Considering VSG Surgery - Need Information
Hello all,
My name is Linda and I am searching for information from people who have had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
In 2008 I was scheduled for a Gastric Bypass. During the preoperative testing, it was found that I had a 95% blockage in my heart. I had to have a stent placed in the artery to save my heart and I was told I could not have gastric bypass for at least one year following the stent placement.
As luck would have it, I had another blockage infront of the stent just 8 months later and once again, my gastric surgery was postponed another year!
During that time I developed GERD and saw a gastroenterologist who told me I shoudl NOT get the bypass as it would prohibit him from seeing all the way into my stomach and he's had many patients who had the bypass who were having some major issues now.
I've just heard about the vertical gastric sleeve and I think this will be the surgery for me.
Could someone here share with me their experiences with the surgery? I'd like to know how did you prepare for surgery......how long did it take you to recover?...... how much weight did you lose after the sleeve? ..were there any complications ?
Thank you so much!
Linda
My name is Linda and I am searching for information from people who have had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
In 2008 I was scheduled for a Gastric Bypass. During the preoperative testing, it was found that I had a 95% blockage in my heart. I had to have a stent placed in the artery to save my heart and I was told I could not have gastric bypass for at least one year following the stent placement.
As luck would have it, I had another blockage infront of the stent just 8 months later and once again, my gastric surgery was postponed another year!
During that time I developed GERD and saw a gastroenterologist who told me I shoudl NOT get the bypass as it would prohibit him from seeing all the way into my stomach and he's had many patients who had the bypass who were having some major issues now.
I've just heard about the vertical gastric sleeve and I think this will be the surgery for me.
Could someone here share with me their experiences with the surgery? I'd like to know how did you prepare for surgery......how long did it take you to recover?...... how much weight did you lose after the sleeve? ..were there any complications ?
Thank you so much!
Linda
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
Wow it seems like you have been through a lot with dealing with your heart and now other issues, sorry to hear that.
I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and I did very well no complications. I went in thinking I would be in soo much pain right after surgery, but really it was just a little discomfort. I went in on a Friday and went home on Monday. I was ready to go back to work one week later, but since I work at a school it was Christmas break. The timing was just perfect.
The only thing I did to prepare for surgery is to loose as much weight as possible, which was 11 lbs. I also started drinking the protein shakes just to get use to the flavors.
Being 5 weeks out, I have lost 40 lbs and it is still falling off
The key is to start walking as much as possible. The weight will come off faster with the more active you become. Good luck.
I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and I did very well no complications. I went in thinking I would be in soo much pain right after surgery, but really it was just a little discomfort. I went in on a Friday and went home on Monday. I was ready to go back to work one week later, but since I work at a school it was Christmas break. The timing was just perfect.
The only thing I did to prepare for surgery is to loose as much weight as possible, which was 11 lbs. I also started drinking the protein shakes just to get use to the flavors.
Being 5 weeks out, I have lost 40 lbs and it is still falling off
The key is to start walking as much as possible. The weight will come off faster with the more active you become. Good luck. 
HW:280 SW:270 OLD GW:190 NEW GW: 180 CW: 174
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your reply.
I am getting more excited by the minute reading about people who have had success with this surgery. I am so hoping my own doctors approve of it...it is my last hope to get this excess weight off!
What protein shakes do you use? How much protein in a shake is considered adequate?
Thanks, again for your reply!
Linda
Thank you for your reply.
I am getting more excited by the minute reading about people who have had success with this surgery. I am so hoping my own doctors approve of it...it is my last hope to get this excess weight off!
What protein shakes do you use? How much protein in a shake is considered adequate?
Thanks, again for your reply!
Linda
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
Hi Linda,
I prepared for surgery by reading everything I could find, research articles, books and these boards. Were you the one that asked about research on recidivism? If so, did you get any info? I never had any luck finding that type of research. I went on a certain amount of faith re weight regain.
I took 6 weeks off work, because I could, not sure when I would have gone back to work if it wasn't so easy to be off. Maybe 3 weeks?
I lost 88 pounds (surgery was 4/28) and I'm currently at goal. I expect to drop down more into the 140s. I've lost 6 pounds over the last month, so I don't think I'm quite done.
I had no complications. My surgeon did discover and repair a hiatal hernia during my sleeve procedure, so deep breaths hurt for a day or so. I took the deep breaths anyway, and the discomfort was super easy to control with the pain meds.
The first few weeks were not my favorite time (I hate artificial sweetener, I was hungry on just liquids and purees) but once I got to solid food it was super smooth sailing.
Hope this helps!
Good luck,
Jenny
I prepared for surgery by reading everything I could find, research articles, books and these boards. Were you the one that asked about research on recidivism? If so, did you get any info? I never had any luck finding that type of research. I went on a certain amount of faith re weight regain.
I took 6 weeks off work, because I could, not sure when I would have gone back to work if it wasn't so easy to be off. Maybe 3 weeks?
I lost 88 pounds (surgery was 4/28) and I'm currently at goal. I expect to drop down more into the 140s. I've lost 6 pounds over the last month, so I don't think I'm quite done.
I had no complications. My surgeon did discover and repair a hiatal hernia during my sleeve procedure, so deep breaths hurt for a day or so. I took the deep breaths anyway, and the discomfort was super easy to control with the pain meds.
The first few weeks were not my favorite time (I hate artificial sweetener, I was hungry on just liquids and purees) but once I got to solid food it was super smooth sailing.
Hope this helps!
Good luck,
Jenny
Thanks, Jenny for your response! I was so excited today to learn of the vertical sleeve (a coworker had this surgery recently and lost 40 lbs in 20 months...but I'm not suppose to know about the fact she had it...so I can't ask her about it).
I never imagined I'd be this heavy or have this many health issues now. Even my cardiologist thinks that some sort of weight loss surgery will help me.
I was not the person who asked about recidivism. What is that?
Congratulations on your weight loss!!! I so want to feel good again!!!
Linda
I never imagined I'd be this heavy or have this many health issues now. Even my cardiologist thinks that some sort of weight loss surgery will help me.
I was not the person who asked about recidivism. What is that?
Congratulations on your weight loss!!! I so want to feel good again!!!
Linda
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
I've been reading these boards since the beginning of November, and I also want to have the VSG. It's really cool to follow people's journeys from the before and the after. Keep reading for a while and you will get quite a well rounded idea of what to expect. I have also gone through periods where I was afraid to get it, then I go out in the world and want to buy a cute top that looks bad on me and I'm back on board again lol.
I have stomach problems too. Not much acid reflux but bloating and burping. You can get on a medication to try to get that under control before surgery. Maybe you have a hernia that is making you have these issues, and that can also be repaired during surgery too. Both of us will probably have to be on a PPI or something similar afterwards for the first while.
I'm sure the weight loss will only help your heart. Thank goodness for stents! My dad has had two heart attacks and has what I call a "bionic" heart - he's the stentonator. Your new eating habits, should you choose a different more healthy route will probably help your cholesterol quite a bit.
Good luck to you and hope to see you post more and become more confident and excited about choosing a VSG!
LoLo
I have stomach problems too. Not much acid reflux but bloating and burping. You can get on a medication to try to get that under control before surgery. Maybe you have a hernia that is making you have these issues, and that can also be repaired during surgery too. Both of us will probably have to be on a PPI or something similar afterwards for the first while.
I'm sure the weight loss will only help your heart. Thank goodness for stents! My dad has had two heart attacks and has what I call a "bionic" heart - he's the stentonator. Your new eating habits, should you choose a different more healthy route will probably help your cholesterol quite a bit.
Good luck to you and hope to see you post more and become more confident and excited about choosing a VSG!
LoLo
Thanks, Lo Lo for your reply!
I like the name yo've given your dad "stentonator!" ...I think I'll borrow it!
I so want to get rid of this weight for my heart...but also for my feet and knees which are really taking a beating. I am 125 lbs overweight. It boggles my mind how I could do this to myself....but I'm determined to do what it takes to get rid of it!
Linda
I like the name yo've given your dad "stentonator!" ...I think I'll borrow it!
I so want to get rid of this weight for my heart...but also for my feet and knees which are really taking a beating. I am 125 lbs overweight. It boggles my mind how I could do this to myself....but I'm determined to do what it takes to get rid of it!
