You want irony? I'll give you irony...
Ok, so some of you know I have been on the waiting list in Halifax since 2001. Two Thousand One!!!!!! I went through the consult with Dr. MacDonald, who has since retired, the Dr. Bonjer took over and then the NS government put a halt on WLS.... and now the clinic is up and running again.
When I got the call from Dr. B. for a consult in December, I called the Halifax clinic to see where I was on the list. She said that there were still a lot of people in front of me, and that if I had a chance to do it in NB, I should go ahead and do it.
So, that's what I have done. Only today, I got a phone call asking if I was planning on attending the Info session on Feb. 17 in Halifax!!! She said I hadn't replied to the invitation. That's because I NEVER GOT ONE!
So, dilemma. It would be SO much better to have surgery and follow up locally as opposed to Moncton (2.5 hrs. away), but they ONLY do the VSG in Halifax. I have just started researching it,and I don't think it's for me. All sources on the internet say that it's a 'first step' for those who weigh over 500 lbs, to get them to a healthier weight so that they can have further surgery (such as RNY)., or, if you have Crohn's or other intestinal issues, because they don't reroute the intestine.
So, neither of these apply to me. Info also reported that there is a higher chance of little weight lost, or regained than other surgeries. That sucks! The only benefit I see, other than the distance, is that the morbidity rate is .025% as opposed to 2% for RNY. Other than that, I think the RNY is superior, for me. My plan is to forge ahead with Dr. B, but go to the Info session here to at least learn about the procedure.
Thanks for letting me rant. If you'd like to chime in and give me your thoughts, I'd appreciate it. It never rains, but it pours!
When I got the call from Dr. B. for a consult in December, I called the Halifax clinic to see where I was on the list. She said that there were still a lot of people in front of me, and that if I had a chance to do it in NB, I should go ahead and do it.
So, that's what I have done. Only today, I got a phone call asking if I was planning on attending the Info session on Feb. 17 in Halifax!!! She said I hadn't replied to the invitation. That's because I NEVER GOT ONE!
So, dilemma. It would be SO much better to have surgery and follow up locally as opposed to Moncton (2.5 hrs. away), but they ONLY do the VSG in Halifax. I have just started researching it,and I don't think it's for me. All sources on the internet say that it's a 'first step' for those who weigh over 500 lbs, to get them to a healthier weight so that they can have further surgery (such as RNY)., or, if you have Crohn's or other intestinal issues, because they don't reroute the intestine.
So, neither of these apply to me. Info also reported that there is a higher chance of little weight lost, or regained than other surgeries. That sucks! The only benefit I see, other than the distance, is that the morbidity rate is .025% as opposed to 2% for RNY. Other than that, I think the RNY is superior, for me. My plan is to forge ahead with Dr. B, but go to the Info session here to at least learn about the procedure.
Thanks for letting me rant. If you'd like to chime in and give me your thoughts, I'd appreciate it. It never rains, but it pours!
Weight lost since surgery (Oct. 1, 2009): 47 lbs
Hi Suzanne
I can give you some insight on how I came to my surgery choice and what my surgeon told me. And I will preface this with WLS is a personal decision and this is only my opinion and experience.
When I began the journey -I had decided to go for VSG - had studied it and that you could lose more than with the band and more quickly but no as much rerouting as the RNY .....
I also notice that those in Ontario who can not get DS are opting for the VSG route and most DS renegades will promote the VSG rather than an RNY - chk out the Ontario forum and also VSG forum.
Ok so I went to meet with my surgeon in Montreal and told him all my reasons VSG - he walked me thru his reasons for suggesting the RNY over the VSG and it was based on the follow up studies and he said I had a much higher chance of losing the greatest amount of weight and maintaining with the RNY. There was not a conclusive 10 year report convincing him otherwise( that was a year ago - I dont know what exists now)
Long story short - ha never with me - but as you know I had the
RNY.
The statistic that you report on morbidity rate was not that high with RNY for my surgeon in particular - so maybe chk out the surgeons rates rather than an overall statistic.
I chked my surgeons site-
www.weightlosssurgery.ca
His posted stats on RNY were:
-for cases with BMI less than 55 = 0%
- all case gastric bypass death rate=0.4%
One of my biggest concerns was my irritable bowel syndrome and the thought of dumping with RNY. Now I dont think I dump but have not pushed the envelope and hey as you read the other day if I poop I have a party! LOL
What I did not consider enough I personally believe is the no NSAIDS with RNY - I was convinced all my problems would go away with weight loss cause that is what I was always told - you have xyz because of your weight - however I am 125lbs lighter but am still having back issues but for the first 6 months my back was fine..... so I am hoping its like a lot of people suggest and it is to do with the difference of weight distribution now that I have lost and a lot of people experience
back problems and need some alignments and readjustments done.
So study and research girly - you are certainly wise to go to the info session on VSG and ask those surgeons - what studies they show to indicate the long term results.
Maybe post a question on VSG who changed their mind from RNY to having VSG... its great to hear what others have discovered or experienced to put into your research.
And does anything surprise you with our healthcare system..... first ya cant get WLS and now they are offering you two!
hugs
deb
I can give you some insight on how I came to my surgery choice and what my surgeon told me. And I will preface this with WLS is a personal decision and this is only my opinion and experience.
When I began the journey -I had decided to go for VSG - had studied it and that you could lose more than with the band and more quickly but no as much rerouting as the RNY .....
I also notice that those in Ontario who can not get DS are opting for the VSG route and most DS renegades will promote the VSG rather than an RNY - chk out the Ontario forum and also VSG forum.
Ok so I went to meet with my surgeon in Montreal and told him all my reasons VSG - he walked me thru his reasons for suggesting the RNY over the VSG and it was based on the follow up studies and he said I had a much higher chance of losing the greatest amount of weight and maintaining with the RNY. There was not a conclusive 10 year report convincing him otherwise( that was a year ago - I dont know what exists now)
Long story short - ha never with me - but as you know I had the
RNY.
The statistic that you report on morbidity rate was not that high with RNY for my surgeon in particular - so maybe chk out the surgeons rates rather than an overall statistic.
I chked my surgeons site-
www.weightlosssurgery.ca
His posted stats on RNY were:
-for cases with BMI less than 55 = 0%
- all case gastric bypass death rate=0.4%
One of my biggest concerns was my irritable bowel syndrome and the thought of dumping with RNY. Now I dont think I dump but have not pushed the envelope and hey as you read the other day if I poop I have a party! LOL
What I did not consider enough I personally believe is the no NSAIDS with RNY - I was convinced all my problems would go away with weight loss cause that is what I was always told - you have xyz because of your weight - however I am 125lbs lighter but am still having back issues but for the first 6 months my back was fine..... so I am hoping its like a lot of people suggest and it is to do with the difference of weight distribution now that I have lost and a lot of people experience
back problems and need some alignments and readjustments done.
So study and research girly - you are certainly wise to go to the info session on VSG and ask those surgeons - what studies they show to indicate the long term results.
Maybe post a question on VSG who changed their mind from RNY to having VSG... its great to hear what others have discovered or experienced to put into your research.
And does anything surprise you with our healthcare system..... first ya cant get WLS and now they are offering you two!
hugs
deb
STARTING 2010 WITH A BANG! 160 LBS LOST!
WLS JOURNEY: HW-292/SW-273/CW-132-GOAL 125LBS
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT - ME - 132 LBS ! omg
- Happy to be Brenda B's angel !
Thanks for your thoughts, Deb. I think the thing I'm clinging to is the greatest amount of weight lost and best hope for keeping it off. And I don't have any issues I'd have to take regular NSAIDs for. I realize some may develop, of course. It's too bad about your arthritis.
If you had to do it again, would you change your mind?
If you had to do it again, would you change your mind?
Weight lost since surgery (Oct. 1, 2009): 47 lbs
Hard question........ with my complications that I had post op I have
yet to say out loud - I love my RNY like I see so many post ops say
and how they would do it again tomorrow...... now dont get me
wrong I love that 125lbs is gone- I love I feel better and look healthier
- and so many of my co-morbidities are history.
That being said I did want surgery to be laproscopically and that
was not an option with DS for the doctors I discussed it with- but
I do see a lot of success stories with DS and they do not have to
worry about the NSAIDS. However I could not imagine taking anymore supplements than I already take each day.
The part of more malabsorption with DS than the RNY does concern
me as I have battled anemia and other problems since my surgery.
Another reason I liked the VSG is no malabsorption problems.
So I dont have buyers remorse and would have WLS again in a minute..... whether I would now do RNY again and dont get me wrong I am on
target and this lil pouch rocks- but I ponder it a lot - again it is such
a personal decision-
Suzanne in reality you are not comparing apples to apples - one is
totally a restrictive surgery (VSG) and the other operates on
restrictive and malabsorption components (RNY)-
So your really have to focus on your your eating habits generally a
surgeon will not recommend a restrictive surgery for a person that
is a grazer - you will always be able to consume calories and high
liquid calories without physical problems - well you wont lose weight
but you cant dump with a restrictive surgery and yes many RNY
people will not be dumpers or will eventually pass that phase.
However during this honeymoon phase as they call the first 12 months -
I am retraining myself to eat smaller portions and also healty choices.
If I choose something that is not pouch friendly I do stand the chance of dumping.
I have been lucky and 8 months out I still am not hungry
and have no cravings - food is simply fuel - I make sure I eat good
choices and get the most nutrition bang for my buck when I make
a choice. I dont want something that does not serve a purpose in
my daily requirements - some people can not live with these
restrictions nor do they want to. Thats why having options for WLS
is so important - finding the one that will work for you.
Keep researching it will come to you and you will know you
have chosen the right surgery for Suzanne.
hugs
deb
yet to say out loud - I love my RNY like I see so many post ops say
and how they would do it again tomorrow...... now dont get me
wrong I love that 125lbs is gone- I love I feel better and look healthier
- and so many of my co-morbidities are history.
That being said I did want surgery to be laproscopically and that
was not an option with DS for the doctors I discussed it with- but
I do see a lot of success stories with DS and they do not have to
worry about the NSAIDS. However I could not imagine taking anymore supplements than I already take each day.
The part of more malabsorption with DS than the RNY does concern
me as I have battled anemia and other problems since my surgery.
Another reason I liked the VSG is no malabsorption problems.
So I dont have buyers remorse and would have WLS again in a minute..... whether I would now do RNY again and dont get me wrong I am on
target and this lil pouch rocks- but I ponder it a lot - again it is such
a personal decision-
Suzanne in reality you are not comparing apples to apples - one is
totally a restrictive surgery (VSG) and the other operates on
restrictive and malabsorption components (RNY)-
So your really have to focus on your your eating habits generally a
surgeon will not recommend a restrictive surgery for a person that
is a grazer - you will always be able to consume calories and high
liquid calories without physical problems - well you wont lose weight
but you cant dump with a restrictive surgery and yes many RNY
people will not be dumpers or will eventually pass that phase.
However during this honeymoon phase as they call the first 12 months -
I am retraining myself to eat smaller portions and also healty choices.
If I choose something that is not pouch friendly I do stand the chance of dumping.
I have been lucky and 8 months out I still am not hungry
and have no cravings - food is simply fuel - I make sure I eat good
choices and get the most nutrition bang for my buck when I make
a choice. I dont want something that does not serve a purpose in
my daily requirements - some people can not live with these
restrictions nor do they want to. Thats why having options for WLS
is so important - finding the one that will work for you.
Keep researching it will come to you and you will know you
have chosen the right surgery for Suzanne.
hugs
deb
STARTING 2010 WITH A BANG! 160 LBS LOST!
WLS JOURNEY: HW-292/SW-273/CW-132-GOAL 125LBS
WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT - ME - 132 LBS ! omg
- Happy to be Brenda B's angel !
Hi Suzanne, I assume you are from halifax or close by. I decided to go the Moncton route because I didn't want VSG 2.5 hours is not that bad. It wasn't so great on dec 22 in a snow storm but how often will I have to go in a snow storm. I only went cause I really really wanted my first fill. It's not that bad. You have to go 6 or 7 times in the first year and then after that, once a year or so. I love my band, and my doctor and don't mind the drive. It's up to you but I'm happy with my choice...no regrets !!!! Patsy
HW/SW/CW/GW
362/305/250.6/160 (54.4 since surgery)
1st Fill Dec22 4cc's * 2nd fill May 14 1cc = 5 ccs * 3rd (un)fill June 5 .5cc = 4.5 ccs *4th fill July 8 2cc=6.5cc, unfill of 1cc sept 09 = 5.5cc; Nov 8 fill of 1.5 =7ccs
Hey Suzanne, I will be at the info session on the 17th so I hope to meet you there. I was scheduled for the one in October, but I had to be out of province. I was only referred in September although I was on Dr. MacDonalds list for 2 years before I even found out he retired.
I think alot of improvements have to be made in this system as it seem a bit unorganized. I too have researched the VSG and for me it is the only option. I have to loose 100lbs. My bmi is 43 and I am 5 feet tall. I do not eat sweets but I do eat monstrous portions. I am hoping this surgery will control how much I eat not so much what I eat. That is what I liked about it. Anyhow, I will see you on the 17th with bells on. Hey, that is nex Wednesday. A trip to Petes Fruitique for me. Yeah! I only get to Halifax a few times a year for shopping. See you then. Chow, Sugarbear
I think alot of improvements have to be made in this system as it seem a bit unorganized. I too have researched the VSG and for me it is the only option. I have to loose 100lbs. My bmi is 43 and I am 5 feet tall. I do not eat sweets but I do eat monstrous portions. I am hoping this surgery will control how much I eat not so much what I eat. That is what I liked about it. Anyhow, I will see you on the 17th with bells on. Hey, that is nex Wednesday. A trip to Petes Fruitique for me. Yeah! I only get to Halifax a few times a year for shopping. See you then. Chow, Sugarbear
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