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I absolutely agree with the advice given you above, especially that from Restless Monkey (she is a true font of wisdom. Listen to her!). To add to that, the fact is, this is about and FOR you. You have to do what you feel is best, even if right now he's not "on board" with you. When you dieted in the past, you didn't diet for him, did you? Or did you do it for yourself, to make yourself healthier, look better, feel better? The surgery is the same thing. Though it would be great if 1000 percent of the time our spouses were completely on board, sometimes they just aren't -- sometimes for a while, sometimes forever. I agree with RM that you need to get him to express how he feels and why. However, if this is something you have chosen to do, something you think is for you, I would strongly recommend that you stick to that and do what you need to do for yourself. Just as you probably wouldn't let him talk you out of a bypass if you needed one, we shouldn't be talked out of -- OR INTO -- a surgery like this. For me personally, I didn't tell anybody, including my husband, about the surgery until after I had gone to the seminar, met with my doctor, and started getting the work-up done for surgery. The reason being was this is MY body, MY life, and MY decision. I didn't want anybody from the outside putting in their two cents, good OR bad. I wanted to come to this decision myself. Luckily he supported me in my decision, though it is still sometimes hard for me where the food is concerned (had a fill the other day and was on liquids, and he ordered a pizza, ugh). You have to determine for yourself how badly you need him to be 100 percent on your side in this decision. Only you can determine that. Good luck!

I finally made it. My target date was July 24th (and was aggressive given the timeline and the Lapband choice instead of bypass) but this morning, on my official weigh in scale, I have lost 101 pounds! I got a small fill on Friday and upped my exercise over the weekend and that seems to have kicked me over the ledge. Now i have to make sure over this week I distance myself from this milestone and set up a new resistance level. This next part of my journey will be highlighted by starting training to run in a 5K (gonna do the couch to 5K thing I believe). I will be walk/running a few 5K events in the interim as I build up my ability to run for prolonged periods of time. Updates I went from a 66 Jacket to a 56 Jacket I went from a 5/6X shirt to a 2/3X I went from a 58/60" waist to a 46/48" waist I am far more helpful around the house. This speaks to laziness which seems to have been tied to my previous size. Net/net, my wife likes it more! I got to shop in a 'normal' store for clothing (albeit in their big and tall department) My next set of goals are: Get to "Twoterville" - I have no idea when the last time was that I weighed under 300 lbs Shop in a REAL normal size store. (Old Navy, Eddie Bauer something like that) Not be afraid to sit in a booth in any restaurant. To get there I will be upping my walking regimen, adding more weigh work (not heavy weight, but more work on the machine) and continuing to focus on my intake, aided by my bad. It is amazing to have gotten here in this time period. I got my body composition analysis on my last fill and will be blogging about those results later this week. I hope these entries are useful to folks that are going down this road as well.

Initially, after attending the bariatric surgery seminar that my surgeon conducted, I was strongly considering gastric bypass, primarily because of the beneficial outcomes information that was presented. Based on the data he has collected, he said gastric bypass patients could expect to lose 70% of their excess body weight within a one to two year time period while lap band patients could expect to lose 40% of their excess body weight. Since then, I have met with my surgeon twice over a two-year time period. Both times, he recommended the band for me. I told him I want to lose more than 40% of my excess weight and asked what I needed to do to achieve this. He basically said to educate myself well. I already walk fives miles daily and am a rule-follower. I also met with a dietician twice over a two-year time period. Each time, I explained to her that I eat fairly healthy but am obese because I eat way too much. Based on the facts I gave her, she thought I would be successful with the band. She said her patients who are unsuccessful with the band tend to drink their calories and don't follow the rules. Additionally, I talked to the psychologist about my personality. Long story-short, she said I was the ideal candidate for the band, based on my personality. I have done a lot of reading and have asked many questions, yet I still agonize at times about whether I am making the best decision. The only thing I've concluded is that there is no way I can determine in advance which procedure is truly the best for me. Therefore, I have decided I trust my surgeon and am choosing the band. There are many at this forum who have been very successful with the band. And they inspire me greatly. I read almost every post submitted and consequently have gained a wealth of knowledge. I've considered WLS since June 2009, and although at this point I am simultaneously excited and scared, I am also hopeful and ready to proceed. Gather information from as many reliable sources as you can, and you, too, will be able to make a decision that's comfortable for you.

