A Tough Decision to Make - Any Suggestions?

Today, Dr. Broussard did an EGD to take a look at my previous fundoplication surgery.  Prior to the EGD, he said he might be able to leave the wrap (fundoplication) in place, but after the scope he said he would have to unwrap the fundo in order to do the Gastric Sleeve.  As many of you know my wife, Amy, had the sleeve almost two years ago and has lost 180+ pounds.  I very much need to do this also.  To my surprise, when I saw Dr. Broussard a few weeks ago, I found that I am in the morbidly obese category.  Diets don't work - I always put it all back on plus more.   I know from Amy's experience also that the sleeve isn't a magic button - it still takes work (and a great deal of it) on my part.  I had finally come to the decision that I was willing to do this but ran into a bit of a bump in the road today (or maybe a complete roadblock).  Dr. B said that if he unwraps the fundo, that it increases my risk of a leak from 0.5% to somewhere between 5% to 7%.  I know a leak, if detected early, can be managed but can also be fatal.  I also know, that if I continue at this weight, I have great risk of developing diabetes, having a stroke, heart attack, and so on.   I take 10 pills each morning and 4 at night (14 pills a day) plus sleep with a CPAP.  I know a successfull sleeve may do away with the need for CPAP, reduce or alleviate my High Blood Pressure as well as other health issues.  So, I'm stumped.  I certainly want to do the "right" thing but now I'm confused.   Any suggestions, personal experiences, etc. would be much appreciated.     Randy

I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to maintain, so I went to see a psychologist (not affiliated with WeightWise) for almost a year before the initial surgerical consult. I also committed myself to six months of serious physical activity before my consult. Since my feet hurt all the time, I took a weekly yoga class and 2x weekly deep water exercise class. Both were great and I highly recommend them. I also tried to eat healthy during that period, but only lost 5-10 pounds.

I don't know anything about a fundoplication, so you'll have to weigh those risks. I do know that it won't get any easier with age (I'm 56) and your health risks will increase. I'm off a lot of my meds and taking lower doses on the remaining ones, but I'm still in the losing stage rather than maintaining. So far, walking is now my main form of exercise, mainly because I'm so happy to be able to do it without pain. My experience with Dr. B is that he clearly states risks. At times, it almost seemed to me that he was trying to talk me out of the surgery (which is good for me because I hate it when someone tries to "sell" me on something). He is very cautious. Ask him what he would recommend if it were his wife or mother.

Randy, good luck whatever you decide.

Lois

Thanks, I appreciate your comments very much.  I agree, I like that Dr. Broussard puts it all out on the table.  My wife did ask him what he would do if it were his family member and, after a short pause, he replied that he would proceed with the sleeve surgery. 

Again, appreciate your post!
Randy

Lois,
Tried to PM you but for some reason it won't go thru.
Do you mind sharing the name of the psychologist that you used. 
I know that I still have head issues and I want to talk to a good psychologist...esp one that works with weight issues. 

If you don't want to put the info on the forum you can email me directly at:
[email protected]

Regards
Deb

Deb, I sent you a p.m thru obesityhelp.  Let me know if you don't get it.   Good luck.

Only you can weigh the risks vs the benefits.  But, with that said considering all the medical issues I had before surgery, high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, GERD, swelling, joint pain...I would do the surgery again tomorrow and the next day and the next...etc, etc.   Definitely worth the risks involved.  IMO.