Question about the Sleeve

Hi all!

Does anyone know anything or have experienced anything about the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

It's a procedure that a doctor has suggested to me recently.

I really need some insight on this and any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

my friend had the sleeve done a week before i got banded. her doctor was going to leave her stomach the size of a banana but decided to make it the size of a hot dog. yes, she has lost a lot of weight in a short period of time but it's not reversible and there is the issue with dumping just like with gastric bypass.

This is a long thread but it includes good information about the sleeve from a member who had revision surgery from the band to the sleeve.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/wasab...ecovery-65353/

I talked to someone on Lap Band talk about the sleeve since she had a revision. 2 things struck me. Going septic and dying and it starts at 1/4 cup and stretches out to 1 cup. Julie

Wow Julie? Can you explain where you found research on people with the sleeve going septic and dieing? I've researched the sleeve for months and never saw this complication? Just curious.

I am soooo wanting to hear how people can go septic and dying? Wow... that is a first one for me and I researched this surgery for 2 1/2 years before having it. My doc has done 1800 procedures and no one has died. And the percentages of people that have dumping syndrome from the sleeve are MAYBE 5%. That is a symptom of Gastric bypass NOT the sleeve.

I had the sleeve done on July 2nd. Down 46 lbs since surgery and NO dumping syndrome. No fillings, no chance of slippeage, no unfills, no erosions.. NO maintainence. Sounds like heaven to me! :-) :-)

Here's FYI for those that are interested!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Advantages

• Reduces stomach capacity but tends to allow the stomach to function normally so most food items can be consumed, albeit in small amounts.
• Eliminates the portion of the stomach that produces the hormones that stimulates hunger (Ghrelin).
• Dumping syndrome is avoided or minimized because the pylorus is preserved.
• Minimizes the chance of an ulcer occurring.
• By avoiding the intestinal bypass, almost eliminates the chance of intestinal obstruction (blockage), marginal ulcers, anemia, osteoporosis, protein deficiency and vitamin deficiency.
• Very effective as a first stage procedure for high BMI patients (BMI > 55 kg/m2).
• Limited results appear promising as a single stage procedure for low BMI patients (BMI 30-50 kg/m2).
• Appealing option for people who are concerned about the complications of intestinal bypass procedures or who have existing anemia, Crohn’s disease and numerous other conditions that make them too high risk for intestinal bypass procedures.
• Appealing option for people who are concerned about the foreign body aspect of Banding procedures.
• Can be done laparoscopically in patients weighing over 500 pounds, thereby providing all the advantages of minimally invasive surgery: fewer wound and lung problems, less pain, and faster recovery.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Disadvantages

• Potential for inadequate weight loss or weight regain. While this is true for all procedures, it is theoretically more possible with procedures that do not have an intestinal bypass.
• Higher BMI patients will most likely need to have a second stage procedure later to help lose the rest of the weight. Remember, two stages may ultimately be safer and more effective than one operation for high BMI patients. This is an active point of discussion for bariatric surgeons.
• Soft calories such as ice cream, milk shakes, etc can be absorbed and may slow weight loss.
• This procedure does involve stomach stapling and therefore leaks and other complications related to stapling may occur.
• Because the stomach is removed, it is not reversible. It can be converted to almost any other weight loss procedure.
• Considered investigational by some surgeons and insurance companies.

Karen has said it well, there are many advantage to the sleeve and it has a very low complication rate. ANY surgery has the potential for complications, that is the nature of surgery. The risks of infection, blood clots, etc are no higher than in any other weight loss surgery.

As for the results, I am a month away from being 1 year out and I love my vsg!! I don't dump (very few do). I can eat anything including spicy foods, I just eat much smaller portions. I am currently at the weight I was when I got married 22 years ago. I never thought I'd see this weight again!

If you want to know more about my story, check out my blog, the addy is in my signature.

I think the sleeve is a great option for anyone who for one reason or another (erosion etc) has to have their band removed, I also know some people who have had a revision to a sleeve because they never could find the right fill and restriction with the band. They were constantly having to go in for a fill and then and unfill.

Or for someone who does not live close to a doctor that can do the fill. For me.. it would be a 2 hour drive to the doctor and if it was too full, I would be going back 2 hours again (one way). That would just be torture in my opinion. Also, I have a needle phobia so I was not excited about them trying to stick the right place in the port to give me a fill. And working in surgery for the past 20+ years has taught me that I do not want any foreign body in my body for the rest of my life. Those were just some of my personal reasons for choosing the Sleeve over the Lap Band.

You were misinformed. The sleeve starts out at 2-4oz mostly due to swelling and ends up at around 5 oz. for most people the end of the first year. After that, it doesn't stretch.

As for going septic and dying, that is extremely unlikely. There is a *slight* potential for leaks, but it's much less likely than for RnY. In fact, my surgeon hasn't experienced a leak in over a year.

The sleeve has a similar complication rate to lap band, but with weight loss stats as good as or better than RnY.

Macmadame..

Don't you just LOVE how misinformation gets started. <sigh>