Getting discouraged

Oneillch
on 7/5/15 6:11 pm

VSG on 02/04/15

How about attending a support group meeting & talking to people who have actual experience with either surgery? It may help you feel more comfortable with whatever decision you make. Good luck!

cappy11448
on 7/5/15 7:49 pm

People recommended I do RNY because I had so much weight to lose. They said the dumping would help keep me on track. But I didn't like the idea of dumping, and the mal-absorption, or rerouting the intestines, so I went with the VSG.

I started at 385 pounds and a BMI of 60. I lost 225 pounds in about 18 months. I am now 160 pounds with a BMI of 24 and I've been at a stable weight in maintenance for about 9 months. If you think the VSG is right for you, you decide. Its your body and you can do it if you set your mind to it.

best wishes,

Carol

Surgery May 1, 2013. Starting Weight 385, Surgery Weight 333, Current Weight 160. At GOAL!

Weight loss Pre-op 1-20 2-17 3-15 Post-op 1-20 2-18 3-15 4-14 5-16 6-11 7-12 8-8

9-11 10-7 11-7 12-7 13-8 14-6 15-3 16-7 17-3 18-3

KrissyKooKoo
on 7/6/15 5:35 am

RNY on 07/22/19

As of this morning I have lost 150 lbs and the scale is still moving. How much you lose is determined by the amount of work you put into it. If you stick to plan and exercise you'll be at your goal before you know it. Best of luck!!

Scott S.
on 7/5/15 11:45 pm, edited 7/5/15 11:46 pm - TX

It is a fair debate and question for sure. I visited a number of doctors and debated both before VSG in 2013. Here are some pointers that may help:

I've lost about 130 lbs since my high weight (331). I have a little bit more to go, but it is possible to lose whatever you want if you are willing to change.
VSG can convert to RNY if you ever need it.
VSG involved one "cut" of my stomach instead of re-routing my intestines. It seems like a lot less cutting and complexity.

The doctors that pushed RNY sighted the amount of statistical data and called it the "gold standard". VSG doesn't have the historical track record, and therefore some docs usually do not hold it to the same standard.

I know a fair amount of RNY-ers that wished VSG was around when they went in for surgery.

At the end of all of this, just know that whatever path you pick will probably be better than where you are now. And always remember this is a tool. I asked every doc I interviewed what the #1 reason people put weight back on was, and they told me it was Sugary Drinks (sweet teas, sodas, alcohol, etc...). Whether you pick RNY or VSG, it is a tool and you will need to learn to use it.

Good luck and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions for sure. You can do this.

VSG: 8/8/13