I have been thinking very seriously about getting this WLS done, however wonder if anyone has traveled this path & regretted it?

I prefer sleeving over band due to refill costs, ability to eat smaller portions of everything, a perm solution and less complications.

Thanks

I'm in the process of getting it all happening here.

To be honest, everyone I've spoken to have said their only regret was they didn't do it sooner.

I came here thinking you were talking about tattoos!

hahaha

Cool, that's what I thought. Because it is a "permanent" operation, my family are freaking out about it.

What state are you in? I'm in Melbourne & have a few surgeons who have been recommended.

tis okay, that was my first thought too.

Nope. Not one single regret. I was 118.1kg when I started my pre op diet. 112kg on my day of surgery 1/3/10. I was 71.5kg a the end of December 2010. I'm about 83kg now, but as you can see by my ticker I am also 36 weeks pregnant (something I hope to achieve by having surgery as the fertility treatments were not working at all for me at the weight I was).

Good luck x

HAHA i came in thinking the same thing

~megan~ how does it affect pregnancy/nutrition during pregnancy?

Did they mention what would happen long term if you get a chronic disease like bowel cancer or any other form where optimal and maximun nutrition is necessary.

These are the mental barriers I have ATM...

I'm in Sydney. Check out the Gastric Sleeve Support Forum http://www.gastricsleevesupport.com/ . There are LOTS of recommendations for surgeons and lots and lots of questions answered.

My husband has been very reluctant only because he's nervous about the risks of the surgery. I'm nervous too but I have so many health problems now that there are more risks to not going ahead, iykwim?

Well done & congrats on your pregnancy! Glad to hear you can get preg after being sleeved. You never know, there may be another one down the track!!

Best thing I have ever done!!

My bestie has also had it done after watching my progress and results and she is rapt too.

We both had BMI's of 34 - 35 and I am so glad our surgeon saw us as suitable candidates - I have PCOS and she has familiy history of heart disease and diabetes.

I am in Melbourne.
There are regular sleevers catch ups all across town.
One is happening every fortnight at the Cranbourne Botanical gardens mid week ATM.

Look at the gastric sleeve support forum - there you can read about surgeons join in meet ups and get some great feedback!!

I'm on there too, but like to get feedback from various sources.

Poo, I'll be at work! I met up with some members earlier in the year on a weekend.

No problems with nutrition and I can eat a little more now than I could pre-pregnancy. Not sure if that is due to pregnancy (my dr said it could be as metabolism is faster) or time post op (allowing the swelling to decrease).

I never asked about chronic conditions later in life really and I am a nurse. I figured I had a much greater chance of even making it to being older by having the surgery than I ever would by not.

I had high blood pressure, hyperinsulinaemia (pre-diabetes) and was over 50kg overweight with PCOS.

I now have low blood pressure if anything, normal insulin levels and had ALMOST got to a healthy BMI (26) when I fell pregnant after starting at BMI 45!!

The only thing I am deficient in is iron, but that could also just be pregnancy related as I was borderline with my last child also.

Good idea

Not a single regret. I regret the band though, evil things.

Sleeve = best thing ever.

Why, what was wrong with the band?

Chronic obesity is a major risk factor for many cancers. I work in oncology and this was one of my considerations, but I'd rather do what I can to prevent the cancer than be in an optimal position to treat it, if that makes sense.

I absolutely and completely do NOT regret my sleeve. My BMI was 49.9 (I know, right?!) and is now 37.2 at last measure a few weeks back. I have a long way to go and the loose skin I've been left with is... well, its not pretty. But I'm alive, I'm healthy, fit, life is fantastic. My depression is well on its way to being under control. I'm seeing someone. I can handle hardcore gym classes without feeling like I'm actually going to die. There are times when I get cranky at it, especially when eating out, but I'm going to live for like, 30 extra years now, so there's plenty of time to get in extra bits of lamb korma and whatnot.

So, umm, in short, no. I don't regret it. /steps off soapbox.
PS: I've blogged my journey at Lion Jumper
*cough* desperate for blog readers *cough*

Long term? There is an increased risk of complications. Slips, leaks, erosion.
Once you start having issues with it, faffing around with fills and unfills, it's on the way out.

The beauty of the sleeve is it's a set and leave procedure. I never have to worry about getting gatro or food poisoning, vomitting no longer fills me with dread in case it causes my band to move and my stomach to swell.

My band was fab for the first 18 months. Then the troubles started. Some days I couldn't swallow my own saliva. I developed reflux and started dysfunctional eating.

My surgeon spends most of his time removing lap bands now. Just not worth it.


Out of all the girls I know who were banded the same time as me? So, that's 5 of us, only one still has her band.

good to know

I am being sleeved on 20 Sept - can't wait! I did a lot of research and spoke to people who have had it done and as a previous posted said their only regret was not having it done sooner.
The big thing that I had to get my head around was that I wouldn't be able to go out to dinner and have an entree, main course, etc but then I thought that that is what got me to where I am not - morbidly obese. I am comfortable with my decision now. I have done absolutely everything to loose weight and failed to keep it off. If I don't do something about it now then in 5-10 years I will be at serious risks of developing life threatening conditions. I saw something that someone wrote and decided it is so true - I don't want a knife and fork to dig my grave......

If you don't mind me asking ... how long have you been sleeved for? does it have the same potential for maladaptive eating patterns? (what I am going through atm with band).
Also, did your surgeon remove band and sleeve in the one operation? or were you made to remove, wait 3 months and then sleeve in a separate operation?

Yvonne, I go out to dinner a lot.

I just order whatever I want and eat what I can. I feel as full as I did pre sleeve just at a fraction of the amount. It's brilliant.



Almost 9 months now.



Nope. Because of the restriction of the band, that causes maladaptive eating. Yet with the sleeve, you actually can eat everything, just in smaller amounts.



Also, did your surgeon remove band and sleeve in the one operation? or were you made to remove, wait 3 months and then sleeve in a separate operation?

I had my band removed in early July and I was sleeved 5 months later. He wanted to wait until I'd healed so as to have the best chance at having a sleeve. Sometimes the scaring is too bad and a sleeve is not possible. Mine was his worst case, I was so lucky that he sleeved me.

My diet is by far the best it's ever been with the sleeve. I follow my dieticians guidelines to the letter. And I'm 42 kilos down. I'm fit and strong. I really would recommend the sleeve to anyone.

Can I ask about cost? If you have PHI, what's the average out of pocket costs?

the cost does depend where you live and what surgeon you see. My surgeon is charging $4800 of which I should get back about $800.00 from PHI, then there is your aneastists (sp?) fees which are all different.

Thanks.
Another question, has anyone been turned away because their BMI is not high enough. Mine puts me in obese, but isn't quite 35.

Thanks for the responses. Off to an info session Monday week.

I have a sh8tload to loose, better get off my but & do something about it!

I have heard of people being turned away but I'm not sure for what reasons exactly. BMI is one of them, I *think*. The surgeon I'm seing has a BMI calculator on his website and it gives you a rough guidline of what procedures he'd do based on your BMI. It's only a guide, though, because there's a lot more to a person's situation than just their BMI.

As for cost, every surgeon is different. Mine is charging $4950 out of pocket. I have PHI. You can also apply to access your super early with the help of your GP and surgeon. I'm having to do that because we can't afford it otherwise.

I am going to look into it.
Even though my BMI isn't right in their range they state, my joints like my knees and hips are suffering.

I am getting sleeved on the 16th of September. I can't tell you if I will regret it yet, but I doubt it.

I do however, really regret the having the lapband, which I have now had out. I could write a page about how awful it was!

My sleeve is also $ 4800 out of pocket, with PHI. That's in Perth, with Mercy Bariatrics.

Joshuasmum - are you the Joshuasmum on gastricsleevesupport.com? I am still interested in getting together to chat about the sleeve. If there is anyone here, pre or post op from WA who would like to have a meet, just PM me and we can sort out a time.

I'm all booked in to get the band out.
Fingers crossed I'm not too heavy on scar tissue/damage and can be sleeved next year.

Congrats catbat and cathode, you won't regret it.

I promise

Thanks, Purplewitch! I start opti tomorrow and got the letter today confirming the release of my super to pay for it. Can't wait.

Anna...I didn't realise until very recently that you'd had the sleeve done.

I was sleeved in February last year. I have no regrets. I am 50 kilos lighter and feel fantastic. It's also effing awesome to be able to walk into a regular shop and buy regular sized clothing. I now own two formal dresses, whereas before I wouldn't have ever considered wearing a dress. I can also run around with my children instead of sitting on a bench watching them.

