to the band!!!!