Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

O.K. what is the difference between the Gastric sleeve- or also called the Sleeve Gastrectomy and the Vertical sleeve?????? I want the one that cuts your stomach to the size of a banana and disposes of the other part of the stomach, which I think is the Gastric sleeve or again, also called the Gastrectomy ... What is the Vertical sleeve what happens or is done for this procedure??? Thank you, Rose

I was wondering you follks who had your bands removed if you go to send it home as a "consulation prize" kinda like the little stuffed animals you overpay for at the fair? I'd like to see the little crudder that's made me miserable for 5 years!!

I thought my face would clear up after surgery, but it has actually been worse. And I have a few spots on my back too which I have never had a problem with. Has anyone else experienced this and what helped? Thanks!

Sunday Worship and Praise- Our God I hope you had a Blessed Sunday! I wasn't going to church today because I was feeling a nausea and just blah. Hubby took the kiddos and they all went to Sunday School. I was sitting flipping through the channels and just picked up the phone and called my Mom. It was about 20 min before church was to start. She said she would be right over and get my. Needless to say, hubby was very happy and suprised to see me sitting in the sanctuary waiting for him to get out of men's class. I think there was a big reason that God wanted me there and for today it was the praise and worship. During this part of the service, I was standing, dancing, a…

Okay, today is Oct. 29th, and it just hit me. I have not had a single piece of candy this Oct. I knew I would be having VSG surgery in Oct, and didn't want to buy any Halloween candy early on. Then I had surgery on Oct. 22, and of course now I CAN'T eat any candy but heck I am realizing what a victory going 22 days in Oct. without a single piece of candy is! Awesome!!! I did have to go and buy some for this weekend, but it is hidden (for now) out of sight out of mind.

We know life is a journey. Paul even describes it as a race... Heb 12:1 “Run with endurance the race that God has set before you” On a race, there are markers to make the path to show the way to go. On our race, God is our marker, His words are our map. But on a race, what happens if a car is parked blocking the signs, or if you have a leg cramp and can't keep going, or fall and get injured? All of these will slow or even stop our race. Life is the road blocks in our race. I can't tell you how many times I've looked to the right or the left to see who/what I cam keeping up with. I've kept my eye behind me and I've tried to strain my eyes in front of me. But I realized,…

hey guys im travelling bymyself and havin surgery its last minute and pretty unorganized i was goin to go with dr verboonen in the tj hospital.....but i have found it hard to get any reviews on him so im going with mt zion /jeruasalem clinic......i will be travelling bymyself so im hopin someone will respond to this to make a friend or two to be there for me sorta thing. any feeback would be great. anyone have an opinion on doing this alone????????????????

hello peoples....i was wondering if anyone has had a sleeve by dr sergio verboonen in tijuana????? iam heading down this tuesday to have the surgery and was wondering if anyone that has had surgery with him could share there story ...good or bad??? any feedback would be great thanks

Last night i over ate some food and my stomache was in alot of pain, feels like bad cramps and i started sweating. Very painfull. As time past it eventually went away. Now this am: i had my protein shake and my stomache is in alot of pain again. almost where i cant stand it. Has this ever happened to anyone?

SEEMS like on the message boards i go to for vsg info, HERE,OH,and Thinner times,seems like BCBS is starting to come to there senses.Seems like alot of approvals here lately..Hope thats the case.:001_smile:

Hello, has anyone had this surgery? Has it worked for you? I might have a condition that wouldn't lend itself well to VSG or Plication and I know I don't want the band. Might need to have repeated endoscopes and see all of my stomach. I keep thinking if the POSE prodceedure or something like it where the stomach was made smaller but still viewable that is the answer. From the very limited research it sounds like StomaphX and TOGA it looks like failed miserabley. I don't know if POSE is different, but I've looks all the places I know, and info/experiences are very limited. I am wondering if there is any new procedures coming out in the baratric field. Please post i…

