JoanieW

The biggest reason for having the VSP instead of the VSG was because I was afraid of leaks. I've heard some horror stories about that, and it just scared me. The other reason is because of the fact the VSP is reversisble. I had a lot of what ifs. Most people don't worry about these things at all, but it was a big deal for me. One thing you might want to try is to make your decision for either one and then see if you can live with that decision. Try it out for a few days. If you choose the VSG, ask yourself if you can live with the risks. If it's the VSP, just ask youself about whatever concerns you may have about going this route.

Most of what to eat and when is decided by your physician. I had Dr. Watkins, and he required one week of liquids preop and 800 calories, but I think for a higher BMI it was two weeks on liquids before the surgery. Liquids are anything you can sip through a straw. So, you could mix Soup in a blender. One thing I liked was to whip up a Protein smoothie with cottage cheese. It took away some of the sweetness and was very good. I think some other doctors want you on just liquids. You also need to be around 60-65 gm of protein a day and 60 oz of fluids. The first week after my surgery, I was on one week of liquids (sip through a straw type) and two weeks of mushies which is any food that is mushy, i.e. scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, etc.
I don't know that I have any advice for preop surgery other than to follow your doctor's recommendations. Postop diet is a little hard, because mushies go through you pretty fast, as do liquids, so you need to eat a little more often. Keep in mind, you will get hungry, but are easily satisfied on less. I now understand why this is called a tool. You still have to watch what you eat, because you can put a lot of ice cream and potato chips in that little stomach. But it's not the same hunger as before, and it's a lot more manageable and easily satisfied. I think the best part of this is that once I have lost all the weight, It will be easier to keep it off.
Postop, I didn't have any pain or gas, and I think that was thanks to Dr. Watkins. There must be something he does differently, but I'm not sure. I hope that's what you wanted to know. Let me know of any other questions you might have.
So I guess you decided on the plication?

Hi Lguidry,
I'm sorry to be late in posting, but I haven't been on here for a few days. I am doing great. I'm down 27 pounds since my preop diet. My surgery was on Aug.6. I think my weight loss has slowed down a little because I came off of one of my blood pressure pills, and it was a diuretic. But just being able to come off my BP meds is great news! I'll be taken off the other one soon, and it's a diuretic as well. I've gone from 210 to 183 in two months, just 33 more to go. I feel good and no more joint pain. Let me know if there are any specific questions you have.

Hi Karen. I had my surgery on Aug. 6, and I'm doing very well. I've lost 24 pounds including the one week preop diet I was on. Unfortunately, I didn't lose any last week. You will sometimes hit a stall. If you click on Dr. Watkins' name in one of his posts, you can read everything he has written regarding the plication. That will give you a lot of information.
Joanie

Good to have you with us.

Hi Ellen. I will be getting gastric plication from Dr. Watkins in Cincinnati on Aug 6. I live about six hours away from him, so I am leaving today for consultation with him tomorrow. I am so happy this went so well for you and that you are happy. Can I call you a loser? :-)

Thank you, Ellen. How was your surgery and where did you have it done? Joanie

Thank you, momrn and welcome. I'm glad you posted. I trust what you had to say and feel much better about having this procedure which is going to be on 8/6. Joanie

Welcome Ellen. Here's a big WOOHOO! on your 20 pound weight loss. Joanie

The last time I checked on Dr. Watson's stats, he had done five plications. No one in the US is going to have very many under their belt. Dr. Watkins is charging me $10,000 for self pay. Dr. Cottam in Utah is charging around $6300, but I just couldn't get him to call me back in a timely manner. I waited two weeks for a phone consultation, and he never called. Then I waited another week, and he never called. When I did finally speak to him, he said he would have someone in the office call me, but no one ever did, so I called Dr. Watkin's office, and they were on the ball! I think Dr. Cottam is a good doctor, but I wanted to do this and I didn't want to wait any longer. It would have also been another six weeks before the surgery, because they have a catheter made specially for that patient and it takes six weeks after they order it. Dr. Watkins is going to Utah to scrub in with Dr. Cottam next week and to share information with each other.
There is a doctor at the Univ of Fla that is doing them, but when I called his office, I got the run around. I was never able to get any info. It may be different now, because that was over a month ago.
Yes, I did have a physical with my doctor who did all my blood work, and Dr. Watkins will be using that information. The office said they didn't want to repeat blood work if they didn't have too. They will let me know if there is anything else they require when I see them on Thurs.
Thanks for sharing the info that you find.

Hi Amy. I haven't had my surgery yet, but I did want to welcome you. I am scheduled for Aug. 6 with Dr. Watkins (same as Becca) in Cincinnati. Keep us posted on what you decide. Joanie

I forgot to mention that I am having the plication. Thanks so much for the info. It has made me a little less apprehensive and much more excited! I can't wait I am so glad to hear that you have no appetite. That was one of the things I was worried about. Keep me posted and I'll do the same.

Becca, I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Watkins on Aug. 8. Can you tell me what your experience was like and how are you doing?
CK and Mel, how are you doing?
Joan