Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Linda. I have been overweight off and on my whole life it seems. When I was younger, I swam competitively all summer long. Weight that I had gained from poor eating habits during the school year just melted off during the summer months. Unfortunately, the cycle continued year after year. Eventually, I became a "grown up" with real life responsibilities, stopped swimming, had two boys and then layered on the pounds. Like all of you, I have tried several diets, some very successfully but only learned how to "DIET", not eat. For the record, I am a really good dieter. However, eventually, something would happen, I would get bored with dieting, or just got plain hungry and stopped the diet. And back to old eating habits - the cycle continues.

I have been following the boards for several weeks as I educated myself on WLS. I visited my surgeon today and have scheduled surgery for August 4th. I was all set to get the band until I went to his seminar. My doctor wasn't pushing any one type of surgery but as he discussed the options available, the sleeve sounded pretty good. The more research I did about the sleeve, the better it sounded. So 6 weeks from today, I will get my sleeve.:thumbup:

Don't you think that part of that might be that once they hear about the sleeve ... or see the stats ... they wonder "what the heck did i do?" or feel somewhat insecure in knowing that perhaps they didn't do all the research they could have and just settled? It's not so much they feel threatened ; more so that they feel they didn't do all the research they should have. Know what I mean?

That, and.... People who are banded and having problems tend to resent those that aren't and are at goal. People hang on to the concept that less invasive is safer. It isn't, plain and simple.

Being banded is hard, very hard. I was prepared to work hard with the band, I was prepared to change my eating habits, but banding is hard in a way you just can't imagine unless you experience it. It's not the kind of hard I was prepared for.

Now new data is coming out showing that it really isn't going to last a lifetime. People are frustrated and fearful of gaining weight so they attack others who went for different options. Maybe I felt the same way - way back when, I don't remember.

I love to read that people were going to get the band and read posts and decided to get the sleeve instead.

Some people do love their bands and have had no problems with it. It's my opinion that it's just a matter of time, and they will be having problems just like the rest of us.

I love to read that people were going to get the band and read posts and decided to get the sleeve instead.

Some people do love their bands and have had no problems with it. It's my opinion that it's just a matter of time, and they will be having problems just like the rest of us.

Totally agree with everything written by OD.

That, and.... People who are banded and having problems tend to resent those that aren't and are at goal.

And those who aren't having problems are scared.

I love to read that people were going to get the band and read posts and decided to get the sleeve instead.

Should I repeat my story about how going to LBT made me decided to get a sleeve? I want you to be happy! :001_tt2:

I too had decided to get the lapband until I found this board. I changed my mind to the sleeve after that. Just waiting on the insurance co.. They approved the band but I'm not sure about the sleeve. If they don't approve the sleeve I will borrow the money and go to Dr Aceves.

I would rather do that than have the worry of the lapband. I think it would pay off in the long run. Mentally, physcially and money wise.

I'm trying to save a little extra money just in case.

No vacation this year

Eat out only once a week.

Eating alot of fresh veggies out of the garden.

Selling the extra big brown eggs from my chickens.

Not buying any new FAT clothes.

It don't cost any money to spend the extra time walking more, visiting older friends from church, or playing with the grandchildren. I might even burn a few extra calories.LOL, Judy

Oh my word, you just mentioning fresh eggs brought back memories. Fresh eggs make the eggs we city people buy look anemic. I remember the yolks being so yellow it looks as if food coloring has been added. If I didn't live across the country I'd sure buy some. I can only eat half of a scrambled egg with my piece of turkey bacon for breakfast but eggs do keep in frig. Maybe SouthWest has a really good special going. ha

Welcome! Congratulations on your date. My initial WLS choice was LapBand...until I continued my research. In 8 days I will be getting my VSG and a new start at life!

Yay, more and more people are changing their minds and getting the sleeve instead. It's great.

I wonder if a lot of people still get the band only because they don't know about the sleeve.

Welcome Linda!! I am having my sleeve on the 11 of July! My fiance already has hers.

Alot of people get the lap band because they dont know about the sleeve. I was in the lap band support room the other day (no one in our room) and when I mentioned the sleeve they almost all chimed in at once asking me what the sleeve was.

It's ridiculous. So many people are overjoyed because they think the band is so wonderful, and they have no idea what a nightmare it can turn out to be.

If I didn't say it already, congratulations on getting your date to get your sleeve.

All right! It's August 4th. I leave in about 30 minutes for hospital. I very excited and a little bit nervous. I will soon be a sleeve sister. Say a prayer for me.

Praying that all goes well for you, Linda.

Awesome Linda -- you will be in our thoughts and prayers -- God is with you and with Dr. Aceves - you will come through with flying colors! Look at the painting that is right inside the main nurses station before you go into the wing where Dr. Aceves' patients are - that says it all. It's also posted in my photos - Keep in touch as soon as you're able!

Everything is going to go great. Make sure to update us when you are released.