pcindy

To everyone who replied to this thread, I want to say, thank you. My conflict and indecision about going through with the surgery was getting worse, not better, as the date got closer. I was lucky enough to be connected through an aquaintance, to the nurse practitioner of a different, though equally renouned bariatric practice. We talked on the phone and she told me that all of the latest research shows that the 32 bougie is now considered the gold standard, and that I should have no difficulty supporting a healthy pregnancy after VSG. Apparently, gastric bypass patients have healthy pregnancies, and we all know about their post-op plumbing! She talked with me about the latest findings about obesity as a metabolic disease (is even teaching a class on it to 1200 RNs soon- of which I hope to be one). Anyway, she talked me down off the fence and I am feeling so grateful. I really just needed an expert second opinion from someone totally impartial, and I got it. Thank GOD! So, I had an EGD yesterday (throat is SORE) and the "duodenal polyp" that they thought they saw in the upper GI is non-existant. I'm starting on Prilosec for the little bit of erosion they saw though, so at least, I'm going into this VSG with uber scrutiny! They even found a small hiatal hernia, so I'll get that repaired as well. I'm still not losing as much pre-op weight as they want, but I think I'll be okay. Thank you all for being a supportive part of my journey.

Your original question was "BUT really why?" Anatomically, the stomach is partially hidden by the liver, which must be retracted (pulled aside to get it out of the way) to access the stomach. The liver is a VERY dense, highly vascular organ. This means that if it is fatty, it is even more dense and difficult to retract. This increases the chance of rupturing or lacerating it interoperatively, which can be very serious, leading to hemorrhage and peritonitis. At the very least, as mentioned, it lengthens the surgery (adding more chance of complications related to anesthesia, clots, stroke, etc...). At the very very least, it's a pain in the ass to the whole surgical team, who are there trying to give you the best possible surgery. Stick to the pre-op diet that THEY give you (not us- i posted mine for those who were never given one). It will make your liver smaller, floppier, and easier to deal with in the OR. This is not a root canal. It's major abdominal surgery. If you have questions, ASK them of your doctor. If you don't understand the answer, ASK again, and ask her to EXPLAIN them until you understand them. Don't let them rush you or discourage you from asking. This is YOUR body and YOUR life. There is a reason that you sign an "informed" consent. Your doc is legally, professionally, and ethically obligated to make sure you are fully informed, but only you can determine if you understand everything. Speak up, and good luck!

You MUST get fluids in, especially if you have a fever. If you can't get fluids down orally, you'll need to get them in the ER via IV. If your fever gets ANY higher or you really can't get 64 oz of fluid in (and try some vitamin water or gatorade- pedialyte makes popsicles), go to the ER. You are NOT a 'normal' person with a cold, but a post-operative patient with a fever. To you from a nurse, please get seen.

LOL, Sparkle! If you don't have a hair-trigger gag reflex, try scraping the back of your tongue with a spoon. It's just as effective as the tongue scrapers you can find in the oral care section of the drug store. It's good practice anyway, as we hold a lot of bacteria there. Also, a saltwater gargle might help debride some of the fur back there. Good luck!

I have no advice, other than agreeing that you should CHANGE THAT MONIKER!!! My beloved mentor, now deceased called her thighs her "water wings," saying they made her more buoyant! She loved swimming and that was how she mader her peace with them. As for you, come up with a new name (keep the avitar with the rolling ball though- that's cool)!

This is GREAT!!!!!!!! Everyone who considers this surgery (and their families) should see this! Thank you!

You are dear, as are you all. Your indignation on my behalf is great! As far as getting mad, my poor beleagard husband can attest that I have had no trouble in expressing my anger and frustration. He should be bronzed and epic poems should be written in his honor. I really appreciate the support you are giving me. I'll let you know how my weigh in goes tomorrow and if I keep my cool or not! I am getting a second opinion to see if I can find a doc who is more open to a larger bougie. Thanks, guys.:confused1:

Thanks, ladies. My scheduled date is June 29. Don't know if they'll want to reschedule me since I haven't lost the full 5lbs/week on the liquid diet. Don't think I can go through it again if they don't keep this date. Good luck, all.

