In Weigh Over my Head: hating life

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

hating life

in so much pain, sick to stomach, had to have eric help me wipe today. first day home. i hope this gets better.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...: Things WILL get better. Please take your time to heal, get better, and then come back and tell us your story. We are all rooting for you Lisa. Please take it easy.

HUGS!!!; March 23, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Just Lisa said...: Thinking of you, Lisa! Can't wait until you're up to giving us a "real" post! xoxo!; March 24, 2011 at 12:18 AM
A said...: Take care of yourself. Get the rest you need and remember how worth it this will all be in 6 months.; March 24, 2011 at 12:47 AM
Lisa said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; March 24, 2011 at 1:00 AM
Lisa said...: it will get better! just be patient and don't rush the process! Sending good vibes your way!; March 24, 2011 at 1:00 AM
KathyA999 said...: Hang in there sweetie, have your doc write a scrip for nausea med. It gets better.
-KathyA; March 24, 2011 at 1:14 AM
Stacy said...: Feel better! Thinking of you and hoping you heal quickly!; March 24, 2011 at 7:02 AM
jenfromtheburgh said...: Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...you can do this.; March 24, 2011 at 7:42 AM
Lori said...: It will get better. Hang in there!
Lori; March 24, 2011 at 8:38 AM
MEG said...: Keeping you in my prayers. I hope you start feeling better very soon--it will all be worth it in the end. You have done what you needed to do to save your life.; March 24, 2011 at 9:02 AM
Laura P said...: Oh Lisa, so sorry to hear you are in pain and sick. Continuing the prayers and know that you have many people here cheering you on (through the good times & bad).

Take it one day at a time and let others help you.

Wishing you all the best.; March 24, 2011 at 9:18 AM
WWSuzi said...: "hugs"; March 24, 2011 at 9:30 AM
Lyn said...: I've been thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Take good care of yourself and heal! Feel better soon.; March 24, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Vampyra7 said...: Things will only get better from here. Every day you'll heal a little bit more and feel a little bit healthier. It is going to be so worth it. Get some rest! ~Sarah; March 24, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Erika said...: Hang in there Lisa. Just keep telling yourself it only gets better from here, a little better every day. Feel better soon :); March 24, 2011 at 12:25 PM
T. Carter said...: Lisa please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Don't for one second regret this decision, you will get through this. You have worked so hard for this it is the best decision and is going to change your life forever. Each day will get easier and you will get stronger.; March 24, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Amanda said...: Hang in there Lisa -- it will get better! Recovery from any surgery is a beast, and it can't be fun when it's surgery involving a major bodily system.

Keeping you in our prayers.; March 24, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Dawn said...: You DID it and you're on the other side now and the path will get easier. xx A whole new life awaits. Just take the time you need to recover and get well, thinking of you
Dawn
x; March 24, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Laura said...: Just know I'm thinking about you, praying for you and a part of a large team of supporters who know you will get through this -- the toughest part. {{hugs}}; March 24, 2011 at 4:16 PM
Ashley said...: Stay strong, my friend! xoxo; March 24, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Sarah said...: I know it will get better! You are going to be so happy when the pain goes away! Be strong!

Sarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com; March 24, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Kelly said...: Feel better soon, Lisa.; March 24, 2011 at 7:05 PM
Juliet said...: it will be so well worth it sorry you are in pain i had zero pain but eating was nightmare for me for the first few months YOU AN DO IT

email me if you need to chat
juliet; March 25, 2011 at 4:31 AM
Wendy said...: It WILL get better. Hang in there. ;-); March 25, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Stacey said...: It will get better, hang in there! Congrats! :); March 25, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Elle Bee said...: Every minute that passes is a minute closer to full recovery. Every hour is one hour better than you were before, even if only a tiny bit better. So just get through this minute. Don't think about the minutes ahead. Just this very minute. Pretty soon, those minutes will be an hour, that hour a day. Hang in there Lisa. This too shall pass! You are so strong & so brave. Pray through it all.; March 25, 2011 at 3:24 PM
Jes said...: Each day you should feel a little better.

Make sure you REST!
It's a good idea to get some walking in... but REST REST REST :); March 31, 2011 at 5:22 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!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

hating life

27 comments: