Question from a Sort -of Newbie

lisaweisenbach
on 8/23/08 9:26 am - Jonesboro, AR
VSG on 03/17/08 with
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..

                 

(deactivated member)
on 8/23/08 9:31 am, edited 8/23/08 9:32 am - MD
If it were me, I would get the second part to a full DS.  The statement you made about how we've never been able to do it with diet and exercise alone is true. That plus the hereditary factors and comorbidities make is extremely difficult to lose weight.   The malabsorptive component of the DS, added to your VSG would allow you to drop more weight and keep more weight off long term.  I know Dr. Michael Schweitzer does the revision surgeries and 2 part DS's.  I do not know whether you have insurance coverage or are self pay, or if you are willing to travel for revision surgery.  You may want to check out the revision OH board. 
lisaweisenbach
on 8/23/08 9:38 am - Jonesboro, AR
VSG on 03/17/08 with
Thanks Jennifer. I might do that. And, traveling too far isnt an option this time around. But I know that I cant get it done in my own town. I only have Medicare and no one here takes it.

                 

Vicki In A Clam Shell
on 8/23/08 9:54 am - near Louisville, KY
You are down nearly 80 lbs since March.  You are doing great.  Just keep working with your VSG and research getting the switch portion of your surgery done, if that's what you want.  Personally I got the switch because I knew I would have a better chance of getting to goal with it and staying there for the long haul. 
I owed it to myself to research the duodenal switch before consenting to any other weight loss surgery and so do you.  Check out DSFacts.com and DuodenalSwitch.com for more information.  Remember think twice, cut once, revisions are risky and revision surgeons are rare.
 DS Lab Rats 

lisaweisenbach
on 8/23/08 9:57 am - Jonesboro, AR
VSG on 03/17/08 with
Thank you Vicki... I will keep doing what Im doing.. just testing the waters..seeing what I can find out.. =)

                 

(deactivated member)
on 8/23/08 11:34 am
lisaweisenbach
on 8/24/08 7:14 am - Jonesboro, AR
VSG on 03/17/08 with
Thank you, Tara. I still firmly believe in the VSG as a stand-alone surgery... but for some of us, we are larger, we can eat more..or whatever.. I will check out the website.. see what I can find out..

                 

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