Will VSG work for a lightweight

Hi, I'm new to the board , I am wondering if VSG works for lightweights. I'm self pay so Idont want to waste money , if this is " just my size". Any advice or sites I can look at? I'd love to read any ones and everyone's post. My stats are 5'1 175 pounds 33 yrs. My doctor said I should be able to get to 130, I don't believe them, do they just want my money? Or are they for real ? Just looking for proof from real people and real experiences. My surgery date is set for Aug 6, 2012. Guess I'm so desperate, I'm gonna try it , just like every other diet I've tried for 18 plus years:(.

All the surgeries work for lightweights. That's one of the nice things about being a lightweight, in fact. 

They used to do VSG on people who were so big they thought doing a full DS or RnY on them would be dangerous so they'd give them a VSG with the idea they'd lose a little weight before doing the second part to get the full RnY/DS. But enough of them never came back for the second part because they didn't need it. So that's when doctors started thinking: hey this might work as a stand-alone WLS.

I had the VSG as a self-pay too. I think this surgery make the most sense for self-pays because it's cheaper than RnY or DS and provides similar results to RnY but has less complications. So it provides the most value for the money. Lapband is *slightly* cheaper than VSG but not that much cheaper and it's not as effective and has a horrible long-term complication rate.

The only reason I think a self-pay shouldn't get a VSG is if they think a DS is a better choice for them -- like if they are SMO or have certain exercise restrictions or whatever their reason is.

 Thanks for the comforting message!

Yes!
Check out the VSG board. My profile and stats also.

 Thanks!

We have lots of lightweights with sleeves who have done great.  the sleeve offers great benefits but as with any WLS, it is only a tool to help you though the process.  If my insurance would have paid, I would have done a sleeve instead of RNY.  But I love my RNY and had no problems reaching goal and so far have stayed there.  I had hoped to get to 140 but have settled around 116 and couldn't be happier. 

My sleeve has worked out quite nicely for me.  For my cir****tances, I'm glad I didn't choose anything else.  I'm 5'0" and now at about 130 lbs.  At my highest weight, I was at 215 lbs.

 How Long have you been in maintenance ? Is it hard to maintain? What is your meal routine? I'm so anxious , I don't want to fail again with another diet! Thanks for responding , I'm very great full to have found this site. Such great people , makes it so you don't feel alone.

I had surgery 12/1/10.  I'd say I've been at, or about, this weight for 8-10 months.  I haven't reached my aggressive goal, but my body seems to want to stay at this weight.  I know I could buckle down and lose that last bit, but I'm not really trying.

I have reactive hypoglycemia, so my routine probably differs a lot from some others.  I eat small meals/snacks about 5-6 times a day making sure I get protein each time.  I don't avoid carbs because with RH I need them, but I try to stick to healthy carbs.

I exercise regularly making sure to get in 2-3 intensive sessions of exercise a week.  Other days I'll walk for exercise. 

I don't eat fried foods and avoid fast food restaurants.  If I go to a fast food joint, I order the healthy options.  In general I make sure my choices are healthy foods like cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats.  My weakness for a long time was peanut butter.  I find that if I indulge in alcohol and sweets, I return to my normal weight just by returning to eating the healthy things exclusively for a while.

I still have to be conscientious.  Right now I'm struggling with some stress triggers, and I tend to eat to deal with them.  I get on the scale every day and I'm trying to not go out of bounds.

People say I can't say it's a total success until I'm 5 years or so from surgery and can say I've maintained through that time.  All I know is that so far, I'm much better off.  I don't find it to be a big struggle, and I don't regret my choice for a minute.

Welcome to the lightweight board.

Liz