In Weigh Over my Head: November 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012

BORED with Weight Loss - new pic of me

I'm so over it. I don't have much to update. I guess I will update here when I have my revision which will be in a few months. In the mean time, I am living my life. Not gaining, not losing, NOT OBESESSING over weight. I am living. I hope you all are doing the same. :)

Happy Belated Thanksgiving.

Below: My home filled with love and laughter for Thanskgiving... :)

Below: me after our family pics

Friday, November 9, 2012

Sorry

Lately I'm just to dang busy to post here or read blogs. I am too busy living my life. What a blessing huh? :) Here's a few pics of my sweet baby's first birthday party! :)

Below: Election Party at my friend's house...

My baby got tubes in her ears yesterday...

Monday, November 5, 2012

Dee's Tips and Trivia

Previous Questions –

~ What is an entrepot?

A warehouse

~ What is a geep?

A cross between a goat and a sheep

~ What is the most recorded song in history with over 2,500 cover versions?

Yesterday

Tips –

~ Use a staple remover when trying to add things to your key ring.

~ Place a couple of rubber bands around an open paint can to wipe your brush on and keep paint off the side of the can.

~ Cut toilet paper rolls and use as a cuff to save your wrapping paper (visual below).

Cut

Trivia –

~ The word “peach” was once used as a slang term for informing against or betraying an accomplice.

~ The male name Andrew is from the Greek word for “manly.”

~ The 1960s phrase “flower power” was coined by Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg. I remember it well. J

This date in history (October 19^th)

~ 1765 – The Stamp Act Congress met and drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.

~ 1933 – Basketball was introduced to the 1936 Olympics.

~ 1983 – The US Senate approved a bill establishing a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

~ 1985 – The first Blockbuster store opens.

~ 1985 – Take On Me was #1.

Questions –

~ Who sang Take On Me?

~ Who is Todd Jones?

~ How many states border an ocean?

Quote –

“Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in this life.” Jean Paul Richter

I hope all of you have a splendid week!

Dee

My Weight Loss Surgery - NOT THE BAND OR BYPASS!

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) - Also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure (also called Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy, Greater Curvature Gastrectomy, Parietal Gastrectomy, Gastric Reduction, Logitudinal Gastrectomy and even Vertical Gastroplasty) is performed by approximately 20 surgeons worldwide. This forum is titled “VSG forum” to include the two most common terms for the procedure (vertical and sleeve). The earliest forms of this procedure were conceived of by Dr. Jamieson in Australia (Long Vertical Gastroplasty, Obesity Surgery 1993)- and by Dr. Johnston in England in 1996 (Magenstrasse and Mill operation- Obesity Surgery 2003). Dr Gagner in New York, refined the operation to include gastrectomy(removal of stomach) and offered it to high risk patients in 2001. Several surgeons worldwide have adopted the procedure and have offered it to low BMI and low risk patients as an alternative to laparoscopic banding of the stomach.

It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing 85% or more of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption. It is a purely restrictive operation. It is currently indicated as an alternative to the Lap-Band® procedure for low weight individuals and as a safe option for higher weight individuals.

Anatomy

This procedure generates weight loss solely through gastric restriction (reduced stomach volume). The stomach is restricted by stapling and dividing it vertically and removing more than 85% of it. This part of the procedure is not reversible. The stomach that remains is shaped like a very slim banana and measures from 1-5 ounces (30-150cc), depending on the surgeon performing the procedure. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact with the idea of preserving the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. By comparison, in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is divided, not removed, and the pylorus is excluded. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stomach can be reconnected (reversed) if necessary. Note that there is no intestinal bypass with this procedure, only stomach reduction. The lack of an intestinal bypass avoids potentially costly, long term complications such as marginal ulcers, vitamin deficiencies and intestinal obstructions.

Comparison to prior Gastroplasties (stomach stapling of the 70-80s)

The Vertical Gastrectomy is a significant improvement over prior gastroplasty procedures for a number of reasons:

1) Rather than creating a pouch with silastic rings or polypropylene mesh, the VG actually resects or removes the majority of the stomach. The portion of the stomach which is removed is responsible for secreting Ghrelin, which is a hormone that is responsible for appetite and hunger. By removing this portion of the stomach rather than leaving it in-place, the level of Ghrelin is reduced to near zero, actually causing loss of or a reduction in appetite (Obesity Surgery, 15, 1024-1029, 2005). Currently, it is not known if Ghrelin levels increase again after one to two years. Patients do report that some hunger and cravings do slowly return. An excellent study by Dr. Himpens in Belgium(Obesity Surgery 2006) demonstrated that the cravings in a VSG patient 3 years after surgery are much less than in LapBand patients and this probably accounts for the superior weight loss.

2) The removed section of the stomach is actually the portion that “stretches” the most. The long vertical tube shaped stomach that remains is the portion least likely to expand over time and it creates significant resistance to volumes of food. Remember, resistance is greatest the smaller the diameter and the longer the channel. Not only is appetite reduced, but very small amounts of food generate early and lasting satiety(fullness).

3) Finally, by not having silastic rings or mesh wrapped around the stomach, the problems which are associated with these items are eliminated (infection, obstruction, erosion, and the need for synthetic materials). An additional discussion based on choice of procedures is below.

Alternative to a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The Vertical Gastrectomy is a reasonable alternative to a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass for a number of reasons

Because there is no intestinal bypass, the risk of malabsorptive complications such as vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency is minimal.

There is no risk of marginal ulcer which occurs in over 2% of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass patients.

The pylorus is preserved so dumping syndrome does not occur or is minimal.

There is no intestinal obstruction since there is no intestinal bypass.

It is relatively easy to modify to an alternative procedure should weight loss be inadequate or weight regain occur.

The limited two year and 6 year weight loss data available to date is superior to current Banding and comparable to Gastric Bypass weight loss data(see Lee, Jossart, Cirangle Surgical Endoscopy 2007).