About VSG

Sleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical weight loss tool in which the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size, by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach, following the major curve. The open edges are then attached together (often with surgical staples, glue and possibly cauterization) to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach and is performed laparoscopically and is not reversible.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/about_vertical_sleeve_gastrectomy.html

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Dr Sauceda quote info

I got another quote for the body work I want to get done.  This doctor recommends a lower body lift and he would also do some augmentation on my butt to give me back some of the roundness I lost with my weight.  My bum is pretty flat now so that would be nice.  This surgeon also does the correction of the mons area to ensure its nice and smooth.

His email... 
I have seen your pictures , and in my opinion we can do a lower body lift and a breast lift plus augmentation.
The tattoo is not at risk. We can do some augmentation on your butt, this is not like having implants, but we can use some of the tissue we'll take off to make some improvement in that area.
The price for your procedures (lower body lift and breast lift plus augmentation) is : XXXX (omitted because everyone is different but for reference is near half of the other local surgeon)
This is all inclusive, this means the surgery, clinic fees, anesthesiologist and surgeon fees, compression garments ,medication, hotel stay for 12 days, local transportation, and I'll refund your airfare up to $600 usd.  If you have more questions please let me know.
We use periareolar , lolly pop incision and inverted T, which one is going to be the one on your case?
This depends on my evaluation when I see you and touch your skin in person.
Probably in your case will be the lolly pop incision, but I can change my mind (this is only to achieve the best result possible).
The breast size , or implant size , we'll(me and you) are going to decide this.
If the lipo is a small one, I can do it.
Now you need to realize that the weight loss patient have had fat loss, and your skin hanged after this. So, I can not do a very big lipo, because the skin can hang one more time.
If you do a desk job, probably 4 weeks off work will be enough.



HALF the price.  But it means I will have to do medical tourism again... and this time be gone for 12 days.  The benefit to this surgeon is that he doesn't put you under a general anesthetic... he does sedation with a epidural basically.  So you don't have the after effects of the anesthesia ... or the dangers too!
I'm still so torn on this.  It's still ALOT of money and I don't know if I can bring myself to spend that much.

After this post, I thought I should just add onto this one with the replies to my questions... so ... continued!

1.-Is there enough tissue in your opinion for a lift only?
No, there is not enough tissue, and you can tell because when you use your bra, the upper part of your breast is empty.

2.-What size would that make me if I didn't choose an implant?Probably less than a B cup. Because right now, you're not a D cup,probably not even a C cup, your breast right now is 80% skin.

3.-Have you done breast lifts with fat injection (if my body had enough available) before?
Yes, but this technique, we have to do multiple sessions, this means you have to come here between 3 to 4 times. I mean for a local patient, this can be done, for a foreign patient is unpractical.

4.- If I went with the augmentation, what type of implant do you use?
Are they silicone? Saline?

We usually use silicone implants (I'm told the GUMMI BEAR implants are used), the saline ones you have to replace them every ten years, but not the silicone ones, those can stay with you (if they don't have any problem) all your life.

5.-Also I am an asthmatic and allergic to Penicillin and Erythromycin... does that change the care that you are able to provide?
If your asthma is under control, and your asthma crisis are not as often, we can do the procedure.
I am sending you some medical forms you need to read , fill and send it back to me by email.  In there you'll find some lab test we need for your procedure, those have to been done within 6 weeks from your surgery.
The antibiotic in this cases can be ciprophoxacin or levophloxacin.

6.- Thank you, unfortunately , your right, there are some things I can do, and some things I can't. I always try to do the best for my patients, because the best result, the more patient am I going to have. But I can not do miracles.




This surgeon has a huge following of very happy patients that love him dearly.  He not only is their doctor but their friend.  They all say he will visit with you every single day along with members of his staff through the day to check on you, re-do dressings, etc.  Once you're back at home he expects daily emails to ensure everything is going well or if they're not, that you tell him.  He's one of the few doctors that actually CARES.... I like that part more than the price.  By far.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Plastics... first consult



My first Plastics consult aka reconstructive surgery (even the doc called it that.. it's not considered cosmetic!) ... local surgeon.

First the burning questions... 
What would the doctor recommend, the plusses of using him and lastly I'll discuss the cost.



