Hello, all! I'm new to this site and have been lurking for a couple of days. I just found out that my insurance (TRSCare through Aetna) now covers VSG, so I'm ready to find out what I can. I've been reading also on Obesityhelp and one other site. I know that, while they can be good sources of support and information from those who have been there/done that/have the smaller T-shirt, I do need to find some really good sources of information about this procedure.

So . . . I'm throwing this out. What are your recommended sources for research? Websites? books? What have you?

Thank you in advance for any and all help.

Hugs,

Belle

Hello : )

I got the majority of surgery info from reading reviews of VSG from medical websites as far as pre-op, post-op, surgery procedure and complications. I also had met a gal about a month before I decided to do the surgery, and was able to talk to her in person about her experience.

Keep an open mind when you are reading about individual experiences on the chat boards. Every doctor is different and every person is different. Your new tummy may or may not tolerate a food that someone else loves or hates. You may feel better or worse during recovery. Your weight loss can't be predicted as far as speed, but it seems to come off : )

For me, the entire experience has been easy with very little pain. The mental has definitely been harder than the physical. Once I was able to eat soft foods, I felt good. Mentally, I still miss certain foods or just the ability to eat the amount I want or with the speed I want. I am able to eat almost anything I want, in much smaller quantities. And overeating is NOT an option! You will do it once or twice and then never again! Or at least try not to! LOL

Would I do it again? Absolutely! It is an amazing tool.

Good Luck with your planning!

I keep coming across some great websites and articles accidentally as I click on various links. I generally avoid doctor's websites because that feels more like a sales pitch to me, even though there may be some good info there. I also like to read the research articles on the medical data related to WLS but that's not enjoyable for everyone. I know that a regular poster here, Tiffykins, has some great links to research articles about WLS and VSG.

Since your insurance will probably require some months of hoop jumping before they will approve your surgery, you should have plenty of time to make an informed decision. I'm in my 5th of 6 months and I've found that the information out there has pretty much strengthened my desire to have the surgery. Good luck and welcome!

Here's some different studies based on VSG research.

http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resou...astrectomy.pdf

ASMBS position paper on sleeve - includes reports of early studies

LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results

LapSF Two Year Study

LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only

LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play)

Literature review on the sleeve - requires $$ to get the full text unfortunately

Sleeve best for over 50 crowd

Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion

Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation

Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve

Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve

Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve

Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review

I work in the software industry and find technical data more compelling than just marketing web-sites type of data. These are some links that I enjoyed in choosing this procedure.

Good source of technical data from a physician associations annual meeting discussing long term results etc.

http://www.ssat.com/video/2008/SSAT%2049th%20Annual%20Meeting(3)-Cirangle.htm

Watch a video complete procedure Medline Plus

Now to the opinion part of this post-- I feel like this is the best procedure out there--that is why I chose it. I am scheduled for 4/28 so take this as my opinion based on my bias and research and then do some of your own research.

It is important to research all of the available procedures out there so that you make an informed decision. I started my journey thinking I will go with the lap band. Looking at the whole picture there, it seemed there could be issues with slips, erosions, Port fills, etc. looking at all of these possibilities and considering having to have fills etc the lap band was out of the running for me pretty quick. I am one of those few that would not be able to handle a Port under my skin.

I know a few people that have had the RnY bypass and I also did allot of research there as my insurance covers it. I know one lady at the office that has eaten herself right through the Bypass and is almost back to where she started a few years ago. That's just one person--so that was not all I considered. My main reasons against it where the lack of the lower pyloric valve (leading to dumping), The ability to stretch it out (much more than you can with a sleeve). The fact that the sleeve is so close now in results based on medical research the extra risk was not worth the 1-2% difference.

The sleeve as you may know is part one of the Duodenal switch procedure--a much more effective bypass long term although a more difficult procedure to perform. If you were at a point where the malabsorbion was needed to aid your weight loss then I would consider this as the best proven procedure. However, I think I would only go this route if I had an extremely high BMI. The sleeve procedure would be preferred as a first step even still-- just so you could determine if you needed part 2 after some time with the sleeve.

My insurance has refused to pay for the sleeve, but I am paying 10,950 out of my pocket because I believe in it over the other procedures to meet my needs. The biggest draws to me are the following:

• both stomach valves are kept in tact
  
• once your stomach heals after the surgery there are no food type restrictions
  
• Decreased Ghrelin production in the stomach
  
• Once you are fully healed there should not be any long term issues like with the band or bypass
  
• with the new lower bougie sizes they have been using the last couple of years, there is a maximum limit your stomach can possibly stretch to. the muscular part of the stomach is not very elastic and has limited stretchability (Think of stretching leather)
  

All surgeries have risk and the risk of a leak is probably the biggest one for this procedure--this is where choosing the right surgeon and location to have your surgery can mitigate that risk somewhat. Example, if one surgeon sutures over your staple line and another does not--I would say the extra suture could help prevent leaks. Then there is your part--if you follow the post-op guidelines etc.

So thats my opinion and why I am paying for a procedure out of my pocket. Again, this is my biased opinion. Thanks! best of luck in your research.

Edit: Looks like Tiffykins posted some great links while I was writing my novel to!

Edited April 12, 201016 yr by Swiftflow

Great! Thanks, Tiffykins!

I've spoken with someone at Aetna (couple of weeks ago) to ask about requirements, and I do know that I have to do either a 6-month doctor-supervised diet or a 3-month multi-disciplinary program in order to be approved. The main thing I need to work on is getting my DH on board with this. When I first brought the subject up, he nixxed it. I tried to tell him that, when my health is at stake (as it is now), it's a necessity. He says that my health isn't at stake. Hmm. I have type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, osteoarthritis made worse by my weight. Not only that, but I had breast cancer which was estrogen positive (and we all know that fat makes our bodies produce more estrogen). I am well over 100# overweight (more like 150#) and I have a BMI of around 45. If my health isn't at risk with all this, then I don't know what's what I guess. Not sure what DH's issues with this are . . . except that his first wife had gastric bypass (and did well, as far as I know) and he just doesn't want me doing anything remotely like what she's done. :thumbup:

I am currently seeing a clinical psychologist for depression, and I have an appointment tomorrow. This is going to be one major thing I discuss at this appointment. I know that I have to do whatever I can to get myself healthy. I just would like to know that he's going to support whatever I do and not be an albatross around my neck.

I hope that I can attend an informational seminar soon and get him to go with me so that he can get his questions answered and fears laid to rest.

Sigh . . . so much to do . . .

But first I will check those links you gave me! Thanks, y'all!

Hugs,

Belle

Wow! you mentioned some massive co-morbidities there. Up until a couple of years ago I was totally opposed to WLS of any kind. It was knowing people who had it that changed my mind. I am doing it to prevent those issues. just a couple of years ago, I watched my father in law wither away early in his life with type 2 diabetes. I remeber going on one of my better diet runs back then, only to fall down again. Obeisity is a disease, and I used to be one of those close minded people that just told my self I needed to work harder. only 5% of those who loose through diet and exersize will keep it off long term--I like my odds much better with the sleeve as a tool.

Nice post Swiftflow! You would have saved me a lot of reading back in January! LOL

I also tried to read the medical findings, journals, etc even tho it was above my head. I liked the info describing the different surgeries found on local hospital or speciality clinic websites. They seemed to have very good procedural descriptions and pictures. I never read much of the posted patient testimonials. Figured they would only post the good ones and they would say their experience was great, yada yada. LOL

I had no problem spending my own hard earned cash on the sleeve procedure. My insurance would not have approved me for any WLS; but even if they would have paid for it and only offered the band or bypass, I still would have paid myself for the sleeve.

Edited April 12, 201016 yr by pnw218

Belle, you are so lucky that your insurance will cover this procedure. So many will only cover the band or bypass - and as a former bandster I can attest the band can be a horrible thing.

I also had several co-morbidities (depression, sleep apnea, sky-high tryglicerides and cholesteral, joint pain) which I am happy to report are ALL gone now. Having this surgery will most likely save your life, which I'm sure your husband would agree is a GOOD thing! :biggrin2:

Best of luck to you in your research and insurance approval!

this is all great information! Thanks for sharing!

Here's another one I came across today. I don't think this was mentioned yet. Not necessarily as scientific as some other sites, but still interesting. I particularly liked the articles on one page about single incision lap WLS and the ROSE procedure, which is related to stompaphx. I wouldn't take these articles as verified sources since there are no true references, but each article seems to list the original source of the info, so these are a good starting point for some more intensive research.

I also clicked on the home page to view other WLS info.

Weight Loss Surgery News

Weight Loss Surgery News