Is 300 lbs possible to lose with VSG?

Hello everyone!

I am working towards having weight loss surgery next year.  I am conflicted about what procedure to have done, though.  I currently weigh 427 pounds and have to lose 27 before my surgeon will perform the sleeve gastrectomy.  If I want the RNY procedure, I'd have to lose 77 pounds.  I was told at my psych eval, by the psychiatrist, that I wouldn't lose weight quickly nor would I lose as much with the sleeve as I would with the RNY.  Even though, while at the weight loss surgery seminar, they said the weight loss would be comparable. 

I'm leaning towards the sleeve, because then I can have surgery sooner.  That and I'm not too keen on having my intestines rerouted.  I'm just scared that I won't be able to lose enough weight to be at a healthy BMI with the sleeve.  I was told insurance companies will only cover one weight loss surgery in your lifetime.  So, if later, I wanted to be revised to a RNY, I would have to pay out of pocket.  Not too keen on that, either.  I don't know for sure.  I'm trying to research more about the sleeve and find out from others who have had the sleeve done how they are doing.

If anyone can help me, I'd appreciate it!

Thank you!

~Tina

Choose the surgery that fits your lifestyle best.  Do your research and decide from that.  YOU can lose any amount of weight - if you work your "tool"  --- each WLS has it's upsides and it's downside.  You just have to decide 

I started with the LapBand in 2008 and I was told by my insurance and my friends that I was making the worst choice ever.  I was bound and determined to lose weight.  The Band worked for me and I lost over 270lbs.  About 9 weeks ago, I revised to the Sleeve, because I still felt RNY was too drastic.  I really didn't want to deal with malabsorption for the rest of my life.  I also didn't want a blind stomach left there or a pouch.  I wanted a purely restrictive procedure because with the LapBand that is what i had and I was successful.

I have seen people here weight more than you and have lost with the Sleeve.  It is comparable.  I just met a woman today who has lost 100lbs in 4.5 months.  She follows the rules and she does what she is supposed to do.  She's at the gym every morning. 

I weighed 488 when I started this journey, my life has changed dramatically with my weight loss.  Make you decision, follow the rules and be ready for a new norm!

Thank you!  :)

Yes, it's possible. :)  I can think of at least one "triple century" loser here, and many others that are close. 

 

But..have you considered the DS?  If you feel you need malabsorption this is (in my opinion) a better option for many over RNY, especially ones with a higher starting weight.   Not every surgeon preforms the DS, though.  I see you are in Wisconsin, and I know that they preform the DS at the Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin (http://www.bariatricwi.com/) It's near Milwaukee.   If your surgeon is only giving you two options, you may want to explore getting another opinion just so that you can have as many options as possible.  The DS board here is also a great resource.

 

Good luck to you!  You can be a success no matter what surgery you choose, but take you time and choose wisely!

Thank you!  I never knew what the DS was, but I checked out that site.  I'm not fond of malabsorption, but have been told that I would lose more weight with that type of surgery.  I have been thinking about it and am leaning towards the sleeve after being reassured that you can lose the weight I need to with this 'tool.'  :)

The sleeve can be converted to a DS - the DS has the same (sometimes slightly larger) sleeve stomach plus the intestinal re-routing.  If you found the sleeve wasn't "enough" to get you to your goals, you could always do the DS later --- although I've heard the DS is most effective when done all at once.   If you are curious to learn more about the DS, this website is very helpful (and very pro-DS, FYI!) http://www.dsfacts.com/

 

I didn't want the malabsorption either, though... I was slightly anemic before WLS, with lots of iron supplements, so I didn't need malabsoprtion working against me in that department too!

Good luck - you are so wise to be considering all your options!   That a good sign of a future success story! I'm sure you'll kick butt no matter what you choose.   :)

Thank you for all of your helpful links!  I have iron anemia, myself.  Thanks for the support and encouragement, also!  :)

My surgeon said for DS they first do a sleeve...then wait a year before finishing with the DS portion. Is this is standard procedure...u may lose fine with sleeve and not need DS. But if needed, you'd possibly already have approval for the rest of it. There's a DS site on this board, you should check it out. Best wishes.

Your surgeon is wrong about that. Most DS surgeons prefer to do the whole DS in one operation, and when cir****tances make a two-part procedure necessary, they really like to do the second half within six months or so. It's just plain more effective done this way. Who is the surgeon who told you this?

Thank you, I'll check it out!  :)