Hi Everyone (Wanted a DS, got a VSG)

[MsDragonz 2]

Wow, where do I begin..

About a year ago I began a journey to get a revision from a "supposed" RNY. It was really a mini gastric loop. I did TONS of research and decided that the DS was the best thing for me. Jan 26, 009 I went in for the procedure-that's when the problems began. I had so many adhesions that I ended up losing my spleen, and part of my pancreas. I ended up with a VSG instead.I was in ICU for 2 weeks. During that time they found after a swallow test that I had a stricture and they had to go back in and fix that. 4 days later they took the NG tube back out again and found I had a leak. So nothing by mouth continued from then for weeks to follow. I was sent back home 4 days later on Home Health Care on IV antibiotics and tube feeding.

Weeks later I developed pluerisy twice, and ended up with some pretty nasty ulcers which still give me trouble. I am on the up-swing now for the most part. The weight is coming off and I can eat a lot of things. (-65 lb so far) I do my best to get my Protein in first and stay away from the junk. That part is hard because the junk stays down easier, but I'm being careful.

I am having a huge Hair loss problem, so if anyone has any advice, let me know. I have lots of hair. but it's not going to last forever at this rate!..lol.. I have been taking madnesium to help, but no luck so far.

Oh and BTW- I have been in recovery for a couple years now, so if anyone can relate, msg me up:)

In Love and Light,

Robin

[Elisabethsew 50]

WOW! You certainly had a rough time but I'm glad to here you're now doing well and losing. Hair loss is a problem and I haven't heard that magnesium does much. Have they checked to make sure your Iron and ferritin levels are OK? Take a MVI in the AM and PM and make sure it has the B-complex group in it. Some people say the surgery is a shock to the system and that the hair loss stops after 6-9 months... here's hoping. :-)

[MacMadame 81]

Now that's a lot of problems...

My hair loss started at week 1.5! But it started dying down around 6-7 months out and now, at 8 months, it's slowing to a trickle. I had thin hair to start with and it never got to the point where other people noticed. *I* noticed, but they didn't.

[MsDragonz 2]

Thank you so much for your reply, I'm hoping the hair thing slows down soon! I'm so excited about this forum tho, I felt kinda homeless on OH after getting a different surgery, so thanks again:)

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Thank you so much for your reply, I'm hoping the hair thing slows down soon! I'm so excited about this forum tho, I felt kinda homeless on OH after getting a different surgery, so thanks again:)

It does slow down, honest! I was really frightened at the amount of hair I lost but it really does slow down and grow back. That's one of the great parts of the sleeve. Sometimes with bypass it doesn't come back, it does for us.

[MacMadame 81]

I was uncomfortable for a while too. At first so much is coming out and mine started so early.... but now I feel kind of silly for worrying.

[lguidry 5]

Wow, where do I begin..

About a year ago I began a journey to get a revision from a "supposed" RNY. It was really a mini gastric loop. I did TONS of research and decided that the DS was the best thing for me. Jan 26, 009 I went in for the procedure-that's when the problems began. I had so many adhesions that I ended up losing my spleen, and part of my pancreas. I ended up with a VSG instead.I was in ICU for 2 weeks. During that time they found after a swallow test that I had a stricture and they had to go back in and fix that. 4 days later they took the NG tube back out again and found I had a leak. So nothing by mouth continued from then for weeks to follow. I was sent back home 4 days later on Home Health Care on IV antibiotics and tube feeding.

Weeks later I developed pluerisy twice, and ended up with some pretty nasty ulcers which still give me trouble. I am on the up-swing now for the most part. The weight is coming off and I can eat a lot of things. (-65 lb so far) I do my best to get my Protein in first and stay away from the junk. That part is hard because the junk stays down easier, but I'm being careful.

I am having a huge hair loss problem, so if anyone has any advice, let me know. I have lots of hair. but it's not going to last forever at this rate!..lol.. I have been taking madnesium to help, but no luck so far.

