Help from VSG, DSers, and Bandsters

I am not starting this post to have a discussion on which surgery is better....I just want to know the basic rules. 

I've been thinking about this for awhile now and yesterday when Barbara asked me for a basic menu for the VS I wasn't sure if I new exactly what that might be.  It used to be that other than Gina and a few others most of our posters were RNYers like myself.  Times are changing and we are getting more and more posters who have had other types of WLS. 

I have to admit I know very little about what's expected, allowed, and not allowed with those other surgeries. 

I'm asking for a basic run down of each one and if you can help me out I'd be very appreciative.  I feel I need to know these things so I can do a better job answering posts.

I understand that every Surgeon and NUT has different ideas for how you should eat to be successful at losing and then maintaining, but I'm sure that like the RNY there are some basics.

This is the basics I was given for RNY:  60g of Protein per day
                                                                 Use Whey Protein not just any kind of Protein powder
                                                                 Eat Protein first, Vegetables 2nd, and then Carbs
                                                                 Do not Drink 1/2 hour before or after eating
                                                                 No Carbonated Beverages and Limit Caffeine

Everything else I've learned on the LW board:   60g from food are not enough because we don't
                                                                                 absorb all 60g
                                                                            Vitamins and Calcium should be a part of our
                                                                                 everyday routine
                                                                            Labs every 6 months are essential
                                                                            Dumping is real so limit sugars, fats, and carbs
                                                                            Stalls Do Happen

There's also things I've learned that work for me but may not work for you, but I'm trying to figure out what basically works for every type of surgery.
                                                                           
What about absorbtion?   With RNY we start to absorb more after the honeymoon period (approx. 18 months to 2 years)                                                                           

I'm only 1 week out of my VSG surgery.
My diet sound like yours except that we do not dump. We do not have restrictions but some doctors tell patients to avoid rice,popcorn and nuts until the 6 month mark ****il the staple line heals).

Congrates on your Surgery!!!!   I'm so glad you posted on our LW Board!!!!

Hi Roz,

My program recommends 70-80 grams of protein for all WLS types. I think research is still ongoing regarding the potentially different requirements for the various surgeries.

It is still protein first, veggies second, complex carbs and fruit 3rd, if there is room. No drinking 30 min before and after eating. No carbonated beverages. Limit caffeine.

Whey protein is recommended, but many people have intolerance to whey, so egg protein and/or soy protein can also be used.

Vitamin recommendations are the same for the time being, since nutritional defencies occur with the VSG. Namely, B12, Folate, Iron, Vitamin D for starters. Supplements are recommended for all vitamins, minerals, including CA and Vitamin D. Many people need iron.

Dumping doesn't usually occur with the VSG, because the pylorus is intact.. Labs are once/year, after the first year. Every 6 months for the first year. More frequent labs are done, if there are known deficiencies.

The bottom line, people should also follow their program recommendations, especially early out.

Gail

Qestion:   Since I'm a person that LOVES sweets then VSG would not be right for me?  What about absorbtion and regain? 

Roz, I believe WLS is a personal choice, and one is not better than the other, It depends on personal preference and medical issues. People that have a DS think that their surgery is better than any other one, and the research does show better long term results in regards to weight regain issues. The bottom line, is that someone can eat around ANY of the surgeries, if he/she doesn't follow the rules and make permanent changes in lifestyle habits.

I also love sweets, but I chose the VSG, because I didn't want the malabsorption issues ie dumping and possible hypoglycemia reactions. The VSG also comes along with the potential for nutritional deficiencies, which an article that Jody posted last week shows. There are pros and cons for each surgery type. If I had full-blown diabetes, I may have chosen the RNY, but there wasn't any way that I would have had a lap band, because of the high rate of complications and slow weight loss.

There is research going on that is indicating that the VSG may also have neurohormonal effects i.e. reduction in ghrelin, the hunger hormone is reduced, since 80-85 % of the stomach is removed. There is also some research indicating changes in insulin sensitivity and reduction of diabetes. See the article that Jody posted last week.

With the VSG, there may be some absorption of nutrient issues, but the research isn't definitive yet. There isn't the malabsorption issues with the VSG that the RNY and DS surgeries have. Some people need the malabsorption to help with the weight loss.

I hope that I didn't indicate that I thought the VSG was better, because I certainly didn't intend that. It was the surgery that I felt more comfortable having done. It is a very personal decision and people need to weigh the pros and cons of each one, before having it done.

At this point in time, the VSG is considered mostly a restrictive type of surgery, but over time, there is some stretching of the remaining stomach, so food intake can increase, but never to the degree that was present before surgery. The further out from surgery that one gets, it becomes more about the lifestyle changes, than about the surgery itself, since people can eat around any of the procedures. JMHO.

Gail

I never thought you were saying yours was better.  It seems that more are starting to get the VSG and I've heard the regain isn't as great as it is with the RNY.  I love my RNY and I think I need the fear of dumping to keep me under control.

I don't remember reading Jody's article so I'm going to go back and find it.

Hi Roz, As far as weight regain with the VSG, the jury is still out. The RNY has been around longer and there is more data available than with the VSG. Actually, many people think that the weight regain might be more with the VSG, since it is considered a mostly restrictive procedure.

The VSG is the latest craze and more insurance companies are paying for it. The procedure is certainly less complicated than the RNY or DS, and is less expensive. We'll know in a few years how things will pan out, in regards to weight regain.

Gail

While the VSG as a surgery for weight loss is new, the surgery itself is older than any other weight loss surgery out there. They called it just a gastrectomy and it was first done in 1888 by Theodour Billroth to deal with peptic ulcers. It is also typically used to deal with stomach cancers.

So the gastrecomy has a LONG history, just not in the weight loss arena.

Liz

This is so true. The gastrectomy history also contributed to me deciding on the sleeve.