I Made The Call

[wal66]

No, I didn't call up a sex line and I didn't make some great call on a sporting event either. I called The Obesity Surgery Center.

It would be great to not need the assistance of such an extreme procedure but simple dieting alone just isn't gonna get it done. I need to get the weight off now and as quickly as possible so I can save my knees.

I took a couple of shots in April and again in June to numb my knees and it worked great. It worked too well unfortunately. My not feeling the constant pain (still had pain but was manageable) allowed me to overdue it. What ended up happening was doing more damage than I would have had I not took the shots. Now the pain has increased and I can't continue getting shots except at regular 6 month intervals.

So I have to get the weight off. Looking into gastric band surgery but they have a new procedure called a gastric sleeve so not sure which. Starting the preliminary stuff now so that I can get this done sometime after the first of the year.

What does this all mean?

Nina and Teela, ya'll have 18 months and then one or both of you will have to do what's best for GameLive and ol' Wal.

[Bread]

Wally...best of luck to you, sir!

Rooting for you here.

Proud of you.

[RogueJuror]

Which one are you leaning on more the band or the sleeve?

[wal66]

RJ, I am spending more time on price right now. It's roughly $25K here and as cheap as $6K in Mexico. Just made the call so they are checking on insurance stuff right now. Once that part is done I will be discussing the various options in more detail.

[RogueJuror]

From your research do you know if one is more effective than the other? How much do you currently weight?

[wal66]

The Band is for quicker weight loss at a much return to normal activity, is reversible and adjustable but can slip.

The Sleeve, requires longer time in the hospital, longer recovery, is not reversible and not adjustable.

Standard Gastric Bypass, basically what the sleeve is replacing.

Cost for all are basically the same.

[Polaroid]

The Band is for quicker weight loss at a much return to normal activity, is reversible and adjustable but can slip.

The Sleeve, requires longer time in the hospital, longer recovery, is not reversible and not adjustable.

With the sleeve there is a longer recouping period and it's neither reversible nor adjustable - what are the advantages?

[Teela]

Longer time in the hospital and recovery? Pass.

[kato]

i have a friend that did the band

great success

get a plastic surgeon in line for the skin removal

gl wal

[wal66]

With the sleeve there is a longer recouping period and it's neither reversible nor adjustable - what are the advantages?

It's advantage falls in the disadvantage of the band. The band can (not always) require adjustments where you have to go back in and have the band put back in place after it has slipped position. There is also something about a leak valve. I'm not sure if that is a permanent valve or if it's temporary but if it's permanent then that's kind of a negative on the band which again make an advantage for the sleeve.

[Cougar Bait]

This is scary

Could make for a good Halloween movie!

Good luck Wally

[Archie]

good luck Wal, I know this must weigh on you immensely when you think of the future with work, golf, foking ect.. ( no pun intended on the weighing)

keep us posted, this should be an interesting chronicle....


have you considered just being in the rear of a temporary human centipede for 2-4 weeks as a jump start to natural weight loss?

[wal66]

Yeah Arch, can't say that has ever been an option. I'm a big enough asshole to ever play second fiddle to an actual asshole.

[Archie]

I don't agree with that.

its my belief that you could be a BIGGER asshole and you'd still be likable

[Pavy]

Wish you well Wal.

Did someone answer your call?

[FairWarning]

I don't know anyone who didn't have the surgery and then not put the weight back on. It is a lifestyle change Wal and there are no shortcuts. I do recommend this highly for you though for your knees/joints - http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CI8BEPMCMAM

[wal66]

FW, you are right it is a full change that is required to make it last.

I had the band done once before but I broke the band playing football. A few years later I had the bypass surgery and it worked great. A year in and I had lost so much weight and my life was really on track. Then a series of events, depression and such and injuries and I started putting the weight back on. I kept telling myself. "this week" but this week never came and before I knew I was packing the weight back on again. I couldn't be as active due to the injuries and the weight kept coming back. Eventually I am where I am at today.

I can't live a disabled life and if I don't get the weight off that is what I am facing. This surgery HAS to work and I HAVE to make it last or I don't even want to make it off the table.

[RogueJuror]

Sounds to me like you need the gastric sleeve one then.