Hi guys . I am new to this and still looking into whether the sleeve is for me . is there any advice anyone can give? I go to a seminar Jan 21. Thank you for any help

Annie, the best decision I've made...obese all my life, tried every diet known (some worked) and so far -- I'm 4 months out -- have the tool finally that has allowed me to lose the weight! So far, I'm about half-way to goal and have lost 80 lbs. eating is definitely different - I can't eat anywhere near as much as I did - thus the tool I mentioned. Check everything out,research!! Make your decision that's good for you. For me, I would do it again in a New York minute! Good luck, this is quite the journey

Here is my list of reasons that the sleeve was best FOR ME.

1) duodenal switch was WAY too extreme for my case.

2) I know several people with lap bands. It requires a lot of maintenance visits to the dr for adjustments. I couldn't get past having a foreign object in my body forever. I've seen the folks I know cheat their way around the band, and I knew I needed something that would be more difficult to overeat with. My surgeon told me that he removed more bands than he put in last year.

3) my aunt had gastric bypass. She lost a lot of weight and is doing well. However, she constantly has to focus on malnutrition because of the malabsorbtion that comes with bypass. And, she kinda has that 'sickly' look of weightless that seems to follow bypass patients. Bypass also has the side effect of 'dumping syndrome' that she has explained and I didn't want to deal with.

4) with the sleeve, all of my insides are still in the same order that God put them in. Everything still works the same without any detours. While I do have to take some Vitamins and supplements, it's nothing like the other surgeries require. I don't have malabsorbtion, because I still have a stomach. I don't get dumping because it still works like it's supposed to. I just can't eat nearly as much as I used to. My surgeon said that he expects the sleeve to become the premier wls.

The best advice I have is, regardless of which surgery you choose, start now at finding new foods. You don't want to go through the surgery just to eat the same crap that made you need it in the first place. Contrary to popular belief, healthy food does not have to suck. If it did, I would not have had the success I've had so far. I'm six months postoperative and only 38 pounds from goal. And my goal was to lose 198 pounds. Here are some sites I use that have helped me.

Www.Emilybites.com

Www.dashingdish.com

And google bariatricfoodie because she is awesome but I can never remember the address.

Hopefully, this was helpful to you.

Good luck on your journey.

if you're using insurance to get your wls, be prepared to wait. Many insurance companies require a 3-6 month supervised diet before they submit a letter for approval. I started w/ a seminar in may, I'm due to get my surgery the first week of february. Be prepared to wait!

edit- of course I say this now.....watch your company not have a diet requirement at all.

thanks for the replies. I am going to a seminar Jan 21. I have Tricare. I appreciate . everything. if you have any more advice, I appreciate it . thank you

again

thanks for the replies. I am going to a seminar Jan 21. I have Tricare. I appreciate . everything. if you have any more advice, I appreciate it . thank you

again

I have Tricare too! Are you going to the base for care or off base? I'm in Tennessee and there isn't a base anywhere near me so I'm being treated by a local provider. I have heard Tricare is fast with approvals, usually within 24 hours.

Gam, I am going off base. My husband is retired . I hope u r correct about them being quick. like all insurances, co- pays and visits are going up. and I heard it's by March, and I want to hurry That's another reason I don't want the band. Let me know if u hear anything and I will post what I find . good luck

Gam, I am going off base. My husband is retired . I hope u r correct about them being quick. like all insurances, co- pays and visits are going up. and I heard it's by March, and I want to hurry That's another reason I don't want the band. Let me know if u hear anything and I will post what I find . good luck

I've heard it's typically 24 hours approval. I'm on the TN/GA line, but I don't know if that makes a difference. I will let you know asap what happens. My husband is active duty but lives in Texas, we have been separated for a few years now.

I have a seminar the 21st in spfld mo. If I hear anything good I will let u know.

I have a seminar the 21st in spfld mo. If I hear anything good I will let u know.

Hey, there, what Dr are you going to in springfield? I'm from swmo, too!

Dr Edwards. Going to Hammonds Heart Institute. I haven't met him or anything yet. This wi be my first seminar.