In Weigh Over my Head: Updated Comparison Face pic

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Updated Comparison Face pic

When I start to feel ugly and fat, I have to remember how far I have come.

THIS helps.

16 comments:

Lori said...: Wow! I hope you see what an amazing difference there is. I certainly do. I am very happy for you.
Lori; May 3, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Rae Rae J said...: That's awesome. You look great!; May 3, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Mrs. O said...: WOW! Just .... WOW! You look radiant and so happy!; May 3, 2012 at 10:58 AM
WWSuzi said...: What a wonderful difference!!; May 3, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Linda Sherwood said...: There is a huge change in the shape of your face, but you have a wonderful smile. I'm glad to see you are smiling in the latest picture.; May 3, 2012 at 4:27 PM
Unknown said...: You look fabulous!! Very pretty :) p.s your eye brows are perfect!!; May 3, 2012 at 5:02 PM
Kim said...: You look amazing! So much more healthy and just awesome!; May 3, 2012 at 7:08 PM
The Skinny on Staci said...: Awesome! Be sure to check out Holly at www.300poundsdown.com. She also had the vertical sleeve. She was 417 at surgery. She has lost 150. Her blog is AWESOME and inspiring. I am doing WW and don't have near, near as much to lose, but I still gain strength from her posts! Thought you might enjoy it. You look great!; May 3, 2012 at 7:23 PM
Karla said...: smokin :); May 3, 2012 at 11:03 PM
InWeighOverMyHead said...: thanks all :); May 4, 2012 at 8:19 AM
Tammy said...: You look awesome and have done GREAT!! We all have those 'fat' days.:(; May 4, 2012 at 3:07 PM
Holly from 300 Pounds Down said...: WOW You are gorgeous!!! I am so amazed at the differences in the before and after. And you look so happy too. WOW..I just got a big dose of inspiration. Thank you!; May 4, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Melissa said...: So beautiful!; May 5, 2012 at 7:40 AM
Sheila said...: Your face in the first picture just says it all...haven't we all *felt* just like that? Done with being fat, done with being morbidly obese, but yet feeling trapped. Your after picture...wow, just one word comes to mind, RADIANT!!!; May 5, 2012 at 8:54 AM
Lyn said...: I agree you look radiant and happy now. The weight loss is AMAZING but even more is the happiness that shines from you now. Embrace it! So happy for you.; May 6, 2012 at 9:49 AM
DiZneDiVa said...: Wow! Amazing Transformation! The Best part is how much more happy you look!; June 19, 2012 at 1:37 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!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Updated Comparison Face pic

16 comments: