can i do it?

Hello, I had the lap band surgery 6 years ago. It didn't work for me, i gained back the weight and stretched my stomach and esophagus. I hated my doctor so i i meant infrequently or not at all. i finally decided to go back after a 2 year absence to his partner. Unfortunately due to the complications i listed above i have to remove the band, so he gave me the option of a revision surgery. i decided on the Vertical Sleeve. I got my approval and my surgery date is May 5th. I'm really scared of screwing up again and endangering my life. i want to lose weight so badly. But his surgery is not reversible. What happens if i cant handle it? please people who have done this surgery tell me the pros and cons. i need to know i am making the right decision and a decision i can live with.    

Sorry.... I cant help you out about the sleeve... However I did have RNY done 1993 and lost all of my weight....  I managed to keep my weight off for years (13 years) as it did work..

However,  I started drinking carbonated drinks (Diet pepsi, Beer, etc) and stretched my stomach back out... 

I'm actually trying to get the band now...

Do you not think getting another band would work?  Why do you think it failed.... also did you feel restriction?    I'm sure there are people the band did not work for.... However... I know of several people (Mostly family related) that had the band and it worked. 

Good luck with whatever decision you make and I will say a little prayer for you!

Jeannie

Hi,

I would recomend some counseling.  There are triggers that causes us to fall back into old habits.  A skilled counselor can help you find them and deal with the issues around them.  I wish surgery was the answer to all things, but it is a tool only.  Your fears about the surgery is something you can talk to him/her about as well.  Give you some peace of mind too.  Good luck!

I had the same fear of the VSG.  Wow,  not reversable.   I finally did it 9 months ago.  Was at doctors goal at only 6 months.  Hard part now is maintaining for me.  I have not one regret.  I do agree that you should see a physc first though.  This is for good and no going back.  I can eat about 4 oz of food total at a time but that doesn't bother me anymore.  It just seems normal now.  Since you once had the band you should be use to that part for the most part.  Regrets?  NONE  Good luck with your decision.

The sleeve really is great, it's like having a band that actually works.  Thing is, you really have to change your eating habits.  You can't eat a load of junk...just less of it.  It doesn't work that way.  If you can't change your eating habits you'll have to consider RNY or DS.  But if you can change your eating habits then the sleeve is fantastic!

Yes, the sleeve seems scary because it's not reversible, and it's the only non-reversible part of my surgery, which is the DS.

The thing is, you don't ever hear of any NEED to reverse it. You will have a smaller, but fully functioning stomach, with it's own pyloric valve, no remnant stomach just hanging around producing grehlin, and no stoma. You will have no mal-absorption like you do with the DS or RNY (although that part IS reversible in those surgeries, and is what helps keep the weight off long term).

I know you think reversibility is a big issue, and suspect you had the band because of it, but if you read around here long enough, you'll see many who had bands that have stomach erosion, nerve damage and other issues that are clearly permanent, so do your research, and select a surgery that will work for you based on your own needs and habits and medical facts.