So Frightened, please help me!!
This is taken directly from my surgeon's website. I hope it helps and puts your mind at ease!!
Advantages of the Vertical Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery
The stomach is reduced in volume but tends to function normally so most food items can be consumed, though only in small amounts.
Eliminates the upper portion of the stomach that produces the hormones that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin), therefore hunger is often decreased.
No dumping syndrome because the pyloric valve is preserved.
Minimizes the chance of an ulcer occurring by decreasing the amount of acid secreted.
By avoiding the intestinal bypass, the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency are greatly reduced.
No adjustment required or foreign body inserted (as in an adjustable gastric band) that may cause obstruction, slippage or erosion.
Disadvantages of the Vertical Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery
Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can though be converted to a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in the future if necessary.
There is a potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all procedures, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass.
Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, can be consumed \ absorbed and these high calorie foods may slow weight loss.
This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.
Considered investigational by insurance companies, not a covered benefit.
Advantages of the Vertical Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery
The stomach is reduced in volume but tends to function normally so most food items can be consumed, though only in small amounts.
Eliminates the upper portion of the stomach that produces the hormones that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin), therefore hunger is often decreased.
No dumping syndrome because the pyloric valve is preserved.
Minimizes the chance of an ulcer occurring by decreasing the amount of acid secreted.
By avoiding the intestinal bypass, the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency are greatly reduced.
No adjustment required or foreign body inserted (as in an adjustable gastric band) that may cause obstruction, slippage or erosion.
Disadvantages of the Vertical Gastrectomy Weight Loss Surgery
Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can though be converted to a Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass in the future if necessary.
There is a potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all procedures, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass.
Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, can be consumed \ absorbed and these high calorie foods may slow weight loss.
This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.
Considered investigational by insurance companies, not a covered benefit.
xoxo~Mandi"I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it!" ~Marilyn Monroe
HW:422LBs Pre-op:394LBs SW:391.6LBs CW:303LBs GW:190LBs (5'10")
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It's ok to be nervous. I was nervous at the beginning too. I'm just starting this journey and have found such an amazing support group here. Trust me this will help change your life!
~Mandi
~Mandi
xoxo~Mandi"I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it!" ~Marilyn Monroe
HW:422LBs Pre-op:394LBs SW:391.6LBs CW:303LBs GW:190LBs (5'10")
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Dr.s say it is a next step and is less invasive that the ruan Y.
It might be a better tool for you than the band. I am only three weeks out so you should talk to people who are farther along. Lots of benefits! Not hungry or even want food. Removes the part of the stomach that has the hormones that make us want to eat. You won't have te malabsorbtion problems the Ruan Y. has. Can be done laproscopicly Sorry for the spelling.....
It might be a better tool for you than the band. I am only three weeks out so you should talk to people who are farther along. Lots of benefits! Not hungry or even want food. Removes the part of the stomach that has the hormones that make us want to eat. You won't have te malabsorbtion problems the Ruan Y. has. Can be done laproscopicly Sorry for the spelling.....
I'm a revision patient as well so here's my list of differences:
no sliming, no food getting stuck, constant/permanent restriction, no fills/unfills, no too loose or too tight, no food intolerances (I never knew salad could taste so effin fabulous), no hunger (literally I'm never physically hungry), a normal functioning stomach just smaller in capacity. No crazy pain from a port, no puking on water, ummm the list goes on on and on so I hope this gives you an idea.
Now, that doesn't mean I sit around eating hos hos and bons bons all day, and if I did, I would gain weight so it's not going to stop me from eating craptastic foods, BUT it makes the decision-making process so much easier. I've been in maintenance for a year at this point, and it's pretty amazing. I do eat anything and everything I want just in smaller quantities. Life is fabulous with the sleeve. I have zero complaints at 22 months out. It's given me the very best of both worlds, constant restriction,and lack of hunger.
Within this link, there are tons of links for newbies, personal stories and at the bottom there are a bunch of research articles/studies/information if that will help you as well.
http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/
no sliming, no food getting stuck, constant/permanent restriction, no fills/unfills, no too loose or too tight, no food intolerances (I never knew salad could taste so effin fabulous), no hunger (literally I'm never physically hungry), a normal functioning stomach just smaller in capacity. No crazy pain from a port, no puking on water, ummm the list goes on on and on so I hope this gives you an idea.
Now, that doesn't mean I sit around eating hos hos and bons bons all day, and if I did, I would gain weight so it's not going to stop me from eating craptastic foods, BUT it makes the decision-making process so much easier. I've been in maintenance for a year at this point, and it's pretty amazing. I do eat anything and everything I want just in smaller quantities. Life is fabulous with the sleeve. I have zero complaints at 22 months out. It's given me the very best of both worlds, constant restriction,and lack of hunger.
Within this link, there are tons of links for newbies, personal stories and at the bottom there are a bunch of research articles/studies/information if that will help you as well.
http://vsgfaq.wordpress.com/
Band to VSG revision: June 3, 2009
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs
There are quite a few people on here who started out with the band and have since gotten a revision to the sleeve and they all LOVE their sleeve. They say the difference is like night and day, i'm sure you'll hear from some of them. I love my sleeve and i'm so grateful for this gift of a healthy happy future. I think you'll be very happy if you do this, Best of luck to you :o) Jeani
the start of my brand new life was on 5/28/10
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