loucaruso

Hi- I have been preparing for this for years. I knew early on, that diets don't work for me and although I can lose 40 lbs in about 7 or 8 months, I dont keep it off. It's happened many times. I have sleep apnea for 15 years, had 3 knee surgerys, fatty liver, hiatal hernia, IBS and pre-diabetes. I also have a good heart, good BP etc, so now is the time to do this while I am healthy otherwise. I love to eat and I always over eat.That is what scares me, as I dont feel full. I am ready to reduce my food intake and am prepared to change, but I still have my doubts and hope this will work for me. I don't mind walking and I do alot of swiming in the summer, and like weight lifting and since i don't want the hanging skin, with a slower weight loss, like the sleeve, with excercise, I hope to avoid the skin tightening surgery as I don't have the money for that. Maybe it will eventually be covered, but I hope to avoid it either way. I have not had the surgery yet, as my seminar is tomorrow and the doctor (Colon Braithwait on Long Island) is approved in my plan (UHC). I "think" I will do the sleeve. After much research, I believe it is best for me. It may not achieve the most weight loss, but lap seems terrible with too many issues and I don't want my system re-routed or have the malabsorbtion, dumping or adjustment issues either. I am somewhat interested in Plication as they don't cut the stomach, but I believe it will not be reversable in say 10 yrs as I believe the skin will fuse together and the folds can not simply be unfolded. My main concern is the staples in the VS, as I hear about issues called "staple-line disruption". I wish they could stitch instead and I wish they could use the single incision spider tool procedure, but I dont believe my doctor does this. My doctor has my weight journey documented, I just had a endoscopy/colonoscopy,and i seem to meet all requirements, so it may not take too long to be approved. I am motivated and want to change, and think I can handle the changes but it is scary as I really love to eat. I believe the " duodenal switch" then the sleeve gastrectomy leave the most room after surgery to eat, so I feel this is a good compromise and it's not as severe.This seems to make more sense for me. If I go through with this I hope to learn alot from you all and hope to help others as well.- Lou