trish4

Tiffykins I jsut saw your post re "make sure your surgeon has done about 300 sleeves - My surgeon's office just told me she has done about 36 - and I'm scheduled for this surgery in 2 weeks!!!! Where did you get your info?

My surgeon's office told me today that she has done "about" 36 sleeves - what does everyone think? Do you think this is sufficient for her to be considered "experienced?" I'm scheduled for the surgery in 14 days. THanks everyone

LAN2k: thanks for your reply. Yeah, I know about the malabsorption with the bypass. Congrats on your great loss thus far. I just keep thinking that the bypass has a really good track record and since I'm a self pay I don't want to have to go through 2 operations. And as I've mentioned in other posts - I get nervous about reflux with the sleeve. Just a million things to think/worry about before my surgery

Hi all - I'm scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks - believe it or not I haven't decided if I'm having the bypass or the sleeve. I have about 75 pounds to lose. Anyone out there have the sleeve done by Dr. Blackstone in Arizona? THANKS!

Hi all - I'm scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks - believe it or not I haven't decided if I'm having the bypass or the sleeve. I have about 75 pounds to lose. Anyone out there have the sleeve done by Dr. Blackstone in Arizona? THANKS!

Lee - thanks for the information - I'm glad you are doing so well - lots of weight loss for you and only one month gone by - I know that I have a hiatal hernia - probably will be fixed during my surgery - I'm a self pay so this will probably add to my total bill. All the best to you - thanks again for your input

Tiffykins - thanks for your reply. THe surgeon I'm using in Arizona (Scottsdale) has an excelletn reputation - I just need to find out how many sleeves she has done. Yes you are correct $25K is ALOT ALOT of money but my quality of life should also improve ALOT - that's the way I look at it. One reason I go back and forth on the sleeve vs. bypass is the data they have on the bypass is significant but not as much on the sleeve - but the sleeve sure seems to have a lot of positive going on for it. I meet with my surgeon next week and hopefully I can find out how many sleeves she has done and what her recommendation is for me. Thanks again for yoru reply - the support on this site is fantastic.

Has anyone out there had to use a C-PAP machine (for sleep apnea) prior to the surgery - and then after the surgery been able to discard the machine? Doing my pro-op stuff they found moderate sleep apnea and are recommending I use the C-PAP - and I was wondering if after the surgery and I lose weight will I be able to stop using it. Thanks everyone

Deedee - I noticed you said you are 7 months out from having the sleeve. I am also considering the sleeve (surgery is March 31) - one of the largest concerns I have about the sleeve is will I have reflux? (I've had reflux for over 20 years and that's one thing I don't want to have to deal with after surgery - hoping to also get off the medication for the reflux) - can you tell me how that has been for you?

Thanks everyone for advice on post op complications for a self-pay- not sure if my surgeon has done 300 of the "sleeve" since it is a relatively new procedure - but I do know she done tons of the bypass - but as I sit right now, I'm more interested in the sleeve. Sure is nice to have this site to be able to ask questions and get support. In 16 days I'm scheduled for the surgery - boy! seems close to me so I'm trying to find out as much info as I can.

Thanks LyndaRN - so glad you are doing so well. What are you eating/drinking right now - just like 3-4 days out surgery correct? Are you an RN - if so - are you OK with 85% or so of your stomach being gone? (vs. the bypass that doesn't remove any of the stomach)? Thanks - I have all these questions/thoughts/etc.

Morning everyone - those of you who had the sleeve done without insurance - (which is going to be me in a couple of weeks) - do any of you have concerns about if you would have complications a few months/years down the road - would your health insurance pay for complications related to having the sleeve surgery done?

LAN2K - thanks for your reply. Congrats on your 70 pounds of weight loss - you are almost to goal. I have an appointment with my surgeon 6 days b/4 my surgery (surgery is the 31st) - hopefully she can put my mind to rest on this "sleeve" vs. bypass. Could I ask you why you decided upon the sleeve over the bypass?

Lan2K - thanks for your information. I'm curious - did you have reflux prior to your surgery - and since surgery has it improved or were you never bothered with reflux? How has the weight loss been in the 6 months post op?

LyndaRN I have about 75 pounds to lose. I am really leaning towards the sleeve but I've concerns about reflux (which I've been on meds for about 20 years for and would really like to not be bothered by reflux and would like to get off the medication - but with the sleeve I have concerns about the reflux) - it is probably too soon to ask you this - as you've just finished with surgery a few days ago but have you experienced any reflux from the sleeve as of yet?

LyndaRN - I'm getting ready for surgery end of the month - can you tell me why you decided on the sleeve vs. bypass? Thanks - and glad you are doing so fantastic - you are an inspiration to those of us getting ready to have the surgery

LyndaRN - amazing that the surgery took so little time and that you came home the day of the surgery - why did you come home so quickly? I'm new to this site and am scheduled for surgery March 31st - I can't decide if I should have the sleeve or the bypass. I'm a self pay so I want as little complications as possible but I've had gastric reflux for about 20 years and I'm concerned with the sleeve that I might still have the reflux - so I'm still trying to figure out what to do. So glad you are doing so well... an

Hello - I am new to this site. Scheduled for surgery March 31 in AZ. I am a self pay. I have 2 concerns: I'm trying to find out much experience my surgeon has had with Gastric Sleeve - and a HUGE concern I have is reflux/GERD after this surgery. I have been on reflux medicaton for 20 years - if I'm not careful I aspirate into my lungs and so I want to get off this medication - has anyone had experience with reflux AFTER the sleeve? And also other than the surgeon telling me how many sleeves she has done - how do I really find that out? I don't meet with her until 6 days before the surgery. Since I'm a self pay I really want to get this right - this is costing me about $25K which I think is ALOT of money - and I don't want to end up with complications. Any help would be so appreciated - and oh, yeah, I'm age 64!