Andrew0929

I'm really glad to see this topic! On my supervised diet, I lost 31 pounds and my last weigh in was may 28th. Since then I feel like I can't stop eating, I have gained 2 pounds. It's messing me up mentally. I have a few more days until I get an approval (or denial) and for some reason the longer I wait the more I eat and the more I feel bad about it. It sucks!! Today I'm fasting....water and broth to gather my thoughts. I do not know what will happen to me if I don't have this surgery. I get scared thinking about it.

I went a little cra cra when I went through the process and as I got closer to making my decision. Fortunately, I feel pretty gross from eating so much crap as it has a self limiting effect. I've always ate a lot, but I really added some good bad food in the last month or so. I'm ready to buckle down, get back to more healthy eating now, add in more exercise and prep myself for my 8/6 surgery. I feel grateful that my binge was somewhat self limiting.

I gained about 30 lb between feb 2012 and June 2012. However, I dropped 180 lb from June 2012 to feb 2013, so it all worked out in the end. I would not recommending gaining like I did though during the research phase. Weight loss for me was 360 to 180.

I think another thing to think about is the extra weight added just adds to the overall total that needs to be lost. In the months leading up to scheduling the surgery I gained 7 pounds.. It was just another 7 I had to take off!

I think my eating was pretty much all over the place when looking into WLS. When I finally made the decision to move forward, I had the opposite experience. I started eating much better and in smaller quantities to prepare myself. I didn't want there to be such a shock to my system pre-op and post-op. I called it "practicing" - I wanted to start to really pay attention to whether or not I was actually hungry or full or whatever. I know several others who did something similar and they are having fantastic losses post-op and feel great!

I felt the same way. Once I knew that I was going to do it I went for that.... I better eat this and that now before I can never eat anything good again. I gained weighed before my WLS but really it's almost a normal behavior I think, you just don't get it at that time.... .that yes,, you will eat again.... the only difference will be that you get to eat only a few bites of something fabulous instead of a lot of junk. Hang in there... this too shall pass.

I think it is pretty normal to go through this stage as your mind realizes post WLS is no longer a typical diet that we are all so fond of. Like you, i have done some very long term low carb dieting on and off before WLS. I got quite good at it, but did have quite a bit of binging between when I decided to have WLS (feb 2012) and my initial appointment (april 2012). i finally got serious about eating well about 1.5 month before surgery of july 2nd 2012.
You may go through another phase closer to surgery date called a "food funeral." Many individuals try and eat their favorite foods during this phase because of not being able to eat them again after surgery (not precisely true, you just need to wait for a while after surgery). remember, a food funeral is, again, just a phase and quite normal.
Once you are a WLS post op, it is important to develop sound eating habits to support you not only during weight loss, but for the rest of your life. During weight loss, this will look a lot like a low carb diet for most. For example, I ate low carb, low fat, high Protein for 7 months after surgery. during month 7, I transitioned into a Paleo diet (along with Paleo fitness) which I am still following today at about 1 year post op. Not everyone approaches the eating style post op in the same manner. You will need to learn and accept an eating style that helps you be successful.
Oh, and I almost forgot, my name is also Andrew (Andy). Good luck!

Congratulations!! You should be very proud of yourself.
Andrew

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice and information. I really appreciate it.
At this point, I'm done considering the Lap Band, given everything I've learned here and read about elsewhere. Still a little freaked out about the sleeve, but seriously leaning in that direction. Given that bypass is out of the question, I guess it's come down to the sleeve or nothing, regarding WLS.
I think about trying some former weight loss methods (atkins, meds, etc ..), and know that I can achieve some level of weight loss, but also know that I gain that weight back every time. Over and over ....
My next step is to make an appointment with a nutritionist, which I will do on Monday. Then, I'm attending my first support group meeting (run by my surgeon's office) on Tuesday.
Thanks again everyone.
Andrew

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice and information. I really appreciate it.
At this point, I'm done considering the Lap Band, given everything I've learned here and read about elsewhere. Still a little freaked out about the sleeve, but seriously leaning in that direction. Given that bypass is out of the question, I guess it's come down to the sleeve or nothing, regarding WLS.
I think about trying some former weight loss methods (atkins, meds, etc ..), and know that I can achieve some level of weight loss, but also know that I gain that weight back every time. Over and over ....
My next step is to make an appointment with a nutritionist, which I will do on Monday. Then, I'm attending my first support group meeting (run by my surgeon's office) on Tuesday.
Thanks again everyone.
Andrew

I'm waiting to be sleeved, but a good friend of mine was revised from the band to RNY because of complications. My surgeon does a lot of revisions and said he doesn't think the band will be around in 5 years. Who knows if that's true or not but on these boards, it seems like a lit of people are considering revision. Good luck to you in whatever you choose:)

Good luck on your decision, however before you fear the leak idea, I would definitely suggest checking out statistics on the Band also, as I read some things that would make never consider the band.

