Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)

Hi-   I am just learning about the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) procedure.  From what I've read, I like the idea of it better than a lapband, due to no fills or adjustment needed and no "foreign objects" in my abdomen.  BUT, I would like to hear accounts from others about their experiences with surgeons in the Twin Cities area who performed this procedure.  It's fairly new?  Thanks for your help.

My only knowlege of the procedure is second hand.  The person several of us know who had that procedure 7 or 8 years ago recently had a revision to RNY.  Something about it not being the best in the long-term, but I don't have all the specific details.  Maybe she'll respond to your post or send you a pm...

Thanks Darla-  I hope more people will have experiences and be willing to share them.  I appreciate your feedback!  p.s.  The reason I'm not posting my picture is because I can't stand looking at how big I've become..... Maybe I'll feel comfortable once I know I'm scheduled for surgery and can have a before and after picture.  :0) 

We all get that whole not wanting to look at, much less share, pictures of ourselves at our "worst".  But please understand, you'll get none of that judgement here.  We've ALL been there, we KNOW how it feels, and we're the LAST people to judge anyone by the size of their face or the number of chins they think they have.  WE GET IT.  If you plan to hang around here, for support, friendship, information, inspiration, whatever, we'd all LOVE to see you - because then we'll better appreciate watching you shrink!!! That having been said, we will also respect your decision to stay annonymous, if you so choose.  GOOD LUCK with your journey!   It's quite a ride 

There is a info thing on the home page about the procedure. I think there is also a forum on it too. I hope you find the information that you need. You could also schedule a meeting with one of the Surgons from the Cities, so you can see what they arelike personally. I like the surgon I am going with he is very nice and knowledgible about what he does. I am glad I'll be going with him. You want to make sure you meet with the doctor to see if you two are on he same page.

Thanks Sophie- good advice! 

if you are considering the sleeve, you might also be interested in the DS

here's some info I stole from a post with info on the DS and there is also a DS forum you should check out with specific questions.  I know, should I ever get insurance again that approves WLS and I find I can't do it on my own, I'm prolly gonna have the DS:

As posted by Diana Cox:

You need to consider ALL of your options to make a truly informed decision.



1.  IS COST AN ISSUE?

More and more insurance companies are covering the DS now.  Medicare ruled almost 2 years ago that the DS is available for any patient who qualifies for WLS.  If your insurance covers RNY, even if they say they don't cover the DS, you can often get them to cover it if you appeal.

2.  HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO LOSE?

The DS induces weight loss at about the same rate as the RNY, perhaps in some a bit slower, but the "window of opportunity" is usually open longer -- at least 18-24 months.

3.  HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO LOSE?

The DS has the best average results of all WLS procedures -- 82% on average at 2 years out.

4.  LONG-TERM SUCCESS RATES

The DS has the best long-term success rate, hands down.  94% of patients (including those who were SMO) maintain 50% or more EWL at 10+ years out. 

5.  COMPLICATIONS & MORTALITY RATE

The DS's slightly higher complication and mortality rate can be attributed in large part to the facts that (1) for many years, it was reserved by inappropriate insurance company rules to those who were SMO and thus the sickest patients; and (2) because it is the revision surgery of choice -- and revisions are higher risk.

However, the DS is a more difficult procedure to perform -- it is particularly important that you select a DS surgeon who has done at least 100 procedures.  There is a steep learning curve.

6.  RECOVERY

About the same as RNY.

7.  MISC DIFFERENCES

Quality of life, as measured by things that matter to a lot of people:
* NO risk of stoma blockage or stretching, because we have no stoma
* Essentially no risk of strictures (we have no stoma at which to get a stricture; however, as with any surgery that requires suturing of intestine, there is a slight risk of a stricture at the anastomosis -- and RNYers have intestinal anastomoses too)
* Essentially no dumping (there have been rare reports of people experiencing what they report as dumping-like symptoms, but they are VERY rare and usually resolve after a while) -- while sugar is 100% absorbed, you still can have an occasional treat without getting sick
* No chewing food to mush -- we have a normal, albeit smaller stomach
* The issues with gas and stinky poops that you may hear about with the DS are not limited to the DS, although they are probably more common; HOWEVER, they are almost entirely controllable by watching what you eat, and avoiding foods that cause you problems (it differs from person to person), or at least avoiding them a few hours before you are going to be in a social situation.  In addition, there are probiotics and medications that can help.
* Calcium and vitamin supplementation is critical -- as with the RNY -- only different.  DSers don't have nearly the problem with iron and vitamin B12, although we have to be more careful with the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.  Personally, at nearly 4.5 years out, I've never had to take ANY supplemental ADEKs.
* "Fat is your friend" with the DS -- we malabsorb 80+% of the fat we eat.  This makes a HUGE difference in our eating style.  Butter, mayo, gravies -- all a part of our healthy diet.
* We have to eat a lot of protein, but don't have the same issues with eating meats that many RNYers experience -- steak, shrimp, lobster, scallops, chicken -- YUM!
* Easiest maintenance of weight loss on average of all of the weight loss surgeries -- it is the most forgiving of the occasional lapse.

There are many many more reasons -- come on over to the DS Forum to learn more.  Whatever you decide, make sure you are making an INFORMED decision.

 

here's the link to the DS forum:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/a,messageboard/board_id ,5357/

Thanks for the helpful info.  I didn't realize their was a different forum for the DS-  I'll go there and learn more.  Best of Wishes and Warm Regards

Thanks Pam!  I'll check out the site.

Here's some advantages & disadvantages you might want to consider... http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/cmsID,10208/mode,conte nt/a,cms/ Hope this helps.  Good luck in your decision.  My surgeon was thinking about doing this procedure on me if there were any issues with my intestines when he got in there.  I begged him not to as the information that I had read said that  in most cases it was the first step of weight loss surgeries as it was used to reduce the BMI some to be able to more safely do the RNY for more sustainable weight loss.  I only wanted to go through this once. Let us know what you decide.