Hi everyone,

I just received my insurance approval for the sleeve on Friday. I am really struggling with the decision to go forward or not. I have a good friend and her and I decided to do this journey together so we could support each other. She had a lap band years ago that failed so she was doing a revision to the sleeve. Her insurance approved hers sooner than me (different surgeon too) so she wound up going in on Oct 16 to have hers done. Well, I am sorry to report that the poor thing is STILL in the hospital, almost 1 month later! She was in the ICU for 2 weeks of that time and nearly died. She had a bowel perforation, 2 esphoghus tears, leaks, ICU delirium, and massive infections. The doctors have said that when she is able to be released she is going to require extensive physical therapy due to the weakness from being bedridden. Sitting here watching this unfold has been terrifying and needless to say, has me thinking "hell no". I am so confused ?

Edited November 12, 20178 yr by Cynrey

Revision procedures are riskier than virgin sleeve gastrectomies due to the amount of scar tissue and erosion, especially in those who revise from lap band to sleeve.

Since you aren't a revision, your chance of developing complications is less than 1 percent. However, remaining obese is a greater risk to your life than getting sleeved.

Good luck with your decision. I hope your friend recuperates.

Thank you so much!

So sorry for your friend. I hope she heals and gains her health back.

Lapbands can erode, twist, cause scar tissue and so many complications, she may have had someof those problems. You will never have those pre-existing issues for your surgery. You can ask the surgeon for his complication rate, what type, has he had to do any repairs and under what circumstances, etc. The complication rate is very low, lower than gallbladder surgery.

Take a deep breath. Make a calm and informed decision. I wish you well.

Thank you. I will be sure to ask my surgeon those questions

I hope your friend makes a full recovery!! I still think you should go through with it. She already had some issues due to the lap band sounds like. Do not miss out on your chance for a new life. Take this opportunity and grab it by the horns and make it your b*tch! I may have gotten a little carried away but you get the picture...lol. Keep pressing forward!

Edited November 15, 20178 yr by GoddessMoon

Thank you Goddessmoon. My surgeon’s office called me today and my surgery is scheduled for December 6. I pray I don’t chicken out. My friend had another set back and is back in the ICU. Since my family is seeing this happen to her they are adamant against me having the surgery. I am so grateful for everyone here and all of the support. So glad I found this site. Again, thank you

3 minutes ago, Cynrey said:

Thank you Goddessmoon. My surgeon’s office called me today and my surgery is scheduled for December 6. I pray I don’t chicken out. My friend had another set back and is back in the ICU. Since my family is seeing this happen to her they are adamant against me having the surgery. I am so grateful for everyone here and all of the support. So glad I found this site. Again, thank you

My Surgery is Dec 6th too so that makes you my surgery twin!!. Don't chicken out! Let's do this together! On surgery day just think to yourself..Goddess is going through the same thing! I will check on you once I am able too!

My mom had the band and had a lot of those complications right after having it placed. It just depends on the person!! I have second guessed myself before also, but then I bring myself right back to "ok I might be able to lose some weight on my own, but will I be able to keep it off? NO!!" You can do this!!

11 minutes ago, GoddessMoon said:

My Surgery is Dec 6th too so that makes you my surgery twin!!. Don't chicken out! Let's do this together! On surgery day just think to yourself..Goddess is going through the same thing! I will check on you once I am able too!

Oh that is so cool! ? Best of luck to you and I'll look forward to talking after!

11 minutes ago, EatPrayLove said:

My mom had the band and had a lot of those complications right after having it placed. It just depends on the person!! I have second guessed myself before also, but then I bring myself right back to "ok I might be able to lose some weight on my own, but will I be able to keep it off? NO!!" You can do this!!

Thank you. I keep thinking how nice it will be to get off that "yo-yo" rollercoaster with my weight. From everything I have read those bands cause a lot of problems- while they're in and then when they do a revision ? My friend had her band in for about 8 years.

Well as of today my friend is still in the hospital, 40 days now. The good news is they have moved her out of ICU, so that is a big improvement!

Edited November 28, 20178 yr by Cynrey
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Well as of today my friend is still in the hospital, 40 days now. The good news is they have moved her out of ICU, so that is a big improvement!

OMG, is this from your friend having the sleeve surgery? Sure hope she/He is getting better! Sending prayers.

Just now, Mytimenow17 said:

OMG, is this from your friend having the sleeve surgery? Sure hope she/He is getting better! Sending prayers.

Thank you for the prayers! Yes, she went in on Oct 16th and still hasn't come home. She is slowly improving, thank God. I'm scheduled for Dec 6th but I don't think I am going through with it. Too scary, I'm chickening out, and in the beginning I was so excited. Now I'm just sad and disappointed that I don't have the nerve to proceed.