At this point, I'd urge you to go to your emergency department so they can give you some IV pain meds and rehydrate you (you're probably dehydrated at this point). You may even need some electrolyte replacement as well. They will contact your surgeon who will be forced to deal with the situation and get it under control.

All I'm going to say is, as a nurse who has taken care of plenty of bypass patients, I'd rather die of morbid obesity than have a bypass. That's what I think of the surgery and it's track record of complications.

Your friend sounds just adorable... :l I'd tell him that if he makes any more comments, you'll slap him with your loose "elephant skin," and then stomp on him!

I have the fat pad/dowager's hump, too. So did my obese mother. So does my sister when she's heavy. When I lost 85lbs (years ago), it went away. Fat is fat. When you lose weight, it will diminish along with everything else. :001_rolleyes:

Thanks, everybody for the comments and reassurance. I look forward to hearing more.

Hi Lou. I read your story and you've really been through the ringer. I know I wouldn't be able to afford this surgery out-of-pocket, but 6 sleeves does not make for a good experience level. I know that a lot of people on this site go far away (Mexico etc...) for their surgeries. I would not want to be so far away from my surgeon. I'm lucky to have an experienced local surgeon who accepts my insurance- a sort of trifecta. It appears that you may need to give up one of those 3 things- insurance coverage, proximity, or experience. That's a really tough call that I don't envy. One thought is this: ask your surgeon who trained him in VSG, and ask if that doctor would be willing to be present in the OR. Also, ask your surgeon detailed questions about his technique, such as: size of bougie, method of closure (my bariatric practice has had zero instances of leaks b/c they over-sew the staple line, and then glue on top of that), etc... Ask if you can talk with other patients (do they run an ongoing support group?). Ask if they do a pre-op liquid diet (a responsible and conservative approach that reduces liver size and density, and evaluates patient ability and commitment to following critical liquid post-op diet). It's nice to have a surgeon with a good long successful track record in a procedure, but on the other hand, he's doesn't sound new at all to bariatric surgery, and VSG is less complicated than bypass. Just don't be afraid to ask ask ask. It's your body and your right. Good luck with this tough decision and hang in there!

Just got a call from my doctor telling me that my upper GI barium swallow yesterday, revealed a duodenal polyp. I have to get an endoscopy to evaluate it before they will go through with my VSG. I'm not particularly worried about it (although I'll feel better when they TELL me that it's ok), but I am concerned that I'll have to have my VSG date pushed back. I've been on this frigging liquid diet for 6 frigging days and I have 2 more weeks to go and don't want to start all over again. I just want to get it over with. I'm conflicted enough about getting this surgery (still feel like I ought to be able to do it on my own- yeah, I know). It's just discouraging. Thanks for listening! :biggrin0:

Hi Kevin, No advice, but I'm scheduled for June 29th, too. I think to be scared is normal (to not be scared would be crazy). This site has provided me with a lot of good information and reassurance. Hang in there. We'll send eachother good long-distance vibes that day! :001_cool:

No worries with the seeds and skin?

You too, Stephanie. My husband points out that at least with all of this testing, we are getting our pre-existing health issues detected and addressed. Keep me posted!

THANK YOU! I love sushi too and figure I'll be doing mostly sashimi after my VSG. Great website!

LOL! My husband is european and his parents just visited us. It drives us CRAZY that the waitstaff do that here in the US! They pull your plate away here while you're still chewing and ask you if you want something more, or just the check. It's an awful american thing. In Europe, they also don't bring the check until you ask for it; you don't feel like you're being rushed out the door.

I lost 85lbs 10 years ago (with the help of OA) and went down 1 1/2 shoe sizes due to my feet being less pudgy! I can't wait for that again. Thanks for everyone's comments- the ability to enjoy a regular meal (and restaurants) was a concern for me too! You guys are very reassuring for us newbies...