The lap band was over hyped and even some of the larger manufacturers are no longer making parts for them. My doctor won't even suggest it any more. As far as the balloon, it's currently under FDA review for a bunch of deaths, google "gastric balloon death". Personally, I'd stay away from either. The Gastric Sleeve might be the best bet for you at this point. I've been banded for 6 years, lost 70 lbs, but then just stopped, and I have a very hard time losing any more. I'm currently in the process of getting my band revised to the bypass. Good luck!

With a BMI over 50, you'd definitely be better off with a sleeve or bypass. A gastric balloon isn't going to allow you to lose enough weight, and will need to come out in 6 months. I have read tons of complaints where people lost only a few pounds with it. It sounds like you aren't ready for a major surgery, so these might not be options yet. If you have bad knees, then you should still be able to swim, work on abs, or lift weights. You don't have to exercise to lose weight though. It is mostly all about what you are eating. My personal experience is that exercising 6-7X per week only allowed me to maintain, and never helped me to lose weight long term. It was the massive amounts of food that I could consume in a sitting that caused the issue with my weight. This is why I think that exercise can help you drop a bit, but you are going to have to get the eating under control if you are going to be successful in getting your weight under control. I hope that everything works out for you!

Previously my program didn't have them listed anywhere but they are revising everything right now to include them. I am curious when you were able to include them?

Sarabeth3569 - I had sleeve on Dec 21, 2012. I am probably going to be going through revision to bypass. Can you tell me how your process has been, struggles, non struggles, good days, bad days, etc... I was about 289 lbs when I had Sleeve done. I got down to 189. Then I got pregnant and Jumped up to 233. Now I'm back to 210, and I can't get my sleeve into gear. I'm eating way more than I should be able to, and I would like to get back into gear with all of this. It would be awesome to have an email friend.

SLEEVE TO BYPASS REVISION. I apologize in advance if this is not where I post this at. I have been sleeved for 21 days now....and now I may have to have the bypass within 2 weeks. I never had actual GERD before but have had GERD ever since the surgery. I don't have any vomiting at night like others have mentioned...but it restricts me from now getting any food but cottage cheese in and only about 20 ounces of water. I'm not talking like the tiny acid I used to get with eating a whole pizza and then laying down ...I'm talking like punch you in the stomach pain & sizzling noises all day long in my throat. I boil acid all day long. It's not excruciating...Its just not good on a sleeve and I'm scared It will eat through my staples or hurt my small pouch even more. I was 270 day of surgery and weighed this morning at 238. I'm losing weight like a champ but it's because my intake is super low. I saw my surgeon on Friday and he raised my Nexium but said that if in 2 weeks I was still having the Gerd that he was going to do a sleeve to bypass revision. Has anyone had a sleeve to bypass revision? If so I would love to hear about your experience. Good or bad. I've googled many posts but can't get straight forward answers. How was the pain? Did you have complications? And how is your quality of life now? Tia

Anybody who have has the sleeve can you share your results? Just found out I was approved for the sleeve and not the bypass. I hope I get the same results need to lose at least 90 lbs. Please help me feel better someone

So basically what I seem to be seeing from this post is that since I have PCOS it's basically useless to get this surgery because it will still be hard for me to lose weight. Well that just totally sux!!!! I know there is only one other way to lose weight and that's the bypass but that is so so dangerous for your health. I mean I've done the metformin and only lost water weight and that was maybe 5 lbs max....I've done the 1500 calorie diet and that didnt work either. I have hair coming out my chin, but my am not losing hair on the top of my head. My leg hair grows like crazy, I shave and get out of the tub get goose bumps and BAM STUBBLE!!! lol So it sounds like with the PCOS and insulin resistance and pre-diabetic I'm basically doomed to be fat and get fatter the rest of my life because nothing else is going to make this crap go away...Sorry I'm just really frustrated with pcos, being fat and not able to lose any of it, and I TOTALLY KNOW all about the hormonal imbalances I can go from happy and laughing to wanting to rip someone's head off the next minute!! lol Thanks for letting me rant and vent!! Blessings to all and Happy Holidays!!

