New Here

Congratulations on your weight loss thus far.  I appreciate your thoughts on the GERD with the sleeve.  I'm trusting my doc, who has a very good reputation around here and he believes I'm a good candidate for the sleeve.  I guess time will tell....

I would not have a sleeve with severe GERD, which may INCREASE after surgery.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

If you have severe GERD, please reconsider having the sleeve. Most surgeons will not perform the sleeve on patients with GERD. They do a RNY which is also an excellent surgery.

I was 51 when I had surgery, plus my ovaries were removed at the same time putting me deep into menopause. It did not hinder my weight loss. I was relentless on tracking what I ate, getting in enough protein and limiting carbs. As the weight came off, I incorporated exercise into my routine. I was/am on ADs as well.

You will lose weight if you stay on plan and work on your emotional issues with food. Age does not prohibit or restrict the amount of weight you can lose. So much of it is your mental approach and how much you want it.

Good luck on your journey. It is truly life altering and worth it.

There is a support group offered by my doc, but it is downtown - nearly an hour away (and I don't drive in the city).  I asked about groups in the 'burbs and am sure I will find something.  I appreciate your thoughts.  I have heard of the remarkable success my doc has had and am trusting him when he says that my GERD actually may decrease if not disappear in the future.  I may have some initial worsening, but am trying to focus on the future.

Congrats on your remarkable success and sharing about your age and ADs!

Can I ask who your surgeon is?  

May decrease doesn't sound like much of a guarantee.  I never had GERD before surgery.  I do now.  If you have a hiatal hernia that he's planning to repair, that might help with your severe GERD, but it is truly contraindicated if you have severe GERD prior to surgery.  I don't want to see you end up in a worse situation than you are now with GERD.

Please be very cautious.  

He's at Jefferson in Philadelphia.  The thing is, I don't think there's a guarantee with any of this.

I really, really appreciate your kindness and concern!  I was beginning to feel like everyone was slamming me.

I know a pretty good amount about this doctor, both from my family knowing his wife and from other doctors here in my neck of the woods referring him (especially hearing my PCP suggest him, knowing my medical history).  I'll definitely take your concerns seriously.

Thank you.

No one here was slamming you, I promise.  We are all just very concerned because there are definite reasons why each surgery may or may not be suitable for each person, depending on their pre-existing conditions.  

When you said "severe GERD," it's a big red flag.  Maybe it isn't an issue for your surgeon to perform a VSG on someone with severe GERD.  I don't know.  But everything I've read and heard indicate that the VSG is not the preferred surgery if this is an issue.

Ultimately it's your decision.  I just want you to be as well-informed of the risks that you can be.  Everyone on OH, and particularly on this forum, want you to be successful.  Is there a reason why you won't consider the RNY?

Thank you for that.  Truly.

When I first met with my surgeon and expressed my interest specifically in the sleeve, we reviewed my extensive medical history (including what I'd done with the ENT re: GERD and her saying that I had done all I could do - all that was left was surgery).  We discussed pros and cons of each procedure and he believes the sleeve to be the best option for me.  From my (annoyingly extensive) research... yay OCD... and talking with the LRNPs and dietitian in addition to the doc it seems the right way to go.  I'm not anti RNY, but am not excited at the thought of my digestive tract being rearranged.  I know people who've had RNY and have been more than pleased with it.  I just consider the risk/benefit ratio and the sleeve wins out.

I really do appreciate your concerns and suggestions.  I guess I was feeling less-than welcomed.  I also start the pre-op liquid diet tomorrow so my mood has tanked and I'm super cranky.

T minus 15 days until surgery

Does your surgeon have a support group? Do his VSG patients lose their weight and keep it off? If they have GERD, is it better after the sleeve? Surgeon skills vary greatly with the sleeve. Some surgeons have better techniques than others. I hope you have personally seen and spoken to your surgeons patients to see how they are doing.

I was 42 when I had my RNY in 2008. I do not believe my age had any negative impact on my weight loss. My highest weight was 339 and I maintain around 135-140. My father died from esophageal cancer caused by acid reflux. VSG was not covered by my insurance when I had my surgery, but due to my dad's issues, I would never have had it anyway.

Good luck on your journey!!