I'm 41 years old and I have battled my weight since age 5. As a teenager, I went to fat camp many summers (I lost in summer, but gained it back). I'm 6'2'' tall. At age 25 is was 200lbs. Age 30: 235lbs. Age 40: 260 pounds. Now, I'm two months shy of age 42, I'm at 270. The problem is, I'm always hungry and diets are hell. I was around 185lbs from age 18-21, but I had to do aerobic exercise at least 45 min a day and diet like hell all the time. The moment I stopped dieting or exercising I gained weight.

My best friend (who has always had natural six pack abs) calls me insane for wanting this done, and tells me workout/hit the gym, but he has no idea what it's like to wage a 37 year weight loss battle (i used to go to the gym, but I admit I've sort of given up).

What I'm most freaked out about is the irreversibility of this surgery. I read one post (somewhere) where it basically ruined a woman's life (gave her all sorts of health issues and illnesses she never had before the surgery). I don't want to be that one in a thousand people whose life is ruined by this.

In January of 2012, I did go to Mexicali and met with Dr. Aceves. I also met with Dr. Oritz (obesity control) and another doctor in T.J. whose name I don't recall, but it was a scary place. I was seriously considering doing it, but but chickened out and decided I would mount one last offensive and lose some weight (now I'm 10 pounds heavier).

I've been looking at the sleeve and plication and tend to think the plication is safer, but it's so untested (and what about ghrelin?) Has anyone out there come across any information that led you to choose the sleeve over plication. Please let me know - and any other words of advice would be welcome and appreciated. Thank you, Daniel

Did I claim to know everything about it? I have worked in Bariatrics for over 7 years' date=' Plication is a very new procedure- ANYONE uncertain about WLS surgery should know that nothing is guaranteed- INCLUDING Plication being reversible. There is just not enough research for surgeons to tell patients its completely reversible.[/quote']

I suppose you are right. But saying the plication is Not reversible as opposed to saying it May not be reversible are two totally different things. Like saying sleevers will experience a leak. Not all do but some may. We just don't know 100%. Your right nothing is guaranteed.

Great video. That answers that question.

This is what I told/asked myself.

Why would it matter if it was reversible? Is it because you might want to go back to over eating, get fat again and be the old unhealthy you? Are you afraid of missing the food you are so used to pigging out on and being so uttely grossed out and unhappy with yourself? Do you want a way to get out of it when you feel you just can't live without your junk crap food? Etc etc etc...

Either you are ready for a permanant healthy change to a better you or you are not

With the sleeve, I'm not afraid of missing food - I'm afraid of complications like permanent heart-burn, or some other issue that require un-doing, but it can't be undone.

Yes I've seen that video otr along with many others that are similar. To say the procedure is brand new in the beginning is false which sets the bar IMO. That being said it is new in North America and is not FDA approved yet. However I would hate for a person to be referred to this one video and make their choice based on that. But that's up to the person doing the research I suppose.

With the sleeve' date=' I'm not afraid of missing food - I'm afraid of complications like permanent heart-burn, or some other issue that require un-doing, but it can't be undone.[/quote']

I think there can be permanent complications with any of the wls surgeries. It's a scary choice for sure. For me it came down to the choice between fighting my

Lifelong battle with obesity or taking a chance in a wls that may help it... And perhaps the complications that may come from it.

With the sleeve, I'm not afraid of missing food - I'm afraid of complications like permanent heart-burn, or some other issue that require un-doing, but it can't be undone.

I had the same concerns about the Sleeve. I already have been through the Lapband experience and I deal with heart-burn, port pain and worst of all discomfort when eating even though I am super hungry. I think going too small a Sleeve is why people experience heart burn, but not always. Honestly wouldn't you rather have a little heartburn and take some meds instead of dealing with obesity?? This is apart of weighing the pros and cons.

My advice to you is to seek out a local surgeon, you do not seem ready to book a flight to Mexico. You need more information and possibly attend some support groups.

I think there can be permanent complications with any of the wls surgeries. It's a scary choice for sure. For me it came down to the choice between fighting my

Lifelong battle with obesity or taking a chance in a wls that may help it... And perhaps the complications that may come from it.

The best WLS is the one that is right for you. While I chose VSG, the first surgeon I saw was a big plication advocate. Not promoting him, he wasn't my doctor, but he seemed competent and very knowledgable about plication. His website might give some more info as you do your research. http://www.waldrepwrap.com/faq/

The best WLS is the one that is right for you. While I chose VSG, the first surgeon I saw was a big plication advocate. Not promoting him, he wasn't my doctor, but he seemed competent and very knowledgable about plication. His website might give some more info as you do your research. http://www.waldrepwrap.com/faq/

Thanks. I think I've been convinced that plication is not the way to go. I think the plication might be reversible in the first few weeks - maybe months, but it will grown together. Then, even if you un-did it, there would be loads of scar tissue and it wouldn't function correctly. Plus, parts of the stomach can die - AND, this plication has only been around at the most 10 years.. what happens at 30 years? With the sleeve, the tissue is removed, and isn't subject to shifting or dying. It is a huge step, but honestly, I hate how fat and miserable I've gotten. I avoid photos of myself like the plague. It's time to do something.

I have never heard of plication before but I just look at it like this. Why just fold your stomach and let it sit there? Cut that out and lose a couple pounds!

To the OP: you will make the right decision for you and know when the time is right. I went to Mexico for my revision and it was a great experience, excellent care and I had an excellent surgeon. It is very safe and many on here have gone to Mexico and their success shows. I wish you the best in the decision you make.

I'm 41 years old and I have battled my weight since age 5. As a teenager' date=' I went to fat camp many summers (I lost in summer, but gained it back). I'm 6'2'' tall. At age 25 is was 200lbs. Age 30: 235lbs. Age 40: 260 pounds. Now, I'm two months shy of age 42, I'm at 270. The problem is, I'm always hungry and diets are hell. I was around 185lbs from age 18-21, but I had to do aerobic exercise at least 45 min a day and diet like hell all the time. The moment I stopped dieting or exercising I gained weight.

My best friend (who has always had natural six pack abs) calls me insane for wanting this done, and tells me workout/hit the gym, but he has no idea what it's like to wage a 37 year weight loss battle (i used to go to the gym, but I admit I've sort of given up).

What I'm most freaked out about is the irreversibility of this surgery. I read one post (somewhere) where it basically ruined a woman's life (gave her all sorts of health issues and illnesses she never had before the surgery). I don't want to be that one in a thousand people whose life is ruined by this.

In January of 2012, I did go to Mexicali and met with Dr. Aceves. I also met with Dr. Oritz (obesity control) and another doctor in T.J. whose name I don't recall, but it was a scary place. I was seriously considering doing it, but but chickened out and decided I would mount one last offensive and lose some weight (now I'm 10 pounds heavier).

I've been looking at the sleeve and plication and tend to think the plication is safer, but it's so untested (and what about ghrelin?) Has anyone out there come across any information that led you to choose the sleeve over plication. Please let me know - and any other words of advice would be welcome and appreciated. Thank you, Daniel[/quote']

I asked my Doctor about that and he got very upset that there's doctors doing that procedure! He was very adamant about me not doing that. He said it was very irresponsible of physicians to do this to people. He also begged me to tell anyone considering this, to NOT Do IT!! So here you are and I've just told you. God bless and go with the sleeve instead. Oh and go with a different doctor too.