Linda
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
Hi Linda,
Welcome and can I say you have come to the right place I too came here wanting to hear from those who had actually experienced the surgery I did so with the lap band and bypass after hearing from so many and researching the sleeve is the one that seemed to fit my lifestyle , I am currently a little over three years out I have had no complications and no regrets I lost just over one hundred pounds I reached my goal at eight months and continued to lose below my goal until one year. I have not had any problems maintaining Nd attribute that to weighing everyday Nd only allowing myself a three pound leeway if I go over I get on strict protein diet usually only have to do this once a month I probably shouldn't tell you this and don't recommend this but I lost all my weight without exercising one day Bd gave maintained without Any excercise at all now I'll probably catch a lot of flack for saying this but I'm just being honest I don't like it probably won't ever do it I know it bad that I don't iknow I could look better Nd more tone better for
MY health heart etc etc but I'm not gonna do it . Getting this surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself I love my sleeve best wishes to you on your weight loss journey cheers
Welcome and can I say you have come to the right place I too came here wanting to hear from those who had actually experienced the surgery I did so with the lap band and bypass after hearing from so many and researching the sleeve is the one that seemed to fit my lifestyle , I am currently a little over three years out I have had no complications and no regrets I lost just over one hundred pounds I reached my goal at eight months and continued to lose below my goal until one year. I have not had any problems maintaining Nd attribute that to weighing everyday Nd only allowing myself a three pound leeway if I go over I get on strict protein diet usually only have to do this once a month I probably shouldn't tell you this and don't recommend this but I lost all my weight without exercising one day Bd gave maintained without Any excercise at all now I'll probably catch a lot of flack for saying this but I'm just being honest I don't like it probably won't ever do it I know it bad that I don't iknow I could look better Nd more tone better for
MY health heart etc etc but I'm not gonna do it . Getting this surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself I love my sleeve best wishes to you on your weight loss journey cheers
SW - 223 CW- 130 GW- 140 Start Sz 18 Current Sz 4 Ht. 5'6"
BA- LBL/TT 11/3/09
Thanks, Maureen for your reply.
I am scheduled to attend an 'informational seminar' on WLS on February 2. It is there I wll learn more about the physical side of the surgery. Here I hope to learn more about the 'true to life' emotional side of the surgery.
I've carried this excess weight forever it seems! I am so ready to let it all go!
On top of everything I wrote about my journey so far, my husband had indigestion for 2 days. on the 3rd day he told me it was up in his throat into his jaw. I knew from my own heart experiences that it was a problem with his heart. I took him to the hospital (he refused to go 911) and when I got there, they told me he was in the middle of a heart attack! He had to have bypass surgery. Just before that surgery they scanned his carotid arties and found one was blocked by 90%!
It was a horrible week (the week before Christmas). I put my own issues on the back burner as I spent endless hours in the hospital with him as he underwent 2 major surgeries. He is doing well now, and it's now time for me to once again focus on what I can do to lessen the load on my heart.
I will spend days if I need to , or weeks, until I read everything I can about this surgery and ask questionis. Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it.
I am scheduled to attend an 'informational seminar' on WLS on February 2. It is there I wll learn more about the physical side of the surgery. Here I hope to learn more about the 'true to life' emotional side of the surgery.
I've carried this excess weight forever it seems! I am so ready to let it all go!
On top of everything I wrote about my journey so far, my husband had indigestion for 2 days. on the 3rd day he told me it was up in his throat into his jaw. I knew from my own heart experiences that it was a problem with his heart. I took him to the hospital (he refused to go 911) and when I got there, they told me he was in the middle of a heart attack! He had to have bypass surgery. Just before that surgery they scanned his carotid arties and found one was blocked by 90%!
It was a horrible week (the week before Christmas). I put my own issues on the back burner as I spent endless hours in the hospital with him as he underwent 2 major surgeries. He is doing well now, and it's now time for me to once again focus on what I can do to lessen the load on my heart.
I will spend days if I need to , or weeks, until I read everything I can about this surgery and ask questionis. Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it.
Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel
that you, too, can become great." ..... MarkTwain
Most Active
Recent Topics
