hi. I was tagged on your other thread - but it was closed so couldnt reply, and it wouldnt let me pm you.
The wrap worked wonderfully for me. Originally, I'm told I was only the third person the surgeon had done the wrap for in the UK and it was still considered experimental procedure.
I was heavier than you - over 21st and got down to around 14st at my absolute best. They had told me to expect to get to 16st as a guide and then said that I may wish to consider something further if I wished to lose more. Conveniently, I totally forgot about that and only re-discovered it in looking up old emails. The same emails also suggested by-pass for my weight for best long term results or the sleeve
I wanted fast recovery time and did not want the risks. I was really freaked by Scooter's experiences back then with the sleeve.
They still tell me I've had better results than anyone else with the wrap that they've done. I think most of it is in your mind set. I did really well and maintained at that for quite some time.....
about 20 months ago, everything went HORRIBLY wrong. Loads of things happened at the same time and put me in a really bad place. We were in the midst of moving house. Dad lost his leg with DVT and diabetes, my husband changed job and I lost my baby. My gran died. ALL within the space of about 6 weeks. I totally lost the plot and basically had a complete melt down. It's taken me this long to feel I'm ready to start getting on with my life..
Struggling to cope, I started to back to the bad only ways. Regular carbs, sugary stuff, things I shouldn't eat. My weight went up to 16st2. I realised I was very unhappy, contacted the team and kicked my own butt. I took myself for a barium meal to consider a revision / re-plication. Got back on track, lost most of my regain. They couldn't fit me in within the timescale I needed for holidays etc, so in the end I had to get on with it. My surgeon reckoned I had it in me to sort myself out.
Well - basically, it lasted a while, but the depression had me bad. I put the weight back on. At exactly the same weight to the lb and month, I was back in contact with them this year. The long and short of it was and still is that even with regain, I DID reach expected long term target. 16lb 2 was therefore obviously my trigger point where I know I'm going to deal with it.
Still - although my blood sugar is totally normal, we have a high risk family history of dvt and diabetes. I never want my family to have to go through the trauma again of what has happened with dad... so, after a lot of discussion with the team, I've gone for a sleeve.
Having done this in two stages, I have ended up with no excess skin from the plication and hopefully with the sleeve now, I can finish the job. I'm now 12 weeks I think back off bad carbs. No potatoes, no pasta, no rice, no bread and for me, it really needs to stay that way... simply because those are my nemesis and when I dont have any, I really do not miss them. With them, it's impossible to give up.
Yes - I've gone private and my recovery time has been fast. In on the Tuesday, home on the Wednesday (felt like hell !)..... managed a few hours work on the Thursday at home and went back to work in the office on the Friday.
Overall, the plication and the sleeve should have the same results. Much of the results is down to you and IF you abuse / stretch your pouch. The bigger you are, the more stretch you are going to get - so having done this over two stages, I should experience less stretch this time... but I also want to be very very careful so I don't go back the way.
I believe it is EASIER to abuse the plication, but the surgeon told me all the original stitches etc were in place and my scaring from previous op was absolutely minimal. The started off by telling me that bypass was not an option as my weight was not high enough. Band impossible due to plication and same with balloon. Therefore re-plication or sleeve.... but re-plication would have unknown results and the sleeve was suggested.
Choice ? Consider what's right for you. I have no regrets for either... but if the cost is similar, I'd probably opt for the sleeve.
Personally, I wanted the restriction back and to try and get my head sorted once and for all. I never thought I would revisit my original journey, but sometimes life deals unfair blows. This time, I'm going to be mega conscious of keeping to portion control and ruling the bad stuff out.
You are welcome to pm me if I can be of further help.
Good luck in whatever you decide