Oh and BTW- I have been in recovery for a couple years now, so if anyone can relate, msg me up:)

In Love and Light,

Robin

What an ordeal, so glad you are on the mend. I'm still in the "consideration stage" for WLS. Just curious, what is DS? I'm trying to decide between Veritical Sleeve Gastrectomy and Vertical Sleeve Plication?? :confused1: Then there is Super Sleeve and Laproscopic Total Gastric Vertical Plication??? This is why I'm confused but I will be having a phone conference with Dr. Martinez on Monday in hopes of clearing up the confusion of "choices". I also want to learn as much as possible from the people who've had these procedures.

Any and all feedback is much appreciated!

[JanePatrick 0]

Wow what a horrible lot of things you had to go through. I am glad it is getting better for you now.

As far as hair loss, I don't think I have seen anyone mention Biotin yet. It is very helpful for hair and nail growth for most people. Since you seem to be deep into the loss right now I am not sure how much it will help but it might slow whats going on and try and turn it around. It is worth a try at least. Good luck to you and grats on the 65 lbs lost so far!

[laylasmojo 10]

What an ordeal, so glad you are on the mend. I'm still in the "consideration stage" for WLS. Just curious, what is DS? I'm trying to decide between Veritical Sleeve Gastrectomy and Vertical Sleeve Plication?? :confused1: Then there is Super Sleeve and Laproscopic Total Gastric Vertical Plication??? This is why I'm confused but I will be having a phone conference with Dr. Martinez on Monday in hopes of clearing up the confusion of "choices". I also want to learn as much as possible from the people who've had these procedures.

Any and all feedback is much appreciated!

DS is "duodenal switch" it is a malsorortion/ restriction procedure simmilar to the bypas

[lguidry 5]

DS is "duodenal switch" it is a malsorortion/ restriction procedure simmilar to the bypas

Thanks for the info. I've read about a second surgery that's performed after the initial VGS, do you know what that is and why a second surgery could be needed?

Congrats on the 65lb loss!!:thumbup:

[laylasmojo 10]

Thanks for the info. I've read about a second surgery that's performed after the initial VGS, do you know what that is and why a second surgery could be needed?

Congrats on the 65lb loss!!:thumbup:

The VSG was oringinaly the first step of a DS for people who were to unhealthy to stay on operating table for a long period of time, since the VSG is a shorter operation and has a lower complication rate. So they would do the VSG let the patient loose some weight then go back in and do the DS, but they found that people who never went back to get the DS were lossing and maintaing just as well as the people thet went all the way to the DS. So unless you find that you are not able to reach goal or maintain with the VSG and you and your doc feel that malsorption would help you maintain then you could go to the next step and get the DS. Well I hope that I have answered your question please feel free to post a new thread or send me a PM if you have any more. Good luck with your research it really is one of the best things you can do to prepare your self for your new life!!:thumbup:

[lguidry 5]

The VSG was oringinaly the first step of a DS for people who were to unhealthy to stay on operating table for a long period of time, since the VSG is a shorter operation and has a lower complication rate. So they would do the VSG let the patient loose some weight then go back in and do the DS, but they found that people who never went back to get the DS were lossing and maintaing just as well as the people thet went all the way to the DS. So unless you find that you are not able to reach goal or maintain with the VSG and you and your doc feel that malsorption would help you maintain then you could go to the next step and get the DS. Well I hope that I have answered your question please feel free to post a new thread or send me a PM if you have any more. Good luck with your research it really is one of the best things you can do to prepare your self for your new life!!:thumbup1:

Thanks for taking the time to explain!! Are you familiar with any good Docs in TJ?

[laylasmojo 10]

Thanks for taking the time to explain!! Are you familiar with any good Docs in TJ?

No sorry I am not familiar with any doc in Mexico at all but if you look around her on the site or even post a new thread asking that same question I am sure you will get responces from people who have gone there to get theirs done.