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My hubby's cousin had that done ... roughly 15-16 years ago. The week my hubby and I got married ... a little over 10 years ago... she died because she all the sudden had bleeding in the area they had operated on years before and they couldn't stop it. Unexplained...just happened. So scary!!! This was one of the reasons my hubby has been against any kind of bariatric surgery. Just recently he has started to support it and is now trying to help me research it and such. The sleeve isn't like that surgery and I don't think it is as dangerous.

I haven't had it done myself but am going to the seminar tonight with hubby. I have been researching it for a while. I was actually thinking about the same thing here the last couple of weeks and started a history search. I found a few sites that talked about where the sleeve actually derived from. Then, this morning I found some very interesting information. From what I understand ... and by the way, I don't know for sure that it is true... England has been doing the sleeve since the year 2000. So I have been trying to find information on their research and results. I'm having a hard time though. Also, trying to find a forum of some sort of some of the people that had their surgery done in those earlier years to see what type of complications they may have had or are having now being years out. Anyways, here's one site I found that kind of talks about it. If anyone else finds any information or insight from actual patients, please shout it out. I'm so scared for the future! I see great things happening 1-2 years out for everyone but what about 10 years. I don't want to find out the hard way but I still want to do this! Ugghhh, such a hard decision. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/199162.php Okay, I just tried to do another search and it actually led me back to our forum: Tiffykins actually posted some really wonderful links regarding just what you are asking. She posted it on Feb. 2, 2010. Here's where you need to go. I think I'm going to check this out right now. <li class="first breadcrumb">Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) Surgery Forum<li class="breadcrumb "> Vertical Sleeve Talk Community Center<li class="breadcrumb "> Research & Statistics 2 & 3 yr out Sleeve Experiences + Research links on VSG Thank you Tiffykins!!!! I didn't know that was out there. Great info!!!

Dr. Nick! Yes, I've heard of him and was even interested in him but I'm not sure my insurance will cover him.

Hi all! I have yet to have the surgery but am definitely considering it. I've already set up my first meeting with the doctor but I have so many concerns about the long term. I've been reading lots of great and wonderful outcomes along side many struggles but have any of you had any problems with hair loss, vitamin deficiencies, or anything else that is less common? Are there any regrets? I'm really concerned that I will have all the wonderful results along side many new health issues brought on by the surgery itself. This is so hard ... everything in me wants this but at the same time, I'm so worried I will lose my hair, I won't be able to take in all the nutrients I need to be healthy, etc. This is so scary to me! Please anyone with advice, knowledge, or experience...help!!!

Amber, Thank you for the info and the link. I went to there and read through it. That makes perfect sense and it feels good to know that if that were the reason for hair loss that it would eventually grow back.

Wow! Thank you again! What great information. I'm definitely going to get that book. My sister in law has a good friend that had the VS done last June and had a problem with hair loss. My sil says she went by the book on everything and still lost some hair. Now I'm wondering if it was the lack of the right type of protien. I'm going to run this past my her. Just out of curiosity, who was your surgeon and is he/she in Texas? I think I've found a really good one but I like to stay informed and make sure I'm choosing the right person. It's not easy placing my life changing procedure in someone's hands. I want to make sure it's the right hands.

Thank you so much for chiming in here! It sounds like the surgery isn't your last stop either. I never really thought about the fact that every single year I go and have blood work done (what my general doc calls a physical) to test levels of everything. So if something was low, it would be caught before it got out of hand hopefully. It sounds like your tummy still absorbs everything you need. So if I'm understanding right, you may not be able to take in the volume of food it would take to get the nutrients you need and that is why you supplement. While you are supplementing, your body is actually absorbing most if not too much, right? I already take Vitamins most days just because they do make me feel a little more alive. Why do some people lose their hair? I know it has to do with protien but is it their body simply not absorbing accurately or is it that they are not taking in enough? Also, is the high protien just while you're losing weight so fast or is it for the rest of your life?

I'm just starting the journey of finding the right surgeon. I'm really trying to get a good understanding of what my hunger strengths, weaknesses, and just how my stomach will function once I'm sleeved. Do you still crave everything you use to? If you wanted to, could you overeat at one sitting or does your sleeve prevent that? I suppose what I'm asking is how exactly does the sleeve change your dynamics? Does it do more than just limit your intake? Or are you tortured because you still crave all the bad things and still have to fight them away just like you did before you were sleeved? I understand that this is only a tool...that I still have to work hard and make good food choices but I don't want to feel like I do now. Before I do something so drastic, I want to make sure that the sleeve will not be another failure.