Re-Thinking VSG
No problem -- I just wanted you to be aware!
I know someone who had the DS with Dr. Hares over 8 years ago. She is doing very well; very healthy. You can catch her almost daily on the Food & Fitness thread on the DS board, her name is Jillian, and her moniker is Kennedy12.
I know of others that have used Dr. Hares to revise an original WLS that didn't work out for them to a DS, and have not heard anything negative about him. I believe he only does his surgeries open. That wasn't something I was interested in, although I did know that my lap procedure could end up open once in the OR. I know a lot of people that had their WLS open, it just was something I wanted to avoid.
Also, traveling for WLS can seem daunting pre-op. I would have considered proximately to the surgeon a priority pre-op. Now that I am post-op, I can tell you honestly that it isn't a big deal. MANY people travel out of state, and even go out of the country (Mexico, Brazil, Spain) in order to get the surgery they WANT / NEED, and have no issues. I haven't seen my surgeon since he wheeled me into the OR! So if lap is something you are looking into, Dr. Kemmeter is only 2.5 hours from you.
Take your time figuring out what will work for you and how you want to live your life post-op. Let me know if you have any questions about the DS post-op life!
I know someone who had the DS with Dr. Hares over 8 years ago. She is doing very well; very healthy. You can catch her almost daily on the Food & Fitness thread on the DS board, her name is Jillian, and her moniker is Kennedy12.
I know of others that have used Dr. Hares to revise an original WLS that didn't work out for them to a DS, and have not heard anything negative about him. I believe he only does his surgeries open. That wasn't something I was interested in, although I did know that my lap procedure could end up open once in the OR. I know a lot of people that had their WLS open, it just was something I wanted to avoid.
Also, traveling for WLS can seem daunting pre-op. I would have considered proximately to the surgeon a priority pre-op. Now that I am post-op, I can tell you honestly that it isn't a big deal. MANY people travel out of state, and even go out of the country (Mexico, Brazil, Spain) in order to get the surgery they WANT / NEED, and have no issues. I haven't seen my surgeon since he wheeled me into the OR! So if lap is something you are looking into, Dr. Kemmeter is only 2.5 hours from you.
Take your time figuring out what will work for you and how you want to live your life post-op. Let me know if you have any questions about the DS post-op life!
~ I am the proud wife of a Guatemalan, but most people call me Kimberley
Highest Known Weight = 370# / 59.7 bmi @ 5'6"
Current Weight = 168# / 26.4 bmi : fluctuates 5# either way @ 5'7" / more than 90% EWL
Normal BMI (24.9) = 159#: would have to compromise my muscle mass to get here without plastics, so this is not a goal.
I 
my DS. Don't go into WLS without knowing ALL of your options: DSFacts.com
I had my DS done open and healed beautifully. The wound was all closed by ten days out and never looked back. It was my third abdominal procedure and my belly was a mess of scars and adhesions, so I wound up with an incision almost double the usual length.
Later I developed an incisional hernia. That made my tummy tuck more affordable :-). (Never let it be said that I grinned at the thought of a TT. That surgery was a bugger. But the hernia repair did indeed help the bottom line $$$.)
Later I developed an incisional hernia. That made my tummy tuck more affordable :-). (Never let it be said that I grinned at the thought of a TT. That surgery was a bugger. But the hernia repair did indeed help the bottom line $$$.)
I started out with a BMI of 73 when I got my Sleeve. For me, this was the right choice, but everyone has to make up thier own mind as to which surgery to get. Its a very personal choice and u must do ur research and talk to as many people as u can.
After I decided on the Sleeve.. I got so many emails from people who were literally outraged that I would choose the Sleeve since I had so much weight to lose.. It was really upsetting. But I stuck to my instincts and they were right.
Its been 11months now and Im hoping to reach 100 lbs lost by tomorrow, my weekly weigh in.
I could have lost more by now... but losing slower is much healthier. I dont know if I will lose absolutely all the weight I want to lose.. with my health problems and age, its much harder. But I know I chose the right surgery.
Im so glad that I didnt choose a different surgery.
After I decided on the Sleeve.. I got so many emails from people who were literally outraged that I would choose the Sleeve since I had so much weight to lose.. It was really upsetting. But I stuck to my instincts and they were right.
Its been 11months now and Im hoping to reach 100 lbs lost by tomorrow, my weekly weigh in.
