Vertical Sleeve Gasrectomy here I come - ThinnerTimes

weza215 · 04-26-2008, 04:55 AM

Hello everyone,
I have come to this conclusion that I will be getting the sleeve instead of the RNY. I know that I have gone back and forth for a long time on whether or not to have the surgery but at my multi-disciplinary day I spoke with the dietition and she said that my surgeon has done one so far but he plans on doing more soon. So even if I have to wait a few months or more I feel this is the right thing to do. I'm going with my gut. Please, if there are others with the vsg, I would like to know how things are going and about how much weight I can expect to lose. My BMI is 49 and I weigh 248 pounds. I also read that you can only eat 4oz. per meal. I would like to speak with someone who has experience with this surgery. Thanks Lisa

OsoDelDesierto · 04-26-2008, 07:07 AM

Hi, Lisa! Welcome!

I had the VSG about 10 weeks ago and am doing really well - I'm down 85 pounds since surgery. I can't tell you how much weight you can expect to lose - that's definitely something your surgeon should talk to you about. Everyone is different, so we can't really make estimates based on other people's weight losses, but your surgeon should be able to give you some idea of your likely results.

Have you checked to see whether your insurance will cover the VSG, or will you be doing it self pay? I was originally going to have an RNY, which my insurance covers, but had to go the self pay route when I decided on the VSG. No regrets! Have you looked into any other surgeons in your area who might have more experience with that particular procedure? I'm looking forward to hearing more about your VSG journey!

weza215 · 04-26-2008, 02:53 PM

Hello Eric,
I'm not sure if my insurance will cover the vsg. I'm waiting to call on Mon. My Doctor is from a center of excellence in Florida and has been doing the weightloss surgeries since "95". This is the first vsg that he has done since coming to the UP. I will be asking a lot of questions and I already know that he has had 2 deaths since "95" so I feel pretty confident with him. He is very picky and tells you that. I also know that the 2 deaths were from their personal mistakes not from the doctor. I asked and one was that the patient wasn't suppose to use the apap machine for at least 2 weeks after surgery and didn't listen. I don't know what happened with the other person. I was wondering if the vsg is similar with the after surgery diet as the rny? How was your recovery? is it worse then the rny? How painful was it? I hope to hear from you more. Lisa