What if I Need my Tummy Back?

I don't think so but I know that if I was unable to eat for a while, I have enough body fat to sustain me. LOL

I think first of all the only concern with the VSG is from not having any stomach left if you have gastric cancer diagnosed in the sleeve, there is just not enough surface left to save any part of the stomach. Nourishing yourself during any bout with cancer would be the same in either procedure.  As for absorption, it is done mainly in the intestines so you would not have to take as many vitamins with a VSG as opposed to the RNY. If you have reflux of any kind the VSG is contraindicated, as it makes reflux much worse.

There is definitely a reversal to the RNY but it is a very risky procedure that they only do if your life is at risk.

Hope this helps a little

Audra

Stomach cancer is not nearly as common as most other cancers, but if someone did get stomach cancer it is typically in the fundus.  Same with ulcers.  We don't have a fundus anymore.

If someone did have stomach cancer they can easily live without any stomach at all.  There are entire families that have strong genetic family histories of stomach cancer and the have total gastrectomies done to prevent stomach cancer.  They live very well. post op.

If something as horrible as stomach cancer happened there is a good chance the entire stomach would need to be removed, even for a non sleeve person.  It depends on how far it progressed.

This is just one of many examples.

http://www.wkow.com/Global/story.asp?S=9999124

As a nurse I understand that fact, but it is still a concern when they do a VSG that the decreased surface area could be a problem if gastric cancer arises. I am aware you can live with a full gastrectomy but that was not her concern. The poster seemed to think it was regarding nourishment during any bout with cancer.

Thanks

Audra

Idb1095,

Wow! You answered another question before I had a chance to ask it. Now, if a person didn't have a stomach, would they have to survive on feeding tubes? I'll have to do more research because I am over here scratching my head about that one. I read the link you provided and also Googled how one could live without a stomach and see that this lady was given an RNY after having her stomach removed to prevent heriditary cancer. This is a lot to digest (no pun intended).

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/life-without-my-stomach-760668.html

Thanks Audra. Very interesting. As I read the earlier comment, I wondered what would happen if cancer existed in the sleeve. At that point, I guess it would be curtains. But as someone else said, I shouldn't assume that just because relatives are cancer proned doesn't mean that I will get it too. Lord knows, I'm hoping I don't.  Were any of these issues taken in account when you chose your RNY? How far out are you?

Shanita

I am 3 1/2 years post RNY. I did not have the option of the sleeve as it was not common that long ago. It has just in the past 1-2 years gained popularity. Not sure I would have changed my plans, at the age of 39 I still think it was the best option. I would definitely recommend the sleeve to those in their teens and 20's, because vitamin deficiencies are no joke. the younger you are the more time you have for that to become a problem. Just my opinion

Audra

That's a very interesting way of looking at it that the younger you are, the longer you have to develop issues. Hmmm

I'm 31 and until I started learning more about SWL, I didn't believe in vitamins and supplements but the more I read about them and the benefits they provide post-op, I decided to start out now if for nothing else than to see how life would be like taking them. I have to admit, I have become quite fond of the protein shakes. (lol).

I'm just a little nervous with VSG because it is a relatively new process. I know lots of people who had RNY. In fact, ALL of them say they would do it again-even the ones who have had slight complications. I don't know anyone personally who has had the sleeve.

Again, there is nothing new about VSG/partial gastrectomies.  They are older than RNY, DS, or bands.  The only thing new are the weight loss stats and those are not new anymore.

Sleeves have been hugely popular for about 4-5 years now.

Thanks. I joined a group on Facebook and am seeing just how popular the VSG is. I also asked a couple of people here that I knew had surgery what they had. I just "assumed" it was bypass because of the large amount of weight they loss and was surprised to learn that I do, in fact, know people that had it.