In Weigh Over my Head: better? Yes. Easier? NO

Monday, March 28, 2011

better? Yes. Easier? NO

I am still in pain, but the pain is a little less. I can now go to the bathroom on my own which helps. The hunger is NOT gone. I read about most people who dont have any desire to eat. That is NOT me. I am starving. Smelling the food my family is eating is torture. Every food commercial is like stabbing me. Today I need to start calcium, B12 and a chewable multi with Iron. For the next month I get to eat 2oz of chicken and beef broth and some oz of protien drinks. so far I can only get it 4 oz per day. I need to drink at least 60 oz of water, but am only taking in about 20 now. I get more and more per day. So far, still regretting it, but I have seen some weight loss now. Maybe the more I see that, the less I will hate life. lol

7 comments:

Dawn said...: It WILL get easier, I think the hunger issues will settle down as you get used to the new normal. i'm so pleased your pain level is lower and you're feeling a bit brighter. As for regrets, maybe write a list of all the reasons you are doing this and re-read it when thoughts are tough to remind yourself this is for a very VERY good list of reasons for you and your lovely family..take care xXx
Dawn; March 28, 2011 at 3:00 PM
mckay said...: You are doing great! I am so sorry it is painful and a struggle, but you are doing fantastic and have a load of people praying for you- including me.; March 28, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Lori said...: I am so sorry you're struggling. I can't help but believe that it will get better. So much of this battle is in the mind. Once you get used to what normal is for you mentally, you'll skate right through it.

You've got a lot of people cheering for you. You can make it.
Lori; March 28, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Jess said...: LOL! When you're a HOT momma by the end of the year you won't be regretting it! :oP; March 28, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Amanda said...: i ditto the list of reasons. Write out all the reasons you did this surgery. then re-read it all day. Think positive....try to focus on all the things you will be able to do VERY soon because of the surgery! I know I will see you at the pool this summer and you will be looking and feeling so much better than last summer!; March 28, 2011 at 6:21 PM
sandy019 said...: I am so proud of you! By summer time you should be feeling really good and looking amazing. What fun you will have with your beautiful family. Prayers and hugs! Sandy; March 29, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Sarah said...: Hun you are experiencing exactly what I went thru. The first few weeks I struggled with my decision of what did I do to myself, every commercial made me want to binge and eat everything in site, I craved, wanted and needed food. But I stuck with it and it became easier, the cravings went away, I rarely have the urge for anything bad, I actually want to eat healthy now. It will get better I promise you, I think every person that has weight loss surgery goes thru that regret stage of what they did. It's like a drug addict your still craving for your fix. Just sip sip sip and eat and drink what your suppose to in a day or try to get as close as you can to it, it gets easier over time.; March 29, 2011 at 3:18 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!

Monday, March 28, 2011

better? Yes. Easier? NO

7 comments: