This is my first post. I had a lap-band in 2007, never lost more that 55 lbs, never found the "sweet" spot. Took saline out of band May 2011, gained 30+ lbs. I was going to have Revision surgery to the sleeve with Dr. Aceves in December, but I chicken out. Now I have the surgery scheduled with Dr. Umbach in Nevada for March 9.

I am scared because...

1. I am my son's only parent!
   
2. What if it doesn't work, just like the band?
   
3. Shouldn't I try Medifast first?
   
4. People tell me it is TOO extreme, and try to help me figure out what else I can do.
   
5. What if it doesn't work?
   
6. Maybe there is a hormonal reason I can't lose?
   
7. What if it doesn't work?
   

I am 5'8", 315. I have HBP, hypothyroidism, PCOS, Anxiety/Depression, and now I am anemic and have Vitamin D deficiency. I was not heavy growing up, but not skinny. I weighed 140 lbs at 18. At 29, (180 lbs) I tried to get pregnant, so I took shots, etc. Well, 4 tries later it worked, but I weighed 240 lbs. I only gained 13 lbs, while pregnant and gained another 35, within months of giving birth. CRAZY!!! In 2008-09, I tried (5 times) again for another baby, more shots, etc. No luck, but more weight.

Sorry, this is SO long. I don't have anyone to tell my story to, so you are it! :smile1: Thank you for any advice on my anxiousness.

Michele in Arizona

Lap-band 2007 Dr. Ortiz

Revision to Sleeve 3-9-12 Dr. Umbach

Hi Michele, I'll just cut to the chase and answer your questions:

• I am my son's only parent! -- Which is a perfect reason to do EVERYTHING in your power to give him the best Mom you can be. Wouldn't you like to run with him? Play with him? Feel confident around his friends? Have his little arms be able to reach all the way around you? Live as long as you possibly can, without worrying if you won't be able to see him grow up, get married, graduate college... etc.?? Sorry to be so blunt, but when I was Super Obese, I may have been ALIVE but I didn't TRULY LIVE until I took my life back, and took control of my disease.
  
• What if it doesn't work, just like the band? -- I was revised from band to sleeve on 9.15.10 and I went in wondering the same thing. I had many of the same issues you did... I simply never was able to find that sweet spot and I was constantly in pain, especially in my port area. I was banded on 2.11.08. It took me over a year to finally take that step to have a second WLS once I'd heard of the sleeve and how wonderful it was. I can say today that it DID work and the sleeve for me was EVERYTHING that I was always hoping my band could be.
  
• Shouldn't I try Medifast first? -- "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting different results" ~Albert Einstein
  
• People tell me it is TOO extreme, and try to help me figure out what else I can do. -- extreme yes... but sometimes that is exactly what it takes to beat a demon. I certainly don't regret doing this extreme surgery, because today I am everything I dreamed I could be, and so much more. I wouldn't give it back for all the tea in China. Besides that, there comes a time in our lives when we have to make our own decisions, be dammed of what anyone else thinks! No one but YOU is walking in your shoes, so no one but YOU should make such a huge decision on what is right and wrong for YOU.
  
• What if it doesn't work? -- See all above
  
• Maybe there is a hormonal reason I can't lose? -- Yes there is a possibility that there is a hormonal reason you can't lose. Have them checked, BUT that doesn't mean you still shouldn't take the bull by the horns. Excuses will only keep holding you back.
  
• What if it doesn't work? -- See all above
  

With that, I'd like to formally welcome you to VST. Take a good look around. We have an entire section of Band to Sleeve stories and most if not ALL are successful in some manner or another. I have yet to see one where they weren't glad they did it.

All the best to you and please let us know how you're doing! Chime in and make yourself home.

WOW! Thank you. It was just what I needed to hear and if I can look as good as you do! Thank you for the inspiration and for listening (reading). :bigear:

I'm so glad I could help out! I know how it feels to be a band "failure" but just know this - if it really was ME and not how the band worked for me... then why did I do so well with the Sleeve? I always think about that.

*hugs*

Not being a revision case, I can't completely understand all your concerns.

But, to address the "extreme" part: I think the process is fairly easy, unless there are complications. Most people don't have complications. I am seven weeks out and feel very good. I don't even feel like I have had surgery, I just can't eat like I used to.

Overall, the surgery itself just seems like a blip in the big scheme of things.

Of course, taking advantage of the processes leading up to surgery and readying yourself for this change will help you adjust better. Not preparing or living in denial of the changes that must occur may make things harder.

I'll bet you'll be just fine!