nydiva

Wow thanks for putting it in prospective for me. Your story has inspired me.

Like you and others I questioned my decision. First I began my journey with the choice of having the lap band. I went through the whole seven months of the necessary requirements and changed my mind. I heard from many people this was the lazy way. I tried Weight Watchers again and failed yet again. Then I started my research on the sleeve and began the process again required by the insurance. I had a few set backs such as being required to attend counseling for several months. Finally I was approved and awaiting my surgery date. My boyfriend, son and ex-husband all begged me not to have the surgery. I stood strong and went through with the surgery. It is hard and I have had some difficulties but I would do it all over again. There have been changes I have noticed in the last month that encourage me such as moving easily and breathing normally. My advice... research, research and research. Prepare yourself and use whatever tools out there that will allow you to succeed. Good Luck

NYDiva, You've gotten lots of great responses here. I was 352 at my highest. In 2010, I managed to lose 50 pounds on Atkins and I was really proud of myself for that. Then, in May, 2011, I got pneumonia and was put in the hospital for six days. After the antibiotics, steroids and iv fluids, I regained the 50 pounds PLUS in less than six weeks. THEN I had a blood clot that led to two pulmonary embolisms. I looked Mr Death in the eye 3 times during those couple of months.
I had already been half-heartedly researching WLS, looking at the lap band. When I finally got to a seminar, the surgeon mentioned that VSG works better for people with my specific food issues. After some medical hoop-jumping because of the blood clot, I was sleeved Aug 31, 2011. At 5 months out, I'm down nearly 90 pounds and I feel like a whole new person. I wear much smaller clothes and I can WALK again! Before surgery I could barely make it from the front door to my car! Now I can walk a couple of miles at a time, and getting better all the time!
It IS a life change. Even with the surgery, we have to make the proper food choices and get in our Protein and Water daily. But, I'd never have lost 90 pounds without surgical intervention. Truthfully, if I don't lose another pound, I'm thrilled with my results. Just knowing that I've eliminated most of my medical issues is a true blessing!
Do your research and make up your own mind. I just wanted to add my 2 cents to the conversation.

Its something you have to research and prepare for - both physically and mentally. You need to understand what it takes to do this. Its not the easy way out. If you're tired of the eternal struggle, then it might be an option for you. Being borderline diabetic is a scary thing, I'm sure. If you feel you can do it without the extra tool, by all means, do it and be proud of it! But if you need the extra help, that's what its for.

I'm a over-worked single mom who has battled weight for my whole life. Four years ago I had LapBand. I wanted the sleeve, but was told it was unavailable. I have been completely dissatisified with the band. It interferes with much of the daily life activities and work demands for me. I hate it. Sad but true, the band doesn't work for everyone. I gave it a good try, but I'm going for a revision to sleeve at almost the exact same weight as I was when I got the band. I know that the sleeve is not a cure-all, but I have my eyes wide open and I'm more positvive than I ever was with the band.
Every person is different and every story is unique. Search your heart, talk to your family, go to classes and read everything on this site. You will find what's right for you and maybe you'll be a thin mentor to another, I wish you well on your journey.

OMG I feel the same way. I started my research back in 2010... Finally in December 2011 i decided to take action. Went to a doctors appointment and now I feel stuck. At first I was 110% positive that i wanted to do the lap band but after hearing that I had to keep it in forever or until something goes wrong i decided the sleeve would be awaaayyy better choice for me.

Its now mid Feb. and i haven't made any appointments to start all these exams! I am confused. One day i want to do it on my own and the next i am like i need this surgery.

I guess this is part of the process so don't feel like your alone in this!!!!

I'm 47 years old and I have been fighting this fight for the past, what, 20 years? I have lost with diet and exercise, but to do so I have had to obsess on calories and exercise. This has been unsustainable as a wife and stepmom.
Probably seven years ago, I was all set to go with the lapband, but chickened out. Our insurance changed and bariatric surgery was no longer covered.
Last year, I realized that the hell of waking up fat every day was not going to go away without outside help. I am tired of being ashamed of myself and hiding from the world. I was going to research self-pay and get it done, whatever it took.
For the heck of it, I checked our medical insurance documents for 2011 and lo and behold, bariatric surgery was added back to the plan, but with a bunch of prerequisites. I met them all, so met with my PCP to discuss the lapband. She told me about the sleeve and recommended my surgeon. Fast forward eight months and I am sleeved and a happy camper.
There just gets to be a point where it is painfully clear that some of us can't do this on our own. We've tried everything. We're miserable. We bring our loved ones down with us. We stop truly living.
Even after I was sure I was going through with the surgery, I had nagging doubts. That's the mind working against us. It's a big step, and yes, there is a small possibility of complications. The day of surgery, I had a huge fit in pre-op. I wanted to tear my IV out and leave. WTH was I doing? Could I handle the pain? Had I exorcized my food demons? My ever-supportive husband was startled by this level of upset, which he had never seen from me in our eleven year relationship! Thank the good Lord for nurses and valium, because both appeared and I made it through.
You mention "going though the motions" of the pre-op procedures. I do encourage you to fully participate in the pre-operative process. It's a surgery on your stomach, but the big change is in your head. That takes some work.
Good luck to you, and keep us posted on your progress!

Keep up with the process and jump through the hoops. Either you'll come to terms with the idea of surgery or you won't, and it's easy to cancel or reschedule the surgery if you need more time. The entire process with insurance can be a long one, and I'd hate to see you drop out only to restart the process again in two months!
I can't tell you what to do and I wouldn't know what to say to make you feel like this is the right choice, anyway. It's a deeply personal thing. A lot of people are scared of surgery in general, on top of their fears about VSG. My mom is one of them. She would benefit immensely but is too scared to have VSG be her very first surgery.
I can tell you that it changed my life. I was scared to do it because I didn't want to leave my husband or my two year old twins to fly across the world for my surgery. I was scared that I'd waste my money. I was scared that all those failed diets in the past *could* have worked; maybe I just hadn't tried hard enough to do it on my own yet. It's frightening to know that you're not only making a life-changing decision, but that you're also risking your life to have the surgery in the first place. All surgery comes with risk, even if you choose a great surgeon with no leaks or fatalities, like I did!
I cannot express how much I have changed, inside and out, all for the better. It was the very best thing I've done for myself. It's the only thing I've ever done only for myself. I'm happier and healthier and I wouldn't change a thing.
Either you'll get there or you won't. If you opt not to have surgery, that's okay. Keep thinking on it and eventually the right choice will become clear to you.
Best wishes,
~Cheri

I will tell you this from experience, borderline diabetes can become full blown diabetes in a heartbeat. This is not something to take lightly. I had my sleeve surgery less than 9 months ago and I have lost about 110 lbs and almost at my goal. I take no medication of any kind, it changed my life. I changed my diet, exercise every day and the sleeve has been the tool that made all of this happen. Diabetes attacks your organs and can cause amputations. This alone should make you decide to do something permanetly about your weight. Good luck on your decision.

I can tell you at only 10 weeks out this is the best decision I've ever made for myself. In those 10 weeks I've lost 50 pounds and I KNOW it will not be back! We've all been where you are at facing this daunting decision. Make sure you are ready and don't le anyone else talk you into it.

So many good posts! But I want to mention the part where you referenced lack of will power and that the sleeve will help when you want to eat a big piece of cake - it won't help that. It will make you less phisically hungry, but it will not cure the head hunger that tells you that you want cake.
The "head hunger" is something you want to be in as much control of - or at least understanding and recognition of, before you undergo surgery.
The pre-diets that insurance companies make you go through, and enough emphasis is not put on AT ALL, do so much more than just qualify you for surgery or get you in a better physical state to undergo anestisia and surgery - that is when you begin to deal with your issues, and really begin to get an understanding of life after.
I too am 38 and I began to think about the bypass about 10 years ago - I had a rapid unexplained weight gain (very long story) and was not able to do the things I am used to and panicking because it wouldn't come off. I decided no way on the bypass about 7 years ago, and then lapband, and then no go there, too many complications. Then the VGS and I chose that. I do not have any regrets so far - I was sleeved 1/4. George (my sleeve) has had some issues and we are still mainly on liquids but I feel better each day. I tried sooo hard before I finally decided to go with VSG. I understand the desire to be able to say "I did it on my own". But I am doing it on my own. I decided on the surgery, arranged it, paid for it, I put the food in my mouth and record my intake and take my Vitamins and exercize. The medical side would have been there to one extent or another anyway. Teh surgery was just a different type of prescription - that is how I am looking at it.
Prayers for you as you make your decisions!

This is SUCH a personal, and serious decision. Don't take it lightly and don't decide rashly. I agree with all comments above and could have written many of them myself. I'm 42 and struggling with weight since I was put on my first diet at 8 years old when the yoyo began. I agree that you should read ALLLL you can on this subject. Scour this website with a fine toothed comb, and look up anything you can regarding negativity about the surgery. That's what I did. I wanted to see what the worse thing is I could come up with. (It's not much, either.) Just really familiarize yourself with the procedure and the lifestyle you will have to live afterwards. Eyes wide open baby!

I'm 39 and struggled most of my life even though I'm active. I had the sleeve on the 25th and am about three weeks out now and feel amazing, swimming and walking every day. Best decision I have ever made. I had a dream recovery minimal pain and no nausea. I'm so excited to get off the sidelines of my own life. Best wishes.