VSG Maintenance Group
X-Post 2 Years-Long Post-Pics and Swagger !!!
(deactivated member)
on 9/29/11 2:36 pm
on 9/29/11 2:36 pm
Thank you for posting your story. It was an enjoyable read.
I found it interesting how you learned about VSG. I was referred to bariatrics by my primary doc. Like you, I thought the lapband was it. But then, I went to my first consultation and they presented the 3 surgeries they do in their clinic, which was lapband, VSG, and RNY. Their were 30 other patients listening to the presentation. I don't know how many others chose the sleeve, but I know that when they presented it, the clinic was clearly very excited about it and I thought it sounded like the best solution ever. Then the more research I did (OH) the more excited I got about it.
You were talking about sleeve sizes. Do you see a new trend towards larger sleeves? Is it because so many surgeons are learning how to do it now and they are making them bigger because of lack of experience and the process of learning how to do them? I suppose this is because so many insurance companies are approving them now, so we have a big non standardized mass entry into performing this surgery. The surgeons are scrambling to learn how to do it.
Before my surgery, I asked my surgeon how many sleeves he had done, he said over 100. He also said that 36 french was the standard size that their clinic uses
Do you have a chart on the expected sleeve capacity after maturity for each bougie size? I know I read a post you wrote that 36fr is 8-12 ounces. You have a 32fr right?
I am amazed at what a difference your before and after pictures look like. You really do look like you are a walking stroke/heart attack time bomb in your before pictures, even though you have nice smooth skin and good color...and cute legs! Even obese, your legs look adorable!
You have lost so much weight, and you look so healthy and fit now. The difference is amazing....
Have you had plastics, or were you one of the lucky ones that have had very little skin issues?
I also wonder about the sleevers who fade off. I went through my friends list last week because I friended so many people who were sleeved at the same time as me, but very few were still active on the board. It sure would be nice to know about their successes, and hopefully not failures....
Congrats on your success, and thank you for all your words of wisdom on this board. I would say that you are one of the many major contributors.
I found it interesting how you learned about VSG. I was referred to bariatrics by my primary doc. Like you, I thought the lapband was it. But then, I went to my first consultation and they presented the 3 surgeries they do in their clinic, which was lapband, VSG, and RNY. Their were 30 other patients listening to the presentation. I don't know how many others chose the sleeve, but I know that when they presented it, the clinic was clearly very excited about it and I thought it sounded like the best solution ever. Then the more research I did (OH) the more excited I got about it.
You were talking about sleeve sizes. Do you see a new trend towards larger sleeves? Is it because so many surgeons are learning how to do it now and they are making them bigger because of lack of experience and the process of learning how to do them? I suppose this is because so many insurance companies are approving them now, so we have a big non standardized mass entry into performing this surgery. The surgeons are scrambling to learn how to do it.
Before my surgery, I asked my surgeon how many sleeves he had done, he said over 100. He also said that 36 french was the standard size that their clinic uses
Do you have a chart on the expected sleeve capacity after maturity for each bougie size? I know I read a post you wrote that 36fr is 8-12 ounces. You have a 32fr right?
I am amazed at what a difference your before and after pictures look like. You really do look like you are a walking stroke/heart attack time bomb in your before pictures, even though you have nice smooth skin and good color...and cute legs! Even obese, your legs look adorable!
You have lost so much weight, and you look so healthy and fit now. The difference is amazing....
Have you had plastics, or were you one of the lucky ones that have had very little skin issues?
I also wonder about the sleevers who fade off. I went through my friends list last week because I friended so many people who were sleeved at the same time as me, but very few were still active on the board. It sure would be nice to know about their successes, and hopefully not failures....
Congrats on your success, and thank you for all your words of wisdom on this board. I would say that you are one of the many major contributors.
Great job Frisco. You're a year ahead of me, so it's encouraging to see you are maintaining well. Great post, I have to agree, especially about finding a good surgeon and COMPLYING with the program. Now comes the hard part. Maintaining. This still gives me the willies, but at least we have the knowledge and tools now. I agree, 5 years will tell. Great job!Marie
Highest weight ever recorded: 224lbs. Surgery weight: 194 lbs.
Goal range: 130-135 lbs. Lowest:119.7 Current weight 142lbs Height: 5' 2" almost
Goal range: 130-135 lbs. Lowest:119.7 Current weight 142lbs Height: 5' 2" almost
Frisco,
Thank you for such a great and honest post...and for being such an incredible inspiration to so many of us on this journey. YOu have done such a great job on your WL journey and should be so proud! your pictures tell it all...you don't even look like the same person!!
Happy Surgiversary to you!
OX
Patty
Thank you for such a great and honest post...and for being such an incredible inspiration to so many of us on this journey. YOu have done such a great job on your WL journey and should be so proud! your pictures tell it all...you don't even look like the same person!!
Happy Surgiversary to you!
OX
Patty
My weight loss journey 
Frisco, thanks so much for this amazing post. And let me be one of the many who congratulate you today on your 2 year weight loss journey. I agree with you on your comments and to be honest you explain this weight loss process so beautifully and as I was reading your post, I was thinking man, I could have been writing this post! The only difference in our story is that I did not have as much weight to lose as you but my husband also had the surgery and lost 130 pounds. We both understand the mental issues of being overweight our entire lives, the yo-yo dieting in the past, to lose and then to regain over and over. My husband had the VSG 4 years ago and I had it done 3 years ago so yes we are now "vets" and are maintaining our weight as you are. I would have never in my life kept this weight off for 2 1/2 years if I hadn't had this surgery. My highest weight ever was 275 but at the time of surgery I weight 245 and in 6 months had lost 85 pounds and then went on to lose another 10. I fluctuate between 150-154. My husband started at 350. We researched WLS for 2 years prior to his surgery. In fact, we were in the process of going to LasVegas to have the mini gastric bypass also. We attended a local seminar and found out that our surgeon was learning the VSG. We waited for a few weeks and my husband was our surgeon's very first sleeve patient. I know you posted that people need to find a experienced surgeon and I agree but we knew this man was an experienced surgeon in other areas of surgery. We put our trust and faith in God and in our surgeon and luckily things turned out wonderful. I was apprehensive to have my husband go under the knife but I knew how unhealthy he was and I might lose him to a heart attack, stroke, diabetes so the risk of the surgery was lower and like I said before, just fell on my knees and prayed to the Lord to take care of my husband. I watched him change in the next few months so much. I loved him when he was big but was so overjoyed a****ching him enjoy the little things in life. He had a constant smile on his face and I was so envious at the same time of his accomplishments. Our insurance company covered his surgery and I was on the 6 month diet and exercise program trying to jump through all the hoops so that the insurance company would cover mine but one week before my scheduled surgery, they denied me and I was so upset and cried and my husband just said, "Don't worry about it honey, we will just pay cash!" Yes, he is a blessing in my life and a week later I had surgery. So this process has been a wonderful life-changing experience for me and my husband. We continue to attend support groups every two weeks and speak at our surgeon's seminars. If I can be an inspiration for others, then I feel in some small way this is a pay back for our surgeon's saving our lives. I have read on here how you are an amazing inspiration for others so I was to commend you today for taking the time to share your story with others and know that you are touching lives. You've touched my life today and wish for you a continued life of health and happiness. Congratulations again on a job well done!!