I havent had any surgery but am planning on getting the sleeve. I was interested in the band at first but really had a lot of issues with the port. I found a lot of people whose ports were visible through their clothes after they lost weight. Some surgeons attached the port to muscle to avoid this issue but then have to probe deep into your stomach to fill or empty the band and that didnt sound like fun to me. A client of mines has to give herself dialysis and she has a port, in fact she has had several because they get infected all the time and need to be moved and I didnt like the thought of that either. I also found a lot of info about erosion or the band slipping and that made sense to me, you are placing a foreign object inside your body I would assume it will either try to absorb or reject it, thats pretty much what the body does. I am not a big sweets eater but liked the fact that the band didnt come with dumping (though i have seen for some people it does) and also does not come with the malabsorption that may leave you nutrient deficient. I also like that you are left with the less stretchy part of the stomach. My cousin had bypass and although she has not regained all of her weight she can out eat me any day. This is clearly the fat girl in me, but I am being honest one of my considerations is the option that allows me the most variety in what i am able to eat afterwards. I know that changes from person to person, but my goal is to still be able to eat all food, but in moderation, something i have been unable to do with a whole stomach. From what I have read the sleeve seems to meet that goal as well.

I had the lapband for 3 yrs, I lost 100 lbs, however, after losing the wt, My band prolapsed, I didnt know what was wrong right away, I started throwing up, couldnt even keep Water down, then I had a barium swallow and it showed I had a sever prolase and had to have emergency surgery...While I was waiting to go into surgery I started throwing up blood, It was very scary, I was in surgery 61/2 hrs, the doc said I had so much scar tissue....I am sleeved now and about to get resleeved on aug. 1st, I am terrified of getting a leak, but you can get a leak from the band too if it erodes..the one poster on here got it spot on...with the fills and unfills, too tight too loose, sliming, productive burping etc...I dont miss the band at all...good luck on whatever you decide....

I am 14 weeks post-op, no real complications except dehydration...but I do NOT recommend wls unless extreme circumstances (mine was keeping my mobility due to a permanent injury). I recommend the 3 Ws..Weight Watchers, walking, and Water only. If you decide surgery, read, research, prepare, talk with someone who has had the surgery you've chosen, find a shake you like now, change habits now...and then, till you wake up from the surgery..you don't truly know what you've gotten yourself into...best of luck to you. DO what is best for you and your situation.

Absolutely check with your insurance company about what is covered if you do have complications- I work in case management and I do know many insurances will cover getting it in but not getting it out or the fills/unfills or even if you have complications. And sometimes they only cover 1 weight loss surgery for a lifetime- so wouldn't it make sense to make it be the one that has demonstrated the most success? There are many many people out there that have had partial or total removal of their stomach not for weight loss but due to cancer/etc and they do just fine. I would do some more homework with your insurance company first and ask those questions. Then you should be able to feel confident in whatever decision you make. Good Luck!

Being on the Vertical Sleeve Talk forums, I'm sure you're aware that you're going to hear primarily from "pro-sleevers." Personally, I had a LapBand put in January 2010 and it began to slip a year out. While I lost 130 pounds with the band, the slip continued further and further until it was at the bottom of my stomach (my new doctor has no idea how it got that far). Long story short, I moved states/careers after getting the surgery and found a terrific doctor (my current doc) - but my insurance wouldn't cover removal no matter what. My slip was life threatening (one stuck episode could cause a trip to the ER for emergency removal - insurance made it clear they wouldn't cover that either). I lived with a severely and irreparably slipped band for 2+ years and slowly ate/threw up/drank (high sugar drinks) nearly 100 of the pounds I had lost - we call that pity/depression and "soft food syndrome" - eating/drinking anything that has a chance of going down...FYI? Frapuccinos are not good for weight loss .
Cut to December 2012 - I was laid off from the job I had moved cross country for and, luckily, was re-employed in a new state in late January 2013. This job's insurance COVERS WLS - I got the band removed in March 2013 (had to wait for my new insurance to kick in) and, after my stomach had a chance to heal, was sleeved 2 weeks ago.
Initially, I had a lot of the same thoughts posted above - I chose the band because I didn't want to permanently alter myself, was worried about complications, etc. The statistics today, though, are what they are - much more in favor of the sleeve for long term and permanent weight loss, much safer, etc. The band, on the other hand, has decreased in both effectiveness and safety since I had it done in 2010. Knowing what I know now? Even without having experienced the hell I endured? I'd choose the sleeve over the band.
And? I'm stoked to be a new sleever .
Do the research and come to your own, informed conclusion - it's the only way you'll be at peace with your decision! Horror stories are what they are - some live through them, some don't. The way I see it? Obesity isn't a disease I want to live with for the rest of my life, and I certainly don't want the complications that are bound to come my way as an aging obese person (I'm 32 now, but co-morbidities run rampant in my obese family). WLS is my forced behavior modification - my tool - to help me conquer this lifelong battle.

