Have to admit, my post about my "partial" gastrectomy

emphasized my  inner true feelings about having a portion of my stomach removed because:

I had been asked to update about my revision on the Lap Band forum. Then 2 days after I had my surgery, I went there to post that I was okay.  Instead I was horrified to see a post about "VSG failures" one included a graphic pic of I believe the removed portion of stomach after a gastrectomy.  I felt pretty bad that day.  There  was no need for the visual.  I blessed my stomach when it left me. It sustained me even under all the stress from having a Band positioned there.  We don't show those pictures - the clips, the tacks, the sutures, the scar tissue from the band.  Who wants to see those even knowing we've got them?  Having a devise around your stomach is invasive whether we want to believe it or not.

So I was saying yeah, this is how ugly it can feel and some of us do battle within more than others, but on the other hand I am the same person.  I feel free and fantastic.  My heart is open.  I am available for life.  I made the right decision for me when I was backed against the wall.  Any of us are vulnerable and I knew that with my band and I knew what I got into with my VSG - I worried about leaks really bad initially.  If it can happen to someone else, why not me? 

In 2005 when I got banded there initially  was NOT a soul over hear on this Lap Band forum or anywhere else on OH saying don't get a Band.  It was a different environment.  There were a couple of old timers who had serious issues  and we thought well maybe regulated techniques are better in the U.S., maybe the newer installation technique will smooth out some of the kinks. It was fairly new - yes, we know Europe etc. but it was approved here in the U.S. and was gaining popularity.  I do not believe people are coming back here to this forum saying hey, I hope you fail.  It's like hey, you too?  This can't be coincidence because now we've built a history.  What's going on?

What I've noticed is that those (certainly not all, some of you are gems xoxo) with  a past of  slips, dilations whether stomach or esophagus, multiple bands (whether you say you changed yours for the "Cadillac" or a super upgrade just because - well HELLO!!!), repositioned your band  or whatever are the most critical of those who've fell down but got up and moved on.  It is our own fears that make us defensive and super critical.

My feeling is trust your journey.  A year ago when my best friend's sister asked me about the band - I told her my story and did not sway her one way or the other.  I supported her.  With my sister I did the same and she said "hell no"!  So when we make a choice, we must stick by it.  silly to go in thinking that  you will fail. Obnoxious of us to deny proven truths even when we want them to be false.

And with that I move forward and won't look back unless there is someone needing me to carry them.  Need me, and I won't hesitate. So many of you have held my hand and I am so thankful.


Blessings,
Leila

I actually went to the VSG board looking for the bad stories.  I wanted to hear from people *****gretted the surgery or who had complications.  There was one person who was on a feeding tube for a year after having a botched VSG where there was a leak at the top of her new stomach.  The doctor that she went to sounded totally incompetent and I went to my surgeon with the story and got his thoughts on it.  I think we have to hear about the bad as well and be willing to make our choices knowing that.

I'll admit that I  was hesitant about the VSG because of it's permanence.  After having all the issues with the band that I had I wasn't sure that I wanted to risk the GERD and not being able to get food down.  So I went out and educated myself on the surgery and I listened to all the people who have had the revisions from La-band to Sleeve and even to the stories of those who had the sleeve only.  At the end of all that I had a huge level of comfort with the Sleeve.

I talked about bougie size with my doctor and I asked him about his philosophy on cutting around the bougie.  I asked him how he would handle me if I ended up with GERD and what our plan would be.  I asked him how he would handle a leak.  I asked him about what our plan would be for post op infections should there be any and doing all of that gave me a really good comfort level.

I also went on YouTube to watch the surgery ahead of time. I was able to see how the devices that he was going to use during the surgery worked and how the cut is sealed as it cuts.  It was interesting and informative.

Wow! Very touching and helpful. I pray that "GOD" will continue to Bless you to share your experiences with others, whether they are positive or negative. Who knows, it could be just the information that we need to assist us with making our final decisions. All in all, everyone needs someone. Stay encouraged.

Be Blessed!

Thank you for your post and your personal story. I agree completely. You should block posters who are disturbing you. I had to do that. Some people were so unpleasant, venting their issues with others. Not nice, and not the purpose of this forum....
Hang in, and good luck!
Best,
Mary

 You know, there's not an organ in your body that looks cute when removed from it's home, so I wouldn't stress about pictures!