Q: How is your surgery different from the other gastric bypass surgeries?
A: There are (by my understanding) three major types of bariatric surgery.
- ROUX EN Y GASTRIC BYPASS: Probably what most people think of when you mention bariatric surgery. This surgery makes the stomach smaller and causes food to bypass the small intestine. By bypassing part of the small intestine, this decreases how much food and nutrients are absorbed, and therefore weight is lost. This is considered a malabsorptive procedure, as many nutrients are not absorbed and vitamin deficiencies can occour.
- LAP-BAND: This procedure involves placing a small adjustible band around the stomach that restricts the amounts of food that enters. The band can be adjusted after surgery to help slow or assist in weight loss. This procedure is common in people that don't have as much weight to lose as some morbidly obese people.
- VERTICAL SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY (my procedure): This procedure involves removing up to 80% of the stomach and creating a "sleeve" with the remaining stomach tissue. This is considered a restrictive (rather than malabsorptive) procedure due to the fact there is no bypassing of the intestines. Simply put - smaller stomach, less food fits. You lose weight. This procedure is often used as a "stepping stone" procedure for the super obese to assist them in losing enough weight to prepare them for the Roux-En-Y procedure.
Q: Why did you choose the sleeve?
A: When I first met with my surgeon, I was convinced I wanted the roux-en-y procedure. That was, until he told me that he preferred to do the procedure open. Open, as in giant vertical incision down my entire stomach. He explained that he did the sleeve procedure laproscopically. He also explained that because of my age (32 at the time), it would be beneficial for me to have the sleeve due to the fact that it did not restrict the absorbtion of nutrients and vitamins that a woman of child-bearing age needs. So, with that, I decided to go with the sleeve.Q: How much did the surgery cost?
A: I am blessed to have a husband that provides us phenominal insurance coverage through his employer. I did not have to pay anything except my pre-op cost for nutritional consults as well as one psychologist consulation. I also had to pay out-of-pocket for my pre-op diet food. I paid about $1000 out of pocket for everything. I did get my explanation of benefits from my insurance company that stated they paid just over $15,000 for the procedure.Q: How long did it take to get from initial consult to surgery?
A: I had my initial consult on January 5. My surgery was April 21. This was extremely fast due to the fact that I was healthy (for a fat girl) with no major co-morbidities, and also because my insurance didn't require any prior-authorization or proof of medical necessity.Q: What all happens with your digestive process after the surgery?
A: Digestion. I have become more in-tune with my digestion than any one person should. First off, anesthesia and massive amounts of pain/anti-nausea meds cause constipation in most people. Add in the fact that I was only getting about 1/4 cup of anything in my system in a DAY for the first 4 days caused me to become extremely dehydrated. Well, lets just say everything came to a stop. A dead stop. Until I learned of this magical stuff called Milk of Magnesia. Oh, baby. I get why old people take the stuff regularly. As for the other end - vomiting...I to this day vomit at LEAST 3-4 times a week. This is not normal. It is a learning process to see what foods cause problems and which don't. For me, a lot cause problems. I am sensitive to ground meat (beef, turkey), steak, dairy, bread, and (until very recently) raw vegetables. If I eat something that my stomach doesn't like, it rejects it hard and fast. My family has become very accostomed to me hopping up from the dinner table and doing a mad dash to the restroom. Not only does this happen when I eat something my stomach doesn't like, it also happens if I ingest too much air while I eat, or if I'm just drinking water...too large of a gulp will come screaming back up. It's a delicate balance. I have learned to chew, chew, chew. I don't drink ANYTHING with meals, and I try to avoid foods I know I am sensitive to.Q: How much weight have you lost?
A: I have lost 165 pounds since January 2011. I would like to lose about 15 more. I have a certain number I would like to see on the scale. Even if I just touch it for a day...I want to see it. I'm stubborn that way.Q: What size were you and what size are you now?
A: This is something I rarely admit - but for informational purposes here we go. I was a size 24 pant, 3X shirt and 46D bra. I am now in a size 8 pant, S/M shirt, and 36B bra. I don't expect to lose many more inches without the help of a plastic surgeon. (and maybe I'll gain some inches in the bra cup department...just saying) :)Q: Is it what you thought it would be like? What have you learned about yourself thru this process?
A: I don't think there is enough preparation that one can do to prepare themselves for such a large life change. Is it what I thought it would be like? Somewhat. My results are far exceeding even what my surgeon expected. I hardly recognize myself in the mirror. When I think of myself - I'm still the fat girl. I still go to the plus-size section of department stores only to remember I need to go to petites now. Relationships have changed, I have learned who my REAL friends are. I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to. I have learned how to take a compliment. I have re-learned how to find joy in simple things. The list goes on and on...Q: Any regrets?
A: This surgery has saved and restored my life. I would do it all over in a heartbeat. The only regret I have is that I did not take into consideration how this journey would affect my husband. He has never known me under 200 pounds. He is getting to know a more energetic person, a person who gets out and moves, a person he has never really known before. All along, this journey has been about ME - ME getting healthy - ME living longer - ME creating this new body. I feel like I occasionally have left him in the dust. He has been my biggest cheerleader, but I think this has really been hard for him, too. **My husband has agreed to do a guest post in the near future detailing a husband's perspective on seeing a spouse go through bariatric surgery**
I just want to add that bariatric surgery is a TOOL in weight loss. It is not a magical "quick-fix". It has been one of the most rewarding, but one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. It involves discipline, diet, exercise, and support. Without these it CAN fail. I cannot thank my family and friends enough for all of their support in my continuing journey. I would not be here if it wasn't for you.
**This is just the beginning of a series of VSG FAQ sessions. If there is a specific question you would like answered, please don't hesitate to contact me.**
