In Weigh Over my Head: Second surgery in 3 days :(

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Second surgery in 3 days :(

Well, I have my second surgery in 5 months coming up in just three short days. I am VERY nervous. The Dr. said it is an "easy" surgery and my recovery should be easier than last time with the WLS. I have morbid thoughts of being under etc. It is weird because my gallbladder attack was only for one evening, then a dull pain for a couple of days and now it's gone. I fell GREAT so it's hard to understand why I need it taken out. BUT, I do know that GB attacks can lead to infections etc. and I don't want it to turn in to an emergency situation later. I still have over 70 pounds to go to reach my goal weight and I am ready for all this medical crap to be over. I will update as soon as I can afterwards. Thanks for caring.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...: ((( hugs ))) Just to let you know that we just went through this over the past year - DH had his gall bladder removed in June 2011. Here's a post that I wrote just after his surgery:
http://laydownmyidols.blogspot.com/2011/06/credit.html
We really hesitated getting it out but as we did more research (and he did an olive oil "cleanse" - which didn't work) we realized that gall bladder attacks/stones can have implications for the pancreas and liver - both organs that you cannot live without. Turned out that DH's one stone (he had a bit of sludge too) was so big they had to cut it in order to get it out of him! It was 2.5cm in diameter!
The surgery went extremely well - and DH had never been for surgery or put out EVER so I was anxious.
I hope that helps you!
Dawn; August 28, 2011 at 6:53 AM
Dinnerland said...: Best of luck with the surgery-- feel better soon and get in as much water as possible from here forward, it helps with everything and is a necessity for healing and health....; August 28, 2011 at 7:02 AM
Amanda said...: Surgery is never fun, so I can't blame you for being apprehensive :( Here's to an easy recovery and the swift loss of those last 70 lbs!; August 28, 2011 at 7:11 AM
Anonymous said...: thinking of you...; August 28, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Manda said...: No worries, its almost over with. I think on my last comment I was in mid-thought. Lol. But I have seen that the gall bladder surgery tends to happen a lot with the weightloss people.

I understand the morbid thoughts, after going under anesthesia at least 3 times within a year... and thinking about the fact that I had no memory of what happened, no dreams, nada.... is scary. And its worse when you have kids. You will be in my prayers though to ensure you come out okay and have a speedy recovery. :); August 28, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Anonymous said...: Yup. It will be easier and the last thing you want is a stinky, green infectd gallbladder (I've seen them. so NAST.) I do understand your hesitation for sure. It will be over soon, hon. ((HUG)); August 28, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Sheila said...: Good luck Lisa, I'm hoping it goes MUCH smoother for you than the VSG did. You weigh MUCH less now and the surgery is fairly quick and simple. Yes, I too had those feelings of WHY, but I tell you what I'm SO happy to never have GB pain again! Hang in there and soon you will be feeling 100% again! Hugs!; August 28, 2011 at 3:36 PM
WWSuzi said...: "hugs" keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!; August 28, 2011 at 6:38 PM
Kelly said...: Good luck! I'm positive you will be just fine.; August 28, 2011 at 7:31 PM
pinkgigi said...: Sweetie, I had my gallbladder out when my daughter was 5 weeks old. I can tell you the pain is like having done too many sit-ups. Not sharp but dull and uncomfortable, but it doesn't last long. It would be a much quicker op than the VSG, so you will recover quicker, I promise!
Julie; August 28, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Lyn said...: You have done so remarkably well and you look FABULOUS too! It is awesome to see you enjoying life with your family. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers and I am excited to continue watching your journey.; August 29, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Unknown said...: I really hope it goes ok x Thinking of you.; August 30, 2011 at 5:51 AM
Amanda said...: wishing you a speeding recovery this time;); August 30, 2011 at 8:15 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!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Second surgery in 3 days :(

13 comments: