Update: No date yet, but very very soon.

I met with my surgeon today. He was very happy with my progress (54 lbs!!!) and the nutritionist and behavioral therapist reported very positively to him! I have a couple more hoops to go through. My psychiatrist needs to get her report over to him and I need to take another urine test. An interesting twist though! He expressed interest in giving me a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy instead of a RNY. He feels it would be safer for me at my weight (BMI 73 at the moment) because he can do it laproscopically rather than open procedure. The VSG is a restrictive procedure removing about 85-90% of my stomach, but leaving a small banana sized stomach and the intestines intact. ( no malabsorption) There would also be much less of a vitamin deficiency. It sounds like something I might be open to. I'm really dreading the long recovery of an open procedure. If It falls short helping me lose weight, they can do a revision and make it a RNY. However I think this can work for me. He's going to consult with his colleague and get back to me. Anyone here have a VSG? Beyond all that, it looks like I will have a date at the end of April or beginning of May according to the nurse!  I am extremely excited! I cant weight (er, wait) God Bless! Jim

Jim, I think the surgeon knows best...and your progress is amazing...he may feel you are absolutely ready for the VSG ...it is all about changing your life to become the thin healthy person inside! Interested in reading your journey! Jennifer

Wow Jim -that is awesome! Definitely check out the VSG board here on OH - I think that the VSG is a two step procedure to the RNY where many people opt to stop at the first step - the VSG.......I could be wrong but I think I read that somewhere - anyway - I believe that a lot of people have had great success with the VSG and are happy with their decision from what I recall from the board - also check out the regrets board to see both sides of the story...........

I don't blame you for being excited - you are on your way to a healthy you! Congratulations!

WOW, 54lbs gone! That is great. Be sure and check out the other boards and talk with people who have had the VSG. The way you are going, which ever procedure you end up having you will be successfull.

All the best

Sher

Congrats!  Getting through the process is such a big accomplishment.  The VSG is the first step for the DS, not the RNY.  I'm not sure why your dr. would then do a revision to RNY instead of just finishing the DS.  DS is done as a two step procedure for those with a high BMI.  I believe that the VSG became popular when some people didn't end up needing the second part of the procedure due to adequate weight loss with the first part of the surgery.  Good luck with your decision. Jen

Hi Jim, Just curious if you checked out Yale at all for your surgery.  I am only asking because I saw in your profile that you will be paying out of pocket for your surgery and I'm pretty sure that Dr. Bell had told me that Yale was very good about working out a lower price for those without insurance coverage for the surgery.  Dr. Bell is actually salaried by the university so the money issue would be strictly with Yale, not with him and he also does the lap RNY on larger patients too....I believe his biggest was in the 550 pound range so that could be another option for you too.  Just something to ponder if money is an issue. Anyway,  big congratulations on the pounds you've already lost!!!!!!!  Exciting times are ahead!!!! ~Sue