In Weigh Over my Head: Getting so close?

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Getting so close?

Can you feel it! It's almost here! Over two years of thinking about it and now tomorrow is the last night I will have a stomach. Freaky! My next post will be after surgery, God willing! Please pray for me!!! Thanks so much for your support! I will be posting pics from the hospital.

21 comments:

Tracie said...: Praying that everything goes well and you recover quickly! Thanks for inviting me to your blog.; March 19, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Dawn said...: I can think of it...it must be soo exciting and scary and every kind of emotion all wrapped up. You are so ready for this, ready physically with your amazing loss in the last 5 months and ready emotionally. This is your time and it's about to begin. Hope all goes smoothly through surgery. Cant wait to hear you're on the mend. Thinking of you xXx
Dawn; March 19, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Laura P said...: How exciting and nerve wracking at the same time! Praying that all goes well with your surgery.; March 19, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Ashley said...: I am so excited for you. Good luck and can't wait for your next update!!!; March 19, 2011 at 7:17 PM
jenfromtheburgh said...: Wishing you a safe and fast recovery. You in my thoughts and prayers....Jennifer; March 19, 2011 at 7:31 PM
Elle Bee said...: So excited for you! Can't wait to hear from you on the other side!; March 19, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Farrah said...: Best Wishes!!!! :); March 19, 2011 at 7:56 PM
Juliet said...: i am so excited for ya you will love the NEW YOU soon

prayers for you and your family

juliet; March 19, 2011 at 9:31 PM
WWSuzi said...: Best wishes and i'm sending hugs!!; March 20, 2011 at 6:11 AM
Kelly said...: Good luck Lisa. I'll be thinking of you!; March 20, 2011 at 7:20 AM
Miss E said...: Wow, it's time! All the best of luck to you. Looking forward to hearing you on the other side; March 20, 2011 at 8:11 AM
A said...: Good Luck. My prayers and thoughts are with you.; March 20, 2011 at 9:52 AM
Kristin said...: Good luck! Will be thinking of you.; March 20, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Amanda said...: Awesome!! Sending prayers and best wishes your way :); March 20, 2011 at 3:06 PM
sue said...: Good luck Lisa!!!! hope all goes well.Hope you have a speedy recovery.; March 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Vampyra7 said...: Best of luck! It is going to be SO worth it. God will guide you through this journey and keep you safe. I can't wait for your next update! ~Sarah; March 20, 2011 at 7:19 PM
MEG said...: I admire your strength, your determination, and your love for your family. God bless you and keep you and your doctors in the palm of His hand tomorrow.; March 20, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Jess said...: I am SO excited for you and I can't wait to follow you along on this journey! :) Good luck tomorrow.; March 20, 2011 at 9:24 PM
K said...: Sending you lots of positive thoughts. I'll be thinking of you.Hugs; March 20, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Lisa said...: Good luck tomorrow... Can't waiter too see the follow up!; March 20, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Debbie said...: Ditto to every comment on here! Good luck! I'm praying for you!; March 21, 2011 at 12:59 AM

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!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Getting so close?

21 comments: