Should or shouldn't. Is it worth it?

[ProjectMe 909]

I have reflux too... U must be from the states..it's covered for us in Canada ...the Optifast and Vitamins aren't covered.

Most insurance cover the sleeve here but I have tricare and they don't cover it.

Are you near a military base? I have Tricare also, but got my sleeve on a major military base without any problems.

Edited March 12, 2015 by ProjectMe

[foodfighter78 258]

we are 4 hrs from San Diego, my surgery is Monday. I looked into that option but it's too far to post op appointment. Etc

[tattooedmum72 7]

Thing is it will all depend on the Ultrasound. If I have to much scar tissue or not

[ProjectMe 909]

we are 4 hrs from San Diego, my surgery is Monday. I looked into that option but it's too far to post op appointment. Etc

Good luck to you & I look forward to welcoming you to the losers bench. Make sure you let us know how you are doing!

[foodfighter78 258]

we are 4 hrs from San Diego, my surgery is Monday. I looked into that option but it's too far to post op appointment. Etc

Good luck to you & I look forward to welcoming you to the losers bench. Make sure you let us know how you are doing!

t

Thank you

[MBM1Forever 107]

While I am not the poster girl for WLS, I can say that overall I am glad that I have it. At only two months out, I am starting to feel like a normal person again on most days. Some of the early days were pretty hard and I wondered if this was worth it for sure. On other days, I wonder if it worked because they go easily. It is a crap shoot on if a person will have complications.

[Nikkidoodlebug 120]

@@tattooedmum72 yep that's me I can work out everyday at the gym and never loose a pound,even when I am eating right so I decided to get the sleeve!

[tattooedmum72 7]

Yeh...been working out hard too.. I do a full workout on equipment, yoga most days and in the pool with weights.. Two weeks and still not a pound.. And cut out crappy food. Frustrating... I do feel a bit better and proud of myself for going to the gym.. It had been 3 years since I last went ..only missed 3 days out of that. I feel guilty when I don't go but very proud that I go

[bikrchk 1,313]

I'm a sleeve but if I'd been told bypass was my only surgical option, I'd have gone for it. I was a relative "light weight" for a WLS patient as well, starting with a BMI of 37 with uncontrolled comorbidities, (cholesterol, BP, asthma, and getting close on sugars). After a 95ish pound loss, I have none of those issues and take no meds for them now. Good health never felt so good!

[carolk36 142]

I can only answer for me, but YES, bypass was totally worth it!

Best of luck,

Carol

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

Disclaimer: I’m not a bypass patient and didn’t consider the bypass – I love my band! But I am answering this because I don’t think that will bias my opinion.

Is it (gastric bypass) worth it? That is completely up to you to determine. You’ve gotten some really good advice on this thread. First, are you ready to make the necessary changes – for life?! That’s necessary before any type of wls – band, bypass, sleeve, etc.

If you’re sure you’re ready to make the changes to your diet and lifestyle, then the question is which type of WLS. Talk to your surgeon about complications and long-term weight loss. Think about what you want to get from the surgery – is it important to you to be able to eat – or be forced to avoid – sweets, for example? Does either surgery interfere with any medications you may be taking? Only you can decide – but it’s great that you’re doing your research and getting insights from others.

[onmywaytoonederland 236]

I had the sleeve in December, 2014 and I can tell you, without a doubt, that it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Every single day, I am thankful for this gift, Every. Single. Day.

[blashlee 509]

I went to a seminar that gave information on all 3 options; band, bypass, sleeve. When I met with my doctor she determined based on my weight, previous struggles, and goals/expectations, the bypass would be the best choice for me. She cited more complications and slower progress overtime with the band, but some people still want them because they're not comfortable with rerouting or removing internal organs/parts. She does not perform VSG; if a patient is adamant about VSG she refers them to a colleague of hers that does many of them. The reason she doesn't do the sleeve is because she doesn't believe there is enough long-term data to measure how successful they are. It's only been done within the last 10 years or so, vs the bypass which has been performed for over 40 years and has been considered the Gold Standard procedure throughout the industry.

I know people who have the sleeve and LOVE it. So much so that it made me rethink what I wanted. But I've also met people who have the sleeve and have chronic leak, GERD, reflux etc that they did not have before the sleeve. I've met some bypass patients that are doing just beautifully...until they dump and then they're completely miserable. There are risks and complications associated with each choice, and every BODY is different. You may not have the risks and complications that the person next to you who had the same surgery has. You might be able to eat basically everything you ate pre-op with little to no problems. Or you might have a miserable first year of learning what you can and can't tolerate. You're on the right track as far as asking questions and doing research before making a decision, and I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide! Ask a billion questions! That's what you're paying your doctor so much for! <3

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I love how you're thinking this out and doing your resesrch well. Good for you !! WLS is a big change but oh so worth it for me !!! All my medical problems disappeared and im happier and healthier than ive been in a loooooonnnnggggggg time ! Its not just getting the weight off, its being able to DO things and not feel like im dying ! Slipping on cute clothes, tying my shoes, climbing a ladder, and ohhhh ! the utter pure joy of running (Slowly) a 2 mile trail and. not. gasping.for. breath..................yeah, THAT was a red letter day !!!! So stop using the scale as a measure of success , use the fact that you're getting healthier at the gym as a measure of your success . Good luck !!

[Nicole Lynn Martin 2]

I revised from RNY to SIPS. I had it done due to medical issues.