You are right that sleeve is considered major surgery and brings with it some additional risks, however, there are plenty or "horror stories" w lap-band as well. My surgeon, who admittedly was slow to adopt the sleeve, now says that he can only recommend the lap-band with serious reservations...he says what he likes about the sleeve is that his patients have great outcomes while saying it is easy to live with (the latter not being something that either bypass or lap-band patients tend to say)

I don't regret getting my band bc I would certainly have climbed to over 400 lbs without it, but I am revising to a sleeve on 6/25 due to complications with my band. I too did not have the sleeve options when I was banded 6 years ago. On lapbandtalk.com you will find many wonderful success stories and many horrible complications as with any surgery. Do your research and find what fits you best. I personally am ok with having 85% of my stomach cut out after having the horrible complications I had. But I am still not ok with the bypass. Good luck!

I have not had my surgery yet. I am scheduled for June 24th, 3 days to go. My initial intent was to go with the lap band, I have changed my mind. The sleeve appeals to me for multiple reasons. I like the idea of a significant decrease in hunger due to the decrease of ghrelin. I also like the fact that the part of the stomach that remains as little stretch to it. But most of all because of the conversations I've had with my best friend who has the lap band. She had been in for many adjustments and at this point her insurance no l longer covers the visits. There are issues with tissue that has formed around it (the port, I believe ) My understanding is that adjustments are no longer an option. But most of all because she always feels hungry. Never really satisfied. It does stop her from over eating. Therefore she has lost weight.
Having said all that I'm not suggesting you choose one over the other, just sharing.

I am new here but I really felt the need to respond to you. I got a lap band back in 2011, since then I have had 4 hospitalizations, persistent nausea, fainting after I eat, and many more problems than that. I was led to believe that lap band was not only safer but easier to recover from and that is was completely reversible. As a RN, I thought wow, that sounds great. What I didn't know what that most people end of having the band removed either because it didn't really work or it slipped/eroded/etc. The aftercare for the band requires accessing your port for fills, unfillings if it too tight, and avoidance of certain textures of food because things get stuck even if your band has no saline in it. Many people get "stuck" and there is this odd thing of this slime that starts to come up, eventually you starts kind of burping without noise and out comes your food. I throw up 4 or more times a day because of this. So what ends up happening is you begin to eat foods that go down easy- mashed potatoes, Pasta, creamy Soups, etc which aren't great for weight loss. Even if you are diligent in your diet, your band can still slip. After all your organs do move around a bit when you move and it basically kind hula hoops or slides out of place. For me, it would slide over my Vagal nerve and I would faint. Finally, my band slipped which I found out last week. My lap band surgeon was one of those 1 800 Lap Band kind of places and as soon as I had my surgery they deserted me.
I am now in Kaiser and my new surgeon is fantastic. I had never considered the gastric sleeve. Honestly I have never heard of it and I am a RN. When he explained that the gastric sleeve did away with "95% of the complications of bypass" I was sold. You basically still have a small stomach with all the normal plumbing and thus more normal function and absorption. So less likely to dump or have malnutrition issues. Not that surgery is without its complications but it seems much less so. I am having my band removed June 28th with a revision to the gastric sleeve. I cannot wait.
Another thing about the band, you are a slave to it. If you eat something you shouldn't- you will get stuck. Also, if you overeat- it sits in your esophagus for a long time which also causes heart burn and back flow of the acid. Sometimes my port shocks me- little electric shocks. When I woke up from Lap Band surgery I was screaming in agony- I was in tremendous pain and I have a very high tolerance to pain in general. Many stories I heard on hear people say the revision to the sleeve seemed to go better or was easier than lap band. I also saw alot of research that by removing the larger portion of the stomach, the ghrelin (hunger hormone) is almost completely gone. Lap band patients have experienced up to 50% increase in this hunger hormone over the first 8 months. Something to consider.
If you want a bottom line, if you want a permanent solution and are going to do surgery anyways- consider doing the sleeve. I was on the lap band talk website for 2 years and many of them are now doing the revision to the sleeve or even to a bypass. Most seem to regret getting the band in general and most did not lose the kind of weight they wanted to. I wish someone had said its not going to be easy, you will have to think and remember you have a band every day, and explained to me my other options- I may not have went the lap band route.
Just something to consider.

This happened to me. Decided to remove the band wait 10 wks and was sleeved. So far, loving my sleeve much better as far as restriction and most of all---> comfort! Best wishes on your decision.

I would listen to your surgeon. I never even considered the band because I known a few people in the family one had a few slips and they both gained some of the weight back. Then I come on here and see so many revisions .