VSG on Cascade Stomach - Good News!

Well, VSGers, despite a momentary pre-surgery panic attack (calmed by my DH), I had successful VSG surgery on my "cascade stomach" last Wednesday and am recuperating well.

For those who don't know, a Cascade Stomach is a relatively rare birth defect in which the stomach is enlarged, misshapen, stretched out and flipped into two sections (bi-lobed). In my case, it was shaped somewhat like a kid's stubby, inflatable baseball bat with the top flipped over and every time I ate, it pushed up into my left diaphragm and made it harder to breath. We think it contributed to GERD and asthma problems and since the VSG removes the excess part of the stomach, we figured the surgery might help those problems as well as the weight loss. Here's what caused my momentary panic...despite extensive research and consulting with docs at an international bariatric conference, my surgeon (Dr Berger) couldn't find another doctor who had ever done this before, so despite his extensive experience, this was a new one for him!

Fortunately, it turned out that the cascade was caused by adhesions which, once removed, left my stomach more normal-shaped and the wonderful Dr. Berger was able to complete a normal VSG. The only real pain I had was in the hospital -- due to the surgical gas in my back. Since I've been home I've only needed pain meds once, and I am on the mend.

-Pat D.

And now the hard work really starts! Fortunately, I am finding marvelous companions for the journey on these pages.

So glad for you surgery went well! Good luck on your new journey!

Wow, that's very interesting! I'm so glad that your surgeon was able to do this and that surgery went well! I wish you a swift recovery.

That's great news! Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Congrats on having the surgery and it going relatively well for you! We look forward to seeing you in the forums!