Back on the fence

[ATLGirl 134]

So about 3 days ago I got some information that put me on the fence. Since I am aiming to lose 110-120 pounds, she recommends the sleeve. Not because Dr. Rod is incapable of doing the plication well, but the results for the amount I want to loose (and successes) lies in the sleeve. I have used this last few days to talk to many people from the patient plication list and sleevers from the board (hi all and thanks for answering my questions). Only 2 plication patients responded to my request (via e-mail) and I spoke with by phone.Neither had the amount of weight I needed to loose. They both needed between 50-65 pounds off. And they are very happy with their progress. The sleevers I spoke to are (or were) in my same boat. I haven't made a decision yet, but I am leaning toward the VSG. I still have about a week to make a final decision.

[SouthernSleever 228]

I think with the amount you have to lose (the same as me) the traditional sleeve would be better. I'm not sure I've seen anyone lose more than 60lbs with plication or at least not that many.

[melanieleigh 1]

In the beginning of my search I was leaning towards Dr Rod as well. I spoke with Deborah, very nice woman, but I felt pushed by her. I really wanted GPS and she was pushing me to VSG, I have trust issues so I figured it was because the sleeve costs more and the doctor makes more money. I too need to lose 100+ lbs and the doctor I found, Dr. Abril ,says that type of weight loss is possible with GPS if you are dedicated and exercise and work the tool. It is the people who want the weight to come off with minimal participation that aren't sucessful.

[Tiffykins 672]

I think plication is something to consider if you only have that nagging 50lbs to lose. I think you really have to decide what you want long term. For me, I didn't want to feel hungry, which I know all the stuff Dr. Watkins posted about Ghrelin, but there are studies out showing ghrelin plasma levels remain low for traditional VSG patients vs. band and vs. RNY patients which both (like the plication) leave the fundus portion of the stomach.

I'll be honest, I didn't want to diet for the rest of my life. I had to diet HARD with my band when it allowed me to eat. What I'm saying is that I'm 19 months and I never diet. I do eat what I want in smaller portions, and yes, I am mindful of what goes in my mouth, but if I have to diet then why go through the hell of surgery to just continue to "work out, diet, and deprive myself" of foods? ? ?

The results of plication are not very positive with some that have had it. I've gotten messages from a few members that wanted my opinion before they had surgery, we talked pros/cons/ etc etc and now they are disappointed because they aren't losing and they can eat larger portions than what I can at almost 2 years out. It's not as restrictive as the sleeve, and with your expectations, I would really read as much as you can, and know exactly what you are getting into with both surgeries.

For me, I never considered WLS as a reversible option, even with my band, I wanted to work that thing to death, it unfortunately failed me miserably. But, once I found the sleeve, I knew this was it. Removal of hunger, immediate and permanent restriction, no food or medication restrictions, what isn't there to love? ? ? Some are scared of throwing away that portion of the stomach, my response is always and will always be "What did that big, stretchy, hungry monster do for you all these years?" For me, it did nothing but allow me to eat huge portions of food, and I kind of felt like I was divorcing an abusive partner LOL LOL. Good riddance, and I haven't missed it since.

I do wish you the best in your research. Think long term, not just the first 6-12 months, think 2-3 years, and will you be looking at a revision to go full sleeve because you don't restriction like you had hoped for, or you get hungry all the time, or heaven forbid you have to diet for the rest of your life.

I'm willing to work to keep my weight off, but I'm not willing to diet for the rest of my life to maintain. Without the perks of the sleeve, I can tell you that I'd be dieting.

[genepha 47]

So about 3 days ago I got some information that put me on the fence. Since I am aiming to lose 110-120 pounds, she recommends the sleeve. Not because Dr. Rod is incapable of doing the plication well, but the results for the amount I want to loose (and successes) lies in the sleeve. I have used this last few days to talk to many people from the patient plication list and sleevers from the board (hi all and thanks for answering my questions). Only 2 plication patients responded to my request (via e-mail) and I spoke with by phone.Neither had the amount of weight I needed to loose. They both needed between 50-65 pounds off. And they are very happy with their progress. The sleevers I spoke to are (or were) in my same boat. I haven't made a decision yet, but I am leaning toward the VSG. I still have about a week to make a final decision.

Anna,

I honestly think that most people who have the plication consider the gastrectomy as well. I know that I have considered the VSG along with the plication. I, like Tiffykins, also have a band and never thought of it as anything but permanent until the band started giving me problems. Now my band has to be removed and I'm left with VSG or GSP as RNY is not an option for me (I probably wound't have it anyway as I personally don't like the RNY for me). Lucikly I am able to revise to a different surgery.

I think Cknorte has lost about 60 lbs and wanted to lose around 100 lbs. total. I also would like to lose about 100 lbs. When I was banded in 2001 there were many naysayers about the band's effectiveness. I did lose 110 lbs. with the band and kept it off for about 7 years. Once I started having problems (and being on 5 months of bed rest while pregnant with my daughter) I did regain some weight, however, I think I learned that WLS is just a tool. Some tools work better for some people and I am hopeful that plication will work for me.

I think what help me choose the plication over the VSG was to look at each surgery long-term. The idea of living for another 40-50 years without 80% of my stomach freaked me out. I think a lot of people who've had VSG go through this and it's something that everyoen must deal with on their own terms, but for me that was something that I just was not comfortable with. Although after reading Tiffykins posts I am always encouraged, motivated and excited to be (re)embarking on my WLS journey.

genepha

approved for lapband removal

self-pay plication

surgery date: February, 2011

[chilo1 62]

When I was doing my research for WLS I wanted something permanent. I had a gastric balloon in about 5 years ago for about 10 months, needless to say the weight piled right back on. When I went to see the surgeon he said that the "negative" thing about the sleeve was that it wasn't reversible. Even though I had less that 100lb to lose (around 70) I said why would you want to reverse weight loss surgery?? Worse case scenario, if you lose too much there are ways to keep thecalories coming in. I haven't got to goal yet, but it's the best thing I've ever done, and I'd recomend it to anyone who needd to lose 50lbs or more!