To Sleeve Or Not To Sleeve...

I'm glad to hear you are doing your homework and feeling more secure in your decision. I had my sleeve gastrectomy 1/13 as a revision to the lap-band surgery I had back in 2007. I am already glad I made this choice and I hope that you will be too! I wont liie, the surgery pains are no joke, but when you start losing the weight, it will motivate you and inspire you to make other healthy decisions for your life!

Best of luck to you!!

I find myself doing that also... My date is on the 30th of this month and I find myself going back and forth also...

Good luck on your journey!!!!

I had no doubts about getting sleeved. Of course on the day of surgery I was nervous as they wheeled me down that hallway to the operating room, but I knew all along that I was going to go through with it because it was the only way I could lose weight, become healthier, and keep the weight off. Don't get me wrong, the recovery stage wasn't easy; getting adjusted to this new way of eating and fighting to get protein in is a pain in the neck for the first month or so until you get used to it, but it's so worth it in the end.

Good luck with your surgery. Best decision ever.

It took me about 2 months to make the decisions to have the sleeve over the lap-band. I finally came to the decision after having a long talk with my surgeon . he fully explained the benefits and short comings of each surgery. the band seems to require more maintenance and was prone to slipping and lower average wight loss. the sleeve had a some minor complications such as drainage bags but for the most part it seems to be less of a chore to deal with. It also has a higher average weight loss which is comparable to the bypass surgery without the absorption problems. the sleeve seemed to be the best of both worlds. i have has the sleeve for a little over 2 months now and have lost 74 pounds. My surgeon is the Chief Surgeon at the hospital and performs all types of surgery including tumor removals and heart surgery. so when he was giving me advise i had to listen.i am pleased with my decision. good luck with your decision

I echo JMarshall with all the reasons for chosing the sleeve over the lapband. The constant maintence of the lapband turned me off. I read where one person took three sticks to get the right spot to adjust the band. The thought of leaving that object in me for life, really turned me off.

I will say.. yeah to those that lose a lot of weight fast. I'm two monts out and have only lost 25 pounds since surgery. But I've lost a lot of inches and am still really satisfied

Hi. You are the first post I've commented on, but...I've just gotten started on this site and I'm finding it rather psychologically therapeutic to put words on the page.

I had all the questions, fears and second, third and fourth thoughts if this was the right thing for me to do, just as you are and what appears everyone that makes this decision has. Should I try yet another diet first? I decided I just couldn't bear losing and gaining back again. I want a permanent life change - a serious size change. My biggest questions was, "what is going to happen in the future with my stomach?" I mean the actual vital organ in my body. To me it is just a freaky thing to consider having the majority of a healthy organ removed from my body! It freaks me out and of course stirs up all kinds of questions and fears. Additionally, I have issues with being embarrassed about doing this sort of thing, i.e., surgery to lose weight! Yep, it's the truth. Even though I've been looking in to it for seven-eight months, I only told my husband I was going to have the surgery a week prior to my surgery date, and I only told a close friend of mineone day prior to my surgery date (both have been incredibly supportive). I still haven't even told my family (I don't have family that live close, so that part was easier.) The whole personal embarrassment thing is a phycological thing that I will be working through. I've tried everything before and have failed. I didn't want to be judged nor have anyone worry about me or try to talk me out of it. In actuality, they might not have, but...this is my journey.

I had my vsg surgery on Jan. 17th, and today is my 3rd day home post-surgery. I still have questions, if this was the right thing to do, but I have to honestly say...yes. It is what I needed to do to a permanent outcome. I truly see a bright light at the end of the tunnel I'm so excited about the future and actually successfully losing half of my physical self and can't wait to take up less space in the world - a smaller footprint! I am so looking forward to all the positives that will come with being and living at a normal body size, weight and moving around on this earth light and healthy. I've a long way to go, but I'm so determined, thanks to my vsg!

This is 100% a decision you have to make for yourself. I do have to say, that I have had some wonderful encouragement, guidance, insight and support from a former colleague and now who I consider my friend. She been extremely successful with her vsg weightloss journey. When I first looked in to the lapband, I came across a photo of her on fb looking absolutely stunning and thin! I asked her 'how' and 'what'. Once this interaction started, from that moment on, she has been so supportive, non-judgemental and my guiding light. I can not express how pricelessly helpful this has been.

The vsg surgery is difficult and you will have pain and all kinds of internal rumblings and grumblings. You will need to heal. Don't fool yourself about that. It is a serious procedure and full blown surgery! But, I have to say, each day for me has been easier and better than the one before. I feel myself healing.

I also recommend working out - cardio and strength training - as much as possible before your surgery. Go in to it strong as I'm certain it has and will help my healing process.

Best of luck and peace of mind to you. I am looking forward to following your successful progess on this site and hope you will follow me and my successes to come!

Sending you positive vibrations. One Love.