And even with your first fill it will take a while for restriction. Remember band isn't like bypass where it's instant. It's custom designed so each feel you'll be tighten til you get restriction. I'm 18 months post op and just now getting restriction or sweet spot. Mainly cause I went months without a fill and ate like ma piggy over the holidays. I stayed hungry! However just because you're hungry doesn't mean eat everything. I did best when I watches my calories and make sure I get protein

Thank you all for replying to my post and for welcoming me. I hope I have found a good place to be. I have sent my coordinatior an email and I'm hoping she gets back to me on Monday. I like the thought of keeping a journal and I am starting that today. I did that a while back when I was counting calories. I wrote everything down - not just what I ate, but what all was going on at the time and it was working great. I was losing weight actually 25 pounds and 44 inches in 7 weeks then my uncle and my father passed away and I could never get back on track. My mom and aunt have had gastric bypass. I never liked the thought of rerouting so it was never an option. I have been looking into lap band for a while and finally went to the seminar. I did find out that I have ironically seen my family dr on 11-19, 12-19, and 01-13 and that counts so I half way there as far as the weigh ins go. My surgeon only does lap bands once a week so I am looking at anywhere from mid May to first week of June for my surgery. At this point, I am only excited, not nervous at all. I'm sure I will have many questions along the way and any advice will be greatly appreciated. Becky

The bypass is a radical surgery, and unfortunately most of the people I know who have had the surgery have gained most of their weight back.

I have it. I didn't use insurance but I know that Arizona Humana PPO did a trial coverage of the lapband for 1 year and it ended last April 2005. They haven't covered it since. In Gastric Bypass, it only covers it if there is "extreme need and circumstances". I think it depends on what state you live in too. All you can do is submit and try!!!

I had RNY three months ago and have now lost 76# (pre and post op). These are the reasons I chose the bypass: -- Surgery has been done for 50+ years and has a long history of success. -- Is considered the gold standard of WLS. On average people lose more weight with RNY than any other WLS. -- Eliminates acid reflux. The sleeve can make this worse. -- BP instantly normal after surgery. -- "Disconnects" the hunger hormones. My hunger is nothing like it was before surgery. -- Old stomach is still intact and part of my system. I have had no complications. My recovery has been amazing. I was off my pain meds three days after coming home from the hospital. I can eat anything I want, although I don't because I don't feel good afterward. I am losing an average of 3 pounds a week. I've had no stalls.

I was gun-hoe on getting the sleeve until me doctor told me that bypass is the better option for women. Women and men metabolize differently. It was a long discussion, but I'm having bypass tomorrow!

I really don't know how long it will take to stretch out your pouch. I'm jsut recovering now from revision surgery where I have been eating as a good bandster. I still need to slow it down somewhat, but my pouch was HUGE...no idea why it was so big. My band has been empty fort he last 6 weeks so it's really a mystery to us. I don't htink the band itself can stretch though. I will say, if you have to have your band reset, recovery from that is easier than the orgiginal surgery. The progression of foods is a bit faster though I'm too afraid to try anything. It is really the best thing to go slow with fills as the damage that can be caused from being too tight is really quite painful. Hope all is well in this thread

Wow. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. of course you are scared it's perfectly normal. I had revision surgery too from lapband to the sleeve. I also have my gallbladder removed and a hernia repaired the same day. And like you I get very sick from the anesthesia. I told the anesthesiologist about how badly I react and they gave me medicine through an IV and also a patch behind my ear that helped immensely. I won't lie the first couple of days were rough but by day three I was sitting out at my son's baseball game and on day 4 I was back at my desk job. I'm losing weight better and feel so much healthier than I ever did with my band because I can eat real food and I don't feel hungry all the time. It's nice not to be throwing up all the time of course 2. I just wanted to share that with you good luck in making a decision.

Finally, I've been approved for my bypass. I was suppose to have the surgery on April 19, but I was out of town on family matters. So it was changed to June 14. I'm so excited but I'm kinda scared. Any last thing I need to know what to do before this surgery. I would appreciate it

Hi Nana, and welcome to the forums. I hope you don't mind that I moved your post. There are a bunch of us here that have revised from the band to the sleeve, myself included. My weight loss has been fabulous, as you can see by my ticker. I wish I had known about the sleeve three years ago, I never would have gotten the band. And not having to worry about fills, being too tight, pb'ing while out with friends, etc. is wonderful. You literally get your life back!

My docs only do RNY or lapband. They won't do the sleeve due to higher risk of complicaitons like leakage. Even if they did sleeve, I would have opted for RNY because it can be undone if needed (not easily but possible). With the sleeve, most of your stomach is gone and the only revision they could do would be to take you to RNY. No surgery is perfect, you have to decide what is right for you. I agree with what kisersassy said and that was also a factor for me.

Hi is there any uk sleevers on here? I am thinking of a revision to sleeve from band. Need support and any info 're NHS route. Sent from my KFTT using the BariatricPal App

I was banded in 2012 and almost immediately back on solids developed gallbladder problems. Unfortunately for me they went undiagnosed for just shy of a year. I was having weekly attacks, sometimes the 2 or 3 times a week. In the end I had it removed and it was the best thing for me. Sadly, my band needed unfilling for the surgery and has never quite been the same since. I'm being revised to a sleeve in a few weeks time!

I Would not chance the sleeve if u have acid reflux or gerd. Many, many oeopke have to get a revision after the sleeve due to horrible reflux. Hes what my surgeon saud to me bc I also have had gerd for years. He said," about 1/3 of sleeve patients I see end up having reflux, however what Im seeing more and moreIs a much later down the line many get horrendous reflux daily and I end up doing a revision, bypass. We got talking a out this bc I have had reflux for many year. I'm not gonna go through this surgery twice, so Its bypass for me. Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App

Ok i have just gotten back from the hospital and although i knew which way it was gonna go (pushing me down gastric bypass route) i still held out some hope that i may be able to get banded. The surgeon was an absolute dickhead!!! Didnt listen to anything i had to say...was going on about the advantages of gastric bypass...(yeah right being on supplements for the rest of my life) i was sitting there thinking you fool!! I told him the whole story...blah blah, but he didnt really seem to want to listen. To top it all off, my appointment was for 16.15. But the hospital had a fire alarm...by the time i got back in he waiting room it was already 16:15 and there were three people before me, i didnt end up going to see him untill 5:30pm. The other ladies were in there between 30-50 mins. I was in and out of their in 10 minutes!! Throughout me sitting in the waiting room and through teh consultation the fire alarm was STILL going on. I swear i can still hear it ringing in my ears!! He then told me that i cant book and full assessment, until i go home and "think about it". Like i haven't been for the last four years!!!! What an EEEEDDDIOTTT!!!:thumbup::cursing: Bascially unless my bmi is the fourtys they are not going to do it, so the NHS can go F**K themselves (and to think, money is taken out of my pay packet every month and i cant even get a service what i have literally paid for) !!! As i have said before whether it be paid for by the NHS or by me i will get banded. I will self pay, i tell you there is no money to much i wont pay to get my health back into check. Ok so im a lil pissed off when i come out of the hospital, i really shouldn't of been as deep down i knew what they would say. I picked my mum up from the airport today and she has no idea about my surgery plans. When i get to my mums house, she asks where did i go. I was in two minds about telling her the truth, but i said to myself if she asks i will tell her. In my head im thinking here it goes....!! "where did you go" me: "i went to see an nhs consultant about weight loss surgery" Mum: "What? weight loss surgery" me: "yes" Mum: "NO, NO, NO,!!!! So they can cut your stomach?? Dont even think about it" Me: "No actually, they don't do it as open surgery!! Do you even know what kind of weight loss surgery i want? It called a gastric band, do you know what that is??" Mum: No! Me: " Well you shouldn't start shouting if you don't know what it is that im talking about!" At this point i just want to burst into tears, but i hold them back walk away and take some deep breathes. I just find it really sad that the one person that i would really like supporting me is totally against the idea. The only person who i know i have 100% from is my sister, she has really been my rock throughout this, and really don't know what i would do without her. I was able to vent to her and she made me feel so much better. I know it may sound wrong but that was another reason i wanted to tell as few people about the procedure as possible. I will be self paying and going to Belgium for the procedure and i will not be telling my mother that im going or having the procedure done. I really dont think that she understands the extent of how this excess weight is making me so unhappy. I'm normally and bright and happy person but i have felt so down today, i feel everyone is against me except my sister. I really do thank god for forums like this because is it of such support to me. Anwyays to cut a long story short i will be self paying and having surgery on sept 1st. I have always done everything for everybody else, its time i started thinking about myself for once. If people cant accept my decision then that is their problem NOT MINE!! Im doing this for ME and nobody else, for once in my life im doing something for ME. and as the loreal adverts say......"BECAUSE IM WORTH IT"!! Lapband here i come!!!