Crazy question about 20 years from now

[skinnymommytobe 0]

Until I found this website I was going to get the band. Now I have decided to get the sleeve. I feel comfortable with everything except the fact that there isn't data long term data. What's your thoughts about complications 20 years from now with 80% of our stomach gone? Is that possible? Also, it is listed as an advantage not to have the hunger hormone Ghrelin, but could that lack of that hormone cause problems elsewhere? These are probably a stupid questions, but I am such a worry wart. I am to the point that if I can't find some peace with this, I may chicken out and decide against WLS (which is totally depressing). I am 5'3 and 210 lbs. No major health problems (yet), just back pain. But my quality of life is miserable. No energy, yada yada. Anyways, i am rambling now, and I am sure you know how I feel, so please share your thoughts about the no long term data issue.

BTW, I LOVE THIS SITE!! :thumbup: and can you tell me what PB means?

Thanks!

[Jaffa 5]

PB....do barf up what you have in your stomach above the band.

I don't think you need to worry about the hormone being missing. We make food tasty enough that people like to eat it anyway....even when they aren't really hungry. It does nothing else.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Until I found this website I was going to get the band. Now I have decided to get the sleeve. I feel comfortable with everything except the fact that there isn't data long term data. What's your thoughts about complications 20 years from now with 80% of our stomach gone? Is that possible? Also, it is listed as an advantage not to have the hunger hormone Ghrelin, but could that lack of that hormone cause problems elsewhere? These are probably a stupid questions, but I am such a worry wart. I am to the point that if I can't find some peace with this, I may chicken out and decide against WLS (which is totally depressing). I am 5'3 and 210 lbs. No major health problems (yet), just back pain. But my quality of life is miserable. No energy, yada yada. Anyways, i am rambling now, and I am sure you know how I feel, so please share your thoughts about the no long term data issue.

BTW, I LOVE THIS SITE!! :thumbup: and can you tell me what PB means?

Thanks!

You do need some Ghrelin but your stomach isn't the only place it is produced. The thinking is that the body compensates for missing Ghrelin and it will come back but probably at more normal levels. I get hungry once in awhile but it's no big deal. I eat my few bites of food and I'm full.

Partial and total gastrectomies have been done for many many years with no long term problems. They've been doing this for things like stomach cancer for years and years.

You know what? You can worry about what MIGHT happen 20 years from now or you can continue living in misery. ;o) It really is a choice we all have to make. It's kinda like death stats. There is less than 1% chance for dying because of surgery or a 100% chance of risks and complications that come from obesity. If you are honestly looking at odds your best odds are having surgery.

It's a big deal before surgery, after surgery you wonder why you worried so much because it's just not a big deal.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Until I found this website I was going to get the band. Now I have decided to get the sleeve. I feel comfortable with everything except the fact that there isn't data long term data. What's your thoughts about complications 20 years from now with 80% of our stomach gone? Is that possible? Also, it is listed as an advantage not to have the hunger hormone Ghrelin, but could that lack of that hormone cause problems elsewhere? These are probably a stupid questions, but I am such a worry wart. I am to the point that if I can't find some peace with this, I may chicken out and decide against WLS (which is totally depressing). I am 5'3 and 210 lbs. No major health problems (yet), just back pain. But my quality of life is miserable. No energy, yada yada. Anyways, i am rambling now, and I am sure you know how I feel, so please share your thoughts about the no long term data issue.

BTW, I LOVE THIS SITE!! :thumbup: and can you tell me what PB means?

Thanks!

BTW... Have you checked with your insurance on WLS? With your low BMI unless you have some sort of medical problems insurance probably isn't going to cover your surgery. Before submitting anything to the insurance company that you can't undo, check the requirements. If you have high blood pressure or something similar you stand a better chance of getting approved.

[skinnymommytobe 0]

You do need some Ghrelin but your stomach isn't the only place it is produced. The thinking is that the body compensates for missing Ghrelin and it will come back but probably at more normal levels. I get hungry once in awhile but it's no big deal. I eat my few bites of food and I'm full.

Partial and total gastrectomies have been done for many many years with no long term problems. They've been doing this for things like stomach cancer for years and years.

You know what? You can worry about what MIGHT happen 20 years from now or you can continue living in misery. ;o) It really is a choice we all have to make. It's kinda like death stats. There is less than 1% chance for dying because of surgery or a 100% chance of risks and complications that come from obesity. If you are honestly looking at odds your best odds are having surgery.

