216 lbs - Crazy for wanting VSG?
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Great thread and many great points. I had VSG 5 weeks ago today. I'm 52 and considered a "lightweight" in the WLS world at a starting weight of "only" 220 pounds. I can't stress enough that the decision to have or not have surgery is a very individual one. I struggled with this decsion and opted to have it for the following reasons:
1. A 4 decade history of marginal (20-25#) weight loss with regaining it every time.
2. Heavy ALWAYS - from childhood on. I should weigh 140 at the most and have no recollection of EVER weighing that! Probably for 5 minutes in Junior High!
3. A family history of stroke and heart disease.
Most importantly...
4. Multiple health concerns aside from the numbers on the scale, including High BP for the past 30 years, borderline cholesteral and sleep apnea.
At 5'3" I carried my 220 pounds evenly... I wore a size 14-16 and looked OK - my profile pic was about 215.... Vanity alone would have never driven me to this procedure. My metabolic issues did. Let me tell you, the result has been nothing short of miraculous! In ONE WEEK I was off 2/3 of my meds, and today I am off ALL meds!. I've only lost 29 pounds so far (10 before surgery, 19 since). I've lost this much before on my own and have NEVER seen the resulting changes to BP - even with meds and weight loss and working out it's always been 130 to 140's over 90's. I work out regularly and have for years - I've run (OK - not fast but I finish!) 5K's, do Bikram yoga, etc) with no change in BP. One week after surgery and it was in the 90's over 60's! Too low! My surgeon was not surprised and said he considers himself a metabolic specialist, not a weight loss specialist. In fact, the medical community is seeing great results with people of normal weight with certain diseases such as diabetes. See link below...
http://asmbs.org/benefits-of-bariatric-surgery/
Anyway, if I never lose another pound (and I'm sure I will!) I'm glad I went through with this for just the opportunity to control my BP! I had NO problems (the anesthesia was the worst part! My throat hurt more than anything!) and was back at the gym and work after 2 weeks.
Friend me if you like - I'd be happy to be a sounding board for anyone struggling with this decision. I totally respect those who do it on their own, by the way. Wish I could have, but not sorry I made this choice at all! Minimal side effects with the sleeve, but it is a major decision. Good luck and I'm here if you ever need a sounding board!0 -
I lost 116 pounds , had the VSG and I would do it again. It was the best thing I have done for my health. They will teach you how to eat , and most important mindful eating ( get a book on it) very very helpful. Part of the VSG is physical hunger, and the mental hunger ( head hunger as some call it) is part of the other half and you know what , half the battle starts in your head. Add me as your friend if you would like to keep in touch. Best wishes on your surgery.0
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Hi -
I'm writing because i'm startled by our similarities! I was 240 at my highest weight and never went below 200 prior to surgery. my dream would be to be near 120....but i don't think that'll ever happen.
The day of my surgery i weighed 224 pounds. I have a 3.5 year old (june 3rd b-day) and i have never, ever been able to lose weight without medication.
My surgeon did tell me that if i was any smaller i would not qualify - but I did....and i'm thankful every single day that I did. My only concern for you is your insurance. Mine required outstanding health issues (i HAD diabetes and horrible IBS). I had to have 6 months of nutritional counselling and have a psych. eval. I had to give 5 years of a weight history - via my medical doctor...
As i said - every single day - i wake up happy that i did it and i am firm that it was the best decision i ever made. I spoke with my doctor and several friends prior to doing it and they all agreed it was the way to go. I speak to you now, 45 pounds lighter, able to play with my daughter MUCH more, no longer a diabetic and no longer SUFFERING from IBS.
Make the change...
Please, feel free to write me with any questions you may have - i'm an open book!0 -
I started started this process at 216! I am 5'2" but very curvy so no one ever believed my weight. I was frustrated and tired of failing, tired of the emotional rollercoaster and self-esteem issues I have always had. I remember the little butthead that called me a cow in 1st grade. I also saw impending health issues on the horizon. Years of yo-yo dieting and long hours working had my metabolizm paralized, my blood pressure was creeping up (even with medication, ) and recurring GERD and other GI issues would not give me a break.
I had VSG on 2/19 and I have lost 27lbs to date. I am thrilled with the weight loss, but I am still reeling from the hormonal nightmare this has brought on. My teeth are ridiculously sensitive. My hair is dry as a broom. My skin is clear (yay) but the dryness makes it look "old" and I see lines & wrinkles that weren't there before (the fat is going away, so the underlying plumpness just isn't there).
I am still deciding if I was better off fat and living in denial or losing weight but fighting every day. Once you decide on a surgical option you don't get to decide. The fight is on, every day, all day. Everyone says it gets easier, but prepare to take a beating. If you are one of the lucky ones that have few complications, little pain, and lots of support then it might be less traumatic but don't count on it. Educate yourself on everything VSG, weightloss, nutrition, fitness. Read the message boards. Watch YouTube videos.
My insurance denied my procedure (bmi 39.5) because I just wasn't "sick enough" for their standards. Although I adore my surgeon and his office, it was $18k!
You have to make the decision that is right for you. If you read enough I am sure you will see we all have different stories. And well, if you are crazy for wanting this surgery, then I am too :-)0 -
I dont think your crazy at all! and I had the same thoughts..I kept thinking.. im really not THAT big.. do I really need it... I initially went in thinking lapband.. did lots of reseach and decided VSG was a better choice.. started going and doing all the necessary steps.. I started at 1st Dr appt at 252.. lost 10 lbs pre op.. they ask you to lose 10% of what you want to lose.. to show that you will put the effort into it.. Surgery day 3/14 242.. today 5 days out 232!!!! I feel great .. energized.. and like I finally have control.. my body tells me.. very clearly when im done.. no pigging out or eating just to eat...0
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I am being 1000% Truly honest with you here, and PLEASE note this is the same thing I would tell ANYONE regarding WLS regardless of their goal weigh. So here goes....
First off, I don't know if you would qualify for the sleeve, generally the BMI requirement is 40. I know they will do it for people who are under that if you have some 'comorbid' symptoms such as high blood pressure or diabetes. I don't know if hypertherodism (sp?) is one of those symptoms, but it generally has to be a health related illness that is directly due to being overweight.
Also, just an FYI, even with VGS you may not get to your ideal weight as there are often people who dont, even if they were not morbidly obese to begin with as with the sleeve people tend to lose about 60-70% of their excess weight.. I know many people in my support group who had either VGS or RNY and lost 60 or 70 pounds, not everyone loses 100 or 200 pounds.
That being said, I'm not a naysayer per say I just think, having gone through it myself IMO it really should be solution only for those who really need extreme medical intervention. I dont think this is for everyone and I tell that to people, I often wish that I could have dealt with my weight and health problems in a more traditional way before they got so bad that my BMI reached 60!!!!! and I had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I got to a point that the weight loss (over 150 pounds) became too overwhelming for me to be able to do on my own.
I recommend that you do research and find out the pros and cons of this if this is something that you are really interested in. I really dont think this is a solution for everyone and I hate when people, especially those in the first two years of the "honeymoon" phase preach about it and tell every overweight person to get WLS. I believe that despite what I say or other on the forums this is your choice, as this a VERY personal decision. I just encourage anyone who is interested in considering WLS to get ALL the information and option before they make their decisions.
AND PS a 16 pound lose in 5 month is pretty good, thats an average loss of over half a pound a week. :happy:
^^This0 -
hi i am 2 weeks post op. 5ft 2" and weighed 186lb.. bmi 33. I went to mexico for VSG and i am so pleased i did! I have a very large family history of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes (and whilst I had none of these at 40 years) i knew it was only a matter of time, as my weight was all abdominal. obviosly my insurance would not cover this so i self paid, this is a very personal decison and i was suffering mainly with low self esteem and depression directly related to my weight, I am not wanting to be or expect to be a super model! but if i can feel better about myself and avoid the obesity related conditions then its so worth it. I am a huge advocate that just because you are a 'lightweight" doesnt mean we shouldnt consider this surgery, i did not want to get to a BMI of 40 so decided to deal with it before i got there! i was typically gaining 10-15lbs a year so knew it wouldnt be long before i was there.. my advice go for it! rachel.0
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I'm 10 days post op from VSG also dealt with the drama of complications with a lapband that slipped. Weight loss surgery is not easy in the beginning for many people. I think there are more things to consider besides being a lower BMI. For example, have you been overweight most of your life. Are you able to lose weight and keep it off without a tool like VSG? VSG does help you lose weight (and more quickly) but where it shines compared to weight watchers or atkins is being able to keep off the weight in the long term (pending you also change your eating habits and lifestyle ie. commit to working out). It gives you a chance to reprogram the way you eat with the help of a nutritionist as well as being a tool to eat less. I think even 86 pounds is a lot to lose without a tool like VSG. Losing the weight will improve your quality of life, help prevent chronic diseases later in life, and increase your life expectancy. However you lose the weight you have a lot to gain from weight loss. Only you can decide if this is something you need to add to the many things you will need to lose the weight and keep it off. Only you can decide if the sacrifice and hardship is worth it for you. There's a great book that helps you think through the best approach to losing weight and helps with some of the mental emotional issues that come with it. http://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Behavioral-Workbook-Weight-Management/dp/1572246251 I used it to help me think through whether surgery was the right decision for me.0
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As most have said this is a very personal decision. I am 47 and my starting BMI hovered around 40. My insurance did not cover WLS so it did not matter whether I met the criteria - but I did because I also have high blood pressure and intermittent hypothyroidism.
