Newbie. Questions about preparing for 1st. seminar

Hi, I'm Stephanie, I have been reading posts here for about 2 wks. Dr. suggested WLS last month at  appt. after blood sugar and BP was up and that I had gained more since last visit 6 mo. ago. 
Let me start off by telling about myself. I am 30, married to a great man, have 2 beautiful girls and live in California. I have been "chunky" since about 11. I have tried many types of diets, plans, etc. all thru my teens, college, etc. only to gain back more. I enjoy working out  (& do it religiously), with little loss or sucess! My current wt is 242, but not my heaviest. That would be 258 about 2 yrs. ago. My dr. said I need to lose 100lbs. Pretty much told me if I didn't do something I would be full diabetic.  I am very unhappy, tired and frustrated at my health. I am seriously concidering WLS, although, fear it as well. I do my homework and I have found out many things about the LapBand. Some good, some bad. I know that everyone is different on how they tolerate the surgery and life after. I am looking into Gastric sleeve as well and don't know as much, but learning.
So I have my first seminar at the hospital on Weds. Oct. 5th. I know that they will explain the surgeries and give out a lot of info. But I want to be prepared. Can you all suggest what is the most improtant things I should be asking about? I have a few questions planned, but feel like I need to get all the information needed for me to make the decision. Any advice for this stage of seeking WLS? Any advice is appriciated!
Thanks.

Hi Stephanie! Your story sounds similar to so many of us who sought out WLS as far as dieting with little to no long term success.

I would encourage you to check out PubMed and read some of the research on the band. Unfortunately, the band has the poorest stats on excessive weight loss and has a high rate of post-op complications.

I would also encourage you to post this question on the VSG forum. We have lots of great, active sleevers that would have lots of suggestions, I'm sure!

There are probably lots of things to ask, but here are a couple that come to my mind initially:
1. How many bands is the surgeon removing these days?
2. Does the surgeon use fluoroscopy for fills?
3. Who does the fills? When are they available?
4. How many sleeves has the surgeon done?
5. What size sleeve does the surgeon use?
6. How long has the surgeon been performing the sleeve and how have his patients fared?

People don't usually turn to WLS unless they are "very unhappy, tired, and frustrated" with their health, so rest assured that many of us have been there. I think you are making a great step in considering WLS. My band didn't turn out so great, but my sleeve has been the best thing I've ever done for myself.

Best of luck and keep us updated,
Lindsey

Thank you Buckeyegirl for responding. I think all the questions you listed are good. I am still unsure of what surgery that I am seeking, if any. I am leaning toward the lapband because of it being less invasive and the ablility to have another child. But the complications I have read on here make me so scared. I have also concidered the sleeve. I see that some have had problems with the lapband and later changed to sleeve. Im guessing that is what you did. What happened with you?
Overall, my biggest fear is death. I mean, I almost feel selfish for wanting to better myself and IF something were to go wrong, I fear my family would regret MY decision if I were gone.
But, on the other hand, Im out of ideas on how to lose this weight. Diabeties is looming and BP is spiking. Something has to be done.
My insurance is also changing on Jan. 1. I have BCBS right now. Its covered and deductable has already been paid for this year. We are changing to United Health care. The surgery ctr. told me to try and have the surgery before the end of yr. so that I will not have to go through the hoops of UHC. Wow! That is just couple of months away. I told her I haven't even went to a seminar yet. I am not sure that surgery is right for me. But on the other hand, I have an opportunity to begin to be healthy. I have no doubt that I can follow the restrictions and diet. I like to work out and would LOVE to see it actually pay off. Any advice on how I decide?
BTW. I had my gallbladder taken out in 2007. Is the lapband or sleeve anything in comparasion to pain/recovery as gallbladder surgery? Just wondering. I did okay with gallbladder surgery, down about a week. Thank you so much for your answers. I am hoping I will soon "see the sign" that this is the right thing for me.

My band did fair for the first year and I lost about 65 lbs. Then I began to have great variances in restriction. One day I could eat just like a pre-op and you wouldn't know I had a band and then the next day I couldn't drink water. I never knew what would or wouldn't work and I spent a lot of time vomiting. I spent the next couple of years gaining back anything I had originally lost. I wrote my story out on the Failed WLS board if you are interested. It can be found here:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/failed_wls_second_time_around/4302868/Also-a-Failed-Band/

I don't think you should feel selfish about wanting to be healthier. It is a good thing and a healthier you would be a good thing for your family too.

You can definitely have children after a sleeve as well. Of course, you would want to wait until you are about 18 months out. Check out USAFWife on the VSG board. She is currently pregnant and she and baby Tatum are thriving. She posts updates with pics.

The lap band has a high rate of post-op complications and frequently requires follow-up surgeries for repair, replacement, or removal. My lap band led me to a second revision surgery, so I don't really consider it to be less invasive. Even some of the most successful bandsters here have required follow-up surgeries. Multiple surgeries sounds more invasive to me.

Research your surgeon as well. See if he/she has had any leaks from their sleeve procedures. There are some great surgeons in California. It would even be worth traveling to get a great surgeon. Again, I would really encourage you to come over to the VSG board and see some of the California sleevers...they are doing AWESOME.

I've never had my gallbladder out, so I can't really compare for you there. My lap band and VSG surgeries were pretty similar. My surgeon requires 2 nights in the hospital for VSG v. 1 with the lap band, but other than that, my recovery was pretty similar. Maybe I took pain meds a couple of days longer with the VSG, but I don't really recall a huge difference.

One thing I will say about the VSG is this...if your appendix ruptured, would you question having it removed? If you had cancer that could be excised, would you want it cut out? If your stomach holds too much food, is producing a ton of ghrelin making you overly hungry, and is killing you slowly via morbid obesity...well, why not cut that thing down to size and get on with your life?

Well, best of luck to you in your decision. I wouldn't want to feel rushed into a decision but I also wouldn't want to lose any footing with the insurance change. It is a tough call. I hope you find some answers that will click on that sign for you!

Keep us updated,
Lindsey