Convincing the Dr for VSG?

So, my family dr just sent in a referral for Surgery for me, so my journey has not started yet, but... I am convinced that VSG is what I want, not RNY. I know in Ontario they will perform VSG if your surgeon agrees it would be better for you. I'm wondering for VSGers how did they decide that it was best for you? 

I have irritable bowel syndrome, and my father has diverticulitis, which I know is one of the "family history" factors they might look into. I'm from an adoptive family though (my dad was adopted and refuses to learn anything about his birth family) so outside of him I know little about my family history. Is this something I can use as leverage (for lack of a better term) to convince my dr that VSG would be the right choice? 

TIA! ?

I had RNY. It is not that easy for vsg. Are you taking steroids? Just ibs is not an automatic vsg. You will need to do your research and go prepared with your aurguments to support why you need vsg.

Those with really high BMI may qualify for vsg as a first step.

I suffered for years with IBS-D and took Celebrex for years for my back. I brought a small binder with at least 50 pages of studies that supported my reason for wanting VSG. Even after strictly following Optifast for three weeks my liver shrunk very little, had excessive scar tissue and a stomach that had adhered itself to my liver after a previous open gall bladder surgery... Over four hours of being in the OR I still came out with an RNY. Don't be surprised if the doctor doesn't take into account your preference. I take prednisone several times a year due to lung issues (a steriod) and am forced to double up on Prevacid and chance getting an ulcer.  The one good thing since surgery is that my IBS stopped immediately after and my intense heartburn that I've been on meds for over 25 years for, is far more manageable. After having a scope post op at TWH, a surgeon told me that for the most part, those post op produce little stomach acid in their post, I'm one of the few that produce enough to require Prevacid daily to keep the acid/discomfort under control. My health is far worse now than back then (weight loss aside). If I knew then what I know now, I would have fought harder for VSG, considered self pay elsewhere or not had surgery at all - but this alone is my own opinion. 

Hello, I find your post interesting. I'm currently on Opti and scheduled for surgery My 25th. I have no co-morbid's but my surgeon said he will do either VSG or RNY it's up to me but he sort of sold me on RNY. He first said the regular stuff "it's the gold standard, more successful in losing a large amount of weight, lots of data to support it's success, etc" but he also said that VSG carries higher risk of leak and often times the leak doesn't heal or doesn't heal properly. His recommendation was RNY. 

Could you elaborate on why you wouldn't do it again if you knew then what you know now?

Thanks

Nikki

Dr Klein told me all the same stuff   I had the RNY on April 13th.   The sleeve does seem to carry more serious risks and higher risk of regain 

Congrats on having your surgery and being on the losers bench - I'm counting down! How did your surgery go if you don't mind me asking? How was the hospital stay? What did you pack? Any tips or tidbits of info you'd be willing to share? LOL :)

Thanks!

Nikki

My surgery went well, I was in the hospital for just over 24 hours.   I didn't use anything I packed except my slippers and my clothes to go home.  Oh my toothbrush.  After surgery I didn't move basically all night. My surgery was in the afternoon 3ish.   And the next morning I walked a bit    I was able to tolerate water and full fluids ( oat meal and cream of chicken soup) so I went home.    I did not have a lot of pain once the gas started moving   

Hope your journey is as easy as mine has been :-)   dr Klein is great 

Congrats on your referral :) Looking back it's been a long journey but I guess it's gone by pretty quick now that it's here - I have surgery on May 25th!

When I started this journey I was adamant I wanted VSG - I don't have any co-morbid's and spent a lot of time making a case for myself. The main reason I wanted VSG was I didn't like the idea of my guts being rearranged - I sort of felt it was against the natural way we're made as humans and that bothered me (it was a mental thing).

I came to accept that I wouldn't be granted VSG (mostly based on what I read here and on the bariatric network site) and was convinced I'd been getting RNY. To my surprise at my surgeon's appointment I said that I wanted VSG but realized I didn't qualify and he responded by saying he'd do VSG if I wanted - it was up to me. I haven't decided for sure but he did recommend the RNY over the VSG - explained that the complications post op are higher for VSG when it comes to risk of leaks and often if there is a leak they don't heal. 

You may not have to fight for VSG as hard as you may think depending on your surgeon. Good luck on your journey!

Nikki

Thanks for the reply! I hope that I can discuss it fully with my doc when the time comes...I feel the same way about not wanting my insides rearranged. I know its a mental thing but I feel pretty strongly about VSG based on all the cases I've seen. I hope the process goes quick for me, but who knows...

Id love to keep updated on your surgery and everything, good luck on the 25th! ? 

I likely won't tell you anything you don't already know through your research and what you will hear at orientation. My timeline is below. Probably the longest wait for me was between orientation and hearing from HRRH on my first appointment - it felt like forever! I wondered at one point if they forgot about me lol. Do as much research as you can and work on anything you think needs attention now. Also, you may want to schedule a sleep test but don't do it too early or they will make you redo it. Probably in about 6 months or so would be good. 

Good luck and I look forward to following your journey as well! :)