Bigsuzy1969

Hi, I am meeting with Hopkins regarding the endoscopic sleeve procedure in Baltimore but also wanted to look into a regular gastric sleeve. I am self pay and looking for recommendations for surgeons in my area. York, Harrisburg, Lancaster. I could go as far as Philly but it there are a lot of trips for nutritionists, having the meetings on line would be preferred. Thanks!

I am sorry to read this! I am sure the mental preparation was in full gear. That is frustrating! Are you having it at Hopkins? Did they why? Hang in there! I know it must be frustrating!

All the best to you! My husband is against it because it is a new procedure. I am in the process of deciding. Is there anything Hopkins said to put your mind at ease that it is a new procedure? What is the gold plan? I was given $15,000 and then I would pay $1,000 for the nutritional help afterwards which would be done remotely since I do not live nearby. What is the gold plan?

This is something I found in my research about the procedure: The durability of the Endoscopic Sleeve gastroplasty at 1-year, along with the weight loss results, suggest that this endolumenal technique remains effective and helpful. It should be noted that no irreversible anatomical alteration occurs in the gastric cavity and the technique is reproducible and repeatable. Therefore, reintervention in the future has the potential to achieve lasting results. Sounds good and bad at the same time? Since I am self pay, it is what concerns me slightly

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer in depth all the answers to my questions!! I am ready to pick up the phone for that consult but so hesitant! I have 70 lbs to loose, so the dr would probably tell me that I can expect to loose 35 in the first year and then the procedure becomes slightly less effective for the 2nd half of the weight loss? I guess that is my hangup over just having the regular sleeve since that is more permanent and would be the same out of pocket cost for me since I am self pay. You are really awesome for taking the time to help! I do have one additional question (sorry) regarding your current situation with food. You didn't mention if you have kids but I have 3 kids in the house that I would like to try and keep this from if I can. But we go out to eat often (sports and running around), I would not be home for most nights during dinner because of being right at the beginning of the cross country sport season (which ends up being a lot of walking for me) and trying to explain my non eating at Thanksgiving would be a huge give away to extended family. Are you just homebound at this point until you are done with the puree phase or would you be able to fake your way through a meal at a restaurant?

Are you doing the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty? I am just reading how different the pre and post op instructions are from Australia? I am thinking about the surgery but not planning on telling anyone. I am just not sure I can get through 30 days of a liquid diet without anyone knowing. Please keep us posted!

hmmm..interesting. I am playing phone tag with them to set up a consult but I am honestly apprehensive because the surgery is similar in cost to a regular sleeve which include an overnight stay and they have not done very many before. Can I ask what they did preparation wise as far as blood tests, did they want you to go to your primary doctor, pulmonary or heart test? How long from your consult did you have surgery? I live about 1 1/2 hour away and thy did say I could pay separately for the nutritionist (required of course) and do it online. How did the dr explain the procedure to you regarding the long term results? is weight loss expected to be less than the regular sleeve, will the stomach stretch in a few years because of the staples? I just was interested in it because it is outpatient (I don't want my extended family or even my kids to know) and I could be home the same day. But your anesthesia experience has me concerned.. Other than the nausea, how was your pain? Even now, how is your pain? Did they prescribe pain meds? .Thanks so much for sharing!

Can I ask if you got this done at Hopkins? If so, did you feel that were well taken care of? Where there any medical students performing the surgery, because they only have done 50 or so.

I would have the same questions as well! It seems that since I am self pay that the procedures of Endoscopic Sleeve and the regular sleeve is about the same. My concerns are that it is a new procedure with limited conclusions after 2 years while the regular sleeve has a slightly higher proven track record. If a portion of the stomach is removed, it cant stretch and break the stitches. And the weight loss seems lower than regular. Please share !

