Great success with my WLS

I had a Vertical Sleeve Gasteectomy done on September 15, 2008, and have lost 130 pounds so far.

Not too bad for a 65 year old man!

It's been easy so far.  The only "complications" have been self-induced, because I ate too much, ate to fast or did not chew my food enough.

I can recommend the Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Vanderbilt.  They have three amazing surgeons on staff, two nutritionists, tons of support staff and they really care about their patients.  If you are looking into WLS, consider them.  They do the RnY, the Band and the sleeve on a regular basis, both laproscopically or open surgery (as medically indicated).

I can say, without a doubt, that they gave me back my life.

GREAT JOB!!!  Boy I am ready to take the plunge!  But surgery seems so FAR away!  I'm not going to wish my life away, though.  You can't get back the time and I want to stay in the moment.  But gee, to hit the 100 mark!  Good Luck and stay healthy!

Respect the pouch, take care of the pouch and it will take care of you.

Vera-Ellen  

Hi Vera-Ellen - just wondered if you realized that the surgery he is speaking of doesn't involve a pouch.  He has a real functioning stomach, just like the one he had before surgery, just smaller.  Just FYI - ;-)

Thank you for the information.  I have read info about this  surgery, but from what I've read, I do not qualify for the surgery.  The insurance has approved me for only a couple of procedures.  I have read the DS is for those who are very large and can not have the regular RNY - don't know how much of that is correct, but was going to ask the doctor about all of the different procedures.  I am thinking the insurance approval may require me to either go with the lapband or the RNY.  And then again, the insurance may not even cover the lapband.

Vera-Ellen  

Dr. Shina does not perform the DS or the VSG, he was the second surgeon I sought out when I was doing research on weight loss surgery,he only does lapbands and RNYs, never did do the others he told me so in my meeting with him.  The Norton Bariatric Group has a surgeon that does VSG, I believe it is Dr. Gellar, not sure.  But, the DS is performed by Dr. Husted in Somerset, several docs in Cincy and Dayton area, also Dr. Inman in Indianapolis.  I urge you to research all types of surgery and choose what you believe will be best for you.  Remember research twice, cut once!  Good luck!

I'm so happy for your success!  It's good to hear from someone on the southern end of KY like I am - I'm in Tompkinsville.  Alvaton is where my late husband and I used to take our beef for slaughter and packaging when we decided we could part with one of them, so I've been through that part of the county several times.

You're doing GREAT for a 65 year old man.  I'm curious - I'm 54 and my sister is turning 60 this August.  She is in Michigan and she's afraid her age will prevent her insurance company from covering gastric bypass surgery.  Did you have any problem with that?  She is going through her pre-op screenings, etc.  right now.  I don't think 60 sounds old anymore - the older I get the younger it seems!  lol  

I hear you on the "self" complications.  We all go through some mistakes and trial and error periods and we learn things the hard way sometimes, but in the end it's all good.  I'm glad you're happy with the Nashville network and Vanderbilt - they have a great reputation.  I chose to do mine in Louisville because my family is there (except me) and I had a friend who had a Louisville surgeon that he highly recommended.  There's nothing as good as having someone recommend it that's already had that surgery and surgeon himself or herself!

Keep posting - it's great to hear from a GUY here too!

Hugs,
Cindy

My situation is somewhat unique.  I am a "service connected disabled veteran, rated at more than 50% service connected".

What this means is that the Department of Veterans Affairs will provide any and all medical treatment I need (except dental) at no cost to me.

I was referred to Vanderbilt by the VA, and they paid for my surgery.  I could have had any surgery that Vandy offers.

I was the oldest patient that the Vandy Center for Weight Loss Surgery had done, to date.  Since I have done so well, with zero complications, they have extended the age limit to over 65.

As to your relatives, I would strongly recommend that anyone look into getting the excess weight off.  The more you can get off, the better your chances are of living a lot longer. 

I'm glad to hear that your age didn't interfere with your decision to have weight loss surgery.  That will be encouraging to my sis.  She really needs the surgery because she has fought her weight all her life - major losses and gains - and in the past few years developed Type II diabetes.  My husband died of diabetes related heart disease and I know all the complications that diabetes eventually causes.  I wish we'd known about the success rate for curing diabetes years ago when he first developed it.  

Reading the bottom of your signature I see you've served our country for many years - thank you for your service.  My 34 year old nephew is making the air force his career - he's stationed in Alaska and is a weapons loader specialist.  God bless America and thank you God for weight loss surgery!

Congrats on your success - it's great that you posted - so many people think that once they get near retirement age that it's too late to rid their lives of obesity.  Good for you!  You have not only made the next years of your life better with fewer health problems and better mobility but according to my surgeons stats you have increased your life expectancy by 20%, not bad, huh!   I have a sleeve to as part of my surgery and love it, love it, love it.