VSG Regrets?

"blond" is spelled "blonde". 

I think you don't know what you are talking about.

You do realize you will only malabsorb for a couple of years, right?  Then at the end of two years you'll absorb fat and calories again.

But an expert like yourself would know that.

You heard incorrectly.  That is something that some DS people spread around, but it isn't true.  In fact, the 3-5 year studies show that weight regain with the VSG is lower by far than with the RnY, the band or the DS.

You also do not have dumping, no chronic diarrhea, no gas problems, etc.

The fact is that many people that were scheduled for the DS, do not bother to have the 2nd procedure done, because they lose adequately with only the sleeve.

I am a 65 y/o male, who weighed 360 pounds on the day of surgery.   I walk for exercise, just walk.  No other exercise at all.  I eat anything I feel like eating, including ice cream, chocolate candy, fried foods, baked goods, regular cereal, etc., etc.  I just eat small amounts of those things, and not very often.  I also enjoy salads, raw vegies, you name it and I can and do eat it.  I had Calamari the other night, Yummmmm.

I take vitamnis daily (a multi-vitamin, Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D, a B-Complex, and fiber tablets).

I have lost 136.5 pounds in just over 9 months, and it's been EASY.  I can still only eat about 1/2-3/4 of a cup at any one time (the more solid it is, the less I can eat).

At the program where I had my syrgery, they have been tracking all of the sleeve (VSG) patients, and have yet to see anyone that stays on a reasonable diet plan regain much weight. 

Those that force down food (and you have to to overeat, and it is a horribly uncomfortable feeling), and *****fuse to follow a reasonable diet, do regain weight.  But, they have done it to themselves.

There are all kinds or rumors going around about the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  Most of them are by surgeons that have absolutely no experience with it; or are by patients with other forms of surgery that are spreading around "the old wives tales".

If you want the true story about the VSG, I would suggest that you contact;  The Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

And no, I do not work there, and have nobody in my family that does.  I am just very, very pleased with my sleeve, and I credit that program with literally restoring my life to me.

I am in the process of having VSG with Dr. Aceves.  I had the lap-band and hated it.  Anyway, I chose VSG because you do not have to worry about the malabsorption factor.  For me, I do not want to have to take tons of vitamins daily.  Heck, I forget to take my birth control pill.  LOL  The good think for me is if...if I do gain weight back in the future, then I can always get the DS.  Good luck with your choice. 

Hi Deb - I'm scheduled for my VSG with Dr. Jossart at LapSF on Nov. 12th so I came to this message board for the same reasons you did.  I have a lower BMI (@33.5 or so) and decided that I did not want to risk the malabsorption and go through the possible dumping from RNY and other complications.   Dr. Jossart felt that the VSG was the best choice for me as well.   I decided I just don't want to lose my pyloric valve. The results they are seeing is that VSG is more often than not just as successful as an RNY.  He said some surgeons just don't make the sleeve small enough.  I believe Dr. Alverez has had a lot of success so he seems to know what he is doing.   And I do understand that I have to change my life style but I usually am a healthy eater and not a snacker and I enjoy working out so I think I am hoping this will be just what I need to help me control my hunger.  But I am self -pay as I am sure you are and it is going to cost me 17K - ouch!  So I will be really disappointed in if I am not successful - but that is even more motivation to keep me inline.

My sister recently had the RNY and she decided that she needed the restriction on eating sweets and high fats so felt that was the best solution for her.  To each their own.  I have read many success stories and some struggles with both surgeries.  I think you have to just be prepared to watch what you eat so as not to sabotage it.  Best of luck on your surgery, I look forward to hearing how you are doing.

I appreciate all of your answers and will continue to check back to see the different opinions on the subject.

thank you all and GOD bless =)

Hi Deb,

I love the VSG. I am 7 months out and I am a revision from having a lapband for 5 years to the sleeve now. the sleeve is so much easier than the band and I am thrilled with my progress. I would never consider the RNY because I dont need malabsorption to get me to goal. I am already at 85% EWL and expect to lose 100% of my excess weight in the next few months. Considering I started with a BMI of 54 and now sit at 28.6 and losing two pounds a week still I am very happy. Can you tell I am happy??

Babs

Yes, I can! =)

My BMI is where yours used to be. I just hope I'm able to get down to at least 180, 330 now @  5'7". I just don't want to be disappointed because of being self pay and it's all the money I got! I want the weight gone and I don't want any of it back!

Congrats on your loss (((HUGZ)))

Hi,

I'm contemplating the sleeve and was wondering how you are doing with it and if you are still happy with your results. I also curious about what size sleeve you have. Would you mind sharing? I'm debating whether to get sleeve or DS. I'm leaning towards DS bca i have 150 lbs to lose -bmi of 54-but am curious about the sleeve. Would love to hear about your experience.

Actually someone asked me yesterday why I chose the sleeve, and I can tell you the same thing...
My options were the band, the vsg, and the rny.  I have seen a lot of stuff about the ds on here though too.  Basically the choice was easy for me.  After learning that there were other options the idea of putting the band in my body was a no go.  Plus I had heard all the things that could go wrong with it (slippage, erosion, fills, unfills, etc).  The rny, and the ds as well, seem to have faster weight loss, but the malnutrition issues down the road were very off putting to me.  I didn't want to trade one set of health problems for another.  Also, with the DS, I have seen the amount of food they have to eat to maintain their weight, and it is more than I ate pre-vsg.  I didn't want to get wls just to eat more crap.  So to me the vsg seemed perfect- let my body continue to function as intended, but give me the edge I need to eat a lot less and lose weight. 
I am doing great, I lost 14 pounds in two weeks and I am able to eat and drink without problems.  The protein shakes are pretty nasty, but I only have to put up with them for another two weeks and then I can start getting all my protein from food (when I can start eating chicken again- my fav food).