Doctor Told Me I Wouldn't Be Happy With a Sleeve

Jami1371
on 7/27/15 5:32 pm

I went in for my my initial consultation with the surgeon.  I was certain I wanted the sleeve, but he told me I wouldn't be happy with the sleeve.  He said only 2% of the people who have the sleeve lose 100 lbs. or more.  He said a year from now, I will be upset because I will only lose around 60-70 lbs. with the sleeve, and I will come to him for another surgery because I will still be obese.  I am so confused right now.  Has anyone else been told this by their surgeon?  If so, what did you decide to do?  Thanks for your help!

Jami 

 

 

Nikke2003
on 7/27/15 5:35 pm - PA
VSG on 05/13/13

No, I was not told this by my surgeon. How much you lose is up to you and how hard you're willing to work. While he may be citing statistics on average loss with the sleeve, it's irresponsible for him to present the information in this way!

I had the sleeve and haven't regretted it for a moment...

For more info on my journey & goals, visit my blog at http://flirtybythirty.wordpress.com

  

Gwen M.
on 7/27/15 5:45 pm
VSG on 03/13/14

Definitely not told that by my surgeon - he was totally on board with my choice of VSG and believes that I'll reach my goals.  I've lost 140 of the 200 I want to lose, so I'm not super worried otherwise!  Plus I see a ton of super successful people here on the forums.  

I would be leery of a surgeon who felt this way and would seek a second opinion.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

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Shel25
on 7/27/15 6:19 pm

I wasn't told this and I am not up on national sleeve statistics (is there such a thing?)  I do know that I have lost more than 100 lbs.

But, maybe these are his own patients' sleeve statistics.  I don't see an upside in bad-mouthing the sleeve unless he has seen repeated poor response.   

If so, if you really want the sleeve,  you may want to look into a different surgeon to see if someone is getting a better response for their patients.  Maybe it is a difference between surgeons, but it could also be a difference in the whole program.  

 

HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32  Mo 2:-13.5  Mo 3: -13.5  Mo 4 -9.5  Mo 5: -15  Mo 6: -15  Mo 7: -13.5  Mo 8: -17  Mo 9: -13  Mo 10: -12.5  11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached Mo 11: -9  Mo 12: -8    12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!

(deactivated member)
on 7/27/15 6:19 pm

So, my take on this is that only 2% of HIS PATIENTS LOSE 100 POUNDS OR MORE. That is not the case with the sleevers I know who have had experienced and successful surgeons. I've never, ever seen a statistic this low and I've done a lot of research.

Just sayin.....

Me, I'd shop around for a surgeon who was confident in his/her VSGs.

Dan1962
on 7/27/15 6:24 pm - Syracuse, NY
VSG on 09/23/14

He's old school and not educated.  Its as simple as that.

  

    

    
E_Saenz
on 7/27/15 6:53 pm - Grand Rapids , MI
VSG on 08/12/15

My doctor told me the opposite I told him I wanted rny and he asked me why? I told him that I was concerned that if i didn't lose the weight i wouldn't be able to do anything about it.  He was sure that the sleeve was a better option and he told me most people are successful to get to goal and they maintained the weight loss with less regain.  And he assured me if i wasn't successful he can do a revision to rny only if needed.

Elia Maria Saenz
    

happyteacher
on 7/27/15 7:00 pm

Stats are stats. Rny and Vsg are comparable. DS a bit more effective. Is he sending you the DS route or Rny? If rny, then I call bull**** Get a second opinion at the very least. 

Surgeon: Chengelis  Surgery on 12/19/2011  A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21  2Mo: -16  3Mo: -12  4MO - 13  5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6  Goal in 8 months 4 days!!   6' 2''  EWL 103%  Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5   150+ pounds lost  

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Jami1371
on 7/28/15 4:34 am

He wants me to go with the rny.

NikkiL2015
on 7/27/15 7:50 pm - Carl Junction, MO
VSG on 07/06/15

I would want to know if he is Bariatric Board of Excellence Certified. If not, I would definitely get a second opinion, I saw 3 different surgeons before I had my surgery and none of them said anything like that.

   

  

        
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