Still considering- Need answers please

[Lilmz81 0]

I’m generally healthy, 37 y/o comorb of hbp but it’s not essential, started from post partem hypertension but has been normal for a few years. I suffered ptsd from the aftermath of it all and I’m taking a small dose bp med to help with anxiety dr told me I could stop if I wanted as it’s not doing much for my bp (normal)

After the post partem hypertension deal I lost about 60 pounds kept if off for a few years, of course it came back.

Been over weight since teenage years not horribly but never tiny. At 5’0 anything over 125 lbs is overweight I’m scared of having surgery and any long term affects that are unknown since the vsg is relatively new.

I’m 5’0 188 lbs (now) started at 205 went through 6 months of pre op requirements. Was scheduled since July to get a diagnostic test, but haven’t shown up each time I reschedule. They can’t submit everything to insurance until I complete the diagnostic test.

Was told insurance goes on original weight in and background info for approval.

My BMI is barely over 35 now since I lost a bit but I keep going back and forth on trying to keep it off myself or going through with the procedure. Suggestions please!?!

[Frustr8 7,886]

We almost to the wonan, reach a point where we can say I FEAR SURGERY LESS THAN I FEAR TO CONTINUE AS I AM! if you too have reached that point, then proceed. At 35Bmi if you are encountering resistance from a surgeon regarding a VSG, please consider an ESG, my friend LynnV in Dayton Ohio had that in September(I think) and doing wonderfully well, great weight loss, feeling like a Healthier Queen of her life.

[Lilmz81 0]

@Frustr8 what is ESG?

[Delphac 12]

What is an ESG?

[Delphac 12]

Found out that ESG is a relatively new procedure that is non-surgical. It's official name is Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty. The surgeon does not remove any part of your stomach, but will use stitches to to reduce the size of the stomach. This is done endoscopically (spelling?) and the recovery time is much shorter than the VSG.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastro, instead of being done laprascopically the way most WLS are done these days it is done with an endoscope, so it is done from the inside, there is a whole forum on Bariatric Pal, think two places they do it prominately are North Carolina, St Louis Missouri and I think maybe Colorado. But my friend LynnV had it done in the Cincinnati Ohio area. I think they reduce the size and surface area for food absorption with internal stitching, Lynn had a very quick recovery and is doing well. Often done for people around BMI 35 that maybe don't have enough co- morbs for traditional or just prefer the convenience of not having incisions in the skin to heal. Wouldn't have worked for me, I was pretty well mandated into a RnY bypass by my conditions.

[Lilmz81 0]

Thanks for the info!! Wow I’m in St Louis, I will look into this. I take it this is not covered by insurance right now that you know of?

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

No one but you can make the decision on whether you are ready for a life altering medical procedure.

You need to research the risks and decide what is best for your health and your future.

[Delphac 12]

5 minutes ago, Lilmz81 said:

Thanks for the info!! Wow I’m in St Louis, I will look into this. I take it this is not covered by insurance right now that you know of?

I do not know if It is covered by insurance. But since it is usually performed on patients with a lower BMI, there is a possibility that it might be. When I had my Gastric Sleeve surgery (11/1), the surgeons office confirmed with my insurance ahead of time to make sure it was covered....Perhaps that is what you should do once you find a doctor that performs that procedure. Let us know what you find out. Good Luck!! and Happy Holidays :)

[Swanton_Bomb 522]

I am also 5ft., and it is exceptionally hard to stay at a healthy weight at that height. We really can only handle small amounts of calories. This surgery is not easy. I am 6 weeks out and it has been tough, but I already feel like it is the best decision I've ever made. I had a really, really, really bad week, with something truly awful happening each day. Pre-surgery I would have consumed 3000-4000 calories on each one of those terrible days in an attempt to soothe myself. This time around I only had one of those days when I really wanted to cheat, and I couldn't really do any serious damage even if I tried. I wanted to overeat, but as soon as I started eating my dinner I realized I didn't want to overeat anymore. It has been extremely helpful for me and I hope it continues to do so.

[Shoelace 63]

it's a tough one pre-surgery...should I, shouldn't I? Maybe I can do this on my own? And sometimes people can do it on their own. I did it off and on over the years..put on 50 lbs, took off 50 lbs, snuck up 50+, dropped maybe 20..and on it went over the years with the scale gradually climbing until at 58 I was up to 350. Sad...but the way it was.

I'm 5 weeks out from surgery and definately one of the lucky ones for post operative issues. I've had very little pain, energy has been fine. I went back to work part time in week three and full time in week four but certainly could have returned full time week 3. I have to be careful, obviously, but I have followed the instructions and am not regretting it for a minute.

Like Swanton_Bomb noted above, the stomach controls the volume (at least if one doesn't continually push it!) so when I get out of schedule and am really hungry (my bad for letting that happen!) I think I will be able to eat too much food as I am so hungry, but I just can't. After about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of whatever I've made, that's it, I'm done..I simply can't take in anymore.

So I'm absolutely thrilled I made the decision to do this. I look at people eating their dinners now and I am amazed at the volume being consumed and I calculate what I could actually have from these plates and how much..it's amazing how the mind changes your whole concept of food. At least it has for me.

Good luck on your journey!