Sleeved&Hopeful

Hi! I will be having surgery on 2/3/2012 so around the same time you will be. If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to message me. I don't mind. We will be starting on this journey around the same time and I know that that can help.

Hello all, I'm researching vsg and also plication. Plication sounds interesting and like a good wls but I noticed that there is a complication called necrosis. If I did choose plication and say, worst case scenario, I have a complication such as necrosis. Does this mean that the sutures must be taken out and the stomach returned to normal? Has anyone had to have their surgery reversed due to complications? I would appreciate any replies as I am definitely going to get one of these procedures but I am wondering what happens if there is a complication. I know the sleeve has complications as well. Thank you for any replies.

Kelly M, your post has really inspired me. I am newly diagnosed as type 2 diabetic and I'm 35. It scares me to have it so young and I'm around 220 lbs right now. It's the heaviest I've ever been. Not pleased at all. Told my husband i want to get weight loss surgery (VSG) and he is supportive. He's sick of seeing me cry about my weight and issues. You are affirming my choice to have the sleeve. I am planning on going in Feb for surgery.

I feel so horrible about what happened to you. It's awful that you had the plication and it failed. I wish you all of the best. I can't imagine going through this and having nothing to show for it. It makes me feel awful. I know how hard it is to lose weight and wls is usually the last resort. I can't believe that your hope has been drained. I really hope another surgeon reads about your problems and offers to help. Good luck.

I absolutely agree with most of the people recommending sleeve over band. I have been reading a lot of reports of doctors refusing to do the lap band because of the high risk of problems. I've looked on youtube and seen countless videos of people who never get restriction with the band, people who have to get their band taken off due to a leak or erosion and getting the sleeve instead. If you are going to get a surgery, go for something permanent! Why would you want to have to potentially get weight loss surgery twice? Double the expense, and double the heart break. I've seen several videos about people gaining both half or all of their weight due to the issues. And another thing, when you are done with the sleeve surgery, you are DONE. There are no fills you have to get and no added expenses for traveling for those fills. In my eyes, the sleeve is a NO BRAINER. The success rates have been phenomenal.

Oh I know how you feel. I feel awful because my husband has been begging me to take a family portrait and for the last several years I have refused. I hate how I look in pictures and it's not just my body, it's my face too. So I can't hide behind my kids in the pictures and have a pretty face. It's just too big. I hate it. I am glad that you are getting the sleeve. I am planning on getting mine very soon. I promised my husband a family portrait next year when I lose this weight. I remember being able to wear a size 8 when I was in my 20's but I haven't been under 200 lbs in 5 years. I've lost weight off and on but it always seems to come right back and this diet roller coaster is too much for me. I want to lose it permanently and one and for all and I plan on letting the sleeve be my tool in a true lifestyle change that means NO MORE roller coasters for me. I am going to lose it all and maintain it!

I am somewhat confused about the sleep study. If you have sleep apnea or a sleep disorder, wouldn't they think that weight loss surgery would help with that? I don't understand. Did they tell you what "failing" means? Does that mean if you have a sleep disorder you can't get lapband?

Hello all, I am new here. I just wanted to post that I am scared of the band. I have heard so many stories of slippage and erosion. I wouldn't want to pay for the lap band and then have to pay to get the sleeve, which is what I would do. I am thinking I will probably get the sleeve just because I don't want to get the lap band and have something happen and have to pay to get the sleeve. Since the sleeve is about the same price as the lap band, I think it would be my best bet. I am still a little on the line. I have seen so many people do well with the lap band and then I've seen so many others do well with the sleeve. Bypass is too extreme for me. I am not THAT overweight, about 220 lbs but I do have a comorbidity. I am planning on going to Mexico for surgery and I need to make up my mind. It is so scary. I think the lap band is a nice tool in theory, but the slippage and erosion/leaks have me scared. I wouldn't want to go through TWO weight loss surgeries.