scared after seeing surgeon for preop visit

Hi all,

I was doing pretty well with the nerves til I saw my surgeon this am.  Now I'm scared.  Since I'm a revision he's expecting my surgery to go about 4 hours (from band to sleeve).  Now this is all dependent on how much scar tissue I have in there.  Also, there's a possibility that I would have to have bypass instead of sleeve if the scar tissue is too much.  ACK!!! Was not planning on that.  Now I know its worst case scenario he's telling me but it's still hard to hear.  Also, with revisions he said that the complication rate goes up.  It just gets better and better.  Please, some words of advise/comfort would be greatly appreciated especially from the revisions out there.   I'm really having second thoughts here, surgery is scheduled for next week.

Hi there!  I am sorry you are having scary thoughts today.  Have you posted this on the VSG forum?  There are lots and lots of band to sleeve revisions on there so it might help for them to just chime in with a, "Hey, I made it just fine!". 

Hi Kim,

Thanks for responding. I have posted on there but unfortunately I dont get much reponse on that board (none yet but it's only been about 15 mins). I just love this board and was hoping to hear from some revisions on here.

I did not have a revision, but I am a sleever. I just wanted to send calming thoughts your way. If your surgeon is skilled with revisions, I'm sure everything will be fine. If you end up with the bypass, so be it. The way I see it, taking a few extra vitamins and having the fear of dumping on sugar wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I have heard and read so many negative things about the band, and so many positives about the sleeve and the bypass. I'm sure you will be so much more successful with either of those surgeries than you were with the band. We are all here for you! Big Hugs!!!

Dawn, I don't know anything about revisions.  I just wanted to wish you luck and tell you that I do think they give us worse case senario's so we are happy when that doesn't happen.

I've read some about lap band revisions and a lot of them actually have 2 surgeries.  One to remove the lapband and let it heal and then go back later and have their WLS.  So to do it all at one time I would think would take a lot more time.

I have RNY and am very pleased with it(not a revision).

Good luck.

Linda

Surgery is scary, and I bet you were scared the first time you did it. There is always a risk of complications, and while they may be a bit higher with revisions they are still low. Hopefully, your surgeon will be able to do the procedure you want, but if it does have to be changed know that there are people here to support you.

Tonia

Dawn......I know you are scared........know that your surgeon is not doing his job if he doesn't discuss ALL the risks with you, no matter how slim the chance is he has to tell you.  That said....you will have a TON of support here from everyone no matter how you come home the new you!  I don't know much about the sleeve but ask me about RNY and I got you covered!  Malabsorbive procedues can be scary to think about but there are a LOT of us out here who can help you through it if you need us!  Here is hoping you come out of surgery as YOU plan!  And here's to your success with whatever fate brings you!  You will do GREAT WITH EITHER and you will NEVER be alone in this!

thanks so much for all the support! This is why I love this board, everyone is so encouraging and supportive. It's the only place that I can really go to fully discuss my fears about this. I would never bring it up to my hubby who is already scared for me. That would push him over the edge. THANK YOU!!