Hi,

I was banded about ten years ago and had a terrible time. I lost about 60 pounds but it was mostly due to throwing up and poor nutrition-- I ate what would go down and little more. Last July I reconnected with my surgeon who suggested the sleeve. I just met the qualifications with a BMI of 35 and Sleep Apnea. Diabetes and High Blood Pressure run in the family and when I hit my mid-40's I knew I had to do something. I lost 30 pounds on WW's but I just couldn't keep it off-- once I lost the weight and my points were lowered I would just get soo hungry... The reason I haven't had my surgery yet despite seeing my doctor in July of 2017 is because of a huge fight with my insurance. I just got my approval a few weeks ago and I am scheduled for surgery Jan 2. Everything I was hoping for and working toward is now in a few weeks and I am feeling a little panicky! I remember my regret after the band (my stomach swelled shut at each fill) and I had almost convinced myself to accept I was never going to get approved this time. Any advise? I basically have all of the nutrition information, my post-op diet, all those things memorized. And yet here I am second guessing my decision. I know I need this and if I back out will probably never have the chance again. I am having a hiatal hernia fixed at the same time so need surgery in any case. Help!

You need to focus on where you will be in 10 years, with and without the surgery. Make it a simple "yes, no" choice. Which will lead to my better life? Think long term, it puts everything into perspective. Good luck!

Good Luck! I have never had the band so i cannot answer about that. I had the sleeve a little over a month ago. A decision in the making for 13 years. I wanted the bypass back in 2004, did all i needed to do for insurance approval and then somebody at work was in an accident and my boss asked me to postpone until the new year as it was Oct/Nov when i was close to finishing up the 6 month supervised diet and all that. Well i said ok.. and low and behold the insurance didnt cover it anymore effective Jan 2005. We fought the battle and lost with the insurance company.. Anyways.. Today i still dont have insurance that covers it.. LOL i was at that same job until last october and this new job didnt have insurance at all due to it being a small business. ( but that changes in jan). So i am not in a financial position to where i could do it self pay... It is the one investment i have made in my life on ME and nobody or nothing else. I do not regret my decision one bit.

I had my sleeve done on January 2. I am down 25 pounds! I actually feel so much better than after I had the band even though I had the hernia repair and a lot of scar tissue. So far so good!