SParkle

Thanks Jack. It was a hard decision but in the end I went with the one who does the 3 rows, feeling it would be safer - I had problems with a seroma (build up of fluid like an internal blister) on a previous surgery, so know only too well about complications and the emotional turmoil they can cause so wanted to try and ensure as much as possible that all goes well. At the end of the day its an elective surgery, and I am fully aware of the risks. Thanks for the wishes.

Fabulous pictures!! No wonder you're grinning from ear to ear!! Thanks for posting, and for being such an inspiration. Kathy

Thanks Tiff - June 10th it is!!! The countdown is on.

Thanks Mini Me - just waiting now for date info.....So early June here we come, after our trip to the UK!

As far as I understand only one of them....I know from previous surgery sometimes the drains are necessary, but it is a risk for infection..... I think we have made a decision to go with the 3 row one, and are now waiting for a date from him.

Two rows or three? Both with oversewing.... Is 3 better - more secure? My surgeon choice is really coming down to this, plus the fact one does more leak tests (on table and each day for a week, done at home by yourself and watch your drains for blue dye) - the one who does 2 rows - but you have to wonder does he do more as there is more chance of leaks...??? The 3 row one does 3 leak tests.....on the table, and two the next day before going home.

Good to hear its nothing major then....I could imagine being windy for days and gassing my husband!

Thanks! We talked about it last night and I think we will end up going for B - the 3 lines of staples is just pushing him into the lead for us.

Good luck!!

Congrats on your date Morgandobes..... hopefully I'll be able to report back soon with one.... although whichever I pick I think it'll be June onwards as we have a wedding to go to at the end of May so think it would just be easier to wait until then, and thats only 6 weeks away so not really that long in the scheme of things.

HI Mini me I could go with either if it was my gut reaction....they both came across very well. A is more used to the procedure having pioneered it here in Spain, and actually probably taught B.... B has the top class facility with ICU on the spot, should anything go wrong. Aftercare can be ok with either - A is used to dealing with it via the net as he has patients world wide. B can either see me in the office (at a price) or via email with results etc.Both require labs every 3 months. A does leak tests on the table and while in hosp then you do them yourself for a week (with drains in) B does 3 leak tests (on table and then before discharge). I have had contact with previous patients of both surgeons and they all say go with the one they went to..... so at this moment its more like flipping a coin, unless anyone can give another side I haven't thought about.

Did anyone have a tube to help relieve stomach gas? I have heard this is possible, and having read some comments about trapped gas/wind, wondered if this might be a major plus on the comfort front?

Tiffykins - thanks for that link - I am deciding between 2 surgeons, one uses a 32 and one a 34, so only 0.5mm between them, nothing really..... so that has helped me a bit. Thanks for all your hard homework!! Kathy

Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary, and my wonderful husband has just given me a cheque to have the surgery! (This is a joint birthday and anniversary present - for about the next 30 yrs !!!) So I have to finally make the choice between the 2 surgeons we saw. So.. .advice please.... Surgeon A Done over 700 ops with only 1 death due to patient being highly morbidly obese and having post op complications Uses size 34 bougie does 2 lines of staples with sutures Surgeon B Done over 170 ops with no deaths Uses size 32 bougie Does 3 lines of staples with sutures Apart from that they are on a par. Both seem very good and I got on well with both of them, travel wise the B surgeon is only an hour away, the other is 1hr 45, so not much in it really. Does the amount of staple lines make a difference?? So excited and yet nervous too!!! Kathy

Hi Bookleen I'm about to decide which surgeon to use, and have a BMI of 34.9. We live in Spain and it will be a self pay here, having priced it in the UK and also a couple of others in Europe. Like you I can't handle any more failed diets, and am really looking forward to getting this sorted once and for all! Good luck with your decision Kathy

I'm sorry I didn't understand your whole situation.....and I do hope you'll manage to avoid much more confrontation about your surgery (counting the days for you!!) and your rebirth.