He recommended the following procedures for me:
  • Full abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck aka TT) which would include lipo, muscle repair, relocating the belly button as well as lipo in the mons which is the pubic area that tends to become rather pronounced ... like a little hill... post TT so they'd flatten it out some by removing some fat.
  • Breast Lift (Mastopexy) which would include implants (260cc) which post op would make me a solid full C cup. Not a deflated ...anywhere from B to D cup depending on the bra.
  • BodyTite Liposuction on my flanks. In lieu of a lower body lift which I frankly do not need, he suggested more what I could use is some lipo with laser tightening in my lower saddlebags/hips/back to smooth, tighten and shape that area. 
BodyTite on YouTube  



Plusses of using this doctor include...
  1. It's LOCAL, literally blocks from my home, in case something should be an issue. There's no flying anywhere to have this done in another city or country and then having to fly home and deal with post-op complications and care with local docs.
  2. He provides a pain pump. Sweet. Most surgeons I've looked at so far don't.
  3. NO drains. He doesn't use them because the pain pump would be made ineffective with them... and better, he hasn't needed them
  4. He suggests I would likely be back at work within the month at the latest... not up to 12 weeks like some people have had
  5. The actual surgery time is under 5 hours. He doesn't like having surgeries for longer than that as it starts to increase complication rates.
  6. He provides all the post-op dressings, post op care, touch ups within the first year


The costs... (all inclusive) 

Abdominoplasty $10,065.44
BodyTite Lipo $5084.80
Bilateral Breast Lift $7,095.20

Total for all 3 = $22,245.44 CDN



We can't afford that. I can't ask hubby to put that kind of money into something as selfish as this. My WLS was one thing... and besides, it was only $5k plus travel costs... AND I was able to recover 1/2 of it since it was out of country medical.... this is over 4x that, completely unrecoverable. I'm sad. Hubby is not against it and would let me do it because he knows it's what I want but, the guilt...

Friday, August 31, 2012

A "sleeved" work around today....

Our branch manager brought in fresh hot donuts for some great results on month end today. 

I really wanted one but didn't want to actually eat a donut.  So I got a honey glazed one, took a bite, chewed it to mush just so I could get the flavour and then spit it out. 

Now I have a donut with a bite out of it sitting on my desk that I don't want anymore!


:D

Monday, August 27, 2012

ZEE heart... it burns!!!


I've been having alot of heartburn lately and I haven't been able to pin down what's doing it just yet.

Examples...
Tonight I had 1 slice of cheddar cheese (old) and 3 medium sized shrimps with cocktail sauce for dinner.   Heartburn.
Earlier today, I had 2 tablespoons of tuna salad (made at home just with miracle whip and pepper) on plain saltines for lunch.  Heartburn.
Last night, I had 1 vietnamese spring roll for dinner.   Heartburn.

Not sure what the common denominator is just yet.  Anyone with suggestions, please, chime in.

I do not take ANYTHING for acid up to this point.  This is new-ish... probably last month or 2.


Sunday, August 26, 2012


I am getting closer to 1.5 yrs out.   Very very very few people at work know I had WLS, all of my family and close friends do though.  My family/friends are all on board and frankly some are thinking about doing it for themselves!  The thing is, since my surgery I have changed branches/provinces ... so no one in the new branch at work knows my new weight is actually NEW since they've only seen me at THIS weight.

But I have a bad habit.  I get PISSED when people that clearly have not had weight issues make comments about how other's eat/their weight/etc.... and start to get annoyed quickly and comment how regardless of their diet, its no one's business how they are as a PERSON/MANAGER... etc... they have NOTHING to do with each other.  It really makes me MAD when people in my office do that and I'm not quiet about it either.

My weight is MY business.  If I choose to tell someone about my WLS, then I will.  Mostly I will tell others that (I feel) struggle with their weight but even then, its a slippery slope.  You don't want to offend.  In their place, I would be so seriously embarrassed if someone brought up my weight.  As much as I want to help those people, I know who might actually benefit from a life changing surgery such as this... its certainly NOT for the faint of heart.  

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Extra skin


Saw a new doc this week that will be our new family doctor here.  He was a sweet old guy, very kind and soft spoken.  He seemed genuinely concerned about why I had WLS and asked me about skin folds.  I think this is a great thing.  He documented my folds and mentioned skin removal... I said yes i wanted it. From what I've heard, if its documented well enough, they will cover it on the BC health plan.  Fingers crossed.

For reference... this is what 15 yrs of yo yo dieting from 250-130 lbs does to my body for extra skin.  I have a push up bra on so you can't see the carnage up top unfortunately but after that appt, I thought I should document this somewhere.  This is why there will not be a midriff baring ANYTHING on me until this is dealt with.


