Let me introduce myself
Hi, I'm from Columbia, SC. I had my VSG last Wednesday and came home from the hospital yesterday (Friday). When I went in I was scheduled for a RNY, but however, when the surgeon started on me, he said that he was unable to do it because my small intestines wouldn't strech up to my pouch. He got in touch with my wife and they agreed on the VSG. Needless to say, when I woke up, I was a little surprised. Now I'm trying to find out info on the VSG ( I had prepared myself for the RNY). Any suggestions would be more than appreciated. So far the only discomfort that I'm experiencing is the staples. Thanks for letting me rant.
Welcome to the friendliest forum on the OH board.
I'm still pre-op, but I hope your change in WLS procedures turns out to be a blessing for you.
Read as much as you can on this forum, the folks here are very supportive, and I have gained a lot of info on what to expect post-op, dieting inputs, etc.
Best of luck on your weight loss journey,
Fred
If it feels good, do it! And if it smells good, eat it!
Welcome to the land of the bananafied. I would imagine you were quite surprised and disappointed that what you had geared yourself up for didn't happen the way it was planned. I pray that the change works best for you.
As far as what to expect---taken from my dr.'s "bible for WLS"---the post-op diet is the same for both the sleeve and the RNY. The few exceptions that I read, the RNYers can usually tolerate more volume further out than a sleevster (but even that isn't that much more). . .and the sleevester is less likely to "dump". Both have pros and cons. Initially, the stats are coming back, RNYers, on average, lose more weight the first few months---but after six months to a year, they are pretty close. RNYers have "regain" stats of approximate 5 - 10% (ten years out); and VSG is too new as a stand alone surgery to have stats yet. RNYers are told they can expect approximately 80% Excess Weight Lost in the first 12 months, while VSGers are told 60% - 80% (according to my Dr.'s "bible") And lastly, and the biggest selling point for me choosing VSG---RNY malabsorbs---both calories and fat, but also vitamins; while the VSG does not since it doesn't bypass the intestines. This does not mean that the vitamins are not required with VSG, because they are, in fact, barring no unforseen other issues, the vitamin regime given to VSGers and RNYers from my surgeon is the same: Chewable multi, chewable calcium citrate; sublingual B12. Blood work and testing for vitamin balances are the same for both surgeries for my doctor.
But one thing you will notice, there seems to be as many different "expectations" as there are surgeons. Therefore, if you have not already done so, please also pose your questions to your own doctor and his/her nutritionalist.
And again, welcome.
As far as what to expect---taken from my dr.'s "bible for WLS"---the post-op diet is the same for both the sleeve and the RNY. The few exceptions that I read, the RNYers can usually tolerate more volume further out than a sleevster (but even that isn't that much more). . .and the sleevester is less likely to "dump". Both have pros and cons. Initially, the stats are coming back, RNYers, on average, lose more weight the first few months---but after six months to a year, they are pretty close. RNYers have "regain" stats of approximate 5 - 10% (ten years out); and VSG is too new as a stand alone surgery to have stats yet. RNYers are told they can expect approximately 80% Excess Weight Lost in the first 12 months, while VSGers are told 60% - 80% (according to my Dr.'s "bible") And lastly, and the biggest selling point for me choosing VSG---RNY malabsorbs---both calories and fat, but also vitamins; while the VSG does not since it doesn't bypass the intestines. This does not mean that the vitamins are not required with VSG, because they are, in fact, barring no unforseen other issues, the vitamin regime given to VSGers and RNYers from my surgeon is the same: Chewable multi, chewable calcium citrate; sublingual B12. Blood work and testing for vitamin balances are the same for both surgeries for my doctor.
But one thing you will notice, there seems to be as many different "expectations" as there are surgeons. Therefore, if you have not already done so, please also pose your questions to your own doctor and his/her nutritionalist.
And again, welcome.
RhondaRoo 256/235.5/131.8/120.0
Never, Never, Never Give Up --Winston Churchill
Never, Never, Never Give Up --Winston Churchill
Dohadiva
on 4/26/08 3:49 am - Qatar
on 4/26/08 3:49 am - Qatar
I don't know about the RNY, but I am 19 days out of VSG surgery, am my hunger has dropped signficantly. Do RNY surgeries remove any of the hunger hormone? Something tells me no, but that is just a guess. This would be a huge plus for the VSG in my mind. Welcome aboard, Dia!!!
Just wanted to say HI 
and welcome to the board! Check out www.vsgfaq.com there is alot of info there!
and welcome to the board! Check out www.vsgfaq.com there is alot of info there! LIFE WAS EASIER WHEN BOYS HAD COOTIES! 
25 lbs lost pre-op
HW-377 PRE-OP-365 DOS-340 NOW-179.4 GOAL-180
25 lbs lost pre-op
HW-377 PRE-OP-365 DOS-340 NOW-179.4 GOAL-180
Welcome to the forum
Just ask us anything you would like...what kind of suggestions or information right now are you seeking?
