LizTex2587

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Sleeve GastrectomyVertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Advantages•Reduces stomach capacity but tends to allow the stomach to function normally so most food items can be consumed, albeit in small amounts.•Eliminates the portion of the stomach that produces the hormones that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin).•Dumping syndrome is avoided or minimized because the pylorus is preserved.•Minimizes the chance of an ulcer occurring.•By avoiding the intestinal bypass, almost eliminates the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), marginal ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.•Very effective as a first stage procedure for high BMI patients (BMI > 55 kg/m2).•Limited results appear promising as a single stage procedure for low BMI patients (BMI 30-50 kg/m2).•Appealing option for people who are concerned about the complications of intestinal bypass procedures or who have existing anemia, Crohn’s disease and numerous other conditions that make them too high risk for intestinal bypass procedures.•Appealing option for people who are concerned about the foreign body aspect of Banding procedures.•Can be done laparoscopically in patients weighing over 500 pounds, thereby providing all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery: fewer wound and lung problems, less pain, and faster recovery.Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Disadvantages•Potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all procedures, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass. •Higher BMI patients will most likely need to have a second stage procedure later to help lose the rest of the weight. Remember, two stages may ultimately be safer and more effective than one operation for high BMI patients. This is an active point of discussion for bariatric surgeons.•Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, etc can be absorbed and may slow weight loss.•This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.•Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure.•Considered investigational by some surgeons and insurance companies.This information has been provided courtesy of Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LAPSF).

So glad to see that we are getting more February Sleevers!! Make sure you all join the February 2013 Sleevers group!!

Best of luck to you Moe!!!

Some docs are like that. they can and will dismiss patients at their discretion. I guess they think their time is valuable or something lol! I know my pcp is not wild about wls because when I mentioned it to him he totally shot me down...hehe he doesn't know that I am going to be sleeved in February. He may dismiss me for going against his medical advice but OH WELL!

I have been struggling with this since I found out I would not be sleeved until the new year...My Nutritionist said that we should avoid the "Last Supper" mentality but i keep thinking that this is going to be my last holiday season to enjoy the food the way I always have. Conversly, I also feel that I should be preparing for what I call "The New Normal" Our new way of eating is going to be the norm for us and it really does no good for us to have the mentality that we are being deprived. I guest I just have to find a good balance...boy is it ever hard! What are your thoughts??

Nikki! It's wonderful to hear from you! You have the best motivation possible! You can do this!

Howdy! So glad to hear from all of you! Well, my name is Liz and I am from South Texas. I am 25 and I work in hospitality and I am currently scheduled to be sleeved on February 18th!

Alright my fellow February sleevers! There does not seem to be too many of us currently, but I know more will come along! Please join the February 2013 Sleevers group so that we can keep up with each other!!! Happy Holidays, -Liz

Well....it would seem that I have to leave the Jan 2013 sleeve buddies club and join the Feb 2013 Sleeve buddies club. Yes friends, my surgery has been moved to February There is some pretty extensive dental work that I need to have done and since teeth are pretty important to the chewing process, he wont do the surgery unless he's confident that when I reach the solid foods i will be able to mastecate successfully...to tell the truth I am disappointed, but I know that these things happen for a reason and it will all work out for the greater good. Best of luck to all of you January sleevers! I hope that the new year treats you well and that you will treat your "new you" even better!

Fantastic! I'm so excited to connect with all of you January sleeve buddies! Thank you everyone for your response to this post.

My doc said that he very rarely puts in a band these days. it's becoming increasingly less popular since it is high maintenance (compared to other wls) and when you think about it...there is a stinkin' piece of hardware in your body. Also, most if the people I know personally that have the band have gained back so much weight because they just stop getting fills...and then they are like"I don't understand what's happening!"...psh. The sleeve is a great choice

It depends on what your insurance requirements are. Some require you to do 6 months or so of nutritional classes and other things, I got lucky and my insurance no longer requires the 6 month wait period. I had my consultation in September, went to 1 nutrition class, had 1 session with the counselor and I am scheduled to be sleeved in January! Check out your insurance requirements to get some ballpark idea of how long you may be waiting. Best of luck, keep us posted on your progress. You have come to a great website. People here are quick to offer advice, share their experiences, motivate you, celebrate with you, and just support you through this whole journey. It's a great place.

I can't wait to not feel like my life is over at 25. all of my friends are either engaged, married, or having children... I know that not everyone lives the same life but I'm so sick of people saying "just wait, you're turn is coming" and know that it's not. I'm not saying that people who are overweight cannot find love. But I do believe that often times we settle for less than we deserve just because we are afraid of being alone and feeling unloved. Bah! Anyway my whole point is that I can't wait to not have to feel like my life is stagnate and never going to change!

thanks for all of the great suggestions everyone!

i just got on Pinterest two months ago and i tell people that it's just a bad place! I get sucked in like nobody's business! but yes I have already tried several crock-pot recipes that people have pinned and they came out very well

cool! I will check them out!

oooo that sounds so yummy!!!!

My Nutritionist said that it would be a good idea to cook individual meals in something like a mini crock-pot especially when it comes to making your meat as soft and tender as possible. I think this is a good idea since I will be mainly cooking for myself once I get sleeved in January. So my question is this: Does anyone have any recipes for cooking with a mini crock-pot or even any great recipes that can become "mini-sized"? I LOVE chicken, so don't hesitate to throw that in the mix. All suggestions are greatly appreciated!

YES! Ditto!

I live in the Corpus Christi area, but I will have my surgery done in Victoria by Dr. B.Dean McDaniel

That's fantastic! We will have to get together. I'm so glad to find someone in my area! Who is doing your surgery?

let me clarify, they don't sell them in the stores...but at skating rinks and such.

nothin' wrong with swiggin' pickle juice!! Claussen is the best! heck, down here they freeze them in small cups and sell them for 25 cents...Pickle Pops!...Yes, that's incredibly redneck and yes, I'm incredibly ok with it! LOL

i was in the same boat you are in now...I got so much anxiety about being approved and getting my date that I had to literally make myself calm down...I was close to having anxiety attacks several times...I really dont have anxiety attacks, but I was getting so worked up that I just could not seem to calm downa and rationalize...and you know what? It was all for nothing! everything worked out fine, i was approved and now I have my date. I know that waiting is so difficult and sometimes you feel like the anticipation is going to kill you. It's almost like it's not really happening until you nail down a date. Don't worry!! You will get there soon enough! They aren't going to make you jump through all of those flaming hoops just to shoot you down! Your time is coming!