Greetings everyone! So... here I am. I'm 53 years old... 250 pounds and a previous Gastric Bander. I had it in 2009 and removed it in 2012 when I was moving from America to N. Ireland. Present day...I've gained back all the weight and preparing to have a Gastric Sleeve. I'm feeling so desperate!! Thought When I had the band, I'd finally be successful at being thin... but alas... I had so many problems with it, truthfully, I hated it.. but put up with it for 3 years as I didn't want to be a failure. You all know what I mean.. we all have felt like a failure... many times over. I fear failure with the Sleeve again. I've been researching for years. I'd really appreciate any support. Is it all worth it? I'm will to hear the good, the great.... the bad... the ugly. Bring it on. Thanks in advance. I applaud and admire every one of you!!!!

Hi @@Tracytma well I'm not going to lie, for me it has been absolutely, 100% worth it!

I'm a band to sleeve revision patient due to the band failing. I was banded in 2010, had it removed in August 2014. I was revised 12 months ago and i have not ever regretted that i made this decision. I have lost 154lbs in 12 months and I'm still losing .

I have had a few challenges in the first 6 months, i could not eat meat or dairy and i developed GERD. At the 7 month point i was able to meat and dairy and now i can safely say that at 12 months my GERD is all but gone ( once in a very odd blue moon do i have to take meds for it). I have lymphoedema on both lower limbs and that is almost gone.

Life is good!!

I wish you all the very best in your weight loss journey xox.

Hi VSG mary. I'm very interested in your GERD. I currently have Gerd, and I am on Nexium and it's well controlled. My doctor was trying to get me to do bypass (NOT an option) because of my Gerd. Did you have it previously and was it controlled with medication when you did have it? I'm interested in how many people had it really badly. Gosh, I don't want GERD to be the reason I can't have surgery!!!!!!

Hi @@Tracytma, i did not have GERD prior to having the vertical sleeve. I developed this soon after surgery and it was absolutely awful! I was on rapreprozole 20mg a day which controlled it. I currently do not take meds daily for this anymore, however, on the odd occasion that i feel that burning sensation travelling up my oesophagus i just have a pill and I'm all good.

MANY Thanks @@VSGmary! I appreciate your rapid response! I think I will go ahead. I do not mind continuing on my Nexium! All good!