In Weigh Over my Head: Bad News :(

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Bad News :(

I went out Friday night with my husband and one other couple to celebrate their birthdays and a dull pain started in my right side. I thought it was gas so I took some gas-x strips before we left. As the night went on, the pain got worse and worse. By then end of the night I was sweating from the pain. My hubby took me to the ER. Turns out it is my gallbladder and I have a "ton" of stones. It needs to come out. :( I REALLY didn't want another surgery because the WLS was such a hard recovery for me. I will find out tomorrow when this will happen. We have something big happening in our family in a couple of months and I need to be 100% for that. (can't say what it is right now) Anyway, aside from this, I have been feeling GREAT! I can fit in to a size 20 jeans that don't stretch! :)

14 comments:

Lori said...: My husband had his gall bladder out several years ago. It is outpatient surgery, and since you are so much more healthy now, you should bounce back quickly, just like he did.
Lori; August 21, 2011 at 4:08 PM
Kelly said...: Boo! Nobody wants to have surgery, but if you need it, you have to have it. Take care of yourself, and get better soon.; August 21, 2011 at 4:15 PM
WWSuzi said...: I'm so sorry to hear that!
Hopefully they can get you in quickly and get it done asap.
You are so much healthier and stronger now and I have no doubt that you'll come through it with flying colours!; August 21, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Lisa- Sorry to hear about the gall stones. I've had that pain and it is awefull!! If you do have to have it out, I'm sure you'll rebound quickly as your weight is down so much and they may be able to just pop that gallbladder out laproscopically. Wishing you all the best--Megan; August 21, 2011 at 5:53 PM
Mrs. O said...: So sorry that you have to have another surgery. Hopefully they'll be able to do it laparoscopically like they did the WLS so it won't be so bad. Good luck!; August 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM
Manda said...: Awww.. sorry to hear but I tend to hear of this. I hope you get well soon. Outside of that, you look fabulous chica!; August 21, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Karla said...: Gall stone are PAINFUL!!! my hubby needed the surgery

You will feel so much better when its all over; August 21, 2011 at 9:12 PM
Autumn said...: So sorry, Lisa. My gallbladder surgery was simple and was a super quick recovery. I hope the same is true for you.; August 22, 2011 at 8:48 AM
Amanda said...: Ouch! I hope you feel better soon. Congrats on the jeans :D; August 22, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Lisa said...: That Stinks! I am sorry to hear that!
But on a side note you look fantastic!; August 22, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Jen Nelson said...: Boo! Horrible news about your gallbladder but yay for feeling great otherwise! You look awesome! (and happy!); August 22, 2011 at 1:15 PM
Sarah said...: Oh no! Lisa, I hope you feel better soon! I hope that everything turns out to be ok.

Sarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com; August 22, 2011 at 8:02 PM
Dawn said...: Sorry to hear. Gall Stones are a very common side effect of both a large weight loss and WLS. It a price to pay and not a good one, but it can be quite quickly and easily dealt with. You can manage this you are doing brilliantly; August 23, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Amanda said...: oh man Lisa:(; August 24, 2011 at 11:39 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!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Bad News :(

14 comments: