I've been thinking about this surgery ever since my younger sister got it done almost 2 years ago. She looks amazing! However, she had some serious complications and was hospitalized for nearly a month after operation!!!

A little about me.. I'm 31 years old, mommy of two. Growing up I was extremely athletic and very sexy!! but what happened huh ???? WELL i had kids and genetics kicked in.. that's pretty much what happened... It's like my body exploded and I have not been able to get it back.. I've tried every diet out there.. the most i ever lost is 20 pounds...

So now that my son is 8 months old and I have clearly not been able to lose any of the baby weight I am seriously considering the surgery...

I attended a seminar, talked with a surgeon, even talked to the lady who deals with the insurance!... I'm at 220 pounds now and my BMI is really creeping up and getting close to 40...

I scheduled my consultation for April 10th and we'll see how that goes..

I am wondering how long it typically takes the insurance to respond b/c I'm graduating from grad school in May. It would be nice to have it done before...

I am so ready to get my life back.. I have been so depressed about my body ever since I had my daughter, almost 5 years ago... And now that I have baby #2 and my hubby and I are pretty sure we are done with kids.. It's time.. I'm young, I wanna be able to dress up pretty, look pretty for my hubby.. travel the world...I want to do it all as a happy person not sad and depressed... if you now what i mean

Hello where in middle East are uou from ,You have a very pretty face , what kind of complications did your sis have I have been looking into this surgery for a while too but when I read about complications I back off but the fact is I need this surgery if I could I would have lost this weight in last 10 years its only getting worse .

It sounds like you've thought a lot about it and decided that it's a good choice for you. I will say that if insurance is going to pay for it, the majority of them have a 3-6 month required period of physician-supervised weight loss before they will approve your surgery. So your goal of having the surgery in May may be a little optimistic. Good luck to you all the same!

As for complications, you will have to look at your own health history as well as your sister's complications. Some things like infection can be attributed to the hospital or surgeon; some complications are due to your own health condition like your blood being very thin or clotting too easily, or heart condition. You may have drug allergies you don't even know about (yet!).

In the US, it has been difficult to find out a dr or hospitals infection rate, or a dr's history of leaks. Sometimes you have to take their word for it. I would try to find a surgeon with as much experience as possible.

Bottom line is doing as much research as possible and try to verify any information given to you regarding complications. More info will give you more confidence and mitigate your risks.

Hii tosleeveornotto,

Im from Saudi :-) thanks for your sweet comment, i only wish my body was as pretty..

Well my sister didnt take the surgery so seriously. She was 21, didnt stick to the diet and Vitamins, she got leakage.. I mean it makes sense, and im alot more serious and committed than she was, but i cant help and worry...

Whats your story?

my younger sister... she had some serious complications and was hospitalized for nearly a month after operation!!!

Regarding the concern about complications. In general complications are not too much to worry about, many are preventable, err on the side of caution with suggestions on diet and rest, and be prepared to be able to take extra time after the surgery if you need it.

Since you mentioned your sister's complications, I would see if she would volunteer her records that describe the problem, treatment and such and take it to your general doc (not your surgeon) and see what they think of the situation - is this something that could be genetic (making you predisposed). There are small subtle things your doc could notice, that your surgeon might not ( yes I know he is a doctor too - but your general doc proably has more experience with conecting the dots from one condition to another, etc.).

If it was not life-treatening, however, a complication is just that - it just makes it more complex. It doesn't generally outweigh (pardon the pun) the reward.

Good luck.

Hii tosleeve,

I actually have been doing that and 2 days b4 my consultation will mark 3 months on my nutrition plan and doctor supervision, which is what my insurance requires. After that do u have any idea how long it takes to hear back? I have aetna.. Thanks so much

Hii tosleeve,

I actually have been doing that and 2 days b4 my consultation will mark 3 months on my nutrition plan and doctor supervision, which is what my insurance requires. After that do u have any idea how long it takes to hear back? I have aetna.. Thanks so much

That I do not know. I was self pay.

Hii pantala,

Thanks so much for the feedback! I will most definitely take all this into account :-)

Hii pookeyism,

Yes, i should do that too. But in all honestly she was not serious and thought she could get around her surgery... She was kind of pushed to get it done by my parents cause she had always been over weight even as a baby... But she looks amazing now and that one month in the hospital taught her well :-)

My friend who is a dr him self got this surgery lost weight living a healthy life , he asked me to research abt it , I was all ready even had a date but came across few ladies who have had very serious complication I backed out as I have young children didnot want them to suffer If something happens to me so I went on a diet again to do it on my own but only to end up on tears m gaining more weight. I know I need help of the sleeve I can't do it without a tool. Wish you luck hope you get a date soon.

Hi SexyMama....It sure does sound like this is right for you. You've been doing your research (and have found this website full of helpful information). Just keep in mind that you are an individual and what happened with your sister doesn't mean that you will have the same complications. I wish you the best with the surgery.