Tiffykins

Call those surgeons that I listed, or email their offices. They will give you their self-pay cost pretty easily with a phone or email.

OMG you made some amazing points. I know that when I had my gb out in February, I was so ready for my husband to go back to work. He was the food/incision/movement police for 4 days. I was ready to slice his throat ! ! ! And, I so agree with you about some men being totally babies when it comes to ailments/surgeries. Heaven forbid John get a chest cold. You would think the apocalypse was coming, and he was counting down his days. Fabulous post ! ! !

Honestly, by your stats, you've done really great with just a restrictive procedure. The sleeve will give you that immediate, constant restriction that the band gives while you have that sweet spot. I wouldn't trade my sleeve for another pouch/stoma combination that the band and RNY gives ya.

Hi and welcome to VST. The sleeve will only keep you from eating large portions in one sitting. You can still suck down a 3000 calorie milkshake if you really want to do so. They operate on our stomachs, not our brains. None of the weight loss surgeries will fix our emotional or mental tie with food. All of them can be eaten around, or cheated. The bypass scared me too, and the pure fact that only 30% of RNY patients dump on sugary/carby food is not much of a guarantee to me to keep my hand out of the cookie jar. Plus, all the Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies were definitely a concern. Blind stomach portion left behind that can get cancer and ulcers, yet isn't easily scoped. The malabsorption only lasts a max of about 2 years and then your body adjusts and starts absorbing carbs/calories/fat, but not the vitamins/supplements. The regain stats, and how many people seek a revision with RNY, and the people I know in real life that struggle with their RNY that are out 4-8 years, kept me away from RNY. The sleeve definitely helps you make better food choices. Protein is priority 1, so eat that first, and you won't have room for other junk. But, the choice is yours to make when it comes to what you put in your body. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. You'll have to find a coping mechanism/tool to work on your emotional eating. We all had to battle some sort of issue during our journey. Best wishes with your approaching appointment, and keep us posted on what you decide.

I hope someone can chime in with a price, but I think Gary is spot on the last I heard, and when I was checking our Dr. Aceves, it was right around 12K for a band to sleeve revision. Unfortunately, some patients do not get to goal even with RNY and DS. I have read several personal experiences on another forum when patients didn't get to goal with their chosen surgery. Unfortunately, the stats with the band not getting patients to goal is much higher. As for ghrelin, I haven't had any other issues losing it. My oncologist/hematologist assured me that my body wasn't going to shut down because of it, and it comes back in a smaller amount over time. In all my research on gastrectomies (not for weight loss), I never found anything negative about ghrelin absence. But, I could have missed something obviously, but you can google gastrectomies outside of WLS and see if you can find anything regarding that topic. Someone can correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe ghrelin is made in the pancreas as well so it isn't like it's gone forever or 100%. I had 113lbs to lose to get to goal, got there in 6.5 months with the sleeve, and now am maintaining about 18-20 pounds below goal. I started at 263 with my revision, today I'm at 130 standing 5'2". It works, and you don't have all the issues with food like we did/do with the band. Grant it, early out, you may get a couple of sliming episodes, or you may puke up a piece of food until you recognize your full signal, but it is NOTHING like life with the band. I promise . . .

If I would have had the opportunity to have a buddy, especially a buddy under the same roof, I would have taken it. I was completely alone, literally, husband in Afghanistan, son in Texas, only one "friend" (she turned out to be the real psycho), during my recovery. I had a home health care nurse every other day come in and check on me and change some bandages. My recovery was not typical due to it being a revision and complications. I think it would be awesome to have a person to walk every day in the same shoes. But, I would also wonder if it could turn competitive or if y'all could just feed off each other's positive energy, and be each other's biggest cheerleader. I'm super competitive, and I would have to keep that part of me in check. If you do not have small children (like infant/toddlers), or if you have a relative/friend that stay with y'all, or at least help with any children, then I would do it at the same time. Also, make sure you prepare for the major hormone flux. I swear I was a total PMS ridden, emotional, and almost damn near homicidal during my recovery. Heck, I still have crazy hormones going on some weeks. So, make sure you hide the sharp knives, and rope for a few weeks. Just kidding:biggrinjester: about the knives and ropes, but in all seriousness, the mood swings are kind of crazy.

Page 2, last entry for mortality percent the ASMBS found during their studies on VSG. http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/Updated_Position_Statement_on_Sleeve_Gastrectomy.pdf Page 3 lists Co-Morbidity resolution Page 5 lists all of the referenced studies and articles, if you feel geeky, or want to do more research, you can google those, and they will pop right into your browser. Some of the articles you will only have access to the archive, or abstract, some require a nominal fee for the full article. I found the information from these sources, and other true medical research on gastrectomies very helpful during my research phase.

YAY YAY so ecstatic for you. I'm praying for approval, and swift process that works with your schedule and on God's timeline for you. There's a few patients on here that there surgeon doesn't do leak tests post-op and they haven't ever had a leak either. So, just go in confident, and lean on your faith. I'm cheering from the sidelines for ya ! ! !

Hi there, and welcome. You'll love the sleeve. I've had the band and now the sleeve by far the sleeve is so much better than the band. At that's my opinion, based on having both surgeries. On your concerns, I was a volume eater every day. I would do okay for lunch, but with dinner I gorged myself. Now for the actual binging, I never found myself doing that because I ate all the time. But, the sleeve has controlled my hunger, and has made it easier to make better choices when it comes to what I choose to put in my mouth. I'm 9 months out, and if I can only eat 4-5ounces of dense protein/meat in one sitting. Now, give me Pasta, rice, potatoes, mushies (Chili/thick chunky soups) I can eat a cup. It takes me awhile to eat that amount, but I can do it. The longer I take to eat, the more I can fit in. So, I try to keep it to a 30-40 minute meal 4-5 times a day. This keeps me satisfied, and I don't find myself wanting more. 2) My aftercare with my surgeon's program is: Labs pulled at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-op for the first year then annual labs to monitor vitamins/nutrient levels. He likes to do a scope between 9-12 months post-op, but isn't required. Most patients that travel abroad get their PCP on board with their aftercare and have labs pulled. Then you can send your labs to your choice of surgeon, and they can review and make recommendations as needed. My labs that are pulled are a Chem 20, CBC with a Diff, TSH, T4, T3, some other thyroid panel, folic acid, vit B, vit b12, vit b complex, Vitamin D and Vitamin D3. Leaks are nothing to play with. They are painful, and extremely dangerous. I had one, and within 20-30 minutes of detection I was back under anesthesia undergoing another surgery to repair the leak. I had the band first, and it destroyed my stomach tissue. I could not have tolerated waiting 3 hours to be seen for a leak repair. The pain was truly horrific, the worse feeling in the entire world for me. Follow the surgeon's prescribed post-op diet, and have faith in your surgeon's abilities. Leaks happen, but a qualified/experienced surgeon should have leak/complication stats of no more than 1%. 3) I had a high BMI of 48 the day of my revision. But, if you've struggled with maintaining your loss, the sleeve is great choice. Of course, you can eat around any of the WLS choices, but if you're determined, the sleeve can and is very successful for what is commonly called "light weight" patients. 4) For the financing, I am not educated enough in that arena to help except I know a few patients that were approved through their credit unions for a personal loan at a low interest rate so maybe that could be an option for you. I wish you the very best in your research, fingers crossed for financing approval. The sleeve honestly changed my life.

Many congrats ! ! !

If you search the member list for MacMadame, and Phoenixrising, they are both I think close to 2 years out. Mac helped me figure out some maintenance issues I was having, and I believe Phoenixrising is doing great with maintaining her weight. Both are really informative and well-versed on VSG with more time under their belt. I know there is another member on here that has a couple maybe 3 years of experience, and I believe that patient's name is Luck. Here's links to their profiles if you would like to contact them via Private messaging or profile messages. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum - View Profile: Phoenixrising Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum - View Profile: LUCK Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum - View Profile: MacMadame Hope that helps. . .

There ya go darlin' ! ! ! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/general-sleeve-surgery-discussion/2947-boughie-size-comparison.html

Dr. Nick Nicholson in Dallas, Tx is a great surgeon from his patient testimonials on this site and various other boards. You can google his name and contact his office for revision costs. I'm sorry your band is giving you issues. I revised after having mine for just 8 months. There's several great surgeons in Texas. Houston, and San Antonio also have some really great surgeons. Dr. Alanis in Houston is one off the top of my head that is highly respected with great stats. Best Wishes in your search for a great surgeon.

I'll be honest and tell you that maintenance is more difficult than losing for me. Grant it, I think I've figured it out, but I've only been maintaining this weight for about 3-4 weeks. Once you get to goal, you start adding in more complex carbs and calories. I've had to stop doing cardio because I was burning, burning calories, and couldn't take in anymore. I currently eat 1200-1300 calories a day, 60-80 grams of carbs (all carbs not just complex carbs), and I'm getting between 60-80 grams of Protein per day. Some days are tougher than others. Some days I struggle to hit my calorie intake. But, I have to maintain so I do my very best. A lot of people say that the body will stop when it's comfortable. Problem is that I'm perfectly content at 130-132lbs, and do not want to lose anymore weight. Several patients find maintaining difficult, and you just kind of have to do what works for your body. You can get the weight loss to stop, but honestly it's a slippery slope because I don't want to fall back into old habits, and eat junk food to just maintain.

Many congrats ! ! !

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with your insurance company. But, do not give up, and don't settle for the band especially with your co-morbidities. You can appeal if you get denied, and it will take time, but it's so worth it. Keep us posted on what you hear from your surgeon's office. If you need help with appeal processes and letters, I have some saved for others use. Best wishes, and fingers crossed for approval ! ! !

What a great doctor to want to make sure you are 100% ! ! ! Glad you are feeling better and without pain. I had the GB ultrasound, and at some angles you couldn't see the stones, and inflammation. But, the US tech would have me stretch a certain way or twist my upper body, and bam they would show up. Best wishes, and I hope you get good news. I had been having GB symptoms since December, but ignored them thinking it was something else. I had major pain in my shoulder, and would get diarrhea occasionally. I just thought it was body doing it's thing. I honestly thought the shoulder pain was from my husband and I switching sides of the bed. I'll be out of state again when you have the test done, and may not have internet access readily available. But, I'll keep you in my thoughts during that time.

Hi Cindy, and welcome. Congrats on your surgery, and progress thus far. For heartburn/reflux, I take RX Prilosec 20mg once daily. I've never had any true reflux as I asked my surgeon to prescribe something when I started on mushies and I kept getting this empty, weird feeling in my stomach after I ate. I am over 9 months, and could wean off of it, but I have 1 more 90 day refill. I might try weaning myself off, but at the first sign of false hunger or acid issues, I'll go right back on it. For liquid, I had to really time it. 30 minutes after meals, I had to start drinking. Early out, 2 ounces of Fluid every 15 minutes, that's 8ounces an hour, over an 8 hour day we should be able to get in the 64ounces that's recommended. It's great in theory, but many of us found it challenging. Food intolerances are common early out. Grant it, some people never have any food problems, but a lot of patients struggle until they get further out. I just recently found out super moist pork chops don't settle well. We, as a family, took most pork off our menu. My husband was deployed to Afghanistan last year, and he decided while there that he didn't want to eat pork anymore. We'll still have ham occasionally, but no more sausage, bacon, pork chops, pork loin. Well, last week, I had this insane craving for pork chops. I found a divine recipe for stuffed pork chops, and I was able to eat them, but they sat in my stomach like a brick for a couple of hours. Least to say, pork chops are now back off our menu, and I doubt I'll even bother trying them again. If you find something that doesn't work for you, just put it away for a few weeks then try it again. I struggled with pasta/rice early out, but now those are slider foods for me. Meaning I can eat quite a bit of those without issue, and I have to be careful not to overindulge. I had a heck of a time with meat as well, so I stuck with pureed/mushy foods a bit longer, and just tried to incorporate new foods slowly. If something didn't work, I would just take it off my menu for awhile. I couldn't eat more than 3oz at 3 months out. I was worried because I thought I should be able to eat more by that time. Then one day, things seem to just relax, and I was able to get in more food. I can still only eat 4-5oz of dense Protein, and I have to chew well, and eat super slowly. I can eat 8ounces of mushy/puree foods, but again it takes me awhile to eat that amount. Be patient, and try to log what makes you sick so you avoid it for a couple of weeks. You'll be able to eat a bigger variety in a couple of months. Best wishes, and keep posting. Let's us know how you're doing, and if you need anything never hesitate to post here.

YAY YAY Amanda ! ! ! I'm so glad he's on board with you. My poor husband asked me yesterday if we were going to start scheduling sex. I said "if we have to, we will." I went to Wal-Mart on Sunday, and I am being serious when I tell you that I saw 10 pregnant women. It was like a bad dream. I thought I was being tortured with every corner I turned.

For the water consumption, I just used a 20oz bottle, and sipped about 2oz every 15 minutes. I'd have the bottle finished in a couple of hours and refill it. Head hunger is a beast, but it gets better.

You may want to send a message to thinoneday as she was self-pay in San Antonio and absolutely had a wonderful experience.