Going with the Sleeve, Have a Date! - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

Eseret · 01-04-2008, 03:26 PM

Eric,

Congratulations!! I'm tickled pink for you!!! That's super good news and it will be well worth the debt you have to go into for it. Just think of all the money you're gonna save on groceries!

What a "sweet" Valentine's Day gift for yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!

Teri

Gwen · 01-04-2008, 03:36 PM

..... and so happy to hear that things are moving along for you!!

Bummer about having to self pay but it will all be worth it in the end

For those that are interested here is a link to Eric's previous thread: VSG vs. RNY: What's new with Eric (and, yes, it's long!) explaining the working of the sleeve and also his reasons for choosing this surgery.

The surgeon I chose, Dr Dillemans in Belgium, actually informs you pre-opp that although you give consent for the RNY he might chose to perform the Mc Lean (VBG), similar to the VSG, if he runs into complications. His website explains the difference between the procedures very well: Different Surgical Procedures.

There is a UK based Forum called WLS Info Forum to which I also belong and on there I can see 43 VSG members, not sure how many of them are active, but they may be a good source of information to you. You might already have discovered this Forum?

Good Luck Eric and I can't wait to welcome you onto the Loosers Bench

{{{{{{{{Big warm hugs}}}}}}}}

XXX

MiladyB · 01-04-2008, 03:39 PM

Eric, I'm sorry that it looks as if you will be self-paying but I'm thrilled that things are finally moving ahead for you. You've been so patient, Eric but finally your day is coming!!

WOO HOO!!!!

Teenieleenie · 01-08-2008, 10:42 AM

So sorry I haven't been around lately. Holidays and home renovations have been keeping me real busy. I think you're really going to like your sleeve. I am now able to eat all normal foods and have no problems unless I eat too fast or don't chew well enough.

I hit a 3.5 week stall at just 2 weeks out because I was only able to consume about 400-500 calories. Guess I went into starvation mode. Anyway, the weight loss is continuing now since I've upped my intake to about 800-1000 and I'm down 30 pounds in 2 months.

I'm not the fastest loser on the sleeve forum, but it's a decent pace for me. I think the average weight loss on the sleeve forum is about 70 lbs in 3 months. I won't make that, but I'm still so very happy with what I've accomplished so far.

I highly recommend visiting the Obesity Help forums for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. You'll need some of the information there to help you along. While this forum is very helpful, it's a totally different surgery with different needs than ours.

Once again, congratulations on your date! I can't wait to see how much you love your new tummy.

It's amazing that I feel so satisfied with just a few bites of food. I never thought I'd see the day. I feel so blessed that I was able to have this surgery. I know you will too !

OsoDelDesierto · 01-08-2008, 05:26 PM

Thank you all for your encouragement and support! I will update you all as my journey progresses. Teenieleenie, it's good to see you back on Thinner Times!

Thinner Times has become my WLS forum "home", but I do "lurk" on the Obesity Help VSG forum too, and I appreciate all the good info there - I should emerge from the shadows and actually post something there too...

Claire-in-Texas · 01-08-2008, 05:43 PM

Eric, it's so good to see you, loud and clear, here on TT.

I am looking forward to your journey, and I truly hope that as your surgery gets closer that you will start feeling that total elation/excitement. I still feel it!!!

Lots of hugs to you, my precious friend!

ladytonya · 01-09-2008, 08:54 AM

Yeah, Eric! It's great that you finally have a date!

We have a gentleman in our local support group that had the sleeve about a year ago. His starting weight was over 700 lbs. and he lost over 300 lbs. in one year. He is amazing! Our local surgeons are going to start doing the sleeve now and he is such a great help in supporting those people. He says that his surgeon told him that he would have the sleeve and then if he stopped losing before reaching goal he would be converted to RNY. He doesn't think he'll have to be converted because he's done so great with the sleeve. Good luck to you, and keep posting about your journey! It's always interesting to read about different procedures. I actually had a slightly different procedure than the standard RNY because I have a silastic band around the opening from my pouch to the intestine to prevent stretching the anastomosis (sp?). I am basically like the RNY people, I just have to be careful because I can get stuck like the lap band people. I guess I get the best of both worlds!

annmarie · 01-09-2008, 10:36 AM

Hi Eric,
iam having the sleeve as well but am awaiting a date my surgeon in the uk said this was the right surgery for me to good luck for feb will be thinking about you keep me posted of how your pre assessment goes annmarie

Godsblessedme · 01-09-2008, 12:45 PM

tonya, i too have that silastic band thing.

i didnt know really what its excactly for thanks

OsoDelDesierto · 01-12-2008, 10:26 AM

This is a news feature story on VSG and my surgeon from Arizona Illustrated, a local PBS affiliate's news program:

http://tv.azpm.org/kuat/segments/569/

This is a newspaper article on Dr. Chiasson and his partner, Dr. Burpee:

http://www.explorernews.com/article/show/20581