My sister probably getting sleeved next month.

While the DS is clearly the most effective weight loss surgery, it is not the best weight loss surgery for everyone.  So far, for her, right now, it is not the best.

She does not want the DS.  She does not possess the personality necessary to go in to her PCP a year or so from now and give him a list of what labs she wants and, potentially, defend that demand.  She thinks that with the sleeve, she won't need to supplement the way I do with the DS.  We'll see when her labs tell the story.  One of her not-the-DS "items" is that she thinks my supplementation program is daunting.  I don't know WHY she thinks that--except maybe that she's afraid she might have to KNOW what all those vitamins and minerals take care of in our bodies or some other bit of knowledge or understanding that she thinks I possess and she does not.  (This would be a false assumption on her part, but if it's what she believes, I'm not going to be able to change it.)

She has to do SOMETHING!!!  She breaks out in a sweat just eating dinner...the effort is that demanding on her body.  I hope it helps her a lot.  I'm occasionally terrified for her when I read things like the "botched sleeve" thread...THAT is scary.  

Her husband--the guy who had the ten-hour-long arterial bypass surgery five weeks ago to replace and correct the five or so OTHER bypass procedures, but who (when we went out to dinner two nights ago) ordered fried chicken, french fries and put a LOT of salt on his salad for chrissakes) is really determined to kill himself and will eventually succeed.  She needs to be physically able to handle life as a widow.  SHE needs to be able to take the trash out and carry in groceries without help AND push his wheelchair around when he is again unable to walk and the doctors again cannot get a pulse at his ankles.

And, even though we have "sleeves," my surgeon has a reputation--I've never asked him, so I'm only assuming it's true--of leaning toward large-ish stomachs compared to other DS surgeons and smaller common channels.  So she may have an entirely different sleeve experience than I have had.

I think her BMI is aournd 54-55 or so.  I know the DS would provide her with better results.  BUT, she needs to do something and maybe this will work for her and maybe it will end up "nudging" her into taking the next step.  We shall see.

But you'll find me on both this and the VSG board more often in the next few weeks because internet is something else she isn't crazy about.

I'm glad your sister is finally doing something to improve her health. No question that in terms of potential health improvement, the DS would be better, but if she won't take the vitamins (and you know her well and are convinced that she won't) then it could potentially make her worse.
      I don't usually like to think in these terms, but even if she just got down to a bmi of 35-40 she would be more functional and feel better, and better able to assist a disabled husband as well.

Larra

Nah, Larra, see that's the part I don't get.  She is THE most anal woman on the planet. By the time her kids got to middle school, part of their Saturday routine was to arrange the next week's school clothes on hangers at the front of their closets.  They HAD TO KNOW on Saturday what they would wear each day the following week.  She is almost NEVER late anywhere.  (Well, they WERE late to one of his appointments a couple of weeks ago and his heart rate got so high they suggested he go to ER.  Four hours later they figured out he was upset because he ended up signing in at 10:16 and his appointment was at 10:15.   )

She and her husband have lived in the same house for over 30 years.  He had a doctor's appointment at a new place, 20 miles down the road...almost all of it on a freeway.  The day before the appontment, they went on a "test run" out to the new place, so that they could be there on time.  A.N.A.L.   Her Things to Do List has not only the starting time of each event, but also what time it should END.  She does not allow life to interfere with her list.

(BTW...my tardiness, lack of direction, ability to turn on a dime, and inclination to go on vacation on another continent without every hotel room and meal planned out in advance drives THEM nuts.  I'm pretty sure that translates to "flaky" for them.  lol  Fair's fair.)

If she had a list of blood tests to have and vitamins to take, she would not miss a single one.  She CAN'T miss things on her list.  (My daughter once dated a guy who cannot NOT answer email.  Every email.  And he's a popular musician with his own website...so it's kind of fun to torment him once in a while and just send a random email.)

I don't get it...except that I think she thinks I know what I'm doing and all about this medical stuff (I don't) and she's afraid she isn't smart enough.  

I don't get it...except that I think she thinks I know what I'm doing and all about this medical stuff (I don't) and she's afraid she isn't smart enough.


Sue, I bet you're right. I've always thought my big sis knows everything. She's never told me she doesn't.

Whatever surgery she ends up having, she lucky to have a sister like you. I know you will be an enormous help to her.

Hugs, Jenny

eta. maybe she knows how anal she is and she doesn't want to add any more to her list. I'm kind of anal or fussy about some stuff. Lately, I have been working on just letting a few things go. It's an effort...

Well, well, well....I'm glad that at least she is now considering some procedure - better than no procedure, and my thoughts are exactly as Larra's......even if she loses just 100 lbs, she'll be better off.

Keep us posted on her adventure.

Good luck to your sister! My husband had the sleeve done by Dr Kemmeter in March and he's done really well! Of course he has to count calories and he works out, but he didn't want the DS and the power that goes with it. While I do believe the DS is the best surgery, I don't believe it's best for everyone. I hope she does well with it!
Lisa

 Better the sleeve than the RNY.

I tried to tell her she'd be okay, but then she heard about people here ending up with weird hats and all.


  Yes, I *DO* agree that she made a better choice than RnY or band.

Weird hats? YOU and your babushka thingie commenting on weird hats?

Sounds like your sister could easily handle the DS nutritional needs but also that she either would choose not to, or just can't believe that she could. Fear, I tell ya, doesn't always make for the best decision making. But I still say that her having a sleeve is a big step in the right direction.

Larra

Good luck to your sister with her VSG.  Be sure to remind her she will she need to take some supplments even with the sleeve.  Who knows, maybe she can be a good example to her husband?