It's a big deal before surgery, after surgery you wonder why you worried so much because it's just not a big deal.

I hadn't considered that they have been doing gastrectomies for years. Whew!! I am over that hump now, which was the last hump! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question.

As for my low BMI, I am self pay, so hopefully it won't be an issue?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I hadn't considered that they have been doing gastrectomies for years. Whew!! I am over that hump now, which was the last hump! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question.

As for my low BMI, I am self pay, so hopefully it won't be an issue?

Most doctors are doing it now for lower BMIs if the person is self pay. You should be good to go.

[*susan* 1,709]

My mom had a kind of accidental gastrectomy thirty years ago. She had some sort of medical problem, of which I don't even remember because I was so young, and ended up losing 75% of her stomach as a result. Within a year, she was thin and never regretted losing it. To this day, she can only eat a small quantity of food and has never had any other medical complications as a result of losing her stomach.

[skinnymommytobe 0]

Thank you all. I feel so much better now. What a burden lifted off of me and I am very excited again! I have completed my medical forms for the sleeve with Dr. Aceves! I am hoping Memorial Day weekend is not already booked. Monica said she was still booking for May but we didn't discuss specific dates.

Is it unrealistic for me to think I could have the surgery on a Saturday and go back to work the following Wednesday?

[DownInSocal 12]

I know I might not be here in 20 years if I don't lose weight so I have not given 20 years out much thought. I will cross that road when I get there.

I am 5'3 and 213 lbs. My doctor told me I was well within the guidelines for surgery. I do have hypertension though and have been overweight for 10 years.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Thank you all. I feel so much better now. What a burden lifted off of me and I am very excited again! I have completed my medical forms for the sleeve with Dr. Aceves! I am hoping Memorial Day weekend is not already booked. Monica said she was still booking for May but we didn't discuss specific dates.

Is it unrealistic for me to think I could have the surgery on a Saturday and go back to work the following Wednesday?

You are going to Aceves? Very cool! You'll love him and the staff. They are all great!

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

Is it unrealistic for me to think I could have the surgery on a Saturday and go back to work the following Wednesday?

I know every person is different. I am going back to work tomorrow. I could have easily gone back today, (Monday) and I had surgery last Wed. I actually would not have had a problem if it were absolutely necessary to go back yesterday, but it was a Sunday. That would have been 4 days after surgery.

I was only painful the during the night of surgery. After that, I spent as much time as possible, walking around the area right outside the hospital exploring Mexicali in my bathrobe. Being in my room was boring. I didn't feel like I needed to be in the hospital. I wasn't in pain and I didn't feel sick.

[LAN2k 0]

I was wondering if the nausea that many have had following sleeve surgery is a result of anesthesia, revision in stomach size or both? Is this something I should expect for a few days/weeks...post op?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I was wondering if the nausea that many have had following sleeve surgery is a result of anesthesia, revision in stomach size or both? Is this something I should expect for a few days/weeks...post op?

I experienced it for a couple of days at best but there is the rare person that can deal with it for months however I've only met one on the boards that had a long term problem but hers did go away.

ETA... sorry, I didn't answer the rest of your question. It can happen in straight sleeves or revisions so I would have to say it is not due to just one or the other. My guess is that your stomach is healing and overly sensitive in the beginning. There is also the idea that you can't eat the way you are used to. You are eating an entirely new diet (post op healing diet). There is a great deal of swelling... if you think about it, it kinda makes sense that nausea is to be expected for a few days.

Edited May 5, 2009 by WASaBubbleButt

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

I only had nausea the day of surgery. That evening when I got up to use the rest room, I felt nauseous. They have me something in my IV and I have never felt any nausea since then.

I hope it's still not on it's way!

[LAN2k 0]

I experienced it for a couple of days at best but there is the rare person that can deal with it for months however I've only met one on the boards that had a long term problem but hers did go away...

Thank you. Can you tell me if there is any effective nausea medication that will work immediately post op and during the healing and dietary adjustment period? I had my gallbladder removed in 1976. It was before laparoscopic surgery existed. I had a shockingly painful recovery and recall the nausea was so intense that I would dry heave and wretch in excruciating pain, (since sutured inside and out), from stomach contractions. I have to say (with the exception of child labor), waking up from that surgery was the most painful encounter I've ever had, and the nausea was so severe I thought I'd die, literally. I was in the hospital post op 2 weeks. I think of this and it really causes me great anxiety. :thumbup: