Hi Dawn,
First, I have to say that I did not have an opportunity to see the video or participate in any of the Q & A. So, if I am speaking out of line because I did not see the video, I apologize up front.

I am one of those people who got cut into and had part of an organ cut out. I really feel the need to rephrase this and discuss the reality of Sleeve Gastronomy (sleeve or sleeved for short).

First, let me say that the decision to have any weight loss surgery (WLS) is NOT an easy one. Like all surgeries, it is something that needs to be researched as well as finding a good surgeon and program. WLS is not the first thought one should have to weight loss, nor should it be thought of as an easy solution to a weight problem.

WLS, no matter what kind you have, IS major surgery and comes with risks just like all other operations. Maybe this even has more since ALL people who have this kind of surgery are obese with one or more morbidity markers. For me, I was over 100 pounds over weight. I was pre-diabetic. If I did lose weight I would have become diabetic very shortly. I had high blood pressure and I was tachy all the time. Stroke or heart attack would have been inevitable. I needed two new knees. My body could no longer carry my weight. Other issues included, but not limited to: high cholesterol, high triglycerides (both which appeared to be med resistant), extreme fatigue, difficulty walking, bending to reach my feet (no pedicures for me), just about unable to sit in a plane seat (we like to travel) and so on. I think you get the picture.

At the age of 61, I opted to have the sleeve. Actually, I decided 4 years earlier. I went through the entire process and 1 week before surgery I backed out. I did very well on the pre-op diet and thought I would be able to do it on my own. I really don't know why I thought that since I hadn't been successful on any attempts before. So, as I said, at 61 I decided to go for it.

First, let me say that the surgery is done laproscopicly (spelling?). I had 5 small incisions. Four about 1/2 inch and 1 about an inch. Yes, I am left with scars but after being obese for so long, my belly is full of stretch marks and hangs from all the extra weight I carried. I also had a C-section (vertical cut) so I was not worried that I wouldn't look good in a bikini. With the sleeve, your stomach is reduced about 70-80% by cutting that portion away. Your insides are not rearranged in any way. Yes, with a by-pass, your insides are re-routed but it is also done laproscopicly (spelling?).

Secondly, I will NOT be on medications for the rest of my life. I WILL be on vitamins for the rest of my life as will all those who opt for WLS because our absorption has changed. As a matter of fact, most people are either off all previous meds or off some and reduced amounts on other. For me, I no longer need blood pressure meds or cholesterol meds. However, because we cannot take NSAIDs, my doc has opted to keep me on cholesterol medicine in order to protect my heart (baby asprin not allowed). My thyroid meds have been reduced and diabetes is no longer a concern. I no longer need new knees (at least at this time). Regardless of WLS, I would have been on meds the rest of my like anyway and I would probably been on additional meds as new ailments popped up as a result of my obesity.

So, regardless of WLS, an obese belly usually looks awful, not that anyone really wants to see it. Obese people have many ailments that require meds, special equipment (walking aids and C-PAP machine for sleep apnea) and for those who become bed ridden, their list becomes longer We who opt for WLS have many life threatening ailments. We are NOT losing opting for the surgery to get into a bikini, we are doing it to have a quality of like and life in general.. You don't just walk into a surgeons office and request surgery. Depending on the insurance, it could take upwards of 6 months just to complete all the requirement they have as well as the requirements the surgeon has.

For me, other than having the pre-requisite ailments for insurance, I did not have to do anything special for MY insurance company. However, for the program, I had a number of things to complete: nutrition classes, full pre-op physical by my PCP, so much blood work that when I went to the lab and had gave my slip to the tech, she was amazed, complete cardiac work-up including a nuclear stress test, sleep study, psychological work-up, pre-op liquid diet for 2 weeks to shrink the liver, attend group support classes and an endoscopy. Hundreds of dollars and many hours of tests.

I hope this gives you a better of idea about WLS other than being cut into, having scars and taking 'meds' the rest of your life.

If you every have any questions about WLS, please feel free to ask.
ronnie

Thanks for the information. According to the video yo never should have been allowed to have the surgery. Your BMI was too high and you had to much weight to lose. There is still a big difference, between gasticbypass and this procedure. For example you take vitamins instead of many of the other drugs you would have needed to take with gastricbypass. Thanks so much for proving my points. This surgery DOES work if you have more than 20 lbs to lose. Honestly why are doctors doing surgery on people who only need to lose 20 lbs. I have a hard time believe the benefits at that weight are greater than the risks. It is disheartening to hear that this surgery isn't available unless you have between 20-60 (max). I rewatched the video and found I was wrong on the 40 lbs. I'm not sure why you were allowed this surgery. Or if it was the same surgery, but I am glad you did. You had success and have proven that it can work. Hopefully your success will change the doctors minds.

@kdawn32 I did not watch the video, I no longer need to lose weight. Overall I have lost about 90 pounds, about 50 in the last few years. I did ask my PCP a few years back about surgery but at that point she did not think I was heavy enough for it, and I was pretty heavy. I have never heard of it for anyone only needing to lose 20 pounds. That sounds crazy to me.
JK

The docs in the video said the surgery is only recommend for those needing to lose 20-60lbs. I was pretty depressed to find that out. It sounds like the safer of the interventions. I also like the short hospital stay. I have more than that to lose. I was pretty interested. I have looked into lap band in the pass but the doctor I talked to said he did not believe it worked for woman. I was turned off by his attitude. He insisted that only gastric bypass worked for woman. I found gastric bypass just to scary. I had three friends at the time, 2 who had success with the band and 1 who had the bypass. She had complications. Thanks for your comments. Great job on the 90lbs!

Hi
As I said previously, I did not see the video. I had over 60 pounds to lose. I chose the gastric sleeve. My doc does not like the band. He has removed many. There a several issues with it including the band slipping and then it being removed. The band requires being diligent about making sure it is not too tight or too lose. It also requires going to the doc to have it filled when it gets too lose.
For surgeries like the gastric sleeve or bypass, you MUST have (I believe) at least 3 morbidity issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high BMI and a list of other issues I cannot remember at this time. One of the reasons docs like bypass is because the lack of absorption leads, for many, the reduction of diabetes or at the very least the reduction of blood sugars. Many people are off diabetic meds within weeks.
There is no such thing as a surgery that is better for men or women. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. No matter which surgery you get, it is NOT meant just as a quick weight loss opportunity only. The more you put into it, the harder your work at it, the better you follow the plan, better it works, regardless of your gender.
I

@grandmar, If you would like to see the video, you can view it by clicking on it at top of this page. There is a brief countdown before it begins. It lasts about 30 minutes.
Thank you for sharing your experience with gastric sleeve procedure. I am happy for you to be able to enjoy the health benefits!
Enjoy your day,
Rosemary

Just to be clear I do not believe that one gender over another works better for these types of surgeries. That is what I was told by a doctor. It made me not trust him and why I did not go through with the surgery. I didn't find him ethical.

I don't blame you! I wouldn't got to him, either!!!
ronnie