vsg

Anyone had the vsg? I am considering getting the surgery - I went to the nutrition class yesterday. -It was 100% in french so I only understood like 2%. Which makes me even more nervous about having a surgery in a french hospital.
But the really question I have is once you have the surgery and they remove the hormone gland do you no longer feel hungry at any time?

Thanks,
Amy

Hi, I had the vsg on feb 2 2010. at Sacré-Coeur. They do not remove any gland, but the part of the stomach that makes grehlin, the hunger hormon. But they say that the hormone can come back, or come from the brain also. For me, in the first 2 months, I wasn't really hungry, I had to force me to eat. Gradually, the hunger came back, but not like before. It is a real hunger, like a cramp in the stomach when I haven't eat in a while. I just then eat a little amount, and I feel full. There is also "head hunger" that's when I just want to eat something that seems good, but I am not really hungry. The best thing about VSG is that you can eat a little of a great variety of food, but you are easily satisfied with so little and don't need to eat more.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have...

Hi,

I just wanted to add that I'm not even 2 weeks out. And I notice a difference already, I don't feel hungry. And today we went to a bbq and didn't even miss having the food they were all eating.

Cindy

I didn't have the vsg but I just wanted to welcome you to the board. Ask away any questions we are a great bunch and very supportive! Good luck in your quest!

Hi Amy,
Welcome to the board. I am still waiting for surgery same as you and your girlfriend. I have asked this question too and I've read it time and time before. People can't really understand it until it's been done. Like a couple people on here have said before, you just don't see food the same way anymore. I can't wait for that day to come.

Derek

Thanks Derek - have you been waiting long?  It seems that things are moving a bit too quickly for me as I only say the Dr in March and already had the nutrition class - I was expecting to wait for awhile in between each step. I now have to call and set up an appointment with the dietitian. I am going to call her tomorrow.

Hi Amy! I've been waiting a little bit more than a year now. For me, I don't mind the wait but if the surgeon would have called me a month after my consult I would have been so excited. Think of it this way, the sooner you get the surgery, the sooner you will be on track for a healthier and better you! I know a bunch of people who would be willing to trade places with you right now. It may be scary but it is the right decision. We are here for you! 

Yup, I asked the same question too - and nope, you can't understand until you're on the other side.  Like without hunger (can't speak for those who still have it), I don't really crave things like I used to.  I may WANT chocolate or sushi or McDonald's, but I'm not consumed by thoughts of (fill in the blank) all day.  

One of the ways I explained it to my Mom, is: let's say you know you're going out to your favorite restaurant tonight.  And you always have the same dish because you love it that much.  So when you know you're going, the anticipation (and craving) builds all day, and you can almost taste it.  And when you finally have it, it's like a nicotine fix, or that soothing glass of wine after a hard day - it really hits the spot.

Since surgery, I think about it, move on, get there, enjoy what I'm eating but don't obsess all day anymore.  Which, to a certain degree is a teeny bit of a letdown, not having the anticipation build, then the pay off.  But then again, not being obsessed or NEEDING a certain food is pretty damn cool too :)

Which isn't to say head hunger goes away - it doesn't, but most of the time, I find it a LOT easier to manage.  And sometimes I just give in, I try to just make sure that I factor it in to my daily calories.

Hi Everyone, thanks for all the info. It is a big desicion and I have no idea of what it is that is going to help me make up my mind. I have looked at some before and after photos and everyone looks great.

Hey Amy, it is not a easy decision, everyone has his or her own reasons... I think I'll start a post about why we choose surgery. Maybe it will help you!