Question:
Vertical Sleeve success stories.
I have read many success stories about the RnY procedure. If you had the VSG could you please answer these questions? 1. How much weight have you lost? 2. How long did it take? 3. Any complications? 4. Any regrets? 5. If you could do it over, would you still choose the VSG over the RnY? Thanks, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer these questions. I am on the track to get the RnY but am wondering if I am choosing the right surgery. Marcia — marcia5000 (posted on March 14, 2009)
March 14, 2009
It really depends on what exactly you are looking for...and how much weight
you are looking to lose. The VSG from my understanding is simply an
alternative to Lapband, in that it is ONLY restrictive...It it is the
removal of 85% of the stomach leaving it no different in theory than the
Lapband only without reversibility and fills...IF that is what you wanted
and you have little weight to lose this might be a good option for you. I
have NO idea what it feels like or anything...or how easy or hard it is to
manage this surgery or how hunger is or isn't! I hear they are hungry just
like lapbanders...But I nhave NO experience in that at all...I have hunger
with RNY after several years too! So that does come back!
Go to the VSG Forum and READ what they are going thru...Go back and read a
several months or years to see for yourself
...(http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/a,messageboard/board_id,5463/ )
Also you might read here as well from a medical standpoint where they say
this: "The limited two year and 6 year weight loss data available to
date is superior to current Banding and comparable to Gastric Bypass weight
loss data(see Lee, Jossart, Cirangle Surgical Endoscopy 2007)."
:http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/default.aspx?page=DocumentRender&doc.Id=4049
— .Anita R.
March 14, 2009
I had VSG on July 22nd, no regrets whatsoever, i have lost 95 pounds with
11 more to my goal, no complications. I would do it again in a heartbeat,
this is what my doctor suggested to me. My niece had VSG on Oct 29 and has
lost 91 pounds, but then she has about 70 more to lose and she hasnt had
any complications and I know she would do it again in a heartbeat also, and
her doctor recommended this to her. Good Luck to whatever you decide, God
Bless.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 14, 2009
You already know me, but I will give you my story anyway. I lost 100
pounds with the VSG in just SIX MONTHS! Then my primary physician panicked
and dropped my thyroid medication too low. The low levels of thyroid
hormones STALLED my weight loss for another 6 months. He gradually
increased my medication, and I have begun to lose weight again, but MUCH
SLOWER than I was before. I have now lost 116 pounds in a year and a few
weeks. I have about 30 more pounds to go to get to goal. I have had NO
complications, and ABSOLUTELY no regrets. I would do this again in a
heartbeat. You know MY opinion on which surgery you should have, but
whichever surgery you get, do SOMETHING to get your weight under control.
Obesity should be considered the leading cause of death in the US. It
contributes to SO MANY different health problems that it should be
considered a multifaceted killer. Obesity increases you risk of death by
Heart Attack, Stroke, Cancer, Diabetes, Respiratory Failure, Immune System
Disorders, and a HOST of other problems. Getting the FAT off your frame
IMPROVES your odds of survival. I hope this helps. Hugh
— hubarlow
March 14, 2009
Actually, we are not like lap banders. With the part of the stomach that is
removed, we lose most of our hunger, because the part of the stomach that
is removed, is the part that produces Ghrelin (sp?) which is the hunger
hormone.
I love everything about my VSG. I needed to lose 74 lbs to get to a
"normal" weight. I got there in 6 months, and ended up losing 97
lbs. I've been maintaining for over a year. I didn't have any
complications. I would certainly choose the VSG again. I didn't want to
have to worry about not being able to take certain medicines down the line
because of the lack of absorption.
— Teresa V.
March 14, 2009
I had VSG on 7/9/08
1. How much weight have you lost? A total of 100 lbs since my initial
consultation 6 weeks prior to surgery.
2. How long did it take? It has been 8 months and 1 week since my surgery
3. Any complications? Not a single one
4. Any regrets? Again, not a single one
5. If you could do it over, would you still choose the VSG over the RnY?
You betcha - in a heartbeat
Only YOU can make the decision on which type of surgery is best for YOU.
There are many factors to consider - are you a sugar addict; stress eater;
just need portion control; medicines you currently take; can you adhere to
the strict supplement requirements associated with malabsorption?
Malabsorption was not an option for me.
— JodieBlonde
March 14, 2009
I had VGS September 5, 2008, and am now 6 months out. I lost 15 lbs in the
2 week pre-op diet, and 77 since surgery. What is important, however, is
how much of that is fat and how much is muscle. The reason we have to eat
so much protein after our surgeries (any of them) is that if we don't, we
start losing muscle (and that can include the muscle our organs are made of
- i.e. heart!) - also our hair! If someone says they lost 20 lbs in a
month - how much of that is fat and how much is muscle. According to my
doctor, it is nearly impossible to lose more than 12-13 lbs of fat in a
month - now you could also be losing water. An example is this last month
- actually, it was about 6 weeks since my last check in - the scale showed
I lost 8 lbs - however, when he took the measurements to find out how much
fat/muscle/etc. I lost, he found out I had actually lost 15 lbs of fat, but
I had gained 2 lbs of muscle and 5 lbs water weight. So I felt really good
about that! But back to your questions - sorry to get off on my tangent.
I haven't had any complications other than a little bit of hair loss - but
upping the protein helped enormously (I eat 90-100 grams protein a day
rather than the initially suggested 60 grams - the main reason it was upped
was to stop muscle loss). No regrets at all. What you have to look at
rather than the scale are the non-scale victories. My joints no longer
bother me when I walk or exercise, I am off ALL medications (high blood
pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, pain pills, thyroid, etc.), my wedding
ring fits me again, I can fit into restaurant booths, I can fit in most
seats comfortably, I don't have to scoot my seat in the car back as far,
and I don't have to raise the steering wheel up, I can take a flight of
stairs without getting winded - and there are many more. These alone make
having the surgery the best thing I have ever done for me. And yes, I
would have the VSG over the RNY. I didn't want to deal with dumping,
malabsorption, and other issues that come with rerouting of the intestines.
Also, with the part of the stomach that makes the hormone Ghrelin removed,
I don't have the same type of hunger I use to. I can tell when my stomach
is empty (it still growls!), but it is a different feeling and hard to
describe. Check out my profile/site to read about my experiences more if
you want and also check out the VGS forum - everyone there has had the
sleeve and can tell you just anything you want to know about it. Good
luck!
— Wendy M.
March 15, 2009
The VSG is only comparable to the lap band in that it is restrictive. Other
than that, the two should not be compared.
I had VSG on March 31 of last year, almost one year ago. I have lost 123
lbs so far. I have a normal BMI for the first time since I don't know when.
I had no complications. I have never had any regrets about my choice in
WLS. In fact my sister-in-law had the same surgery a few months after me
and my daughter is hoping to have it also. I would not encourage someone to
do something that I did not fully believe in.
I would choose VSG over RnY in a heartbeat. I did not want to live with the
malabsorption issues for the rest of my life. The sleeve is proving to be
just as successful as the bypass, but without the long term issues. The
fact of the matter is I have very little interest in food because, for the
most part, my appetite is gone. I will NEVER be able to eat anywhere near
the volume of food I could before. I am very happy with the new life this
surgery has afforded me.
I strongly encourage you to continue researching your options. I believe
there is a place for almost all types of WLS. But other than the band, it
is not reversible and you have to live with your choice forever. Be sure
you are making a choice that you can live with. I DID! I wish you the best!
— corky1057
March 15, 2009
The reason I chose the VSG was I was born with only one kindey. They say
it is like the lap band But after talking it over with my friends that had
the RNY we seam to think it is very close to it. The biggest differentance
is the fact you still have all your intestin which later in life if you
need to diagest a perscription then you can not like the RNy. I was eating
the same amount 3 months after that a friend was after a year of the RNY
but I still get the dumping and caffinee high. I have lost a total of 100
lbs since June 08 and lost 70 since Nov 3 08 and lost it fast after the
surgery because you are on the same diet that the RNY is on. I know people
that after 3 weeks with the band that started eating all kinds of food and
wasn't losing the weight like they thought. The sleeve is for the people
that can't have the RNY just yet but will get it after they lose 200 then
the RNY can be use to lose the 300 or more. I am 4 1/2 months post-op and
feeling great. wouldn't change the last 7 months one bit. to answer the
last question will be no cause of the fact I will need to diagest
perscription drug later in life but still have a perminate weight loss
surgery.
— Scott Ambrose
March 15, 2009
I had my VSG done June 23, 2008. I have lost 143# in 9 months. The only
complication I have had was an infection in the largest incision, I had to
take 2 rounds of antibiotics to get rid of it, other than that it has been
smooth sailing. I would definitely recommend the VSG, it is less invasive,
you do not have problems with malabsorbition,& no dumping.
— KathieV
March 15, 2009
I had VSG 09/22/08 and have lost 63 pounds to date. I started with a 40BMI
am down to 29 now. Just had my 6 month checkup on the 13th and could not be
better.....blood pressure normal and all blood work perfect. I am thrilled
and would do it again in a heartbeat. I chose VSG over lap band at my
surgeons recommendation. I was against RNY for myself due to the
malabsorption issues. I have had absolutely no complications and could not
feel better. It is definitly a personal choice but keep researching I am
sure you will come up with the right solution for you !!
Connie Thise
Dr. M. Jawad Ocala
— conniet
March 17, 2009
I had my VSG on 1/20/09 and feel great. I was going in to have the RnY the
VSG was just a second choise but the day of the surgery my Dr. really
thought the VSG would be better because i have a abdominal hernia. It was
the best thing I have had no problems. when I went for my 6 week app. I had
lost 47 pounds no regrets at all. Yes I would do it again.Good luck on your
decision. All the best to you:)
— lynn-72-74
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