I got a DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(long post)

After being banded in June 2006 I lost 30 pounds.  Mostly on my own with exercise and diet because I NEVER felt restriction or reached the so called "sweet spot" that I heard so many speak of.  I began gaining the weight back in the end of last year and have put 15 -20 pounds of it back on......  I thought I was doomed, and stuck with this thing for the rest of my life until I met YALL!!!  I HAD NO IDEA!!!  I put up a post that no one responded to.. but I still continued to visit, reply, and lurk!!!  I got so much information that I started researching DR and visiting other boards to see what surgery options were out there... WELL where I had first thought RNY was my ticket to the losing side... I have now decided on (DRUMROLL PLEASE...)  VSG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And i am so HAPPY.  I had narrowed it down to 2 doctors .  Dr Pleatman and Dr. Alvarez.. and I decided on DR Alvarez for no other reason except he had a sooner date than Dr Pleatman who is going on vacation.....  They are both excellent, experienced, knowlegeable and reasonbly priced ( I am self pay... AGAIN)   So I am scheduled with DR Alavarez for July 28, 2008...... YIPPEEEEE.. tell me about your experiences with your surgery? DR Alvarez? Getting rid of the Band???  etc.......

Oops, I just replied to a previous post of yours not realizing you had selected a surgery. I'm glad you found one that you are happy with. I was a little concerned when you were looking at the RNY as I know folks that have some problems, such as regain with it and are looking into DS revisions, and the fewer surgeries we go through the better. I think the VSG sounds good, but don't know any real life people with it. I know you want it sooner than later, but please make sure you pick a reputable surgeon. I haven't heard of your surgeon, but you may want to post on a different board and ask from people who know of him, and you will surely hear form happy customers (or unhappy if applicable). Some of the better surgeons ARE a good price for self pays, so make sure you get a good one.

Congratulations!!!!!!!  Great news! I currently have a band, and actually did pretty well with it the first year, then got horrible reflux and stayed unfilled for 18 months... Of course, in those 18 months I've gained 20 back! So on August 18th I'm gettin the damned band removed and getting a DS... and boy am I relieved! My cousin has the VSG and she seems very happy with it... she's dropped about 55 lbs in 9 months which is good news for her... she was a lightweight and doesn't have massive weight to lose. I'm really glad to hear you were able to make your choice quickly and get your surgery date... that IS a bit like the light at the end of the tunnel. Kyle

I'm scheduled to have Dr. Alverez as my surgeon, BUT I've been reading and researching still.

Go read PoliticalJunkie2 profile, she's had problems since the beginning with nausea and vomiting. I've also read that one lady got a terrible infection down there. And I think one more that had a problem but can't remember what it was. But that's all I've found so far on Alverez.
Like I said I'm still researching and reading.

Good luck to you and GOD bless =)