What would you do?

I am scheduled to have my hernia fixed and my band repositioned on April 17. However, I have also been approved to have the vertical sleeve gastectomy. I have lost faith that the band is ever going to produce the results that it should for me and I am really weary of dealing with all of the up and down issues that I have been going through lately. I would just like to not have to think about it so much and be done with it. I guess I need to discuss it with my Dr more to make the right choice, whether to try and reposition the band or to just remove it and do the sleeve. Right now I am leaning towards the sleeve although I want and need to know more about it. If you were in my position, what woud you do?

Oh Phyllis, that is a tough call. I know people who have gone to the sleeve and done great, and also people who had their band just repositioned and done great. All you can do is research as much as possible, talk to your doc, and then go with your best instincts. Hugs to you!

Chelle, we missed you last night. I am really confused but the more I think about the long term prognosis with the band the more uncertain I am. I need to lurk on the vsg board more and get a better sense of the results and all the other issues. I know in the end I will make the right one, but it is no any easy decision at this point,

If it was *me* I would talk to the doctor about the sleeve. Now, only because I am SO struggling - one day I am too tight next day I feel really loose. Tonight I PBed on something I have had a gazillion times and if I have it tomorrow... would I PB? My band is a tool and I am not working it - maybe I should have gone with something a little more strict. I don't know because I don't really know anything about any other surgery. I went in fully armed with the knowledge of wanting a band but at almost 2 years out I am starting to doubt my decision. So, I would talk to my doctor and make an informed decision from there.

It is just so iffy. Tonight is the 2 year aniversary of the eve before I got my band. I had such high hopes. I have lost some weight and kept it off, but it has been a struggle. I have fought it and it has fought me. I am thinking that I should seize this opportunity while it is here because I just don't think I could do another surgery if the band doesn't work out even after it is repositioned and my hernia is fixed. Since I know it is not working right now, it is hard for me to be optomistic. I am glad that here is another surgery that does not involve malapsorption because I don't think I would ever be happy with that. I hope you can continue to work with your band even if it takes longer to get there. But I do understand how hard it is to hit the right stride and keep it going.

What would I do? Good question! What I would do would be different, because I'm self-pay, and this is it for me. If I had insurance that would approve me, AND I was going to have some sort of repair surgery anyway, I would probably get the Sleeve. I would not get the DS, because those people are mean and nasty, and we don't want you to turn out like them! Seriously, maybe you should hang out on the Sleeve board, or talk to Bridget and see how she is doing. I think she had a moment where she was disappointed, but I haven't heard how she's doing lately. I know she has lost a LOT of weight since her revision.

Ya, I could come back as a real *****!!!! A few vitamin deficiencies and I would be wearing a tight red dress with my tits sticking straight out tongue lashing everyone with my potty mouth. Not to worry, I am keeping my intestines intact at all costs. I appreciate your input and I am going to give it lots of thought and dream on it too.

You say "real *****" like it's a BAD THING!! LOL! Trust me, Hon, I was a ***** LONG before I got switched. Otherwise I would've just rolled over into lapband/RNY submission at my insurance company's instruction like everybody else. Instead I fought for a surgery that actually WORKS. Some concept, huh?

Tell me, Leann: Have you ever accomplished ANYTHING in your life other than to get your DS? That seems to be the thing you most often point to or RAVE on about. Perhaps you need to read the Tolle book: A NEW EARTH. Then you could babble on about what a ***** you are with a bit more dignity.

An education causes me nothing but frustration on this forum and many other aspects of life. I sometimes WISH I were dumb. Then maybe I wouldn't feel so much like banging my head against a wall. Here's one for ya. I have tits that stick straight out. Like THAT's a bad thing!