I have 25 years of struggling. About four years ago my husband asked me if I wanted WLS and I was certain the answer was no.
When I did the research on VSG it was like the storm had cleared and the answer was there. Not the answer to all my problems, but the understanding that this could be a valuable tool along with other tools I have picked up along the way. I had broken my ankle a year ago and somehow lost whatever it was that kept me on my road bike. But even when biking and doing triathlons by BMI was still 35 and I was taking high blood pressure meds.
I am just post-op Day 5, but I feel good about my decision and I will not waster a moment wondering why I didn't do it sooner - I did it when the storm cleared and the answer was clearer. Best of luck to you during your decision making phase.0 -
I would talk to a surgeon and see what he or she says. VSG is only a restrictive procedure, which means it just helps you eat less. While I am very happy with it, I do not know how hypothyroidism impacts your ability to lose weight on a restricted calorie diet. What I mean is this: if you eat 1200 calories/day, do you lose weight? If the answer is no, then you may require a surgery that has both restriction AND malabsorption. If you can achieve weight loss without malabsorption, though, then it is certainly better to do so.
I had a VSG on December 28, 2012. I was 253 on the day of my surgery and today I am 182. I work out nearly every day and eat around 700 calories a day, 100g of protein, 20g of carbs. It is WORK, but it is worth it. As long as you understand that surgery isn't magic, then I think it's an option IF your surgeon agrees.0 -
If you have read up on it and exhausted all your options and know in your heart that it's a good fit for you than by all means!!! I fluctuated a lot my whole life and after having 2 babies 13 months apart I was my heaviest of 275 and I'm 5'7" I got down to 249 and had surgery 4-26-13, and I honestly would do it again in a heart beat!!! It's not a miracle surgery (in a sense) you still have to retrain your entire way of life, but if you are willing to permanently commit to having a teeny stomach and taking vitamins and supplements for the rest of your life.... than you have your answer. I did self pay down in Mexico and had the best experience in the world!! I would highly recommend my Dr and his team to anyone considering self pay. There are a lot of options out there, but for me this has been the best one. So, my advice is to read up on it, and pray.0
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I am at 225 and am 5'4" - My ideal weight is 138 - I am very comfortable at 145. I have decided to have the surgery because my weight is out of control.
Can not for the life of me lose the weight. Have tried everything and joined everything out there to lose it. Just doesn't work. I am pre-diabetes. This is my last resort.0 -
your height and weight are the same as mine - I go for my meetings in January and hope to be sleeved by April/May
:bigsmile:0 -
1 in 500 chance of death. A completely different food life if you expect to keep it off. A complete relapse with in two years if you don't accept the reality of your new relationship with food. Read all the negative comments from people who had wls. This is ONLY a tool coupled with a permanent diet and exercise lifestyle. Look at biggest loser, many of them had wls and gained it all back. I suggest you break any addictions to processed food and restaurant food prior to considering any surgery. If you haven't learned to prepare healthy food 70%protein and almost no grain based food you probably won't have long term success. Good luck on your path0
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I decided on VSG the day I saw my scale hit 203. I actually had my procedure done under 200lbs, single incision through the navel, in TJ Mexico. I am now 10 mos out, not a single complication, and about 15-20lbs from goal (not quite sure that I need to lose as much as I originally hoped for). Best thing I have ever done for myself in my life. Go for it! Many folks who have gotten the sleeve say that they wish they had gotten it sooner. No need to wait til you're heavier or have comorbidities.0
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I am 57 and had gained 100 pounds over my 38 yr marriage. I gained and lost several times. The day I decided to have the sleeve, the scale hit 219....and I am 5 feet tall. The next day, an incident with my 4 yr old grandson, whom we are raising, sealed the deal for me. He took off running in Walmart and I couldnt catch him. I had thought about the surgery for yrs and came home after we found him and scheduled my consult.
Being sleeved is hard work. I plan my meals out ahead of time, weigh and measure everything. Making sure to get my water in everyday as well as my 60-90 grams of protein. The surgery is not a magic fix it button. It is a tool to use to help you with your relationship with food. I read several books prior to surgery as well as talked to two of my coworkers that have had the surgery. They were very open about the good, bad, and ugly parts about weight loss surgery. My insurance would not pay for the surgery so I took out a loan. It is a life altering decision which shouldnt be taken lightly. I see a psychiatrist for my panic disorder and discuss this regularly with her. It was the best decision I could make for myself. Best of luck in your decision:-)0
