Hello everyone. I'm looking forward to hearing what you all have to say about sleeve surgery. From those that are considering it and those that have experienced it. I've spoken to a facilitator over the phone and email and hope to meet her mom who lives near me as she has had the surgery as well and is a facilitator too. She's also close in age to me (I'm 54) and I thought that meeting her face-to-face may help me make a decision.

I'm in Canada and the hospital is in Mexico - it has a Canadian connection (I think owned by a Canadian woman) and meets very high standards. Although it's in Mexico I don't feel worried about the level of care, or the abilities of the doctors and staff. I've asked a lot of questions of the facilitator - to the point where I think I've asked more questions, or taken more of her time than she wishes to give. That did turn me off a little - it was only two phone calls and a couple of emails. I guess they have their limit as per how much they get paid?

As the hospital is in Mexico I don't get to meet the surgeon to discuss things and that's a worry for me. I'm relying on facilitators with no medical background, just the fact they've been through it and have had some training.

My biggest worry: REGRET. This is a permanent procedure. I read something where somebody commented - "why would anybody want to remove a perfectly healthy, functioning body part?!" I get this - it's what makes this whole thing a bit on the bizarre side to me. And what if I just cannot STAND the changes? What if I feel nothing but sorrow and regret and horror at what I've done to myself? There's no going back - this thought haunts me in the time that I've been considering this as an option to weight loss.

I don't see myself as somebody that is super obsessed with food. Not once have I ever gotten up in the middle of the night to eat something - not one time. I don't overeat. I choose the wrong foods a lot of the time and I love chocolate. My servings at dinner are likely too big, but I've never just eaten non-stop. Don't eat a bag of Cookies, nothing like that. I noted that I was putting on weight at 9 years old. I distinctly remember the moment I was aware of this. I've battled weight gain for much of my life. The thinnest I've ever been was when I was eating around 1200 calories a day, and working out (literally!) 2-3 hours PER DAY. Yup. I was super fit and looked good. This of course, was before I had 3 children. I'm a Weight Watchers "joiner" as my friend and I refer to ourselves. Never a WW grad, always a joiner. I did Weight Loss Clinic in my early 20's and lost weight. Up and down, up and down. Always weighing more with each subsequent weight gain. I'm sure what I've said here is pretty close to what each of you have experienced.

How do I deal with this fear of regret? I can't seem to move past it. I hear what my facilitator says - she doesn't know anybody that has regretted it. She says she has many, many relatives and friends that have done this surgery and they all feel happy about their decision. But I'm also speaking to somebody who WORKS for the hospital and from my point of view, is trying to bring clients in for the money (cost is $13,600 just for me, no companion). A bit cost prohibitive for us, and I haven't mentioned a thing to my husband - he won't have a clue how I feel as he's never had a weight issue in his life - but he'll sure feel reluctant about the money spent!

We all have our stories about our rock bottom. In fact, I have many rock bottom stories - each one, at the time, I'm thinking it's the worst thing that's happened to me. The most embarrassing, the most demeaning, the most sad I've felt. I don't see these rock bottom occurrences stopping because I'm not losing any weight.

I've dieted my way all the way up to this weight (I'm guessing my weight is around 250 lbs.) and in the last few years I've given up on dieting. I'll just end up losing it once again and then gaining it all back +more, so why try? Why keep doing that?

My biggest worries are:

1) Regret - what if I regret my decision?

2) Age - is 54 too old to do this?

3) Post-op diet - along with the pre-op 800 cal. a day diet (wow!), I'm worried about the weeks of liquid diet. I have to work, how will I do it if I'm starving? (my job can be intense and I have to be on the ball all the time).

4) I have chronic migraines and see a Neurologist. Will the weight loss alleviate/lessen migraines, or make them worse?

5) Will I ever actually enjoy food again? Or be able to? We have a favourite restaurant - would hate if I can never again enjoy that sort of outing

6) No caffeine, no alcohol! OMG - that's harsh! I love wine and would miss that. But think it's 6 months off of it? Caffeine. Due to migraines I'm not supposed to have it at all, but I now just have a tea in the morning so guess I could do that. I do love my tea and wine though :-)

I so appreciate any comments, good or bad, that you can offer me. I do want to be truly happy in my own skin. I can't picture myself on the plane, in Mexico (never been there), and in the hospital going through with this. It just doesn't seem like a reality. And I really am fearful of the entire thing. My income is very important to my family and I still have a young child (almost 11) to care for. What if I don't recover? What if I can't work and cause my family to suffer due to me wanting to look good (okay, and hopefully ward off diabetes and other weight-related issues). Ugh… I'm a mess! LOL

Tracy

The program is in Richmond - I'm a Vancouverite, too! - and the surgery is done in Richmond General. The doctors are Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Sampath. http://www.rmbsurgery.com/our-team/ Great surgeons!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well Gina. This must be your hospital only that has this level of care. Which hospital is it? You don't have to go back for your cholecystectomy. You can choose where you have it done. That's patient choice. I suggest you contact their PALS service who can act on your behalf. Why on earth did you consent to surgery without all the information? The risks of surgery are normally written on your consent form. If they aren't then you need to ask why. Gallbladder problems post op are common and when I researched before I had surgery this came up as a common side effect. I was also told by my surgeon of many of the complications you have had.

Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

How could I know that I didn't have all of the information? How can a person know what they don't know?

I went in for a CT scan last night. While there, the scan nurse told me that yet another patient, a gastric bypass, was scanned earlier in the day. She had lost eight stone in six weeks because something was wrong.

So maybe complications are just high in my area? Let's hope so, but I doubt it.

As you work for the NHS, you are always going to defend it.

And no, my gallbladder is staying put. I will save up and go private.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The program is in Richmond - I'm a Vancouverite, too! - and the surgery is done in Richmond General. The doctors are Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Sampath. http://www.rmbsurgery.com/our-team/ Great surgeons!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'll have to see what my doc says - never know, maybe we have something here in Calgary. I haven't researched enough about Canada and wait times, but I understand a person could wait up to 7+ years. A lot can happen in 7 years -

I am 53 years old and had the sleeve done 22 months ago. i could not be happier,,,,i wont pull your leg at all its a real life style change . there are days i think wow, but I consider it the best thing I have ever done for me. I would recommend it....BUT.....I would not go to mexico to have it done, a sleeve frienf of mine went to mexico and was VERY sorry she went there. they dont have a clue about what they are doing. she came back to the states and within 24 hours had to go back into surgery for a leak and ended up havinng to have the gastric bypass,,,she nearly died. Please reconsider Mexico!!!

I am 53 years old and had the sleeve done 22 months ago. i could not be happier,,,,i wont pull your leg at all its a real life style change . there are days i think wow, but I consider it the best thing I have ever done for me. I would recommend it....BUT.....I would not go to Mexico to have it done, a sleeve frienf of mine went to mexico and was VERY sorry she went there. they dont have a clue about what they are doing. she came back to the states and within 24 hours had to go back into surgery for a leak and ended up havinng to have the gastric bypass,,,she nearly died. Please reconsider Mexico!!!

that's a very scary thing for sure. It's a difficult decision. I'd rather have it here at home in Canada. Wish it wasn't so long a wait...

Hi , I'm 53 and about 3 weeks out. I'm down 21 pounds and can't wait till next phase. I have had some nausea but bearable. I don't regret the surgery but it is hard for awhile. So sorry some have had such a hard time. I tried a lil bit of chicken and dumplings smashed up tonight, so far no problem ????