Thoughts and Updates

Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. 

First off, I have been doing a ton of research on RNY vs VSG (the sleeve).  And I am honestly leaning towards the sleeve.  The main reason the RNY had the advantage for me was that I thought the 'dumping syndrome' would help keep me honest.  But when I found out only 30% of people dump - I decided I needed to weigh the options with that removed.   The sleeve has less complications, faster recovery, no rerouting of my insides, less chance of malnutrition, it is NOT reversible but it can be changed to a RNY or a DS later if I'm not getting the results I need/want.  But from what I'm seeing many people have been very successful at losing much more than I need to lose.  It will all come down to me making the right changes in my life.  If I eat ice cream  or drink soda every day - I can still gain weight.  But if I eat protein first and then my fruits/vegs and THEN if I have room add any carbs...then I'll be successful.   I previously lost about 80 pounds on Weight Watchers and was really good at maintaining it for a couple of years.  I ate right, I did cardio, I did weight training.  I even completed a half marathon.  But I had to go off my plan for several weeks to take care of my Dad as he died from cancer - and the combination of being off plan and the depression afterwards threw me completely off and I never was able to get a handle on it again.  So of course I still fear that.  I know it's a possibility to regain and that even a certain amount of regain is expected after any weight loss surgery.  But I'm hoping the tiny tummy will remind me if I start to falter.  And the upside is that even if I eat something unhealthy...I can't eat as much of it.   Also, I don't know if I've mentioned this, but they remove the portion of the stomach that is said to produce the "hungries."   So not only do you have a smaller stomach, but you have less of a desire to fill it.   For me, honestly, the deciding factor was the complication rates being lower.  Since I am paying out of pocket - any complication has the potential of ruining me financially.  The biggest complication of the sleeve is a leak and even that complication rate is under 2%.  

SO, with all this in mind, I emailed my surgeon's office to inquire about switching.  They said it was not a problem.  That it costs $1,000 less (yay!).  The length of stay is just as long.  The recovery time is faster (can return to work in a week).  I asked about leaks and was told he uses staples and a suture line on the stomach to ensure no leaks. He has had 2 leaks in 17 years and over 10,000 surgeries.  He checks for leaks twice (once in the OR and once before release).  And, since leaks tend to show up later down the line after the swelling goes down - I was also happy to find out if there are complications during or after surgery that Dr. Kelly will attend to them for up to a year after free of charge.