Hi everyone. I'm completely new to this site and to the concept of sleeving, in general! I went to an informational meeting last night, where they went over the 3 types of bariatric surgeries they do. (bypass, sleeving, and banding). I went into the meeting being all about the band and came out all about the sleeve! It seems that the complications with sleeving are less; than with bypass, and I can't stand the thought of a band in my body, and then having to willingly let someone stick me with a needle every month! They gave me a bunch of paperwork to fill out and I turned it all in today. And it scares me that i just came home from the meeting and filled it out and then turned it in so fast. Part of me says it's too hasty, and part of me says lets do this. I don't know why I'm posting, other than for hellos and support. Any advice is welcome!

You shouldn't feel like it's too hasty if it's what you want to do. Ask questions become informed about your options and move at a pace that's comfortable for you. No need to second guess yourself. Congrats on taking the first step. This community is a great resource for you also.

I love my sleeve!!! The best thing is the lack of hunger. Just have to watch that grazing.......

Welcome to vst and congrats on making a decision. Never too hasty if youre making a choice for better health. Youre on the right track. Good luck to you!!!

Hi Doonab,

I was like you and was all for the band, but have since changed my mind. I have friends who have the band and have lost a lot of weight. However, one just got married a few months ago and had an unfill for his honeymoon. He came back 25 pounds heavier. The other just had his port replaced due to an infection. There is good and bad for every procedure, but less maintenance with the sleeve. Do you research and have your surgeon help you with your choice. I wasted three years waiting to get to this point and can't wait for my surgery on 9/27.

This forum is made up of good people who will support you through your journey. Good luck to you.

This is an amazing place for honest answers! I went to my seminar hell bent on the band and walked out with paperwork for the sleeve! Crazy, huh? This site is also a good place to see what people who did have band think. There are a lot of revisioners on here. I got "sleevy wonder" on 6/13/12 and I am down 56lbs. That is a little slower than some but I will take it!! Good luck and keep us posted!

Thank you so much for your responses. It's nice to know there is a group where I'm 'not the only one'. I've enjoyed reading lots of threads here the last couple of days. I love when their is a link to a blog about someone's journey! It's funny, I'm not that scared of the surgery itself. More afraid to tell people what I am doing. WLS has such a negative connotation for being the 'easy way out'. AS IF!!!! Just making the decision to do it is hard, then all of the steps you take, then the surgery and the immediate, necessary life changes you have to make.....!

Welcome to VST! Don't worry, between tests and scheduling pre-op, you still have plenty of time to think over your decision and be certain it's the right one for you. I agree with all your reasons though on sleeve vs band and they are a lot of the reason I chose sleeve over band too. I don't regret it at all - love my sleeve!

As far as telling people - you don't have to if you don't want to. Give yourself time to weigh the pros and cons and it doesn't have to be all or none either. There are a lot of people on here who have only told their close family/friends, and many that have told everyone. I am in the group that is telling everyone. So far I haven't gotten too many negative reactions (At least, to my face =p) but even if I did, I'm happy and getting healthier. That's what matters to me, and if they can't be happy for me, then that sucks for them. Those who think it's the easy way out, have no idea what it's really like. It's still a lot of work.

I'm reading about complications due for my sleeve in 9/28 waiting for insurance approval but a little scared. However thinking about not being able to hold anything down in my stomach or feeling dizzy. But this may or may not happen to me.

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Welcome to VST! Don't worry' date=' between tests and scheduling pre-op, you still have plenty of time to think over your decision and be certain it's the right one for you. I agree with all your reasons though on sleeve vs band and they are a lot of the reason I chose sleeve over band too. I don't regret it at all - love my sleeve!

As far as telling people - you don't have to if you don't want to. Give yourself time to weigh the pros and cons and it doesn't have to be all or none either. There are a lot of people on here who have only told their close family/friends, and many that have told everyone. I am in the group that is telling everyone. So far I haven't gotten too many negative reactions (At least, to my face =p) but even if I did, I'm happy and getting healthier. That's what matters to me, and if they can't be happy for me, then that sucks for them. Those who think it's the easy way out, have no idea what it's really like. It's still a lot of work.[/quote']

I told no one just my brother & hubby and my older kids not ready to talk about it. I feel it's personal. I didn't talk to anyone when gaining this weight so why talk or tell people about loosing it?

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Welcome welcome welcome!!

Thank you, everyone. I'm excited/nervous, but I'm moving forward. I'll find out next week if my insurance (fepblue) will cover the cost. After poking around on here, it looks like it shouldn't be a problem!