I was just wondering what this surgery could be compared to. Is it pretty routine, like getting your tonsils removed? Is it more or less serious than say, a Cesarian Section when delivering a baby? I am very serious about getting the sleeve done and this is just one of the (many) questions that has entered my mind.

I always keep my father in mind, who has had 7 stents put in his heart, a hip replacement, rotator cup surgery, and even had three fingers put back on his hand back in 2010. If he could do all that, while being high risk, and get through them all with next to no problems, my surgery shouldn't seem so scary.

Routine doesn't mean safe. C/S are routine but can have catastrophic complications. I think if you choose a competent surgeon and one with experience doing your procedure then your chances are good to have almost any reasonable procedure with minimal issues. Well, as long as you are evaluated properly for the procedure. Driving a car in city traffic is more dangerous than most surgeries.

also people go through major trauma and surgery all the time and live to everyones amazement. Then some healthy person goes into routine procedure and has major problems or even dies to everyones amazement. I think dying is not the worst of things, but living can be. Put your faith in Jesus and do the best you can and you will be fine. Follow your instincts and you'll do fine.

i also flip flop on the surgery but not b/c off the surgery but the major changes that come with it. mental prep ithink will be important as well as the faith you are making the right choices.I guess for all the PC'Rs out there, you can put your faith where and with whom you want and what you think helps and guides you, mines with the father, son, and holy ghost. have a great night!

I had my gall bladder removed back in 2009 and was just sleeved June 29th. He used almost the exact incisions, it was almost the same laproscopic surgery! I had the same type of pains, everything. My recovery has been a little faster with the sleeve though, only difference is I can't eat as much now as I did when I had the gallbladder surgery! lol

I have wondered this too. Thank you Tonibugg, I've had my gallbladder removed so that is a great frame of reference...not so scared now.

My mom (an RN) keeps reminding me how major of a surgery this was. I've been getting frustrated with my lack of energy at 8 days post-op. She's had a hysterectomy and said the sleeve was definitely more serious and required longer recovery (not just with diet). I had my tonsils out at the age of 24 (the older you are, the rougher it can be) and ended up in the hospital for 3 days with bleeds. I was pretty much back to normal in a week.

Yesterday I had my first post-op appointment, as I was sharing my frustrations with the CNP, she assured me everything I was experiencing was normal. She said because it's laproscopic and the incisions are minimal most people don't realize this is a MAJOR MAJOR (she emphasized this) surgery. She said tonsils, appendix, c-section don't even compare. I told her I wished I could see a video of the surgery or an MRI of my stomach because I'm such a visual person and it would help me realize what exactly I've been through. Would probably help with my frustration (and maybe even my few "cheats") too!

My mom (an RN) keeps reminding me how major of a surgery this was. I've been getting frustrated with my lack of energy at 8 days post-op. She's had a hysterectomy and said the sleeve was definitely more serious and required longer recovery (not just with diet). I had my tonsils out at the age of 24 (the older you are, the rougher it can be) and ended up in the hospital for 3 days with bleeds. I was pretty much back to normal in a week.

Yesterday I had my first post-op appointment, as I was sharing my frustrations with the CNP, she assured me everything I was experiencing was normal. She said because it's laproscopic and the incisions are minimal most people don't realize this is a MAJOR MAJOR (she emphasized this) surgery. She said tonsils, appendix, c-section don't even compare. I told her I wished I could see a video of the surgery or an MRI of my stomach because I'm such a visual person and it would help me realize what exactly I've been through. Would probably help with my frustration (and maybe even my few "cheats") too!

Very interesting. I thought that a Hysterectomy or even a C-Section would be around the same.

Thanks for the replies everyone

I'm involved in c/s and hysterectomies all the time. anyone who thinks they aren't a major surgeries is only fooling themselves. You can end up with deadly infections and/or even bleed to death with c/s and hysterectomies. Matter of fact not speculation. I'm not saying the sleeve isn't a serious surgery but if done laparoscopicly it is definitely less than a c/s. Maybe comparable to a lap/robotic hysterectomy. But I've seen people die from these also lap/robotic hysterectomies. any surgery can be great or deadly! Never take any lightly. just weight your risks, goals and make the most educated decision you can based on faith,research, medical advise, and necessity! Don't do risky surgery for vanity only for valid mental and physical health reasons.