santiam
I am currently considering having a VSG instead of a DS. I am a
large frame man at 5'10" 310# BMI=42. I am not really sold on the DS
malabsobtive process resulting in anemia, calcium and ADEK
deficencies.
However, I do like the general idea of the VSG. I have these
questions about the VSG:
Can anyone tell me what to expect postsurgically?
Are there food restictions/complications/motility problems?
Are there any kind of deficiencies?
I have heard that some patients develop reflux disease. Is there any
truth to that?
I am currently contemplating going to the Legacy Obesity Clinic in
Portland OR. Has anyone had any kind of bariatric procedure there?
Can anyone recommend a proficient surgeon in the pacific NW who
specializes in this procedure?
Here is the latest news on my surgical journey. I had my: preliminary lab work, physical, psych eval, and my sleep study done this past week. I will get the results, a official doctors consult and my insurence decision after the first of the year.
I am posting questions for those of you who have had the VSG surgery:
- Is there any chance of developing dysphagia (swallowing problems)?
- How will the surgery affect your GI motility?
- Any chance of developing a gastric fistula (a blind pouch usually formed after an infection or surgery)?
- Has anyone developed Gall Bladder problems post surgery?
- What can expect emotionally post-surgery?
Now the surgeon I have spoken to unofficially is Dr. Dennis Hong? I He had performed many lap DS procedures with vertical gastrectomy. Now he said basically its the same lapro surgery as the DS without the "switch". Now I have seen a lot of debate on "sleeve size" ranging from 2 to 5 ounces. Does anybody know if there is a surgical standard when it comes to sleeve capacity?
Hello Everyone
Today Thursday 2/2/06 was my scheduled surgical consultation at the Oregon Weight Loss Clinic with Dr. Emma Patterson here in PDX. What an exasperating experience! I came to my appointment prepared with my articles, questions, pie charts, and lastly my "poker" face. I was hoping to get some professional insight, some questions answered, and maybe a possible surgical date on the VSG procedure. What I got was an arrogant condescending physician who tried to talk me into having either an RnY or some new experimental procedure they are doing which involves an electrode placement at each valve of the stomach. Ultimately, I learned that they have never performed a VSG and they only perform the RnY' or the VBG procedures. I cannot believe that this bogus consult was coming from the same hospital system that I currently work for. What a waste of time and money!
So the quest goes on folks. I will now focus my efforts towards Dr Cirangle and the crew at LAPSF. Since LAPSF is not my provider, my ODS PPO probably will not cover this procedure. Therefore, I am looking at paying for this on my own. Other than borrowing against my home, does anyone have any ideas on where to get the financing for this endeavor?
Everyone on this forum has been so helpful but I do wish that I could talk to some guys who have been through this procedure. I would love to get an idea of how they have faired post operatively. The few guys listed on this site haven't answered the emails that I have sent them. Does anyone out here know any men who have had this procedure?
02/28/06
I spoke with the folks at LAPSF today concerning my insurance. There seems to be an "out-of-provider" clause in my insurance. My insurance company wants them to submit a pre-authorization and an explaination as to why the VSG is medically "more" neccessary that the RnY or DS. They said the wait could be anywhere between 3 weeks to 2 months. So its hurry up and wait for now.
Post Date: 6/4/06 8:12 pm
Now I have one last hurdle to make before I get a surgical date. My insurance company wants me to lose 15 pounds before they issue thier authorization. Now I am open to ideas of how to shed the 15 pounds quickly and safely. Anybody out there have any stratigies?
Thanks
Floyd
Post Date: 6/4/06 8:07 pm
Thanks everyone for the answers to my staple line uceration question. I am at a point where I am done asking questions and wanting to finally move and get this done. You have all been such a tremendous help.
Floyd
Post Date: 6/28/06 11:27 pm
All right everyone... I finally established a surgical date with Dr. Cirangle on 9/11/06!! Unfortunatly, I had to forego my attempts to get my insurance to pay for it completly. However, I did manage to get them to pay for 35% of the cost and the follow up care. So now the journey really begins!
Post Date: 8/13/06 9:14 pm
Hello Gang
I am looking for any pre-sugical/post-surgical advice from all of you especially from those of you who have had thier procedure done by LAPSF. I have only 1 month to go before my sugical date of 9/12.... I am getting a little nervous and excited as I approach the date! Thanks guys!
By the way Marie you look fantastic I am so happy for you!
Floyd
Post Date: 9/11/06 7:19 pm
All right everyone
I am here in San Fran with my brother Steve. Earlier we finished our consult with Dr. Cirangle. I am just kicking back in the hotel waiting to get some sleep. I know tommorrow morning around 0600 I will be a nervous mess! My surgery is scheduled for 0700 and should be finished by 0900..... Were any of you post op folks nervous like this before the surgery day???? I am a nervous mess!!!
I look forward to hearing from you all
Thanks
Floyd
Post Date: 9/13/06 6:56 pm
Hello all
All went well on the 12th I stayed 1 day and I was discharged today 9/13/06 at 1600 this afternoon. I am recovering at the Cathedral Hotel everything is going fine except I have this horrible gas build up in the middle of my abdomen. I have been walking to help it am open to any suggestions from all of you alums. I also have been finding it hard to consume fluids because of this gas build up. Had any of you had this problem at all?
Thanks
Floyd
