Got the OK for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

bigbear3334 · 08-11-2009, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weza215

Hello Everyone,
I got the OK to get the VSG yesterday and now I'm just waiting for the date of surgery. I was told that it would be either may 21 or June 3. My insurance is covering this proceedure. I was going to get the RNY but changed my mind I just feel better about the VSG. I'm so excited I can't wait! I feel this will be a new beginning for me. I feel like I've been waiting forever even though I just started this whole mission back in October of 07. I wish there were more people out there who had this done so I could talk with them. It would be nice to see a separate part for the VSG like the RNY and Lapband have. I just hope that I'm able to take the weight off and keep it off. My friend had the RNY back in February and she looks great and she hasn't had any major complications. All the best to everyone. Lisa

I was born in Ontonagon, MI 6/25/1939. I raised eight children, first born was Vanessa 7/16/1961, second was James born 8/16/1962. I knew your parents very well. I seen my Doc yesterday, and we set a date for my Gastric Bypass 9/10/09. I weighed 329, he wants me at 299. I just want to get this done, and get on with my life. Good luck to you on your journey.
~BIGBEAR3334~
70 YEARS YOUNG
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Dr. MARK SHERROD
Surgery date: 8/?/09

THE DAY IT ALL STARTED - 6/25/1939
END OF 6MO WAITING - 12/5/07
INSURANCE APPROVAL - 06/15/09
GASTRIC SURGERY DAY - 9/?/09

Finally APPROVED 7/6/09

9/?/09 SURGERY

BIGBEAR3334 - 07/28/09
LBS LOST FOREVER

I have found the real me & I know where I'm going! I'm going to be there soon.

Higest wt/current/goal
340/329/175

0 Pounds lost so far ~ August 2009
0 Pound lost so far ~ August 2009
0 Pound lost so far ~ August 2009

ardita · 08-11-2009, 06:46 AM

my doc used a bougie size of 36, I believe....

Mom2Hayley · 08-12-2009, 07:38 AM

What is a bougie? I am really interested in this because I have a very high BMI of 60. Thanks!

ardita · 08-12-2009, 10:10 AM

A bougie is a measurement unit referring to the width of the stomach the surgeon leaves behind. It is a French term. Think of it as a straw. My surgeon uses a 34/36 bougie which is on the smaller side. Some go even smaller. Some start larger then go smaller in a subsequent surgery.

MiladyB · 08-16-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom2Hayley

What is a bougie? I am really interested in this because I have a very high BMI of 60. Thanks!

I had the RNY but have observed one of the surgeon's from Grand Health Partners in Grand Rapids, doing the sleeve. I know that Dr Foote, in Grand Rapids uses a 36 french bougie. That is a pretty tight sleeve. His rationale for making it so tight is that over time it gets more "mature" and he would prefer to start out with it on the smaller side. Down side to that is the start can be pretty rough. It isn't all that unusual to be on liquid protein for the first 3 months. Its pretty hard to get anything really dense down into a sleeve that is that tight. It does get better over time, though.

Like Ardita explained the 36 is a measurement size. What happens is that during surgery the doctor will advance a tube "bougie" down into your stomach. The surgeon will use that tube as a guide for where to put the staples. He puts the stapling instrument tightly against the bougie and staples and cuts your stomach at the same time. The larger the bougie size the larger your new stomach.

bigbear3334 · 10-05-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weza215

Hello Everyone,
I got the OK to get the VSG yesterday and now I'm just waiting for the date of surgery. I was told that it would be either may 21 or June 3. My insurance is covering this proceedure. I was going to get the RNY but changed my mind I just feel better about the VSG. I'm so excited I can't wait! I feel this will be a new beginning for me. I feel like I've been waiting forever even though I just started this whole mission back in October of 07. I wish there were more people out there who had this done so I could talk with them. It would be nice to see a separate part for the VSG like the RNY and Lapband have. I just hope that I'm able to take the weight off and keep it off. My friend had the RNY back in February and she looks great and she hasn't had any major complications. All the best to everyone. Lisa

I had my Gastric Bypass on 9/24/09 and weight was 335, today 10/5/09 it was 312. I feel pretty good, but ground up Medications are not good. That is the only thing that I can find to complain about. Hope and pray al is well with you.

~BIGBEAR3334~
70 YEARS YOUNG
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Dr. MARK SHERROD
Surgery date: 9/24/09

THE DAY IT ALL STARTED - 6/25/1939
END OF 6MO WAITING - 12/5/07
INSURANCE APPROVAL - 06/15/09
GASTRIC SURGERY DAY - 9/24/09

Finally APPROVED 7/6/09

9/24/09 RE-SCHEDULED SURGERY DATE

BIGBEAR3334 - 09/04/09
28 LBS LOST FOREVER (I HOPE)

I have found the real me & I know where I'm going! I'm going to be there soon.

Highest wt/current/goal
340/312/175

28 Pounds lost so far ~ October 2009

ardita · 10-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Hey Big Bear-

Congrats and welcome to TT! Welcome also to the sleevers club. There aren't many of us yet, but there will be; it seems to be the least intrusive way to go. As for your meds, I had gotten all of mine in liquid form for post op and they were nasty, nasty, nasty. Threw up on them.

Most aren't supposed to be crushed anyhow, but you may find at 2 weeks you can handle having them whole. Most of the directions I was given were for gastric bypass procedures and probably your guidelines are, also. You have a smaller stomach pouch but you are not missing part of your intestines. I won't tell you to do this, ut I will tell you I took my pills, hole, two weeks out and had no problems. On the other hand, if you hang in there with crushing them (which is debatable because it may compromise the integrity of the medication composition), you are right, you don't have much longer to deal with that anyhow. Good luck!

tamtrch · 10-16-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weza215

Hello Everyone,
I got the OK to get the VSG yesterday and now I'm just waiting for the date of surgery. I was told that it would be either may 21 or June 3. My insurance is covering this proceedure. I was going to get the RNY but changed my mind I just feel better about the VSG. I'm so excited I can't wait! I feel this will be a new beginning for me. I feel like I've been waiting forever even though I just started this whole mission back in October of 07. I wish there were more people out there who had this done so I could talk with them. It would be nice to see a separate part for the VSG like the RNY and Lapband have. I just hope that I'm able to take the weight off and keep it off. My friend had the RNY back in February and she looks great and she hasn't had any major complications. All the best to everyone. Lisa

What insurance do you have? I wish my insurance covered the sleeve! I would rather not deal with all the things you have to think about when eating with the by-pass.