What to tell someone who says VSG is irreversible?

OMG! There ya go, here is your answer!  Thats great, you are my kinda girl. Tell it like it is! On May 2, 2008 at 7:57 AM Pacific Time, MarloT wrote:

tell her she's right, it is irreversible.  it oughta be a real brief conversation.

Since our surgery doesn't have the malabsorption issue of other WLSs or a foreign body, like a LapBand, I see this as a huge PLUS. Also, we can continue to take any medications we may need, which is untrue with other WLSs. If we should ever need additional nutrition, we'd just eat more frequently. I don't want reversible weight loss! ; )

The only one of the major weight loss surgeries that's NOT irreversible is the Lap Band, and that has its own problems (erosion, slippage, intolerances) which is why so many banders end up over here looking at revision.  Ultimately, we've all tried the truly REVERSIBLE weight loss programs, and that's exactly what they've done - reversed.  We lost weight again and again, only to regain it - and a few extra pounds.  That's the point.  We need something that won't do that.  We need something that will permanently restrict our caloric intake (so long as we work the tool), and that won't leave us feeling constantly deprived and hungry.  Ultimately, WLS is what works.  The Biggest Loser is a lie.  All of the people who lose on that program, when you visit them again in a couple years, have regained a lot of weight.  Only 3-5% of MO patients, particularly those who have a family history of morbid obesity, can lose weight and maintain the weight loss for five years using diet and exercise alone.  Contrast with 90% of bariatric patients who have WLS.  If your MIL isn't MO, she probably won't understand why you can't "just eat that way, without the surgery."  Heck, one of my MO friends insists that we should try that instead of surgery!  Never mind that she's been in every diet program known to man, and a few she's made up herself, and she's heavier now than ever.  Tell her all this, and realize that she may still not understand.  It doesn't matter.  What matters is YOU understand, and you're doing the ONLY thing that has a real likelihood of sparing you a lifetime of morbid obesity and all the health issues that go with it.  YOU are adding years to your life by doing this.  Yours is the only vote that counts here, because you know what's best for you. Good luck! L

I think thats a good thing to mention, you can say "well, the lap band is reversable, but everyone who has it reversed gains their weight back."

You can also bring up the fact that gastrectomies have been done for years, most of them lost weight without trying, and they are perfectly fine.

I focused on the safety of it--yes, the band is reversible, but there are so many potential complications. When I was surgeon-shopping, 4 surgeons told me that they don't even like doing the band anymore because they know that sooner or later they always have to go back in because of complications. They all said they definitely thought the VSG was a much better surgery and they believed it would become the standard in the future.

Also, very few people get the band "reversed"--they get it revised (frequently to the VSG) because of complications. Almost all of those who have tried to get it removed once they lost the weight ended up gaining it back.

Also, your MIL (and you) may not be aware that this surgery has been done for 20-30 years as a cure for very difficult stomach ulcers and the success rate and lack of complications have been great!

But, I personally like Carrie's answer better--why would I want to reverse my weight loss?

Good luck!

Kim,

I think that the impression that people might have when they think "irreversable" is that you will never be able to eat a nutritious well balanced diet and suffer a vitamin depraved death! I think if you speak to most sleevers that they end up eating somewhat normal portions after a bit of time post op. Maybe you could reassure her of this?

Babs

Tell them that's okay, I don't want my stomach back!

My reaction to that would be "THANK GOD"

What's interesting is that (according to my dr. during our last month support group meeting) even though lap band is considered "reversible"; the truth is that no surgeon would recommend going and just plain taking it out because someone "changed their mind". The truth is, it is only truly reversed if some serious medical reason necessitates it. So---there you go. The plus with a lap band would be more like if you got preggo or something that would require you to eat more food, the fill could be emptied.

What do you mean by irreversible? The difference in your stomach is that it is smaller-nothing else has changed.  The VSG can be converted into any of the other WLS.  You just have a smaller stomach.  Does anyone want their big stomach back? I don't.