I would love a buddy, I am 53 yrs old and have had the lapband for 2 1/2 yrs, it prolapsed in march of this yr and i had it fixed, now 7 months later and 40 lbs heavier i am going in for surgery on mon. nov. 1st. for the sleeve. I am soo scared, but so hopeful all goes well and i will be more active and just generally happier with myself. I am going to visit my daughter and her fam. at christmas time and will be traveling with them to savannah Ga. about 4 hrs from their home by car and hope this is not too optomistic at 7 weeks post op. I am also going on a cruise in Feb. and am so excited about the things i will be able to do (snorkle) that i wouldn't be able to do …

Hello all, This is my very first post on here, although I have been a frequent visitor and have enjoyed reading everyone's posts on here the last few weeks. It seems like its been forever since I have been considering WLS, I even got a surgery date for RNY about 5 years ago but chickened out at the last minute ... Now after many unsuccessful diets and years later, I am convinced the sleeve is the right choice for me, and I just can't believe I am days away from beginning this journey! I have learned so much from reading all of your posts and advice, I almost feel overwhelmed by all the information, but grateful that I am not going in "blind"! I was wondering if anyone…

Does anyone regret the decision to have VSG?

A year ago I thought I wanted the lap band and after research I chose the VSG. My surgery was this past Thursday and everything went great. The only pain I felt was from the gas they pump u w. The Dr said that it is painful and can take 2 weeks to go away. I am day 2 home from the hospital and I have gone from feeling great to weak, can not pass gas, struggling with liquid intake and now can not go #2, my lower right back hurts bad and every joint/muscle in my body aches and I am freezing all the time. I spoke to my surgeon and he said this is all normal and will pass soon. I do and take every vit and pill as instructed and I walk throughout the day. I have already lost 8…

I had my surgery on Friday and here it is Sunday. The worst pain I've had has been in my back. I was rear-ended Wednesday before my surgery and I'm not sure if the back pain is from the VSG or from the wreck. If you have had backpain please let me know.

Hi folks, I am a newbie here, and I've been looking into VSG for a while, and thinking it's likely the right solution for me. My surgeon's program requires you to eat between 500 and 800 calories a day, and I am just fearful that I will be tired on such low calories. Right now, even though I weigh about 300 lbs, my energy isn't too bad, and I just want some assurance that I won't feel terrible after surgery. When I read VSG blogs and this forum I haven't seen much commentary on this. I am wondering if anyone can tell me more about their energy levels during the weight loss phase and if you experienced any difficulty with mood or energy. thanks!!!

This is probably sort of a weird thing to be worried about, but I've noticed recently that guys have started flirting with me, enough that as oblivious as I've always been, even I notice it. Frankly, I don't know how to deal with it. I'd always thought that simply wearing a wedding band would act as a sort of STOP sign. Part of the time, it's kind of flattering. I mean, it's nice to have it confirmed that I am starting to look pretty enough to have people notice my appearance. I never thought I was anything but average appearance, so it's nice to find out that people think otherwise. But in other ways, it makes me really, really angry, makes me think, "Why wasn't…

One month ago (yesterday) I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, MX. I cannot tell you how AWESOME I feel right now. Here's why: I was wearing a size 22W!!!! Today I'm fitting a lot of my 16's and some are Misses. I bought a Suede leather jacket today from Goodwill. It was so nice, and it was size M. OMG... it fit, except it was a tad bit tight at the very bottom where the buttons are. It's ok, I KNOW I'll fit into it really soon. I count the moments! In the mean time I took it to my Green Cleaners who are going to do some minor repairs and restorations. It's actually in very good condition. I am able to do over two miles now in walking and …

i'm having surgery november 26, and i'm so excited, but it just seems there are certain people that only want to be negative and it's starting to make me second guess my decision can somebody please help me and give me some advice!!!!!!

Well I finally have the go ahead to get surgery. The problem for me now is choosing which one . My question is this....I have heard that for some super obese people certain surgeries are not as effective. Does anyone know about this? Please be honest. I need to pick the right procedure for me. Thtanks

10.Be able to fit more than 5 article of clothes in the washer 9. Play actual sports and not just on the x-box 8. Get rid of my shower chair. Actually, it is pretty relaxing 7. Stop worrying about breaking the diving board 6. Stop attending "Bedside Baptist" and actually get up and go to an actual church 5. Save lots of money on clothes 4. Get better gas mileage 3. Stop having to get off of roller coasters when the restarints don't close 2. Discover other channels besides food Network 1. Not worry about chair legs exploding when I sit down Feel free to add your own

I don't know about anyone else, but I have experience some things with the new me that I did not expect!!! I was never told that the high Protein diet will give you constipation:blushing: (TMI I know) which can lead to hemorrhoids:blushing: (which is an experience all in its self if you have never had them!), your feet loose weight which makes all of your shoes loose:thumbdown:, and your rings start to fall off:mad0:... Anyone else have any surprise outcomes??? But I wouldn't change it for the world!

Hello I am a girl from Oslo in Norway who is planning a weight loss sergery. First of all- sorry for my bad english I have read a lot about Gastric bypass, but I hear about several who has big problems with their teeth after a while. Is there someone on this forum who have taken Sleeve operation som years ago and can tell me if this is usual after Sleeve as well? The teeth after Gastric bypass often break, and they got holes also, even if they brush, is using floss and fluorid. Hope that someone can answer me. have a nice day

We have a thread on here started by one of our sisters. She writes about the guilt that can flow through us when we make such a big decision in our lives as this surgery is. I took a lot of comfort in that post because I didn't feel alone. There are people of out feeling the same as me, and I don't have hide those fears. I can confess them and move on in the knowledge that God's grace, mercy and love, that are unending, never failing. I hope this can be a place where we can share our new found joy and peace in this journey. I'm trading my sorrows I'm trading my shame I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord I'm trading my sickness I'm trading my pain I…

CALLING IN ALL THE VST STALLERS: Anybody had a stall for 4 weeks? If so how did you move on from it? I'm 8 weeks out. Lost 10Kgs (22 pounds) with ease in my 1st 4 weeks. However, the next 4 weeks after going from liquids to mushies - the scale has not moved and is doing my head in. Okay, so I need to get moving more, which I have been doing anyway and will up the liquid/water intake as much as I can, and monitor Protein intake more carefully. Am just feeling sorry for myself as this feels as though it will never end! I have been more compliant with my Sleeve than I ever was with my band. Today is a new record for me. No chocolate for 9 weeks. That's never happen…

i hate the feeling of stuck food- like a crushing chest pain, shoulder pain, having to TMI gag yourself desperate to dislodge the offending asparagus(or whatever) finally so desperate you heimlich yourself and then if still unsucessful wait wait wait npo, spitting saliva all day long until at least saliva will stay down, staying nothing by mouth for 24hours and gradually starting clear liq again......please say it isnt so with the vsg I'm considering

I WAS TOLD THE STATS AFTER RNY IS 75% WHO GAIN THEIR WT BACK....I COULNT BELIEVE IT! IF THIS IS TRUE AND I DO KNOW SOME BYPASS PEOPLE DO GAIN WT BACK, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO US SLEEVERS? WE DONT HAVE MALABSORPTION OR DUMPING SYNDROME, SO WILL WE HAVE INIATIAL LOSS'S WITH REGAIN? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE STATS ARE, OR IS IT TOO SOON. I AM DUE TO BE SLEEVED AFTER A FAILED BAND X2 AND AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS....MAYBE IM CRAZY, I DONT KNOW...LOL

Hey chickee. . . Surgery is fast approaching, and I wanted to post here just to give you a little boost of confidence. I hope you are doing well, and remember I'm just a text, phone call or email away. I've been slow on emails because my IPhone needs to be updated. But, my texting is back up and running. I hope the pre-op diet is going well for you. If you need anything, let me know. I'm cheering for you from the sidelines ! ! !:w00t:

I made two buddies at the beginning of all of this who had surgery the same week as me. I never hear from either of them anymore. I am looking for a buddy who wants to keep in touch long term as we go through this together! I enjoy keeping in touch via text, email, facebook, one or all, doesn't matter. No offense to my previous buddies but I try to check on them and I get short answers if any, or how busy they may be... I am busy too... what about me though, they don't check to ask how I am doing because they are busy. Just seems very one sided and I am looking for a two-way buddy system Would be great if you are in the same place (2 -3 months post op) but I am open to a…

So I have never noticed before how many heavy people are really out there untill I started this journey.Now when I am out and about I look at heavier people and there is this string in my heart that gets pulled. I feel so blessed to have this opertunity to have this surgery done, but I know that not everyone has this option due to finances or even just lack of knowledge. I see them in pain as they are walking , or even just tthe depression in there face, and all I can think of is how benificial this surgery would be for them. I have brought up the topic with some of the heavire people that I would with ( not trying to push it on them, but about what I am doing) and I hav…

I am looking to start a local support group for sleevers in the the Long Island, NY area. Please if anyone in the vicinity is interested let me know.

Hi there everyone, I only joined the forum a couple of days ago, I live in England and was only referred for surgery last Monday (11th) so I haven't seen any of the surgical team yet. I am on here for info, inspiration and advice and also love reading everyones success stories! I cannot wait for my surgery but am told it could be another six months before I actually go under the knife as it were. My question is about skin folds. I was told that vertical sleeve surgery generates very rapid and sudden weight loss (sounds good to me!!) but that skin folds can be an issue because of the speed of the weight loss. Soooooo, any advice on how to prepare/avoid skin folds? An…

This weeks song really spoke to my heart. It was like everything I had bottled up inside, everything I wanted to pour out to the Lord. The prayer typed at the beginning of the song is "my prayer" to Him. I can do nothing without Him. The best part is He takes me as I am, all my faults, failures, distresses, joys, accomplishments. I don't have to be this cookie cutter Christian woman. There is no mold I have to fall into His grace is without works. His love is unfailing. The problem is I'm human with many expectations on myself. But sometimes you just have to "let go and let God". Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry h…

Happy Sunday Sleevers and soon to be sleevers and thinking about it sleevers!!! My God song of the week is Amazing Grace (my chains are gone). By Chris Tomlin. I truly feel like God is lifting chains off of me one by one. It is a wonderful feeling! I weighed in today and lost 3 more lbs (still waiting for my surgery) but that is a total of 24 lbs so far! Each one of those pounds is a chain on my body holding me down and back. I am 300 lbs now and able to exercise of 30 min straight without pain during or after. This is a big victory for me, and I give God all the glory. My chains are gone I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flo…

Im set for August 31st with Dr Nicholson in Plano, TX. I cant wait! Any others scheduled in August, especially those that might be seeing Dr Nick! It would be fun to make a new friend at the beginning of this journey! :cursing:

Hi Everybody, I saw this article cited on google health news. The research showed that about 1 in 6 people were able to lose 10% of their body weight and keep it off for a year. The study included those who may have lost unintentionally and also those who may have had temporary weight gain (e.g., Freshman 15). The greatest % of loss was among 75-84 year olds, which isn't surprising as the elderly often lose weight unintentionally. Once agin, I'm sure I made the right decision. 10% of my body weight would have been a measly 21 lbs when I needed to lose 75. If you want to see the abstract, here's a link: Access : Long-term weight loss maintenance in the United St…

I'm a Newbie to the Group.. 4 Days Post - Op Surgery I wanted to thank everyone for being so gracious with their wealth of knowledge and it's amazing how I've been able to read something that has been beneficial to me,regardless of the topic. I am a single woman with no children and when my Mom found out about my surgery she came to support me for the first 2 weeks post surgery...Here's my question..how many people had someone to help them during this period and did it help with your recovery or are you one of those people that wanted to be left alone to figure it out on your own. My only concern at this point is the lack of a bowel movement since the day pr…

So I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a man in my early 30’s living in NJ. I have been overweight for my entire adult life. I am 5’9 and when I was in HS I was 177lbs and played football and wrestled and baseball. I was in great shape and lifted weights and felt great. Then I went to college and the lbs started packing on. After college when I entered the working world, I lived the life of a decent paid young person in the business worlds. Restaurants and traveling and living it up and kept on ballooning. Now through marriage and kids and greater responsibilities at work I reached my maximum weight ever in August of 2010 of 340lbs. I was so shocked at the number but …

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101005/lf_nm_life/us_dieters_sleep_1

Hi Everyone, I thought you all would want to see this. I pasted this from webmd. Weight Loss Surgery May Improve Memory Study Also Shows Weight Loss Surgery Does Not Have Negative Impact on Executive Function By Kathleen Doheny WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD Oct. 11, 2010 (San Diego) -- Bariatric or weight loss surgery may improve memory, according to new research, which also found no adverse effects on other cognitive skills such as attention or language. "Just three months after surgery, there was a significant improvement in memory function," says researcher Gladys Strain, PhD, director of research for laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at We…

Can someone tell me what it feels like the first week after being sleeved and how long it takes to start feeling normal or better again...i am going from band to sleeve in 2 wks and im not sure what to expect...if anyone reads this who went from band to sleeve, can u explain how the restriction differs. thanks for listening.....vicki~

Hi all. Just wanted to provide a bit of an update on my situation. For those who may not have been following my posts, I was working toward having sleeve surgery, which I thought was to have happened within the next few weeks. My Internet research misled me, and my insurance company agent specifically misinformed me, and I didn't know until last week that my insurance carrier will not pay for sleeve surgery at the civilian hospital they referred me to. For reasons I still don't understand, they WILL pay for it if I have surgery at a military treatment facility. This logic escapes me, since the civilian hospital is a center of excellence, highly rated, and consider…

I have had the band since 6/08 slipped 3/10 with a revision of the same band. i have since gained 40 lbs and the doctor had offered me the sleeve to be done one 11/1, i am terrified, i am 53 and this will be my 3rd abdominal surg. in 2 1/2 yrs! im afraid of leaks, or infection. what does it feel like, when u eat, does it feel like the band, getting stuck and still hungry all the time? any words of wisdom or advice is much appreciated....ty vix

I am having surgery tomorrow, October 5, 2010. I don't know anyone who has ever had this type of surgery (only lap band and bypass). I would like a buddy who has either "been there" or is going to have it done around the same time as me. Thanks, TeeElle

Hi there, this is my very first post and I'm sorry if it is on the wrong forum!!!!! I've done a little research on VSG vs BAND and after alot of consideration I have opted for the sleeve. I am having the surgery on the NHS and had my referral done on Monday so I have quite a long wait before getting done. My jitters come because where I live, you have to attend 4 group sessions and everything was geared up to having a band, then on one of my one to one appointments the dietician told me that the sleeve is now available! I did my research and decided that the sleeve sounds best for me, but when my referral was done and dusted I emailed the dietician and she emailed back s…

Never see anyone on here from Fort Walton. Just started my process.Had a group meeting today. Waiting to see the nutritionist. BMI of 36 with comorbities . 210 pounds.5' 4' tall. Enjoy hearing everyones stories.

Hey my name is Gloria and I was sleeved 5 April 2010. I have lost 49 lbs so far, was at 214 and am now at 165. It seems as though I have been at 165 quite awhile now. My goal is to reach 150. I am in Augusta, Ga and would love to talk/share/support people in my area ,but am willing to talk/share/support anyone who has had the sleeve. I can be reached either by my email, facebook whichever you request.:thumbup1: You can also reach me on this site or by private message.

I'm looking forward to changing my life for the better. Healthier, more active, and not to hurt all over because of weight. Im looking for a support group of people to help me achieve my goals... Becky

I used the U.S.National Library of Medicine's website when researching my appeal and found it quite useful: www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/sites/pubmed If you have difficutly, go to pubmed.gov The site provides articles in abstract form -- great for your letter. Good luck Fit