Has anyone gotten the ?Super Sleevectomy? (TGVP) with Dr. Jose Rodriguez?

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

Super sleeve and gastric imbrication are 2 different surgeries.

Gastrectomies and imbrication are no where near the same procedure.

Please make sure you are getting the surgery of your choice.

Gastrectomy (super sleeve) with the description you posted is not imbrication. Gastrectomy means removal of part of all of the stomach.

So do you know if the Gastric Imbrication is as effective as the VSG? Seems to me that the Imbrication method is less invasive (I believe they do it through the mouth rather than through lathroscopic incisions.)

I'd love to hear more if anyone knows.

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

I just found this article about gastric plication which seems very interesting. Would love thoughts on it :crying:

Bariatric Times Reports on Latest Gastric Sleeve Plication Clinical Trial - Journal - U.S. News Health Community - Inspire

[Tiffykins 672]

So do you know if the Gastric Imbrication is as effective as the VSG? Seems to me that the Imbrication method is less invasive (I believe they do it through the mouth rather than through lathroscopic incisions.)

I'd love to hear more if anyone knows.

From the limited info out there I have read that it is being recommended for patients with lower overweight BMIs that do not want to lose 85% of their stomach. I know I've read about a couple of patients that were band to sleeve revisions who were at goal, and didn't want to go full blown sleeve. As with any new procedure, the longest I can find is 16 months out as of last September. It shows that it gives similar results to the sleeve.

ProMedica Bariatric surgery consulting - Bariatric research

There is one 3 year study out of Iran that was published in 2007

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. - Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques - 17(6):793

When I read this study, and it indicates 57% of EWL at 36 months for 11 cases, does that mean only 11 people out of 100 reported that they had maintained 57% of the EWL, or they could only follow 11 patients at this point, and could not include the other 89 patients in their statistics? So, I'm not sure how to decipher these numbers. It says the mean follow up time was 18 months. So, does that mean some patients stopped participating in the study, what was the outcome of the other 89 patients at 36 months? Maybe I'm reading it wrong, I don't know but that one is confusing for me.

For me, the lack of ghrelin hormone when the fundus is physically excised and removed from the body is very appealing. I had a band, a restrictive only procedure just like the sleeve and imbrication except I had a "pouch" that held food, and I did indeed have my pyloric valve intact. I had satiety with my meal, then the food would go through and hunger would set in again. There are studies out showing the VSG gives the highest reduction of Ghrelin plasma levels several years out between VSG, RNY and the band. With the imbrication, the fundus is left behind, and while I can see how patients would be "full" and hunger is decreased just like it was with the band for me, the fundus is still there making that evil hunger hormone. As the months progressed with my band, it was a forced diet for me to lose. I never got the resolution of hunger that the sleeve offers.

I think it's interesting, and a viable options for some. I never went into WLS with the thought of wanting it reversed. But, I do understand and completely respect patients that choose this surgery, or any other WLS.

If I would have been given the choice between the 2, sleeve vs. TGVP and I had read similar stats for both procedures, I would still choose the sleeve only because the Ghrelin is gone. The studies show RNY and band do not offer the same level of Ghrelin plasma reduction at several years out. I can only make an educated guess that the plication would give the same results due to the fundus being left intact. I've also read that they've been doing plications for acid reflux even in children so it's only new to WLS just like the sleeve was several years ago.

Just my 2cents.

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

Thanks for the great reply, Tiffykins! I read in one of the articles about the plication than by the stomach being "folded" it more or less restricts the Ghrelin from being released...but that doesn't make a huge amount of sense to me as tissue is somewhat porous so I would assume the hormone could still find ways of seeping out.

I like the idea of a surgery that could be done via endoscopy, but it seems to me I would need lots more research before I chose this as a viable option!

[slebme 0]

Juarez is to dangerous to go into, I would suggest to read the news of recent murders, along with the stories of cartel.....

[Tiffykins 672]

Thanks for the great reply, Tiffykins! I read in one of the articles about the plication than by the stomach being "folded" it more or less restricts the Ghrelin from being released...but that doesn't make a huge amount of sense to me as tissue is somewhat porous so I would assume the hormone could still find ways of seeping out.

I like the idea of a surgery that could be done via endoscopy, but it seems to me I would need lots more research before I chose this as a viable option!

I agree with the bolded. Also, ghrelin is made in the pancreas as well, but mainly in the fundus of our stomachs. If the blood flow is not compromised, and the tissue is still there, it's really hard for me to wrap it around my head that it would give the same decreases ghrelin plasma levels.

[mellifrits 25]

While I was at the INT hospital another patient had the "Super Sleeve". She was absolutely thrilled with her choice. She was up the next day looking very chipper and wanted to go shopping.

That sounds pretty awesome! I have made the choice to get the super sleeve and I just got my, "You have been approved for surgery" letter!! YAH..

If you still talk to anyone that did get the surgery I would love to hear from them if you could tell them about me. I cant have the surgery until Sept 1st due to that being the only time I can give myself two weeks to get back to normal BUT if I dont need that long maybe I can get it done sooner..

PS back to normal means watching three boys that are 5, 4, and 3 five days a week..

[ellenmarie60 6]

I had my post op appointment today and my doctor reminded me that I had a 34 size bougie. He also knows from other doctors in the field that anything smaller then a 32 causes increased issues like heartburn, acid reflux, stomach twisting, and more probably for leaks. I would be cautious of anything with "SUPER" in the title.

Super doesnt mean bigger, Its different, less invasive and reversable. I had mine wed. and I have not felt this great in years. I was only down and rough the second day, I have been on the go since.

[mellifrits 25]

Thank you for all the info everyone! I went on 7-12-10 to Dr. Rod and he was amazing!

[MS LISA 1]

Thank you for all the info everyone! I went on 7-12-10 to Dr. Rod and he was amazing!

Hi there mellifrits, I was wondering how your weight loss was going and very curious how much you can eat, if you dont mind could you let me know.

I just talked to a lady that hasnt had much restriction in her eating and was wondering if you have the same thing?

Thanks Lisa:confused1:

[jodidit 0]

I had surgery with Dr. Jose Rodriguez through Beliteweight.com back in May 2010. I am very happy with my Plication results. The doctor and his staff were professional, spoke excellent English and were there, in and out of my room, daily answering all my questions. Prior to my surgery Beliteweight.com was there answering my pre-op questions. I would highly recommend both of them. They came highly recommended to me by other patients of Dr. Rodriguez who also used Beliteweight.

Jo

[MS LISA 1]

I have been hearing alot about bad things that are happening in TJ, I was wondering if there is anyone that has went to TJ to Dr rod at the INT hospital that can tell me how safe is the hospital and also how safe is the hotel there??

I was also wondering, how is my mom going to eat there while were there and how do we eat when we are at the hotel???

Lisa

[jodidit 0]

I had the Super Sleevectomy done by Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Tijuana, Mexico. The entire surgical team was wonderful and answered all my questions. The Beliteweight staff were very knowledgeable and walked me thru the process. The INT Hospital was very nice and clean. The hospital has a cafeteria on the top floor where the companion can eat or there are places close by. At the Hotel the patients can order clear broth and Jello. The hospital keeps it on hand for all of Beliteweight's patients. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

Jo

[mellifrits 25]

Hi there mellifrits, I was wondering how your weight loss was going and very curious how much you can eat, if you dont mind could you let me know.

I just talked to a lady that hasnt had much restriction in her eating and was wondering if you have the same thing?

Thanks Lisa:confused1:

When you have the vsg or super sleeve you can eat and drink at the same time which in return makes food go down easier. If I sit down and have a meal then my limits come into play very well but just like with any wls if you snack and give the food time to go down then you can eat more. I don't eat carbs so it helps to get more of the foods I want to eat. If you have any issues with an over eating disorder it doesn't just go away when you can't eat as much in a sitting. Make sure you deal with your issues with food and don't just hope they will go away.

[lguidry 5]

I am talking to BeLiteWeight.comabout having a Super Sleeve done in at Star Medica Hospital, 15 mins across the border from El Paso, Texas in Juarez, Mexico by Dr. Jose Rodriguez. The cost is $6200 for everything.

Has anyone gotten the super sleeve done or know of anyone that has. OR Has anyone worked with this company or Doctor or even hospital?

Can I trust them with my money and more importantly my life?

Here is the Info they gave me on the super sleeve:

What is super sleeve?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is not as simple as any other gastrectomy. Gastric tube size influences both the degree of weight loss and weight stability. A large sleeve predisposes to gastric dilatation (stretching) and weight regain. Inexperienced surgeons tend to create large tubes (:tongue_smilie: or to leave back large remnants of the gastric fundus. A standardized technique with a gastric capacity less than 100 ml (A) is mandatory in order to get the patient to achieve a durable weight loss.

The sleeve should be ’super’ which means a small gastric sleeve diameter and a higher degree of restriction. With the gastric capacity being restricted to 60-80gr and Ghrelin (the appetite hormone) totally suppressed, the resultant weight loss is predictable and comparable to those achieved with gastric by-pass (60-70% EWL), without any serious complication or side effects (e.g. Vitamin mal-absorption). We believe the ’Super Sleeve’ to be a very effective and safe bariatric solution even for super-obese patients.

I have heard good things about Dr. Rod and was considering using him however I was concerned about going to Juarez because of the violence (killings--refer to US travel advisory). He also goes to INT in TJ, MX on certain days(but I wasn't sure about the facility/accomdatations?), that could be a choice?? I did speak with both Teri and Joyce with Beliteweight and both were very informative and nice.

Good luck!! Keep posting:)

Edited September 27, 2010 by lguidry
wrong post