I could have lost more by now... but losing slower is much healthier. I dont know if I will lose absolutely all the weight I want to lose.. with my health problems and age, its much harder. But I know I chose the right surgery.
Im so glad that I didnt choose a different surgery.
Thank you, I'm taking in everyone's arguments. But I will sit down and discuss it with my husband and the surgeon and I will then make my decision and I will let everyone know what I decide. Thanks to everyone for their input- I truly appreciate all the info and first hand info.
-Adrienne
-Adrienne
Adrienne W.
Adrienne,
I wish you the best of luck. In the end you need to decide on the surgery YOU and your family can live with. All surgeries come with risks and there are possible side affects to each. It's your life so take your time and be comfortable with your decision. Ask a lot of questions and research until you know in your heart what is right for you.
I startedd out with a very high BMI and after my one-year anniversary no I'm not in the "normal" range, far from it. Do I regret the choice I made? NO, but that's because this is the surgery myself and my DB can live with. Will I make the choice to revise to the RNY or DS? I can't say for sure, however, right now I'm still losing weight and at peace with my choice. I haven't been the weight I'm at in 17 years...almost half my life. I can do so much more now than even a year ago...I feel great and healthier than I've felt in a long time. Even with the VSG and no malasoption you can end up with vitamine definicences and yes I take quite a few, so don't let that be the determining factor for you. Let's see, I take my multi vitamin (2 chewables), calcium (3 chewables), B complex, B12, and now D as I just found out I'm low. I also take Prilosec now due to my smaller tummy.
If rerouted plumbing and malasorption don't worry you and you feel you'd do better with a more "proven" procedure, go for the RNY or DS. Some may be surprised I say this since I'm happy with the surgery I chose, however, it's not about how happy I am with my surgery, it's about what's best for you.
Remember, the surgeon can only fix our anatomy, they can't fix how we got to be so overweight. I had a group therapy session at my one-year dr. appointments and a gentleman really made me stop and shake my head. He had the RNY and stopped losing at 6 months out. He exercises like crazy and doesn't get why he's not losing weight. He was under the assumption that he didn't need to pay attention to what he ate. We in the group were a little surprised that the man couldn't understand why he wasn't losing weight when he mentioned he drank a 12-pack of diet pop a day and part of his menu from the day before was pizza rolls. He also mentioned he'd been happily married for 33 years and he eats what his wife cooks. He was angry because he didn't want to have to go back on a diet again as that's why he'd had the surgery. First we told him he should have done his research, because if that was his attitude he would have probably done better with the DS. No I don't know a lot about it, other than the fact they are supposed to eat more calories and fat as they malasorb more than the RNY. I think my reason for telling you this is that if you feel you can't "diet" with the help of a smaller stomach, VSG is NOT for you. It takes a lot of willpower and no I don't always succeed in eating what I'm supposed to. Great thing is it's easier for me now to get back on track.
Melinda
I wish you the best of luck. In the end you need to decide on the surgery YOU and your family can live with. All surgeries come with risks and there are possible side affects to each. It's your life so take your time and be comfortable with your decision. Ask a lot of questions and research until you know in your heart what is right for you.
I startedd out with a very high BMI and after my one-year anniversary no I'm not in the "normal" range, far from it. Do I regret the choice I made? NO, but that's because this is the surgery myself and my DB can live with. Will I make the choice to revise to the RNY or DS? I can't say for sure, however, right now I'm still losing weight and at peace with my choice. I haven't been the weight I'm at in 17 years...almost half my life. I can do so much more now than even a year ago...I feel great and healthier than I've felt in a long time. Even with the VSG and no malasoption you can end up with vitamine definicences and yes I take quite a few, so don't let that be the determining factor for you. Let's see, I take my multi vitamin (2 chewables), calcium (3 chewables), B complex, B12, and now D as I just found out I'm low. I also take Prilosec now due to my smaller tummy.
If rerouted plumbing and malasorption don't worry you and you feel you'd do better with a more "proven" procedure, go for the RNY or DS. Some may be surprised I say this since I'm happy with the surgery I chose, however, it's not about how happy I am with my surgery, it's about what's best for you.
Remember, the surgeon can only fix our anatomy, they can't fix how we got to be so overweight. I had a group therapy session at my one-year dr. appointments and a gentleman really made me stop and shake my head. He had the RNY and stopped losing at 6 months out. He exercises like crazy and doesn't get why he's not losing weight. He was under the assumption that he didn't need to pay attention to what he ate. We in the group were a little surprised that the man couldn't understand why he wasn't losing weight when he mentioned he drank a 12-pack of diet pop a day and part of his menu from the day before was pizza rolls. He also mentioned he'd been happily married for 33 years and he eats what his wife cooks. He was angry because he didn't want to have to go back on a diet again as that's why he'd had the surgery. First we told him he should have done his research, because if that was his attitude he would have probably done better with the DS. No I don't know a lot about it, other than the fact they are supposed to eat more calories and fat as they malasorb more than the RNY. I think my reason for telling you this is that if you feel you can't "diet" with the help of a smaller stomach, VSG is NOT for you. It takes a lot of willpower and no I don't always succeed in eating what I'm supposed to. Great thing is it's easier for me now to get back on track.
Melinda
"Im so glad that I didnt choose a different surgery."
Oh really? Hypocrite much??
Topic: Considering DS
It's one thing to lie to yourself, but it's a whole NOTHER thing to lie to your fellow SMOs who are suffering and trying to make the right choice. HOW DARE YOU!!
Oh really? Hypocrite much??
Topic: Considering DS
| Author | Message |
lisaweisenbachJonesboro, AR Armando Joya VSG (03/17/08) Member Since: 02/15/05 [Latest Posts] |
Post Date: 10/2/08 10:01 pm Last Edit: 10/2/08 10:07 pm I had my VSG 6 mo ago. Ive done well with my weight loss, but really worried that its not going to help me lose all of my weight. I live in AR and only have Medicare, so Im looking for a surgeon as close to me as possible, who does DS and accepts Medicare. Also, will they take on a patient of someone else? Since I got my VSG from another doctor (who doesnt do DS) Can anyone here help me? Thanks |
      |
|
lisaweisenbach Jonesboro, AR Armando Joya VSG (03/17/08) Member Since: 02/15/05 [Latest Posts] |
Post Date: 10/3/08 9:38 am Thank you, Julie. I think that a person in my situation could lose all the weight with the VSG alone, however, for me, I dont think that I can. Losing 85 lbs has been a struggle and theres been several weeks where I have actually gained. I contacted Dr. Stewart for information. =) |
 |
|
lisaweisenbach Jonesboro, AR Armando Joya VSG (03/17/08) Member Since: 02/15/05 [Latest Posts] |
Post Date: 10/3/08 9:59 am Thank you Leila... yeh it really does suck being able to eat alot more than most.. I wi**** was different.. maybe I needed a 10F bougie lol =) at least I can laugh about it, well sorta.. Im really looking into it. It really all depends on where I can find a surgeon...the distance is a big hindrance...as I would have to get someone else to drive me (we only have one car and my dh needs that for work, etc). He could put me on his insurance, but we couldnt afford it, not to mention that Id have to go thru the insurance hoops and I dont want that either....Medicare is bad enough lol big hugs... |
| |
It's one thing to lie to yourself, but it's a whole NOTHER thing to lie to your fellow SMOs who are suffering and trying to make the right choice. HOW DARE YOU!!
I don't know how this post ended up in the wrong place, but I'm deleting it from where it ended up (which was confusing) and putting it where it was supposed to go:
Oh, and even before that post:
Topic: Question from a Sort -of Newbie
Oh, and even before that post:
Topic: Question from a Sort -of Newbie
| Author | Message |
| lisaweisenbach Jonesboro, AR Armando Joya VSG (03/17/08) Member Since: 02/15/05 [Latest Posts] |
Post Date: 8/23/08 4:26 pm I havent ever posted to this forum, at least I dont think I did back in my thinking stage. I got my VSG in March. I started with a very high BMI - 73. Its dropped 10 points or so now.. however, its still super high. I still lose weight when I eat properly, but thats not 100% of the time. Ive never been a good "dieter", which is why Im overweight in the first place. My question.... for those that got ur DS in 2 stages..... did u get ur VSG and think u wouldnt need the 2nd part? or did u think that u would get ur VSG but there was always that chance that u might need the 2nd part? or that u could go back and get the 2nd one if u needed it? I hope Im making sense here. At this point, I dont know if I can lose all of my weight with just the VSG. I always thot that I could, but I knew I could go back for the 2nd part if I needed it. I just never thot it would be so difficult to stick to my meal plans, ya know? So, right now...Im in the thinking stage again. I dont know how I would pay for the 2nd part if I got it...nor do I know who I could go to... so any friendly advice would be welcome. Thanks.. |
| |
Most Active
Recent Topics