All the best to anyone considering this surgery. It's life changing.

Thanks
Am hoping that I won't regret it. Have had such a cow of a time on the band, and felt like such a failure. Would hate to go through the sleeve for naught.

I love it! The only time I hate it is when it is something really yummy and I overeat and feel like crap! Im a yr and a 1/4 out but still no where near where I should be to be honest...That is ALL my fault..too much snacking...need to cut it out and drink more water..in saying that Im still so much happier than I was and love wearing size 16 and not 20-22..have lost nearly 38kg so far.... Also in some ways I wish I had told a few more people but dont want to now..its hard going out to dinner and eating enough to look normal. I can eat a lot more than I could..ie I can eat a whole sanga but IM FULL after I finish but only a little bit of pasta...I still weigh my dinner and eat 165 grams...if you have food scales weigh out that portion and pretty much a yr out that is what you will be able to eat...but your FULL from it...LOVE it!

very very happy
im melpaulned on the GSS forum so have a read of my diary!

Can i ask maybe a some what silly question but did you vomit much in the weeks/months after due to eating too much?

me too! lol

Hiya!

I didn't know YOU had it done, lol.

Yeah, 44 kilos down now. Best thing ever. The shopping ROCKS but the fitness is the best thing.

LOL...Funny!! Yep, I agree that the fitness is THE BEST!!

It will be five months next Tuesday since I was sleeved and in total I am 200grams away from 33kg lost. My weight loss is steady and slow but then I'm not on a diet, I eat what I want but just small amounts of it. If I want a tim tam I have it. So mentally I don't feel restricted or crave foods that I am not allowed.

I don't regret being sleeved for a minute, but I am still getting used to learning to eat slower and chew my food properly.

I am also still on the reflux meds as I do suffer from it badly (never before op) but its a small price to pay.

Hi Cathode, yes that is me! Sure would still love to meet up - any dates in mind?

That was catbat, but I am happy for a coffee as well
Wednesday mornings* I have the least amount of kids with me (or even better I have none on Saturdays).
Or, any evening after 7.30pm

(*have plans this coming Wed)

I went to an info session last night & off to the surgeon's next week for a consult.

Very happy to see where this road leads...

if anyone is in sydney we are having a get together at menai for all sleevers / banders / bypassers at club menai and pre op of course!
let me know if you're interested and i'll send details = pm me please as i will forget to check here!

Hi ladies I just wanted to ask a question re the sleeving. How long do you have to take off after the surgery? and also how long after can you drive?

I am struggling with my weight and also other health issues and am desperate to do something about it but because we own our own business Dh can't take time off.

Does anyone have IBS and has been sleeved? Just wondering if it would affect the IBS in any way.

i have no regrets. However, I just want to point out how much I have struggled with morning sickness during this pregnancy. But I did fall pregnant only weeks after my sleeve surgery so I know that wouldn't have helped. I also still cannot drink water 6 months post surgery. I have to have icy poles, choc milk, gatorade, ribena etc to stay hydrated.
These are just the struggles I have had. It in no way makes me regret the sleeve. I am now 67kg and 17 weeks pregnant. I ended up over 100kg with both my previous pregnancies. It is such a relief to know I won't get anywhere near that this time round.
PM me if you want to know anything else x

ETA for the PP, I think I had a couple of weeks off work after my sleeve surgery but I only work 2 days per week in a sit down office job. Being a stay at home mum is mum harder IMO LOL. You can't lift anything heavy (children, washing baskets etc) for a few weeks so its important to know that. I had to wait til my youngest was ond enough to climb into the car and pram himself with just a hand behind for support. It is also exhausting because you body is recovering from the surgery and from the total lack of any energy from being on such a low calorie diet. Following surgery you can only have fluids for a while, followed by purees, mashed foods working your way back up to solids.

With regards to driving, I think its about the same as followinga caesarian - 3 weeks roughly.

I also have IBS and found it hasn't made too much of a difference. I still frequently get diarrhoea (sp?) for no reason and stomach cramping just like I did before. A sleeve gastrectomy is not a cure for IBS although it may help relieve symptoms for some.

HTH x

From what my surgeon said, it is a 2 day hospital stay, then approx. 2 week recovery.