PLEASE HELP - VSG in Missouri?

Hi all, I had my consult with Dr. Richardson at New Start yesterday and I got totally blind sided. I was there to schedule my lap band surgery for June when school is out (I am a teacher). He recommended that I get the VSG instead of the lap band as I had planned. This is a brand new surgery for the St. Louis New Start program - so new that they have not ever done one yet. The doctor and his nurse Chris could not even give me the cost of it. I am a self pay and was planning on paying $15,000 for the band. The doctor thought the cost would be around $15,000 but the nurse said she thought it would be closer to $23,000. I had a hard enough time coming up with $15,000 muchless $23,000. I don't know what to do now. I feel like my life has been in limbo or on hold waiting to have this life changing surgery and now my plan is blown to bits. The VSG seems so radical (having the majority of my stomach permanently removed???). Dr. Richardson really seemed to think that I would do better with a VSG. I am 38 years old, I am 5' 7" and I weigh 380. Can anyone in Missouri give me some advice. I am willing to travel outside of Missouri to get the best surgery at the best price but I will not have surgery in another country. Have any of you had a VSG in Missouri? Somewhere else? How much did it cost? Who did it? Are you happy? Regrets? Please help. I am feeling very alone and paralyzed. Thanks, Anna G. in St. Louis

Anna, I wasn't familiar with VSG so I Googled it and although I didn't spend alot of time with it I did read some differences from VSG and RNY. It appears that with VSG the larger portion of the stomach is not just cut free but is completely removed. I don't know why that would be better but your Doctor might be able to explain that to you. I also noted that your lower pyloric valve would still be intact so your new banana shaped stomach would empty more like always. I saw bypassed intestines so the malabsorption of nutrients would probably be the same as RNY. You need to do some research on your own. There seems to me to be a huge difference between VSG, RNY and banding. With the amount you have to lose I would think that with the band it would take you at least two years. RNY is faster but there is more of a life-style change because of dumping on carbs. I don't know about that with VSG. Read every-thing you can find about all surgeries. There are forums on Obesity Help main page for every type of surgery, just click on FORUMS. I know cost is a huge consideration but first decide on what surgery you actually want and what will work best for you and they start shopping prices. You can't compare apples with oranges. Good luck, you are doing a research paper for yourself!!! Hugs, Lana

Hello Anna, I had my VSG on April 23 2007. I am very pleased with the Surgeon and everything that went with it. My Surgeon is Phillip Hornbostel in Sedalia Mo. I was like you, thought I wanted the lap band but after talking with Dr. H. He suggested the VSG for me due to my co morbities and my age. I am 67 years young, wt 273. I did not want to have the RNY because I did not want to re route anything. I wanted something more natural. I have lost 37 pounds so far, that does include the 2 weeks of slim fast diet I had to go on before surgery. (lost 12#) It really wasn't that bad and I was not hungry. My hospital bill was 17,000 and I think my Surgeon is 3,500. I haven't got his bill yet so I may be off a little. I have no regrets doing this surgery, I am already off my diabetes medicine and my celebrex for arthritis. I have stopped snoring so that has helped my sleep apnea. My husband is sooooo happy. Check out Dr. Hornbostel on this site and go to one of his seminars. You will be impressed. Good Luck, Ginger

Anna I am sorry that you was so disappointed when you went to your consult with Dr. Richards. I had VGS on April 24th of 2006 and sweetie I would do it all over again in a heart beat once a year for the rest of my life if I had too. I have had ZERO problems from the VGS. I dont have the problems with dumping, I dont go thro the massive hair loss, I AM NEVER HUNGRY!!! Yes, they took out part of my stomach but the part they took out had the sensor in that that tells your brain "I'm Hungry"!! i eat only because I know I need to in order to get my protein in. I had lost a total of 246lbs. I a 4 lbs from my goal and half the person I was when I started this journey. Please feel free to go to my profile and check out my photos and read my bloggs. If you have any questions drop me an email. I will answer anything you send my way. I will pray that you make a decision that is RIGHT FOR YOU!!! Your in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless Mel

Did the doctor just sugest the surgery or did he say that was the only one he would do? When you have any treatment done, the ultimate decision is yours. Tell the doctor your feelings about this, and research it also. These other girls seem to have done real well. Everyone handles procedures differently. This might just be the thing for you, but only you can decide that.