roxym

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Today I scheduled my VSG for April 24.  When I went for my initial consult with Dr. Jossart, I told him I was interested in the DS, but he recommended the sleeve instead. Here's why:

* he's had "many" patients lose 150 lbs with the sleeve
* the sleeve had fewer side effects/complications
* if weight loss was inadequate, it could be revised to the DS
* he's seeing some evidence that patients who do very well with the DS are also doing very well with the sleeve;
* he's hearing some recent cases of people with blockages down the road with the DS

I really struggled with the decision of which to have.  The DS seems to result, for the average DSer, in more weight loss and more likelihood of keeping it off than the average VSGer. However, the sleeve had lower risk of malnutrition (I know it's preventable with the DS) and none off the problems of the diarrhea, and odorous gas and stools (I know you have some measure of control here also). However, this side effect was particularly disturbing to me. If it weren't for the odor, I'd have a DS already, but the worst case scenario of the malodor seemed unbearable to me. I considered the following scenarios:

If I had the DS, and I was happy, things would be fine. I might wonder if I would have had the same results with the sleeve, without the side effects I'd prefer not to have.

If I had the DS and was unhappy, I would be forever second guessing myself about the decision not to see if the sleeve would have worked, but I could not revert back.

If I had the sleeve and I was happy, I'd have a weight loss I was comfortable with, with fewer side effects.

If I had the sleeve and I was unhappy, I could convert to the DS.

 
So, overall, it seemed the sleeve gives me more options.

 
Since I'm self-pay (we have insurance, but the doctor has not had the experience of Blue Shield covering the sleeve) I'm a little worried about the costs of two operations if I decided the sleeve needed revisioning. But, I didn't want cost to be the factor that made a decision that would affect me for so many years.  I'd have to work long hours to come up with the money for the revision, and I would not even be able to do the self-pay currently without a friend's loan, but I'd rather do that than live with a choice that led to severe unhappiness.

 So, I'm scheduled, and excited, and afraid. Really hoping this surgery is the tool I need to make it possible to lose the weight I'd like to lose.  Looking for support in this journey.

I have three children under 9 years ofage, and one wonderful husband. My husband's is supporting me, and my children don't really know what's happening. I could tell my 9 year old, but I don't think he's ready yet. So, I'm really hoping for the best outcome so that they can have me with them for years to come. And, I'm doing this because I'm not sure, without the surgery, that I would be here for years to come

Would love to hear from folks, especially the following:

* folks who have had Dr. Jossart
* folks who've done the sleeve with a higher BMI
* folks who are doing it within the next month

Good luck to all, both before, during and after your journeys!