I am reading the forums closely and have been thinking about this surgery for 6 months...are my hangups any of your regrets? Do you ever think that if you just followed the post op guidelines/menu that you would have been successful without surgery? Do you regret family occasions of eating out? parties? (my family does not support and likes to eat out a lot and celebrate (they are thin without food issues) Are you able to NOT tell friends and family (outside of spouse). And can I mention pasta? I just cannot imagine life without bread or pasta. I am italian from an italian family and how do you do that ? If you do not expect the rest of the family to change their eating habits, how difficult is that? (they probably would not want to eat out or celebrate less if that makes sense

Thanks for writing! I would have to say that when I read your part about "When I go out usually bring a cooler" my heart sank, because I thought you were going to write, "so I could bring my protein shake". LOL but then it was for leftovers! Yay! We go out to eat probably 3 times a week as a family so it is a big consideration. I am actually looking into the endoscopic sleeve and I must say that when I read weight loss stories like yours, I wonder if the regular sleeve is not a better choice. Thank for writing!

thank you for this!

I have a neighbor who had the sleeve and she is underweight in my opinion. She did not tell many people and I think they are wondering if she is sick

My reason is the money issue since I am self pay

Thank you so much for taking the time to share! Can I ask if any pain medications were prescribed and if you needed them. I am self pay otherwise I would opt for sleeve option and I think (am assuming) it is more expensive because of an overnight or two. My concerns are the fact that it is new but will discuss with the dr. The liquid/puree phase is longer than I thought, I may have problems explaining to those I don't want to know about it why I am not eating during that phase while at a restaurant ect. (like my kids) Keeping it a secret may not be easy. I don't see where you mentioned you were very hungry on the liquid phase as some have mentioned. Was that not an issue for you? Again, thanks for taking the time!

EW, could you please share how things went during and after surgery. I was wondering a few things about ESG and wanted to get the stupid questions out of the way before I meet the surgeon. When you say 20 to 25 percent of your body weight, for me that wouldn't get me to within 20 lbs of my goal. Does the surgeon think that you can just lose more if you stick with the plan or is it just not possible? Do you know how they can know this is safe long term ? Does this procedure preserve pylorus? What did they say about stomach stretching, what happens with a leak? is that less or more common with the staples? Could you tell me about your pre and post diet and is it different from VSG? Are you able to eat solids more quickly or the same? and was there a pre op? I am so sorry, and please don't feel you need to write a book and answer every question but you recently had the surgery done and very interested in your journey. I also wanted to know the best time to schedule the surgery. I have a son who is star footback quarterback and cannot miss a game and will drive and walk a 1/2 mile. Were you able to get in a car and drive and walk around? How many days should I leave for being at home where I just wont feel good. And how are YOU feeling? Again I apologize for all the questions

Hopkins does this, that is where I would go. Hershey also does it but their self pay would be too high. It is a new procedure and your stomach is sewn like an accordion from the inside. There are youtube videos and information on their website

This is me! I appreciate your thoughts. I am thinking of having the ESG so my weight lose will not be as much but I feel so large that I wish I was invisible during family gatherings! I make excuses to not go because I know they are thinking "wow she has put on a few". I can relate to you feeling like it is a ping pong ball because this is how I feel!

Thank you for this

I am 5.4 female who weights 220. My BMI is 37 and I would like to loose 80 lbs. Do you think I would be a good candidate for ESG?

I am with you on this forum looking for the same answers except I will be self pay.

Thank you so much for the encouragement! and thanks for sharing with me! I feel that I am the heaviest I have been and at the peak of discouragement and perhaps if I give a diet one...more....try...(I KNOW what will happen)

Oh, thank you for sharing! Because this has been a fear of mine! Thanks for your kind response and I am so glad that you are better!

Thank you for sharing! Is there anything looking back now on it that is making you wish you had the LSG or Verticle Sleeve? Did the dr tell you that your weight loss would be greater with the Gastric Sleeve vs the ESG. I am looking at the ESG mainly because I have to self pay it it would be less money and less recovery time. What are you giving up in weight loss by choosing this procedure? Thanks for taking the time!