What would you do?
Hi Phyllis. That is a tough call. But after reading the DS/Band wars lately and seeing how I've hit a brick wall with my weight loss, makes me wonder if my own body requires the results a DS or RNY will give me. The sleeve will still be restriction only, so for me, I don't know if that's all I need, maybe I needed more.
I don't know what to say....you've struggled and maybe the reposition will work just fine. I think lurking on their board is great, you get to see the ups and the downs.
Sorry...not much help here. Let us know what you decide.
Karen
Phyllis, all I can tell you is what I WOULD do. By the way, I can't wait to see the pics from your dinner! I'm glad you all had such a good time! Well, if I had it put to me ANYWAY, I would get the sleeve. I've had a great Band journey, and would certainly reccommend it, however, I would SO appreciate, no fills! Mainly because of the cost! Sometimes, I feel that SOME doctors, use fills, as a $$ maker! Even, if I had to self pay, I'd figure a way to get the sleeve! Your description of you after a DS, was hilarious! 
Phyllis ...You are once again at a threshhold, just like 2 years ago when you had to make a decision to have weight loss surgery.... then had to chose the surgery you were most comfortable with. It is the same way now , researching, asking questions thinking things over.. trying to make the right choice , seems like nothing worth having is easy .Whatever you decide in the end , it will be the right choice for you because no one can really make that final choice but you not even your surgeon, after all it is your body and no one else's. I know this is an an exciting but scary time again for you and there is so much uncertainty with it all ,but you will get thru it and make a choice . I think you are really lucky to be able to have these choices available to for you.after going thur one weight loss surgery already most of us are not this fortunate, will be waiting to see what decision you do make ((((HUG)))
If it were me I think I would be looking at the VSG.
But you have to keep in mind that I'm looking at things from the view point of having had a very hard time finding decent after care and just being sick to death of having to try to figure out the right balance of fills.
Honestly - I'm tired and while I am thrilled to have lost 60 pounds and kept it off (within a 5 pound range) I am pretty tired of being too tight one day and able to eat the world the next day.
I could never go the DS route - even though I have a good friend who has been very successful with it. I don't like eating meat that much, I won't drink protein shakes every day forever, I am really bad about taking supplements ...
But the VSG - the restriction without the need for frequent adjustments? Restriction of food volume without having to fight to get a doctor to believe/understand that liquids and solids do not act the same and just because the fluoro shows that the liquid is going right through doesn't mean that food goes through without pain?
I think I could be seriously tempted toward that.
It can't hurt to look into it and study it more, Phyllis.
And I think I speak for everyone when I say that you'd still be welcome (and encouraged) to hang out with us a little bit! LOL
Wow! Isnt it interesting that all the experienced bandsters are saying sleeve? I thought I would be unique...lol. I dont know enough about the sleeve to say with conviction, but if it required only a small amount of supplementation and their regain statistics were low..I would go sleeve too.
I love my band. (well depends on the day) But like you as a vet I understand that the long term statistics will actually come from us. Do they have long term statistics on the sleeve? ( I doubt it) Do people revise from the sleeve?
At least your sleeve will never have to come out. If you reposition your band it might. I have never had a band complication, but I live my life like someday I might. Which means going to school, getting a good job, and getting group health insurance.
Ask your doctor about the long staple line with the sleeve, does it concern him? Some doctors would rather go full on RNY cause the staple line is much shorter and thats where the serious complications come from. But keeping a functioning stomach is pretty attractive.
I totally understand your position...at least you can decide and have options. Thats a great thing.
It is a quandry, isn't it? I might, if in your position go with the sleeve. BUT: I am convinced that long term, we have to deal with the truth that NO WLS will prevent us from eating too much of the wrong things. Look at the DS folks.... they are taught to go for the protein first. And that is what the Sleeve folks are told as well. EAT PROTEIN FIRST. The DS'ers can have all the fat they want....but they MUST eat the protein first!! So ALL the surgeries focus on PROTEIN... lean or not.
There is a common thread here. Even the DS can be eaten around. In your case, you've never had enough restriction. But what IS restriction? I don't want the band to BE a CHOKE chain... so mine is not very tight. I'm not sure THE SWEET SPOT exists?? I have come to the conclusion that the band HAS worked for me. I have lost slowly because of my back and hip pain... which have kept me on the couch, pretty much. (although I am using my total gym now that is is in my living room in front of the 61" tv.) I have thought over this thing with the sleeve and done a fair amount of LURKING on their board. There is a honeymoon with the sleeve....... but then it becomes possible to eat around it too. In our world of FOOD ADDICTION... we find a way to "REBEL" and not eat the way we are supposed to.
If I were you I MIGHT get the sleeve.... but I would not get it because it is a more effective weight loss tool. I dont think it IS MORE effective. I might get it because no fills are needed.... but I would also worry about the reflux that seems common. My band has CURED my acid reflux.
If you decide to get the sleeve.... just go into it with realistic expectations. That's all any of us can do.
Thanks to all *****sponded. I am not very happy about the situation that I face right now, but I will take it as it comes and do what I think is the best for my well being. I am not feeling that great today. I don't travel well. I think when I am better rested I will be able to see a little clearer.
Most Active
Recent Topics
