Bigsuzy1969

So sorry to read this! This is my main concern on not having the surgery. I have very thin blood and every procedure I have had in the past, I would not stop bleeding. Is it possible in your history to have had a blood coagulation test done prior to surgery. This scares me because I would be on self pay and cold not afford a cash complication like that

Thank you so much for your thoughts! I feel that if I could just stick with it, I could lose 40 lb but it would end up the same, just knowing me. Any thoughts on telling your family that may prove to be unsupportive? Is keeping it a secret an impossible task?

I am reading the forums closely and have been thinking about this surgery for 6 months...are my hangups any of your regrets? Do you ever think that if you just followed the post op guidelines/menu that you would have been successful without surgery? Do you regret family occasions of eating out? parties? (my family does not support and likes to eat out a lot and celebrate (they are thin without food issues) Are you able to NOT tell friends and family (outside of spouse). And can I mention pasta? I just cannot imagine life without bread or pasta. I am italian from an italian family and how do you do that ? If you do not expect the rest of the family to change their eating habits, how difficult is that? (they probably would not want to eat out or celebrate less if that makes sense

I received a quote of $22,000 for the VSG and $15,000 for the ESG. So I was hoping that the ESG would accomplish the same for less cost and a less invasive procedure with quicker recovery time. Perhaps since it is so new I will have trouble finding answers. Thanks though.

Do you know how much your surgery cost? Cost was a factor in choosing ESG vs VSG. The ESG doesn't remove the stomach but stitches it from the inside to leave about the size of a banana. Medically speaking I am not sure why it is for lower BMI. I probably am 5 foot 3 1/2 and weighed this am at 217

since it is self pay, the VSG would be a little more expensive and i like the recovery time of the endoscopic vs laprosopic since it is not a surgery. I could be wrong about this but was thinking that the ESG was for lower BMI

My understanding this that since it its done via the esophagus, it technically is not a surgery but a procedure. The procedure is $16,000 but if a complication arises I would have to be admitted and am assuming would not be covered by insurance. That is the part that concerns me.

Anyone??? Did I post this in the wrong category?

I am new! Please help me decide! I am 220 pounds (5.3") and am the heaviest I have been although it is a lifetime struggle. I have gained 40 lbs in the last 18 months so I am not sure if doing a surgery like this is really me not wanting to just lose what I have gained recently (I have always been in the 175 range most of my 40's.) My father died at 40 and he was probably 400 lbs, so for me, I just feel like I am bound to increase my weight. I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure. I am interested in this particular procedure since I would have to self pay and it would be ideal for what I could afford My concerns are this: the long term results of the procedure being unknown since it is new any complications that would arise during the procedure if I would have to be admitted. I am assuming that be self pay as well which would be financially devastating. My interest in this question is not because of underlying health issues but my blood is very thin...like every procedure and surgery I have every had, I have had an issue with bleeding (I am not on blood thinners) all of my friends and family who would be thinking , "just lose the 40 lbs you put on in the last year the old fashioned way" and would not be supportive I would be looking at getting it done at Hopkins. Any help or input would be appreciated!