I agree! I went to my consults armed with questions I wouldn't have thought of without this site. Its great to be able to talk openly about it where in real life I can only what it thru with 2 people and not anyone who has had the op so I have made the decision with full knowledge of what I will be going thru on the other side!!! Thanks to everyone here!! Kathy

Thanks Tiff - I need to do my list of pros and cons of each one - my hubby has given the go ahead so now its this decision and the timing of it all as I have a wedding to go to in England at the end of May, so fear it may not be until after that (but am worried I may go into pre op food fest mode and eat everything in sight!!!) Kathy

Hi I'm English, and have been living in Spain since 2003, loving every moment!! We moved out 'cos I met my other half (on the internet) and fell in love! - He had already decided he wanted to move to Spain and so I took a chance on love, and came with him. We've been together since then. We live about an hour from Valencia (its a small village, so Valencia is the nearest big place, but its a beautiful area. In fact we are taking a few days to visit Valencia this coming week in our motorhome. We use it to travel all over Spain - and love Barcelona! There are such wonderful places in Spain and such a variety of scenery. - Where we live I look out my office window and see the mountains, look out the back and theres our pool and garden.... pure bliss! And we are only 15 minutes from the sea. If you like Barcelona then its worth seeing Granada, and also a lot of stuff around Madrid, - Segovia being my fav, Toledo, Aranjuez, Alacala de Henares, Cuenca, Albaracin....... the list is endless!!! Its a beautiful country, with beautiful people, a lot of ex pats from various countries, but a more relaxed way of life than England. Kathy

If anything it proves your family love you enough to want to be involved.....but I can understand your nervousness.....I won't be telling any of my family (maybe after the event but not before....) as I know they will try and talk me out of it. Why not find some links you can email him to look thru.....with information etc. Also sit and explain to him why you want it.... many people (especially those who have never had weight issues) can't get their head around diets /yoyoing etc let alone surgery to help you..... I'm sure if you do a search on here you'll find some info to help you. Good luck Kathy

Oooohhhh.. great news!! Well done. I'm prob aiming for early June as I have a wedding at the end of May in the UK and don't think I want to risk having it done only a couple of weeks before then (although I really can't wait!!!)... as don't want to be on liquids at the wedding (although may change my mind). PS: Just spotted your birthday is only 5 days after mine, same year - hope you have a good one... I think being 42 will be great for us!! Kathy

HI Michelle I say go for it hun..... if you've got the offer from the NHS, then thats saving you in excess of 10k.... I know 'cos I had some quotes from the UK as I was undecided whether to get it done in the UK or here in Spain, but I think for the aftercare and if any problems arise I will be getting it done here. Both surgeons are within 1hr 30 of home so better for me. Good luck with the date..... let me knwo how you get on. Kathy

I was speaking to my hubby last night about this panic issue, and possibly eating more before the surgery..... at first he really couldn't get his head around it all.... why would we do this when we want to loose the weight. The only thing I could make him understand with was cigarettes - if he knew he had to give up I bet he would sit there and chain smoke his way thru loads before hand.....then he got it. Some of us are probably food addicts.....which makes it even harder, as you need some food to live, you don't need cigarettes or alcohol.... and you can to some extent avoid them, you can't really avoid food... which is why its so difficult for some.

Hi Michelle I'm at the same stage you are really - I've had consults with 2 surgeons and now need to choose one...I'm also weighing up the balance between spending all that money and the fact I should be able to do it for myself. In reality if I face it I have spent the past 20 yrs dieting, and have regained every time and then some (bar this last time when I managed to stop myself before I did). Never have I reached goal weight, even right in the start when I had less to loose.....I slip into denial and start eating foods I shouldn't...... so I know I can't do this on my own, I need help. I've tried hypnotherapy, and all the usual diets (WW, Slimming World etc.....) but have finally seen the light and really want to go for this. Having read up all the blurb on the net and thru forums like this one of people who have had the various options open to us, i think the sleeve is the most practical one (for me). The band and the bypass just plain scared me if I am honest! As Tiff says, the emotional part of it is something most of us need to overcome, I am hoping the lack of hunger will help with this and the quicker weightloss will spur me on as I see my new body forming. I wish you luck with your decision, but this forum is the best place I have found for opinions, and everyone here seems fab.....

Thanks for all the replies.... Jolanda - I appreciate your comment - hence the post, trying to work out if if worked for others.... I'll be happy to loose even half of what they predict for me!!