In Weigh Over my Head: Bottom Line...

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Bottom Line...

We could not get enough money for the surgery. I was going to get a loan from a family member and it didn't work out. Instead, I am using that money to get healthy. so far I have been to the endocrinologist, ENT and today a new therapist that specializes in food addiction. I have an appointment for a back center and a new dr. to check for an autoimmune disorder next week. I need to get healthy period, not just with my weight. My Endocrinologist recommends MediFast due to my PCOS so it looks like I am joining Lyn and I am getting started on that. So far I have lost only 9 pounds in 2 weeks, but at least that's something. I have not had any sugar AT ALL in 17 days. Still have the cravings. I'm sure that is in my mind and not my body. I will not lie and say I am not still disappointed with not getting my revision, but I am ready to face this addiction as best I can. Win or fail. I also can't say I have faith in myself because I don't. If history and stats tell me anything, I have a 97% chance of failure but that does not give me a ticket to give up.

Pick of the day... Enjoying my son's spring football game.

Glad to be able to walk around enough to get there and enjoy the moment.

7 comments:

Lyn said...: I am glad to have you with me. I have been praying for you, not just for your health but also for your peace. You are right, it is not JUST about weight. There is so much more. I hope you can stick to Medifast... that is the only hard part! If you stick to it, it does work. But we have to be on guard against the addiction voice and the obsession mindset, too.

Keeping you in my prayers.; March 14, 2013 at 11:23 PM
Mrs. O said...: Addictions are hard to get over. It's been 5 years (with a 3 month relapse 3 yrs ago) since I stopped smoking. And yet I still crave a cigarette every single day. I don't enjoy the smell of cigarette smoke and I know it makes me very ill but knowing that doesn't stop the cravings. Food addiction is the same and so are sugar, carb & fat cravings. You can get to the point where, one day, you no longer grab for those foods but I believe the cravings will always be there. Unfortunately, you never forget how it made you feel and that's where the cravings come in. Like everything else, it takes time and perseverance. Keep telling yourself you're worth it and you deserve it!; March 15, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Heather said...: Everything happens for a reason. Maybe you needed this season to get a better hold on your overall health and then will be able to (if needed) get the surgery in the future. Just keep the faith!
*hugs*; March 15, 2013 at 9:05 AM
Lori said...: Medifast works. I'd love to lose 9 pounds in two weeks. Even if that stat about 97% failure rate is true, it is not 100%. Make sure you are in the 3%.

I know you can do this. You have already overcome so much adversity. You'll overcome this as well.
Lori; March 15, 2013 at 12:56 PM
The Sassy Orange said...: I wish you the absolute best.

Angela/Pretty in Orange; March 16, 2013 at 3:08 AM
The Lovely One said...: I truly believe this is the best solution for you. Go to therapy and work on getting healthy, and you can always get the surgery in a couple of months. Good luck!; March 16, 2013 at 10:17 PM
WWSuzi said...: I am so glad to see that you're taking care of you! Good for you!!; March 17, 2013 at 10:00 PM

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).

Let's Shrink!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Bottom Line...

7 comments: