In Weigh Over my Head: Fat Face pic and full body shot

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fat Face pic and full body shot

I have new pics I took today so I can make more of a comparison than the pic in the last post.

Thought I would throw in this pic taken tonight with my hubby. The pic on the left is the night before my surgery and by then I had already lost weight on my own so I was "down" to 310.

19 comments:

Amber said...: Congratulations!
You are beautiful!
My favorite is the huge smile you have in the new pictures! I have followed you for awhile and I am so happy for you.

You rock!!!
You make me smile!; July 23, 2011 at 12:28 AM
Anonymous said...: Lisa, you look amazing!; July 23, 2011 at 6:24 AM
Anonymous said...: Awesome! You've done an amazing job - and you look so happy! I'm happy for you!
Dawn; July 23, 2011 at 6:33 AM
Manda said...: Lookin' good Lisa!; July 23, 2011 at 6:48 AM
sue said...: WOW you look amazing!!! but one thing I definately notice is that smile and how happy you look. You are totally transformed. Think of all the new clothes you can buy now! Keep up the awesome work!!
Sue; July 23, 2011 at 7:52 AM
Sheila said...: Congrats on being down -100!!! That is fantastic, and you are doing awesome and looking radiant! Your smile is beautiful and you look so very happy! I loved your 100lbs post, very touching, how wonderful to be able to go back to the lake and conquer the wall and enjoy the day with your family. Love that!; July 23, 2011 at 8:30 AM
Lori said...: Good for you!!
Lori; July 23, 2011 at 9:20 AM
Kat said...: You look amazing!!! You are beautiful!

(from I'm*A*Yummy*Mummy); July 23, 2011 at 10:11 AM
shameless bliss said...: you look amazing!!! :) i'm happy for you.; July 23, 2011 at 10:39 AM
♥ Drazil ♥ said...: Gorgeous comparisons - and a new spark in your eye....much ♥ to you.; July 23, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Unknown said...: I agree... the smile is so bright ... it makes what little of whats left of you glow :) Great pictures.... Mary; July 23, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Rachel said...: You look beautiful...but as Drazil says...you have a spark in your eye...I definitely see it...Blessings to you...You look radiant and so healthy!!!!; July 23, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Tammy said...: I am just so proud of you Lisa. I knew you'd get the weight off one day and I knew you'd triumph over the naysayers. You've got real tenacity and you look absolutely fantastic. So, so proud. :); July 23, 2011 at 9:07 PM
The Sassy Orange said...: You are doing so well! I love how happy you are. And you were pretty before, but now you are drop dead gorgeous! :D

Angela/Pretty in Orange; July 23, 2011 at 9:36 PM
Karla said...: I am so happy for you :)
You look amazing; July 23, 2011 at 9:51 PM
Melissa said...: Your lovely..now you have the confidence to go with it. WTG!; July 25, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Sarah said...: You look AWESOME!!!!

Sarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com; July 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Caron said...: Wow, Lisa. Very impressive. Keep up the good work. :); July 26, 2011 at 10:19 AM
MEG said...: You look beautiful!; July 29, 2011 at 1:07 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!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Fat Face pic and full body shot

19 comments: