I have finally decided on the Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy over Lap Band. Went to the doctor today and have to wait 6 months for insurance to approve. THEN tonight I read, for the first time, that there is a chance of renal failure with this surgery and not with the Lap Band. Does anyone have any info for me on this?

???? I'm not sure why. I mean, ANY surgery would technically put you at a risk of renal failure, but I don't understand the logic of VSG causing it, but lap-band not. I mean, I guess maybe with the VSG you are a bit more likely to be dehydrated (which can cause transient, reversible renal failure), but honestly, what are the odds of that happening and NOT being caught at the hospital - or even just by you on your own? I wouldn't worry about it. Your odds of getting renal failure due to diabetes from being obese are MUCH higher.

Never heard of it as a substantial risk before....unless you have some predisposition to it for some reason?

I just went out and searched WIKIPEDIA on the effects of VSG, and it groups Vertical Sleeve in with Lap Band, as both being restrictive weight loss surgeries, and does state that for either surgery, one possible adverse complication can sometimes be renal failure... but look at the statistics. This is really rare, and it can happen from the Band as well as the Sleeve, so think about that.

As you know, ALL surgery involves risk, even dental surgery. VSG and Lap Band are very similar in many ways, and keep in mind that over time, the Lap Band develops more complications than the Sleeve, which goes down in risk.

Does anybody know of anyone on this board that has experienced renal failure as a result of VSG? I'm interested, since I am sleeved and had never heard of this.... yikes, better drink my water!

Cinderella

OPPS, forgot the WIKIPEDIA link if you want to read it for yourselves: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bariatric_surgery

Cinderella

I would want other sources besides wikipedia. It's not always accurate and yes, I have first hand knowledge of the lies that can be posted there. Uncool.

Every surgery has its chances of complications. For the VSG, there is less than 1 percent mortality rate, while with gallbladder surgery, the mortality rate is about 9 percent. Go figure. So I wouldn't worry about renal failure -- it's not something I have ever heard of, but it probably has some very low percentage of people . . . in fact, read this National Institute for Health study on the VSG: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17981515