Hello - I have signed up for VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) at Penn Medicine in Phila. I am on medicare so about 90 days to a surgery date. I am scared and hesitant. Do not want life long complications. I am 69. I need to lose 130lbs. Can you share your experiences with VSG?

What lifelong complications are you worried about?

Welcome @Nfan49@frankie to the forum. To answer your topic question, I would say yes. I have read many experiences here and while most are successful there are some that are unfortunate and have complications. I don't think I have come across any from my time here that have had any long lasting issues especially lifelong. I consider myself fortunate, I have not had any complications as of yet but I am only just under 2 months out.

Congrats on making the step towards VSG. Best of luck to you on your journey!!!

You are scheduled, you must want to do it. My experience will not be your's however it was a simple uncomplicated surgery and uneventful recovery, although I had more pain than many write about. Smooth sailing when it comes to the VSG portion of health journey, But other medical issues haven't completely resolved themselves and there's no promise all will. quality of physical life/limitations have been improved. I'm grateful I took the risk.

Edited September 2, 20187 yr by GreenTealael

GreenTea/ Thanks for responding is it a painful event coming out of surgery the first week?

4 minutes ago, Nfan49@frankie said:

GreenTea/ Thanks for responding is it a painful event coming out of surgery the first week?

For me, in the hospital getting the pain management set was a mess, it was my first full surgery, we could not anticipate that most common narcotics do not manage pain for me. I advocated for changes as needed. After this was fixed pain was better and true pain lasted 2 weeks then nothing

52 minutes ago, Sosewsue61 said:

What lifelong complications are you worried about?

Sose, apprensive about strictures to the sleeve and other long term affects that could happen. This is a major operation where most of your stomach is removed... the thought of that is just scary

Complications are pretty rare, recovery is easier than gall bladder or total knee replacement. I am 63 and had my sleeve done 10 months ago. Pick a good surgeon, do your research. Ask what complication rate he/she has. Ask what size he makes the sleeve. Ask if he does the leak test after surgery, mine did - he has never had a leak, has never had to repair a sleeve he performed, has never lost a patient.

Also your general health right now and genetics will impact your recovery to an extent. An EGD as part of preop will give insight into whether you have acid reflux, that is one relatively common problem some people have after the sleeve if they are prone to it prior to surgery. Some physicians put patients on a PPI right away to keep that in check - ask about that.

I don't know what other long term effects you are afraid of, be specific.

I was 60 when I had my WLS. Prior to that I underwent a quintuple coronary by pass surgery and a full repair of my rotator cuff. This surgery was a piece of cake compared to the by pass. The surgery is less invasive and I found the pain a lot less. I took Tylenol to control the pain. ( Which only came from the incision that the stomach was removed) If you follow your surgeons directions you should be ok. Just remember, the benefits outweigh the discomfort you'll experience.

danny - thanks for sharing that, this kind of commentary makes me feel better! This is a tough decision. I just dont want to fail. I understand a year out one could eaisily fall off the wagon if they dont have permenant behavior modification and continue to exercise and go to support meetings. That will never stop to be successful long term.

Sosewsue61 -- great advice, thank you for sharing, I definitely will ask those questions. I do have acid reflux normally and I am in good health (69), never had any surgery outside of a sinus scrape. What is a PPI?

I have gallstones, but they do not bother me. I have issues only when i go on a restrictive diet with gallstones. Has anyone had experience with gallstones?

10 hours ago, Nfan49@frankie said:

I have gallstones, but they do not bother me. I have issues only when i go on a restrictive diet with gallstones. Has anyone had experience with gallstones?

If you already have issues with gallstones & diet, it is altogether possible that the surgeon will remove your gallbladder at the same time. It's not uncommon. Yes, surgery is scary, but the rate of complications is very low and the upside is amazing.

16 hours ago, Nfan49@frankie said:

I am scared and hesitant.

Ask your doctor for brutal honesty: How long can you expect to live, and with what health issues, as a 69-yr old who's 130 pounds overweight? Then you're comparing apples-to-apples.

10 hours ago, Nfan49@frankie said:

What is a PPI?

a PPI is a proton pump inhibitor (like Prilosec)

And I am on Dexilant, the Ferrari,of PPI, this Wednesday, September 5th, yes less than 48 hours away, Estimated Surgery Time 7 AM, EDT. Although many have only,a short PPI course post their surgery, mine will continue as i,have gastritis, GERD. and Hector my,teeny little Gastric Ulcer. Will by RNY abolish,or merely diminsh my symptoms? The jury was mot rendered its verdict,yet.,Nut I shall hope until all hope is gone.?

I had DS surgery but what I can say is do your research on everything. The surgery, the surgeon, the food phases before and after, how your body will change, etc. Know what you are getting into. I had very little pain after surgery, more soreness than anything else, and (so far) haven't had any major complications. I hope everything goes well for you.

I am a 60 year old woman. I have been thinking about surgery for many years now and now my insurance covers it. I am going for the bypass and I am into the 3rd month seeing my nutritionist. The major reason why I am having the surgery is that I have sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for the last 7 years. I quit smoking about 8 years ago and I gained an incredible amount of weight. I still do not smoke (thank God). The main reason I am getting the surgery is to throw away my CPAP machine. I also have diabetics type 2. At my age, my health takes priority over looking good (however that is a great perk!) I have been taking a protein shake (30 grams about 4-5 days a week.) I seem to have the protein in check. What I struggle with is grazing. I sit at a desk all day. Lately I have been taking the stairs at work. I have a fridge in my office and I try to snack on healthy alternatives.

I have the support of my family, however some are saying I can do it on my own. My partner supports my decision to have the surgery. He supports me in whatever I decide