Question:
I need to know if there are drawbacks to the great decrease in ghrelin.

I am considering vertical sleeve gastrectomy and am looking for detailed scientific research into the long term affects of having the decrease or elimination of ghrelin, which seems not to be dealt with. I do not have a great memory anyway, and I would hate to think I would extend my life with surgery only to get Alzheimer disease. I have read that "ghrelin plays a significant role in neurothrophy, particularly in the hippocampus and is essential for adaption to changing environments and the process of learning." I can't help wondering if there is not a huge rush to having this surgery while there is still so much unknown about the long term results. I hope I can get an answer to this as most I find on the internet is very technical.    — gismo (posted on November 16, 2009)

November 16, 2009
The ghrelin,they cut that portion of the stomach away, because ghrelin is want tells your brain that your hungry, with out it you will lose weight, because your not hungry.Duodenal switch is the 2nd part of the sleeve.I don,t know where you got Alzheimers, from or neurothrophy, these two illess are directly link to diabetes, whitch the sleeve and ds 99% cure rate of type 2 diabetes, and i,m not sure about type 1 diabetes.If your going to get the sleeve, check out the ds board to,specially if you have a lot of weight to lose.
   — rebecca W.

November 16, 2009
I have had the VSG for a little over a year. I have noticed NO drawbacks to the decreased levels of ghrelin, unless you consider the greatly reduced desire for food to be a drawback. Frankly, I consider it a blessing. I was a slave to my stomach before the procedure. Now I am not.
   — hubarlow

November 16, 2009
Please read more research, because the decrease or eiminatin of ghrelin doesn't happen to everyone! I had my surgery 8 months ago and am hungrier now than then. I fill quickly but in 2 hours watch out. Thus weight loss is slow cause I find myself grazing to feed the hungries. So do more research, this isn't a given with this surgery.
   — M_J_

November 16, 2009
Hello. I had VSG surgery June of 2008. I have lost 80 pounds thus far and have had no ill side effects whatsoever. I am an accountant, have been for 30+ years. I found that it didn't totally take away hunger and that you still must be disciplined in what you put into your mouth. But I had been a slave to food all of my life. I was an emotional eater. Now, with the VSG I have the discipline to make good decisions about what I eat. I eat to live rather than live to eat. I am 54 years young and in better health than I have been in years. This surgery was a gift from God to me. I just have to remind myself daily that it is a tool. It's not going to do the work for me. I read a lot about the surgery before having it done. I researched for 2 years before making my decision. I was choosing between the lap band and the VSG. I am so thankful that I went with the VSG. The thing you must realize is that we are all different. Our bodies react differently to the various surgeries. It is a very personal decision and one that you should make with your surgeon's advice. Really search within your heart and you will know which surgery to choose. You will feel confident that it is the right choice for you. When you feel at peace about your decision, then go for it. God bless....
   — Jodi L.

November 17, 2009
I had VSG on June 17,2009. As of TODAY I have lost 100lbs. I do not have the long term yet to tell you of side effects, but I can say I am not "hungry". I notice I'm hungry when i get an ill feeling. Its kinda like a bottomless pitt feeling? Sounds strange I know. I was a bored eater and emotional eater and always felt hungry... This surgery DOES eliminate real hunger, however you will still have "head" hunger that you will have to deal with. I am lucky and don't have much "head" hunger. My diabetes has been cured, I am down from 2 blood pressure pills to only 1/2 of ONE pill. But the dr says in about 15 more lbs I probalby won't need that either. I do not know anything about the hunger hormone causing alzheimers but you should check with your surgeon to be certain. Good luck in your journey!
   — callen3640

November 17, 2009
While changes in brain chemistry are likely no adverse effects have been seen even though the surgery has been done for over fifteen years. This is why insurance companies are now approving the surgery.
   — trible

November 17, 2009
I think the medical world is looking more at the fact that a person can loose weight safely and covering more surgeries, than looking at whether a person will be hungry after surgery. I think a lot hunger post op is head hunger. So, I don't think I would weigh your pros and cons with ghrelin in mind. I have never heard of it. I know I wasn't hungry for 3 months post op, but a lot hunger nerves get severed during surgery. Perhaps another forum like Alzheimer can answer your question.
   — Kristy

November 18, 2009
This is troubling, but if I don't have the surgery, I'm afraid I won't live long enough to develop Alzheimer's. And VSG is the only surgery I am eligible for, so I feel I have little choice.
   — pshock