Hi!

I had my first appointment with the surgeon today.  I had intended to get the RNY but he strongly recomended the VSG.  Makes me nervous.  I'm worried I won't lose as much.  I'm still investigating.  In the mean time I need to lose 45lbs before the surgery.  I weigh 465.5 with a bmi of 76.  He wants me to get down to 70 bmi in order to have laproscopy. 

I can do this I can do this I can do this...

Anyway, so nice to meet you all.

Love!
Lue Anne

I would have had the VSG if my insurance had covered it, but they still call it 'investigational'.  I would have done it because it would have totally avoided any potential for malabsorption issues - but honestly, to date, I don't seem to have those anyway.  In fact, sometimes I think I might have been better served in the long run to have had the DS.  Who knows.  It's kind of a crap shoot I think.

What I do know, is my strongest tool has been the restrictive element of the RNY, and you would also have that with the VSG.  For me, my mantra is:  don't overeat, don't over drink, don't overfill...so your pouch and stoma can remain tight and tiny over the long haul.  Cause as long as it's tight and tiny, I get really nice full signals on very small amounts of food, and my goal is to keep it that way for life. 

Just my take.  Good luck to you!  connie

 Hi!, I wish you luck on which ever surgery you go with (this site is a great source for research) and on losing you're pre-op pounds. I too had to lose 50 before surgery (and I did) and you can too!!

I wanted a VSG, but between my insurance and the only doctor that does surgeries for my medical group, I got an RNY.  (If self pay was possible for me, I would have done it for sure.)

You will lose more slowly, however, there are numerous benefits:

You can take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Aleve, etc.) -- if you have back problems, arthritis that runs in the family, etc. you really need to consider this
You don't have to take as many supplements for the rest of your life
If you need to revise, you can convert to a duodenal switch
You won't dump

I suggest you check out the VSG board here on OH. When I was hanging around there preop, they were a great bunch of folks. I'm sure they still are.

All the different surgeries have their good points and bad points. Lurk on the boards for each of the respective surgeries and see how people with higher BMIs are doing.

Best of luck.

Welcome..
 
I am glad you chose our forum.. I am sure you will like it here. There are a great bunch of people here.. lots of support and many friends to be had..
I had a RNY because all I had to choose from with my insurance was RNY or Lap band.. I started with a BMI of 63.3 so I did not want the lap band.. I would have probably went with the DS since I needed to loose almost 200lbs but couldnt.. we all have our preferences but somethimes we just have to settle in order to get on the loosers bench.. I would suggest you do a lot of research on the surgeries.. the VSG is very new and still considered experimental by many insurances so make sure your insurance will cover it.. and there are no long term statistics on it either since it is so new.. any way you research for yourself instead of letting the doctor choose for you.. this is your choice to make .. no one elses.. it is your life and future not theirs..

I lost 67 lbs before surgery .. it is possible.. If I could do that then you can too.. just keep your mind on the goal of surgery.. it is a great motivator..

Nice to meet you.. hope you stick around.. let us know how you are doing.. and what you choose to do..

huggs..

Hi Lueanne!!! Welcome to the big girls board! LOL...Just teasing,there are some guys too!!! I had VSG on Jan 8th, & I am SO satisifed. Being a heavyweight (I started @ 383) I have been tickled with the results. No complications, & the healing process was NIL....I didnt  even have any real pain meds...They offered them,but I declined. I dont like the way they make me feel. I was walking the halls an hour after surgery. No matter what surgery you have, remember the golden rules.....Get in your liquids, & walk!!!  Great Luck to you!!!!

Hi,

I had my rny last Tuesday, so far I am loving it... but I also only had rny or lap band to pick from due to my insurance. The day before surgery I met a wonderful woman who weighed about 500 lbs she was told she needed to lose 100 lbs before surgery... She did it and she told me that once she started eating "more" it just came off. By more she was eating breakfast for the first time in years, lunch, and dinner. For so long she said she would just STUFF herself at dinner and could not eat the next day until the eve again. 70lbs gone quick, for the last of the weight she went on a diet of protein shakes and followed what she would have to do after surgery anyway! So I hope this helps... it can be done and best of luck to you!!

Thank y'all so much for your support.  I have decided to go ahead and insist on having RNY.  With the amount of wieght I have to lose I feel more comfortable going that route.  Right now I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the whole losing weight mentality.  You know, how you think when you're in the dieting groove?  I gave up on that about a year ago...gained about 80lbs since then.  So now I have to refocus.  I'm trying though.  I'll do it.  I can do it.

Thanks again!
Love!
Lue Anne

 Have you researched the DS?  It is the recommended surgery of choice for those with BMIs over 50.  Go to DSfacts.com

I am also a BMI of over 50, and I would never consider an RNY.  The failure rate is too high!  Educate yourself.  You only want to cut once.  Check out the failed surgery forum and all those who have had the RNY, band, etc.....  You won't see too many failed DSs, because they are rare.  You want to do this the right way, and keep it off forever!

I wish you the best.