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sooo scared! please help!



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I work in the medical field and did extensive research in the medical literature when I deciding to get my sleeve surgery. I found peer reviewed research that shows that the complication rate with gastric bands runs at about 15% (I thought that was way too high to consider banding surgery) the complications are everything from reflux to slippage to erosion and embedding of the band in the stomach. The details were enough to warn me off the gastric band and point me toward the sleeve surgery.

In my research on the sleeve, I found that the complication rate was less than 1% and that the morbidity statistics (complications so sever that it caused death) were almost negligible. So that is why I decided on the VSG surgery.

The information on sleeve revisions is spotty because there just haven't been that many second sleeves done in settings that are being reviewed for the medical journals. I'm guessing that the nurse quoted you statistics about revision of Rouen X/Y surgery, and while it is useful information, what really matters is what your surgeon thinks about your personal situation. Do you have any other chronic health issues that make having a second surgery more complicated and risky? These issues would include bleeding disorders, lung issues, allergies to anesthesia etc (your doctor can discuss all the various contraindications).

If I were in your shoes, I would have a very serious heart to heart with my doctor and ensure that the surgery is really going to improve your situation, and that you are clear on your personal risks. I also think that anyone who isn't nervous before surgery is not in touch with themselves. I had a ton of doubts the week before surgery and even after when I was in the hospital laying there feeling like crap and wondering "what did I do to myself!" But when the anxiety wears off and you are looking at losing the weight that will make your life better, and solving other health issues, I think you will be glad that you made an informed decision about your unique situation.

Good luck to you, I hope the surgery is a really positive experience for you!

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If I remember right you said you were one of your surgeons first sleeve patients.. And it was not done correctly... And now you're going to be his first resleeving patient? Maybe you should go to some one who has performed a resleeve?

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Catherine, I want to thank you soooo very much, this is exactly what I have been wanting to hear....I am glad you responded to my post Its people like you that make this site so worth it...good luck on your wt loss journey~

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If I remember right you said you were one of your surgeons first sleeve patients.. And it was not done correctly... And now you're going to be his first resleeving patient? Maybe you should go to some one who has performed a resleeve?

If I remember right you said you were one of your surgeons first sleeve patients.. And it was not done correctly... And now you're going to be his first resleeving patient? Maybe you should go to some one who has performed a resleeve?

He has done revisions, I dont know how many, but the nurses said all 3 drs have done revisions and have improved their skills greatly...this is the first problem I have had in 5 yrs...Im hoping since he knows my anatomy so well and has done my band and first sleeve this will go smoothly...I guess I will put it in Gods hands and let him take over, He is the only one I have true faith in right now...

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He's done many resleeves? All his own patients? I'm confused I guess :/

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I didnt say many just some..he told me he has done some and the nurse on the phone said he has done some...not many because there was really no reason to do many..so whatever that means..I am waiting for his secretary to call me because I want another appt with him before my surg. so i can ask more questions..the day i went in i was in shock but now that I have had time to think about it and talk to all of you I have questions...he got married last fri and getting back from his honeymoon on monday so even if I could talk to him on the phone would be good...any ideas on what i should ask him maybe something i havent thought about?

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I can't find the study that recommends 500 sleeves. Did I miss it?

Lolol. There are TONS of studies that show this. I have spent the last 4 weeks studying up on sleeves (on average 16 hours a day). Have done nothing but read research studies. I am anal that way.

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Thank you Abranewme, I appreciate that...

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Lolol. There are TONS of studies that show this. I have spent the last 4 weeks studying up on sleeves (on average 16 hours a day). Have done nothing but read research studies. I am anal that way.

Lucky for us cuz I wouldnt know where to start..thanks Stephanie :)

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I wouldnt know how to find a MD who did 500 revisions tho...if they are doing that many then they must be really bad at origional sleeves right?

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Insist that he put you on an antacid. Mine is Dexilant 60mg capsules. I open them and pour the little balls on pudding/applesauce etc. Once a day. I was given them thru the iv in the hospital as well. If there is no acid then reflux can't be horrible. Nexium is good as well.

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I wouldnt know how to find a MD who did 500 revisions tho...if they are doing that many then they must be really bad at origional sleeves right?

No, there are doctors out there who fix other doctor's mistakes (not saying your doctor made a mistake). Some specialize in that.

I see you have had 3 weight loss surgeries already, and this will be your 4th? Were all done by the same surgeon?

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I had the band for 2 1/2 yrs, lost 108 lbs then the band prolapsed, not a big surprise, then i had band to sleeve 3 yrs ago and have developed a neo fundus...he did say he left some fundus due to scar tissue..it has stretched and is too large now..hence the reflux..now going in to have it fixed..same surgeon excellent reputation.....dont know what else to say..

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Insist that he put you on an antacid. Mine is Dexilant 60mg capsules. I open them and pour the little balls on pudding/applesauce etc. Once a day. I was given them thru the iv in the hospital as well. If there is no acid then reflux can't be horrible. Nexium is good as well.

I am on protonix, i dont have heartburn, just the reflux.. :(

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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