Made a decision...its the Sleeve!

About a week ago I visited my lap band surgeon.  For the third time having issues with acid reflux at night, enlarged pouch, and a minor band slip.  He said he could revise the surgery and because I'm having a hysterectomy soon which satisfies my deductible, this is the time.  I'm very excited.  Now, to wait for insurance.  He's pretty confident with the issues I am having with the band that it will be covered.  My lap band was.  Praying!!!!  

I was deciding between bypass and the sleeve.  After my research I am deciding on the sleeve.  My band worked well for me with the correct behaviors (Low carb, high fat, exercise), besides the band problems I am having.  It seems the only lasting side effect will be acid reflux but that can be controlled with meds.  I already have reflux issues (although directly related to the band) so I can live with that.  I will be discussing this with my surgeon of course.  He's a top surgeon in Texas so am confident he will understand and know how to handle this.  

I do have one more question for now:

Will I be able to guzzle water?  That is something I am not able to do with a full band.  On a hot summer day it really helps to be able to just DRINK! 

 

Sip...you will be sipping liquids. Too big of a gulp and you will experience some pain and discomfort at first. 

At two years out I am able to take a mouthful of water at a time. Before that it was sip sip sip all the time. Your thirst will adjust.

In the beginning you'll need to sip, but, after a while, guzzling is possible.  I'm able to chug water with no trouble now.  

Yay!!!!!!

I will miss chugging my water when exercising etc it will be hard to adjust at first...but I will learn...starting TOMORROW lol 

I'm a week post-op! Good luck and blessings to you!! :-)

I was able to drink normally in the hospital, was chugging soon after.

Angela - why did you decide against bypass? I am in the process of getting my band out and converting to another procedure but I am just so unsure of what is the best choice. I did loose with the band at first but then the reflux happened and it has caused problems. Now my band has moved and flattened out so it is no longer working how it should be.

 

Michelle

Hi Michelle,

I've been doing a lot of research on this forum, revision forum, failed surgery forum and the RNY forum.  I've also looked at some of the medical research I could find by just Google searching specifics when it comes up from my forum research.  LONG term health is what I wanted to learn about more than anything.  I know weight loss is mostly determined by the foods we eat and the WLS we choose is the next line of defense against our unhealthy obesity. 

After having the lap band my mindset is already right when it comes to portion control.  I look at others plates and truly think, "How can he eat ALL THAT?"  I'm a pro at asking the waiter for doggie bags, boxes and small mini containers for half the foods I am served in a restaurant.  I do however choose the WRONG foods which has caused me to regain.  That being said I am taking an adjusted approach this time whi*****ludes long term (maybe lifetime) therapy.  

The positive reasons for choosing the Sleeve are that its similar to the lap band but w/o the complications I am currently having.  I have port site discomfort. I CAN'T flex those muscles or it feels like a charlie horse!  The need for so many adjustments and never getting to a "sweet spot".  I get food stuck ALL THE TIME when adjusted "properly"!  Slip/Enlarged pouch 3 times so far in the last 8 years.  Nighttime acid reflux.  I realize the reflux could continue but with all the other issues gone I'm better off. 

The negatives with the RNY that made me choose the Sleeve is the malabsorbion of iron and B-12 and the higher risk of intestinal blockage/issues.  I was reading about how many people 10 years out are having iron infusions and taking B-12 shots.  Also, I struggle to get my water in and I've also read about how difficult it could be to get enough water. 

I lost 100 lbs with the band and then after my plastics whi*****luded a complete unfill I was never able to get back to my sweet spot again and now all these problems.  My big stomach holds alot of the poor choices I make very easily.  I need to have a revision or get the band removed altogether and I know that no WLS doesn't work for me the sleeve is my choice.  My band has helped me not gain all the weight back so I know the sleeve will help even more with regain. 

Feel free to PM if you like.