notsofluffy

Tiffykins, Thank you so much for your comments and sharing your story on other threads. I must admit that reading your comments is what made me decide to pursue the sleeve. You are an inspiration! Tracy

I would love to keep in contact with you through your experience! I actually travel to Seattle a few times a month as I have several buildings I oversee their (I am a corporate RN). So I will wave too :biggrin0:. I am actually going to Swedish next wed eve for a seminar on the VGS / BAND / RNY. Though I am 99% sure that the VGS is for me. Congrats on the first losses! I am only a week out but other than minor discomfort, I am doing great and couldn't be happier. The weight this first week is just falling off. I know it will slow down, but that's ok too! Slow and steady will be just fine! You are just south of me! I will wave the next time I got to Portland to visit my sister : )

Rose, Do you mind sharing who you went to see for your sleeve in Mexico? tracy

Lee, I actually found the link to VST on Laptalk as well! Best link I ever found. I actually watched a co-worker nearly die with the RNY (stomach puch too small and too much intestine removed), so i never wanted it. But seeing the poor statistics on the band, that was a hard hit for what I was seeing as my last chance! I want to goto one seminar to be sure I'm on the right tract for me, but then I'm signing up!

Kelkie, I am going to Mexico for mine in about a month. My insurance won't even CONSIDER it. Cost is 10,000. Tracy

I was one of those kids that started out big. I graduated from high school just shy of 200 lbs. My freshman 15 was actually a freshman 50! Tried a bunch of diets and failed every one due to depression and cravings. I am currently 433 lbs, just inching into pre-diabetes and have suffered with sleep apnea and hypothyroism for years. Found out recently that I have PCOS, which at least tells me why I had so much trouble maintaining a healthy weight as a kid, especially as active as I was (Taekwon do, basketball, walking 2-3 miles daily). No matter what I just kept gaining! 5years ago I started the journey towards getting banded. Finances and uncooperative insurance kept me from it. 2 days ago I was getting ready to place my deposit to see Dr. Joya in Mexico for the Realize band when my family forwarded me that statistic about 25% of banders electing to remove it in 2 years. :thumbup: Scared the crap out of me, I need something that is going to work. I made the decision today that I am going to do the VGS. No more delays! Tracy

Les, Thank you for your comments. I am finding myself doing a bit of soul searching as I move from my plan for the LAP or Swedish band, which I am seeing has a poor success rate, to the VGS. I am a nurse, so the idea of removing part of an organ is hard to stomach (Pun intended :thumbup:). But the more information I read and the great comments I have read on this sight is really pushing me to the VGS. The lack of maintance is definatly a positive. I'll keep everyone informed of my progress and how it is working for me. Tracy

Dr. Jossart, What is a better option for those of us with high BMIs? I am a 440 lb woman, fairly health and active at 32 years old with some early DMII, PCOS, sleep apnea and hypothyroidism. Is a sleeve the best answer? My reasearch on 65+ BMI is restricted to the RNY, their is little info (that I could find) on the success of VGS or LAP/Realize bands. Tracy:svengo:

Hey guys! I am planning to have surg end of March in Puerto Vallarta with Dr. Joya. I am still debating the Realise Band vs. the VGS. I am 440 lbs and 32 years old. I am really seeing this as my last chance before comorbidites set in. My goal is to get to 180 lbs (my high school graduation weight). Anyone else out their with post experience after the VSG? Tracy

Carla, How did it go with Dr. Joya?! I am scedualled for surgery with him the end of March. Tracy

Hey everyone, I am looking for information from anyone ABOVE 60 BMI that has had the Gastric Sleeve. My BMI is actually 71. My research so far has showed that the VGS is a "better" surgery for those of us witha higher BMI. Anyone 400+ had the surgery? Especially those at least 1 year out. Tracy:thumbup1:

Thank you for the information Phyl! It is scarry I was set in my goal of the Realize band, now I''m not sure. The statistics of 25% of Banders that have it removed after 2-3 years is a difficult decision to re-think. Tracy

Anyone banded that had a BMI of 70+? I am 440 lbs and just starting to get co-morbidities. The doctor I plan to see in Puerto Viarta, Dr. Joya is recommending I get the gastric sleeve, I would really rather get the LAP or Realize band. I'm looking for success stories for the 70 BMI crowd!

The Huber needle is a non-boring needle. Normal needles punch a whole, these slice so that the port membrane can re-seal and not leak.