Cesareans and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

I was wondering if anyone knew the risks associated with Cesarean Vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy.  I am asking because I am freaked out by the surgery.  You know what if I die and never see my kids again because I get pneumonia or an blood clot or pulmonary embolism etc......

I have had 2 cesareans before, so I figure, I got through those just fine.  If they are just as dangerous or more dangerous than Laproscopic VSG then hey,  I can ease my extreme anxiety I am having about going to Mexico and from surgery complications.

Thanks so much everyone, your all so brave and great about offering your opinions to all of us who are new and scared!

Hi K, I don't know the C-section vs VSG anwser. I think what freaks us out about the surg. itself is the "Elective" nature of it. Like we don't HAVE to have it done, we "elect" to do it. But ya know, I "elected" to have Carpul Tunnel, Bone spur excision. I could of waited, gone through more steroid shots, Physical Therapy ect...but I was DONE with the pain, so I had those surgeries. Now Iam DONE with being obese, so I "elect" the VSG. I mean people elect palstic surg. everyday, why can't we improve our lives by having the VSG?

Kelsolake, You are right to be concerned about any elective surgery.  The truth of the matter is there are risks for taking aspirin, let alone surgery.  I don't know who your doctor is in MX, but I know my experience with Dr. Ortega was exceptional.  I am an RN and pretty clear on what I see as good care.  I would do it all over again - the facilities and care was without a doubt better than anything I have had in the states.  Care and concern was at the forefront of every staff member. I have also had a C-section - for me, being banded was like a walk in the park in comparison.  I needed no pain meds, just felt a little uncomfortable.  I had nausea and that was addresses before I had time to even ask - they asked me!  (I must have been a little green looking.) Good luck! redladybug   

Coming from someone that was totally paranoid about having another surgery (this was my third in the last year!) I had all the same fears--dying and leaving my kids behind, blood clots, etc., etc. I did all the research one person could possibly do, I asked all the right questions, I prayed, I thought it out and prayed some more.  Finally, I looked at this procedure as something that would extend my life, and improve my quality of life.  Just like some surgeries are required to fix things that have gone wrong, I looked at this surgery in the same way. There are things that can go wrong.  The percentage is very low.  As many people have said before....we probably have a better chance of being in a car accident and possible death, then we do having the vsg done.  If you have faith that your surgeon is competent and capable and you feel, in your heart, that you are making the right decision...then it's time to let go and prepare for a new way of life.  (Trust me, I know, easier said than done!) As far as pneumonia and blood clots--reducing the risk is up to us!  Do your lung exercises as directed, get up and walk just as soon as possible and don't stop moving after you get home.  All these things greatly reduce the risks of these terrible complications. Hang in there.  The wonderful people on this board are here cheering you on!

Warmest wishes, Brenda

I think that the only risk that would be different from any other surgery, would be the possibility of "leaks" and these are checked for very very carefully. Dr. Joya, did my surgery and he did an endoscopy at the end of the procedure, before I was woken up. That's where a little camera is sent down into your stomach and the suture line from top to bottom is examined. Then a "leak" test is done before allowing you to drink anything. That is just a matter of drinking a blue liquid that would show up in the drain that you have in.     I'm really glad that I had my surgery in Mexico, because I had 3 nights in the hospital and two in a hotel two blocks from the hospital, where one of Dr Joya's assistant surgeons came to see me each day. Tracy was only in the hospital 2 nights and at the hotel 3 nights. I had a small bleed associated with medication I was taking preop and so he wanted to watch for me another night. I felt very well cared for and in the states I would have had one night in the hospital then sent home. I felt so ready to go home, when I was discharged from his care 5 days later!  I even drove myself home from the airport....a one hour drive. I don't think I would have felt ready to go home after two nights in the hospital.     Other than the leak possibility, it is like any other surgergical risk. And doctors always have to give you a very complete list of possible complications, which can scare the daylights out of anyone, but the risks of this surgery are really pretty minimal.... certainly much much less than any of the other wt loss surgery procedures.    Blessings, Jane

I cannot offer you any hard statistics, but I would make an educated guess and say the possibility of some complications are higher with a C-Section.  It is by far more invasive than a laparscopic procedure, your body is in shock and full of hormones from 9 months of pregnancy.  I had a C-section and was positivelly freaked, thought I was going to die, said goodbye to everyone and was really scared the whole time.  Afterwards the pain was awful and it took me six weeks to feel kind of ok.  The VSG was a breeze compared to that.  I understand  your fears, I had enormous fear of surgery steemed from my experience with the c-section, so much so that five months after that surgery when I developed an herniated disk in my spine and all the drs. I consulted adviced surgery I refused...went with physical therapy and pain management therapy and it took about six months to get rid of the pain.  I elected the vsg because after much research it seemed safest and pretty easy to perform by a knowledgeable surgeon.  The weight issue plays a big role on my back pain as well as my infertility issues.  So my line of thought was: why riisk my health and spend a lot of money in surgeries and treatments for this things, when there was a vsg procedure, that is safer?  Losing weight would help me with the back pain and with infertility; if afterwards I decide that another procedure is needed I'd be in better health to deal with it. Don´t know if that helped! Hope it did.  Hang in there! Hugs, Ana Banana

This should help you calm down...lol... Coming from a fellow C-Section gal, I would say 100% this is way easier to recover from than the c-section.  Plus, the risks are less for infection due to the laproscopic approach.  The only thing that's different is the kind of anesthesia they use.  I even had irrational fears about the spinal for my c-section, I was so scared I'd end up paralyzed and never be able to hold my daughter. Also, just to help ease your fears about the pain...I am allergic to ALL pain medications...so my c-section recovery was HORRIBLE compared to the VSG...it was cake! All surgeries have risks...but, if it's not your time, then it's not your time...know what I mean??  If I were you, I'd just pray (to God or if you don't believe then pray to whoever...family members...whatever...LOL) pray that you're being watched over and to help keep you healthy for your children. I'm sure all will be just fine.........take a deep breath............inhale......................exhale...........repeat!!!!

Hi and welcome! I too had 2 cesarean sections.  Also had a total of 13 surgeries....this, by far, was the easiest and the recovery was amazingly quick. This surgery is much less invasive than other wls that are available to you.  You are checked for leaks in the OR and you're home within a day or two. With any surgery their is anxiety....

I don't know how much overweight you are and how it is impacting your life.  But, when I chose to have this surgery I asked myself what is the quality of my life now and what will it be down the road at the weight I was at.  I think you need to ask yourself the same kind of questions.  Will you be seeing your children grow up; will you be able to keep up with them and their activities; what kind of a role model are you for them.... the list goes on and on.  These are only questions you can answer.

Best Wishes!