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vincereautmori

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Posts posted by vincereautmori


    • Did the surgeon give you solid reasons for his preference? I know I wanted the lap-band because it was reversible, but that's the only reason I wanted it. Deep down inside I knew that it would be easy for me to "back" out of the program by somehow figuring out how to get it adjusted to where it didn't function. I know the gastric bypass is my best option because of me comorbids. Request the the surgeon give you articles to read and have him substantiate is opinion, you need to be comfortable with your final decision, not him.

    Yes, he legitimized a lot of what we see in our research, and he was once the top lap band surgeon in a major research hospital. So I respect his opinion. But I hadn't considered or prepared for the result of our meeting together, I guess that's a weakness on my count. Why the lap band? I guess it seems less drastic than cutting out body parts or rearranging what nature spent thousands of years putting there.


  1. First post for me! I also had decided on the band until I went to the initial required information session and the surgeon flat out stated that he would only very rarely do the band and listed the rate of complications for years down the road as the reason. I too had to wrap my head around considering the sleeve due to this. After researching and thinking, I have concluded that it is the best option for me. Once healed, the risk of complications is very low. As an RN, that is wanting the best long term solution, I have decided to pursue the sleeve. My first consultation is this Friday! Good luck with your decision.

    The part that bothers me most with my insurance is they put the surgeon at the end of the process. If we had a conversation 6 months ago, I might be doing something by now. Instead I almost feel like I'm starting over.


  2. So, I've been over at the lap band forum. I started my WLS path last summer, got approval through my insurance, they required a visit to a psychologist, and to a nutritionist before speaking to surgeon. I've researched the band, got comfortable with the idea of it, learned about the pros and con, and for the past six months that was the direction I was headed in. Until today, I finally had a conversation with the surgeon and he was less than enthusiastic about the band. He made a good argument, didn't pressure me one way or another, just based his judgement on his experiences and observations. He recommended the sleeve as an alternative. I hadn't originally wanted to get that invasive, I also liked the reversible option of the band. This has shaken my world, and I have to wrap my head around this. Did anyone else run into this?


  3. Would you mind me asking? Did you revise because of problems with the band?

    I don't mind at all. At about 4 years post-op, I began having reflux that didn't respond to any meds or other measures. An upper GI study showed that my esophagus was dilated, so my surgeon removed all the Fluid from my band and told me my band would have to go.

    Esophageal dilation can be caused by poor eating behaviors (overeating, frequent PB's, etc.) and/or by esophageal dysfunction - that is, the esophagus isn't doing its job of moving food down into the stomach. The dysfunction is often caused by untreated reflux. After my band was removed and I had had a lot of tests, the various doctors I'd seen concurred that my esophagus had been damaged by decades of "silent" reflux whose only symptom was a chronic dry cough. When I consulted an ear-nose-throat specialist in the mid 1980's, he told me my problem was reflux and I didn't believe him (since of course I know far more than any graduate of any medical school), so my reflux was never treated. Apparently the pressure created by my band was aggravating this.

    My choice of the sleeve for my revision was pretty foolish (a choice made in panic and haste) because reflux is very common in sleeve patients, even in those who never had reflux pre-op. Fortunately, omeprazole is managing that for me now.

    Wow! Funny that you mention those symptoms, a friend of mine exhibited the exact same symptoms and had a very similar experience with the band, he revised to GBP, but didn't concur with my decision to go with the band. I suspected it might not have been a band problem, but that was only a hunch. Good luck with your decision and hopefully the doctors will be able to manage your symptoms and you will enjoy a higher quality of life.


  4. I did it all on my own. I felt my husband's disapproval of my being obese even if he never told me anything about that. I told him a few weeks before my surgery. He is skinned, has never had weight problems, and is easily satiated with small quantities of food. I often think he has a band..around his brain.

    But if your wife is supportive and you feel better if you can share your decision with her, why not? Travelling alone (I compare my banded life to a long journey) can be a bit hard and a bit sad.

    I see you have a Latin nickname..I studied Latin for 8 years...

    It's supposed to mean (loosley translated) "Conquer or die" did I get it right?


  5. Thanks for posting this, maestrita. Your thread has provoked an interesting discussion, and I'm glad no one has resorted to mud-slinging (yet).

    Since I revised (not very happily) to the sleeve, I've often been asked if I regret my initial choice of the band. I admit that my affection for my band colors my response to a question like that. No, I don't regret my band surgery.

    It's harder for me to answer 3 other common questions.

    One: Would I recommend the band to pre-ops as eagerly today as I did 6-7 years ago? I'm not sure. The answer depends as much on the person who's asking as it does on me, and there's no such thing as a perfect or one-size-fits-all WLS procedure.

    Two: Would I choose to revise again (if needed) today? No. Since most of my stomach is gone forever, there's only one other WLS option available to me now: duodenal switch. I'm having enough trouble with micro and macro-nutrient malabsorption with my sleeve. I can't imagine how I'd manage with the DS.

    Three: Would I recommend bariatric surgery (as a whole, not related to a particular procedure) to an obese person today? I'm just not sure. I guess I would if the person's co-morbidities were so severe that some kind of WLS could be life-saving.

    Would you mind me asking? Did you revise because of problems with the band?


  6. I think maestrita's account.of her experiences with the band is needed, it can really happen and it's a warning to those considering WLS. It legitimizes the importance to do your research, the skill of your surgeon, and what to expect once you have the band. It's up to us to differentiate facts and opinion, then try to make an educated decision.

    BTW- I'm meeting with my surgeon in two weeks, I've made my decision, but I was especially diligent to research the sugeon and medical group, due to stories like this.


  7. "But, when you speak with them about what it was like when you were growing up there, and they snicker and look at you as if you had three heads.....eventually...you do what.....?"

    Then, they are not interested in the value of your experiences, maybe they know it all, maybe the forum (neighborhood) becomes a platform for them. Just as in the neighborhood, I don't like or identify with everybody that lives there. On the other hand, we could just have a conversation with those who respect and appreciate our experiences.

    You are at a junction in your journey, and I suppose we could all get there eventually, you have successfully made it and maybe this forum helped you and many of the regular posters became forum friends who supported you through this journey, and you them. If it has become frustrating thats not why you come here, its time for a break or to ask if you need it anymore.


  8. Something that seems obvious to me is that a forum is a place to come to for a conversation, even though many questions are frequently repeated, it's a way for some to begin to talk about their concerns. For me, my style is to listen, and I enjoy reading how many of those similar questions are answered. I've found some profound answers that have helped me many times.

    As far as what each of us gets out of this site, it's a microcosm of life itself. If you think of your life, what you were committed to, responsible for, interested in, changes with your situation as well as with age. For many of us, if we go back to the neighborhood we grew up in, most of the people we knew are gone, the houses may look different, it does't feel the same. But for the new people there, it's their neighborhood, they all know one another and we are now a stranger. If we spend a few moments with them we may find they reflect who we were at their age and they might appreciate stories of the old neighborhood and how we are connected. If I don't like them or don't care to talk to them, I can leave and cherish the memories of that time of my life and the neighborhood goes on without me.


  9. I got approved way back in August, of all the things that need to be done I've only finished psych eval and nutrition eval. At this rate I'll be lucky if we're ready by next summer, every appoint I'm scheduled for takes weeks to over a month. Even my visits with psychologist and nutritionist were just to fill out the necessary form and move on to next appointment. Aren't they supposed to explore your reasons for considering surgery or some details of weight problems? I'm finding there is a total disconnect between each eval and how it plays into the surgeon. This is not going as I expected and all it's going to take is one thing going wrong and I'm through with this. Has anyone else had a difficult time to get to surgery? Any suggestions? I'm part of a company health group and they are the only ones who will cover the surgery.


  10. Thanks for everyone's comments, good points and good info, I guess it just takes as long as it takes. As far as the whole holiday thing, I just want to keep this transition temporarily low key and I'm thinking the necessary changes would elicit too many questions. But I see what you mean, holidays,, time of year, occasions can always be just another excuse. Lots to think about while I wait.


  11. I just did the psych eval, next step is nutritionist but soonest appt. is a month away. Is this normal? I can foresee things leading to surgery getting done too close to the holidays, and I don't want to go through the roughest part of this thing during the holidays. How long between steps did some of you experience?


  12. Thanks to everyone! Very helpful and reassuring. I would probably miss an

    occasional beer, never was a soda drinker so OK to give it up, I think my

    fear is comfort foods we have at family gatherings, it would be tough to

    permanently say good bye. I'm confident I eat a pretty balanced diet, just

    too much of everything, my body just doesn't know when to stop. Hope the

    band helps.


  13. I agree with Hazelsbliss and Mis73, you would really benefit from more research on all WLS techniques, and you came to the right place. It has taken me almost 9 months to make the commitment. I might also add, if you're looking to the band for fast weight loss, it may not be what you're looking for. It's not about speed, it's more about learning to live healthy. Good luck.


  14. Getting back to PuraVita's concerns, I have found that if you look for any argument on the internet, you'll find it. Search for RNY and sleeve complications and you'll find similar concerns. My research agrees with everyone else's, complications seem to be from three general causes

    • Patient compliance
    • Surgical skill and follow up support
    • Improvements of the band technology

    You will decide your reasons for choosing the band or any other WLS technique, but make a comittment and find confidence in your decision. Good Luck!


  15. "I am just a little older 63. With everything I have gone through the sleep study is the one I am not looking forward to."

    I'm still working my way through all the pre op testing and compliance, but I have had a sleep study done, no worries. In fact, if you are tired most of the time, you may have sleep apnea, the treatment is to use a CPAP machine, I hate that thing. But it allows me to sleep through the night and I wake up feeling rested. Not going to kid you, it's not easy getting used to, but you'll feel 100% better, and you'll have another incentive to get the weight off.


  16. Hi Debbie, looks like your topic is getting hijacked, so to get back to your concerns with failing, my advice is to focus and gain confidence in your motivations. I've just decided to go ahead with band surgery, and I have pondered long and hard into why this and why now. I'm a little older than you, so my motivations concern the time I have left and the quality of that time. We know it's a head game, and the band will help with the physical part, it's up to you to make it work, band or no band. Now is the time.

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