X-POST DS vs VSG - WARNING - whining ahead

Margaret in Canada,

Welcome to the friendliest board on the planet!

I think all you have to do is open your eyes and read from past posts and you will see how well we do with the VSG. It is a dream come true to most on this board. I for one am happier now than I have ever been in my entire life where weight loss is concerned. Oh I want it now and I want it all but other than a little patience issue I am doing terrific with my VSG and I have one of the bigger bougie sizes on the board.

Look around, lurk, and post. I think with your special cir****tances this is the best possible surgery for you and with only 80 some lbs to lose you run the risk of losing too much actually.

Good luck and God bless,
Beth

Thanks Beth
Margaret

Hi, Margaret.  I want to second what others have told you above.  This surgery was the best thing that's ever happened to me.  The weight loss has been easier then I ever dreamed it would be, due to no more feelings of hunger.  The most challenging part has been fighting head hunger and eating out of boredom, but with the restricted tummy size, even there I can't go too far off, eating wise.  I think you'll be very satisfied with your results, and with only 80 lbs to lose, I wouldn't be surprised if you were at your targeted weight within the first year...at least I hope to be at mine by then!

Linda

I am just 5 week post-op, I started with a 40 BMI.  I have lost 1/3 of my excess weight.  I don't think I will have any problems getting to goal.  It is amazing the difference since the surgery.  I am very rarely hungry and have forgotten to eat on the weekends when I am busy.  Never in my old life did I FORGET to eat. 

I am amazed and grateful for this surgery every day. 

Losing a third of your excess weight in 5 weeks is incredible.  You are giving me hope that I really need.
Thanks.     Margaret

Hi Margaret - I started with a BMI of *just* over 40 and OHIP paid for my VSG - and I couldn't be happier. I have lost the weight pretty easily and very fast. So far, I feel that the VSG has been a complete success for me. I never applied directly to OHIP for my surgery. I went to my GP - she referred me to a surgeon - he put me on a waiting list - I waited - and then I had the surgery.

In the first few months, we eat liquids and then purees and such. Now - I'm 'able' to eat anything - but I choose to eat a very low carb diet. Since there's no malabsorption with VSG, if you do eat anything and everything, you will have a much harder time losing weight. When I reach goal, my plan is to slowly introduce complex carbs back into my diet. To date, I really haven't felt like I'm missing out when it comes to food. I eat what I eat - and I don't really feel like anything else. I can look at junk food and desserts now - and not care. I don't know if that has a lot to do with the surgery - it's probably more that, by this stage, I'm just weaned off of carbs.

I think that most of the people on this forum are thrilled with their VSG. If you want to know about the VSG, you've come to the right place. Ask away and we'll answer. And, if you are still pursuing a DS and OHIP coverage for it, I suggest you spend lots of time in the Ontario forum. There are lots of folks there who have had DS and been through the whole OHIP thing - and I'm sure they'd be happy to provide you with lots of info.

The sleeve is the best!  No re-routing, no foreign objects, no fills, no stretchy pouch, no dumping (usually, ha!).  All is positive, and the weight comes off.  It is a miracle.  And you aren't too old; I'm 55 and losing just fine.  Lots of people here have gotten to goal.  And I eat anything I want, just in very small amounts (and I don't care!), making sure to eat the protein first.  I've been reborn!  Good luck to you :-)    --Dorothy

Hi Margaret from Canada...  I can't speak a great deal on the weight loss aspect because I was at goal when I had my surgery (revision from band to sleeve) but I can tell you that I have to eat all day long or I lose.  I don't really want to lose at this point.  I think this would have been a much easier journey than my band was.

As for what I eat... I eat anything and everything.  I just can't eat much of it.

Hi!

I got a VSG August 5th with about 80 pounds to lose. so I am not yet 3 months out and I have lost almost half of it.

now, different people have different experiences and lose at different rates. but you can lose it with this surgery.

good luck!

Hey Margaret!

I'm a VSG'r by choice. I didn't really feel I *needed* any bypass aspect so RNY and DS were out for  me.

I managed to hit goal in 9 months, and have maintained pretty much effortlessly for the last 9 months.

I've had a few other friends that have not been AS successful as me, but they are either very newly sleeved or not following the rules!

I don't think VSG is the end of the world.  I'm VERY happy with mine.  Checkout my recent pic of halloween last year and this year.... freaking stripper store costumes!!!  amazing!