Gastric Sleeve Surgery Success Unproven

“The Gastric Sleeve”, also known as “Sleeve Gastrectomy” is the newest trend in Weight Loss Surgery. But it is already generating controversy among doctors and medical institutions. There are too few studies on the sleeve and there has not been sufficient follow-up time. They show good weight loss at one year. But many also have high complication rates because of the small number of patients enrolled. The American Society for Bariatric Surgery does not even discuss the sleeve as a stand-alone operation

Read Dr. Nestor de la Cruz setter to the editor to the Miami Herald here.

Comments

[Carolann Ruthenberg]

I clicked on the link for the newspaper article written by Dr. Nestor De La Cruz-Munoz but, the link is dead. Do you by chance have a "saved" copy of the article?
Thanks so much

[Natalie C.]

The link to Dr. Nestor de la Cruz's letter is an expired MiamiHerald.com link. The link I've provided above is a more recent article on the issue. Could you please remove the dead link and replace it with this new one?

Thank you.

[Natalie C.]

Sorry, here is the link:

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/health/story/431117.html

[Carol]

To chat with real people who have had this surgery please follow this link.
http://sleeversforums.motionforum.net
There you can research the Sleeve Gastrectomy, ask the questions that you want, and get the perspective from someone who has had the Sleeve. This is the very first Sleevers Support Forum so please feel welcome.

[Linda]

I recently had the gastric sleeve procedure (Sept 7)and am very pleased with the results. I have lost 35 lbs and have not had one bit of problem. Although I am now having indigestion and with some heart burn. I take (liquid) vit and minerals,cal and B complex along with Pro
Biotic Acidolpholis. Any suggestions on eliminating my problem (also take anti-acids) but try and limit them.

[kathy beaty]

hi linda, i am going for the sleeve on march 2,kinda scared do you have any regrets

[Arlene]

Hello to all those how have had "Gastric Sleeve" I had gastric sleeve on Sept 19,2008 In Mexico. The Best Doctors in the world, my starting weight was 229 pounds my weight now is 159 This surgery was great no major problems
I remember to chew well and do not drink until 30-45min after meals. It is still a learning experience for me. You learn what your tummy wants and need. You must eat every 2-3hours because the emptyness in your belly is kind of painful.
I dulute my juice to cut down on calories: All in All no major prombles.
You still have the fat thoughts, they do not go away. I been looking for books on Gastric Sleeve not luck yet. Well if anyone has any question for me I we share what I know.

[tiffany]

i will be attending the VSG seminar tonight 6/9/09. how long did it take you to get it scheduled?

[Dana]

i underwent emergency removal of the lapband 9/18/09. there was some damage to my stomach and the surgeon removed about 2/3 of my natural stomach which happens to be the sleeve procedure. I am only 2 weeks out and having severe constipation. is anyone else exprencing this? if so, is there anything to do about it?

[michaeldunage]

The topic can be rather controversial. Gastric sleeve can be very effective for those wanting to lose weight and the procedure is less invasive. This procedure is becoming extremely popular in Mexico however.

[Pearl]

I have a very dear friend that had the Gastric Sleeve April 29, 2010. She has been in the hospital twice (one week) each time. She came home two days ago and she is still experiening the same problems: Spitting constantly (Clear and thick). She is very, very weak and everything that she eats or drinks comes up almost immediately.

Has anyone had this same experience? What did you do? I am so afriad that she is having a slow death experience.

[Bob]

I had the sleeve 1yr ago last march and have lost 165lbs with no problems at all .Its the best thing i have ever done. It saved my life.I was at 365lbs .I would be willing to talk to anyone who has questions or just needs to talk.

[sue]

Hi Bob!
I am enrolled in a bariatric program in Illinois.Iam planning on having the Gastric sleeve done.I would love to hear about your experiences.If you care to chat as opposed to email ,I am sue_nokomis on yahoo messenger.I look forward to hearing from you.Sue

[Sonja]

I'm really considering gastric sleeve in Jan-Feb time frame next year. I'm wondering if the sleeve is better or the RYN? From what I've researched so far the sleeve is better, what did you do to prepare for this and is it still going ok for you? How long are you along?
Thank you, any vitamin options for pre-operation?
Sonja

[KARI LEAL]

i am thinking seriously about getting this procedure and i am scared of the staples, how was the healing process?

[Danielle]

I'm scheduled to have surgery in April 2011 in Mexico . Has anyone been there for there surgery I'm very nervous ....help

[Sarah]

I am considering gastric sleeve surgery myself. People tend to think of this as a new type of surgery ~ it is not. Only recently has this surgery been used for weight loss (and approved for use by insurance companies). Surgeons have been removing portions of peoples stomachs for YEARS for other reasons such as stomach cancer or bleeding ulcers.

[debbierodrigue]

i will be having sleeve surgery soon. very nervous.could someone tell me right after surgery, are you in alot of pain? has anyone heard of the staples leaking or getting infected. i also have a very large hiatel hernia, does this effect the surgery? could someone please let know )help)

[kory stephenson]

im scheduled to have the sleeve on 05/10/11 and its kinda weird I have no fear at all, I have more fear of being like this the rest of my life than the fear of the surgery it self

[Dana]

For Debbie Rodriguez ... I have had a stomach sleeve on 3 may 2011. It was a laparoscopic procedure, and there is almost no pain from the few small cuts. My small hiatal hernia was repaired at the time of the operation. You will experience some disconfort in the area of your left shoulder. With some painkiller it is bearable and it becomes less and less as the days go by. For leaks (I did not have any) there are either stent procedure to heal it, or a second operation if need be. However, it does not happen often. You have to be very careful not to overload your new tiny stomach so that the staples give way. After several months, the danger of leaking is almost nil as the wound in the stomach heals. Good luck and have confidence.
Dana

[Rebecca Hurst]

Thanks for the information. I have been considering different kinds of weight loss surgeries and the Sleeve Gastrectomy was one on the list. I think I'll go with the mini bypass surgery. I don't have health insurance so I was considering on getting my weight loss surgery in mexico.

[jue]

i had my sleeve 6th sept 2011 and i regret having it done , i am sick of this pureed food i really need to eat some real food like a sandwich a sunday dinner i am so hungrey and frustrated. i have made a big mistake . before you have sleeve surgery do all ur home work and talk to ur surgeon , be sure its what u really want.

[Will]

@jue
Your regret, sadly, is one that is common amongst those who either didn't do their homework or aren't committed to the necessary changes to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The surgery doesn't GIVE you a "eat what you want and gain no weight" card. My parents had it 2 and a half years ago and it did them wonders. Even cured my dad's diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart related medical issues. I have witnessed others who will, even after having the surgery, order a foot long sandwich from subway or get a 12 oz steak for themselves, puke halfway through, and go back to finishing it; and that's just not the way it works. I'm sorry you're unhappy about it, but you can eat nearly anything that's not ultra fatty/sugary as long as you take the proper portions and chew thoroughly. My advice: do more research. You aren't limited so much on what you can have, just the portion. If your Sunday dinner's consist of an entire chicken leg to yourself and a helping of mashed potatoes you never had the correct mindset to begin with.