Yes, it seemed at first as if Dr. Chua was trying to talk me into a band also.  But....I had gone in to Dr. Chua's office with the attitude that I WAS going to have the sleeve.  I had researched all the different surgeries available for the past10 years by the time I was capable of getting my insurance to pay for my procedure.    I had done my homework and made my decision, after all, I know my body better than my doctors do.  I live with it 24 hours a day, I know what triggers my overeating, etc, etc.

With that said, I would assume many doctors including Dr. Chua recognize that the banding procedures are much less invasive, with fewer complications. 

My best advice is to really educate yourself on all the different surgeries available.  Really contemplate over the situation, find the reasons/causes of your obesity.  Do you binge eat?  Do you eat healthy but have a severe case of metabolic syndrome?  These are just a couple of "head" reasoning you need to get to the bottom of in order to make any WLS successful.

Best wishes with whatever surgery you pick.  Just remember to educate, educate, educate....not only about the procedure, but about the post-op food plan.  Learn about stalls, so you don't freak out 3 weeks post-op and seem as if you are never going to lose another #.  These are all things that will help you succeed in whichever plan you decide on. 

:-)

Hi,
You couldn't have picked a better doctor than Dr. Chua. He is awesome!

I myself had the VSG in Mar/2011 and can't tell you how much better my life is! I hope you have a great journey no matter which procedure you have.

This might be a stupid reason but, I picked the VSG over a band procedure due to my bodies reaction to foreign objects. I had a fractured leg years ago and the hardware installed to fix the breaks gave me nothing but problems. My body tended to treat my pregnancies the same way. I figured I wasn't going to take any chances with my body not reacting well to plastic inside of me.

Not sure if that is the kind of answer you were looking for, but that's why I didn't go with a band.

Best wishes.

That sounds like such fun.  I will keep it in mind if I ever get to CA again!

Where was the Danskin triathalon?  I'm trying to find things to get involved in around WI for the next year.  Have to plan these things out due to work schedules, etc.  If you know of anything, could you let me know?? 

We have a great Reach for the Peak 5K here today which I would have loved to get into, but schedules just got in the way.  That and a sinus infection that has left me with migraines for the most of 3 weeks.  Today is the first day I'm feeling almost normal, and just couldn't get motivated to move that early.  I know, excuses, excuses!  LOL

Where in WI are you?  I assume the Milw area due to your surgeon, but I'm 2.5 hours from my surgeon in Milw, so I know that people do travel for a good one.  I'm originally from Milw. and get there fairly often.  We live in Mid Central Wi, near Wautoma.  

Well...coffee hour is over....time to get something done around here while watching the NCIS marathon!  Dogs are rambunctous, so I know that walking is definately on the to do list today too.
Have a great day.

Thanks! I used to love Sweating to the Oldies! I'll have to see if I can upgrade to the DVD version! Remember Susan Powter? I used to love her original 'Moving' tape that came with the Stop the Insanity program. Unfortunately her new stuff isn't as good and you can't get the original any longer.

I'm hoping to get some cross-country skiing in this winter, and sledding, but I highly doubt there will be any down hill skiing for me! Couldn't do it when I was young and thin, there's no way I'm trying it at this age! LOL

That must have been great to work with Richard. What an opportunity! What is 1/6 of a triathalon? How do I start? I'd love to be able to do something more 'involved' next summer like some of the 5K's, and who knows what else I can find. I'd love to do a high ropes course. I think that would be a hoot!

Have a great day!