:(


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Something that someone I know said in one of her posts has been resonating with me and I realized that over the last month-ish... I too no longer FEEL skinny.   

I feel average.  I'm still the same size, no change in my weight.  But I think its my perception. 

In Edmonton, people tended to be on the heavier side so I found myself (erroneously or not) comparing my body size in relation to theirs.  Here in Vancouver, the population is largely Asian and as a rule, they tend to be rail thin.  So now, I find myself comparing to their body size and I don't feel "fat" but I certainly don't feel like I'm among the slimmest.

Such a head game.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Plastics...

I've been seeing the amazing results from a few different WLS patients surgery recently and I'm amazed at the results so early post op... it makes me envious!

It's definitely something that I want to do for myself in a year or so. I want to wait until my weight has stabilized for a longer term before I make that move as I know that it will re-distribute a little over time. But the extra skin that plagues my sight makes me uncomfortable naked. I feel like I look great in clothing but out of it my panni, the saggy boobies that look like water balloons .... the skin so loose I can grab it and pinch it and it STAYS pinched... those are the parts of my surgery experience that I don't like.

I'm happy with my size and I feel healthier than I have in a very long time. I don't have the issues with my knees or back like I once did. I don't huff and puff going up a set of stairs anymore. I feel GOOD. Next, I want to look as good as I feel and I know that means that plastics are in my future at some point.

Monday, June 11, 2012

1.25-ish years post op.

I'm still able to eat anything I want.  In moderation.  A bite of something my head or mouth wants.  Most often though, they want PROTEIN... I just want MEAT.  Give me sliced meat wrapped around cheese and I'm a happy girl.  But, when I don't have that (for whatever reason), Sleevie keeps me honest if I'm not being honest with myself.

I've noticed a few changes in recent months.

I'm now able to drink a "few gulps" of water. .... I wasn't able to drink more than 1 mouthful at a few minute time up to a year out without feeling nausea.  Now I can do ... gulp, gulp, gulp.  Usually that last gulp leads to a bit of that full burpy nausea though.

I can eat a TAD more now than I used to.
I ate for dinner tonight for example:
1 whole grain flatbed hamburger bun with 1 slice meat, 1 slice cheese, 1 tsp pineapple
It took me about an hour to eat both sides of the bun which had the condiments split btwn them.

I still avoid carbonation and frankly do not miss it at all.  Haven't had anything (except a few sips here and there) since surgery over a year ago.... I really don't miss that at all.  Surprisingly!

I've managed my weight loss of 91 lbs relatively easily so far.

What do I do?

  • I walk 20 min per day.. fast.
  • I (unintentionally, unconsciously) keep my calories around 1000-1200 a day thanks to sleevie
  • I still focus on protein being the main source of everything I put in my mouth (with some exceptions of wine lately)



What I want to do?

  • Become STRONG.  I'm going to start Hot Yoga with a friend.  I loved it the few times I've done it in the past.... I might not be the most flexible or coordinated but dayum... I feel like a million bucks after I've spent an hour (or more) in that hot room sweating and stretching!!  Hot yoga is my strengthening start.
  • Work on more conditioning.  I walk fast every day to and from work (1 km each way) but I'd like to see more cardio.


After Yoga... I have a ball, a mat, a roller... I will (plan to) get a few hand weights.... I've had dreams *literally* of the workouts I plan to do using my own body weight in the area around here as well as the cardio that I can do in this area... there's so much uphill walking available to me within a couple of minutes of here that I need to take advantage of!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Confessions...


The last 2 month-ish has been hard. VERY hard. I've been having way too much wine. Way too often.

I'm fully aware that post-WLS transfer addictions are a serious problem.  I KNOW that I should be careful that I'm not among that statistic but right now, its what I've been using to cope with my stress ... moving to a new province away from what I know and taking a new job with added responsibility....  Wrong or right, its what's working for me right now to deal.  Stress has played a HUGE part in this and the method that I've chosen to do to deal with it.  Hubby and I have even enabled each other completely in this.  He's smoking, I'm drinking.  We're both fully aware of what we're doing and how much we dislike each other's choices but are willing to overlook them right now

We both know that this is something that we need to change but we've chosen to accept it for what it is and to try not to judge the other person.  We have yet to pick a "quit date" but it will be likely in the next week or so.