I can give a brief rundown of the VSG and then I encourage you to read over the boards so you can do some research and more specific questions may come to you as you go along.
The VSG is a restrictive only procedure....we don't have any malabsorption at all. We absorb all of our vitamins and nutrients. So the VSG is a great tool to help us to stay on a good healthy diet plan without suffering with a lot of hunger. The VSG procedure removes approx 80-90% of the stomach so you are left with a small sleeve...it is not a pouch really...it is shaped like a banana...or a sleeve. The larger part of the tummy that they remove is the place where grehlin is produced..the majority of grehlin is produced there. Since that part is removed...we do not have hardly any grehlin (which is a major HUNGER hormone) and so the hunger sensation is reduced. Now some people still say they are hungry right after surgery. I think this is because the grehlin hormone is still circulating in the blood stream. And we also find out all about Head Hunger...which is a beast...its the hunger that makes us want to graze all day or crave for something sweet.
So you have a nice small tummy now...and this allows us to get full rather fast. :-) therefore being able to shed some pounds.
You will probably want to concentrate on drinking and sipping lots of fluids right now....try to steer clear of caffeine for now until you are able to drink well approx 64oz fluid everyday...which can be very hard at first. You will go through different food stages...from thin liquids to full liquids to pureed foods to soft foods then on to regular foods.
A lot of us try to focus on our Protein needs as the major goal as well as fluids..there are protein calculators all over the net to find out how much you need each day....Rule of thumb pretty much is eat your protein first...then if you have room eat some vegetables or fruit. Of course right now you are fresh out of surgery so you are probably on a thin liquid or clear liquid diet? Your surgeon should have given you some guidelines to follow. Follow what your own doctor tells you to do for your diet reccomendations. Doctors vary sometimes in post op instructions. So listen to your doc on that.
The VSG is an awesome weightloss tool....and we are getting more and more stats in all of the time showing how effective it is. The stats are looking really good as far as this being a stand alone procedure. Although we really don't have any stats to show us after 5 years of research.
I am approx 8 months out now. I still cannot eat alot at one time. 6-8 bites of food usually and I am done...if it is meat or something very dense even fewer bites. It has been a life saver for me and am very happy with my results.
Hope some of this helps...was just trying to hit some highlights...please ask away anything and everything and everyone here will do their best to share our experiences with you :-) And welcome to the board!! Oh and congratulations on your brand new banana!!!
Sherri
Just ask us anything you would like...what kind of suggestions or information right now are you seeking?
I can give a brief rundown of the VSG and then I encourage you to read over the boards so you can do some research and more specific questions may come to you as you go along.
The VSG is a restrictive only procedure....we don't have any malabsorption at all. We absorb all of our vitamins and nutrients. So the VSG is a great tool to help us to stay on a good healthy diet plan without suffering with a lot of hunger. The VSG procedure removes approx 80-90% of the stomach so you are left with a small sleeve...it is not a pouch really...it is shaped like a banana...or a sleeve. The larger part of the tummy that they remove is the place where grehlin is produced..the majority of grehlin is produced there. Since that part is removed...we do not have hardly any grehlin (which is a major HUNGER hormone) and so the hunger sensation is reduced. Now some people still say they are hungry right after surgery. I think this is because the grehlin hormone is still circulating in the blood stream. And we also find out all about Head Hunger...which is a beast...its the hunger that makes us want to graze all day or crave for something sweet.
So you have a nice small tummy now...and this allows us to get full rather fast. :-) therefore being able to shed some pounds.
You will probably want to concentrate on drinking and sipping lots of fluids right now....try to steer clear of caffeine for now until you are able to drink well approx 64oz fluid everyday...which can be very hard at first. You will go through different food stages...from thin liquids to full liquids to pureed foods to soft foods then on to regular foods.
A lot of us try to focus on our Protein needs as the major goal as well as fluids..there are protein calculators all over the net to find out how much you need each day....Rule of thumb pretty much is eat your protein first...then if you have room eat some vegetables or fruit. Of course right now you are fresh out of surgery so you are probably on a thin liquid or clear liquid diet? Your surgeon should have given you some guidelines to follow. Follow what your own doctor tells you to do for your diet reccomendations. Doctors vary sometimes in post op instructions. So listen to your doc on that.
The VSG is an awesome weightloss tool....and we are getting more and more stats in all of the time showing how effective it is. The stats are looking really good as far as this being a stand alone procedure. Although we really don't have any stats to show us after 5 years of research.
I am approx 8 months out now. I still cannot eat alot at one time. 6-8 bites of food usually and I am done...if it is meat or something very dense even fewer bites. It has been a life saver for me and am very happy with my results.
Hope some of this helps...was just trying to hit some highlights...please ask away anything and everything and everyone here will do their best to share our experiences with you :-) And welcome to the board!! Oh and congratulations on your brand new banana!!!
Sherri
WooHootiHoo! I have made it to 109!!!! A total of 190lbs lost!
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