Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure is a relatively new procedure in the United States. The Vanderbilt Center for Surgical Weight Loss has experienced great success with this procedure. Our patients have lost the weight they expected while staying healthy.

The sleeve gastrectomy is performed laparoscopically through small incisions. Sophisticated instruments and a small camera are inserted through these incisions to conduct the operation. The use of small incisions creates less tissue damage, fewer complications, and an earlier discharge from the hospital.

In this procedure, most of the stomach is removed and a ‘vertical sleeve’ or tube is fashioned from the remaining stomach. The food goes through the stomach into the small intestine in a normal fashion. Because the stomach is so much smaller, it takes less food to fill you up, and you eat less. The food does not bypass any of the intestines so there is no malabsorption created by the sleeve gastrectomy. The production of the “appetite hormone” ghrelin is reduced since it is made by the stomach. The reduction of this hormone reduces hunger and contributes to the success of the procedure.

Advantages of the Sleeve Gastrectomy    

The procedure is a satiety-inducing procedure because it reduces the “appetite hormone” ghrelin, and there is no bypassing of the small intestine therefore the risk of malnutrition is low. Long term the sleeve gastrectomy has less risk of bowel obstruction and stomach ulcers. Weight loss after the sleeve gastrectomy is similar to the weight loss after the gastric bypass. 

Disadvantages of the Sleeve Gastrectomy

The procedure removes part of the stomach, is not reversible and is considered experimental by most insurance companies; therefore, it is typically not covered.  United Healthcare and Blue Cross Federal now cover the procedure.  

Credit due to the Vanderbilt Center for Surgical Weight Loss in Nashville

Research mode

I haven't posted in a while, simply because I've felt the stage of defeat.  My soul was crushed when I read that small paragraph.  I didn't think that it would ever happen unless hubbys insurance changed.  I wasn't and still am not holding my breath on that.

He came home from work that following Monday equally livid at his company.  He stood right there in the door and told me that no matter what it took, that we would save up the money and pay out of pocket.

That of course led me to start researching.  I knew that I couldn't afford the procedure if I stayed here in the States.  So that led me to Mexico.  Where I have been researching like a fiend.  My logic is that if people older than I am can trust them to perform heart surgeries and such, then so could I.

That's where I stand now.  Finding that one doctor who I can click with and saving the money to achieve my goal.

I know that it will be a long road, but damnit! I'm willing to do it.  I've spent this long being fat that I will do what it takes to make myself happy and healthier for not only me, but my family.

Talk about a blow to the face

I had been for the past few years contemplating  getting the band done and up until recently was still go for it.

Then I discovered the sleeve and I was sold.  I had found a doctor and was going to sign up for one of his mandatory seminars for next week when I took a major blow to my hopes and dreams.

My husbands employer has BCBS of Alabama and I had looked at their policies to make sure what they required for consideration of WLS.  Then I got on here and noticed someone had mentioned something about their insurance provider having exclusion clauses.  If I didn't immediately whip out our benefit booklet to find it.

There is was on one of the last pages:

"Services or expenses for treatment of any condition including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, orheart disease, which is based upon weight reduction or dietary control or services or expenses of any kind to treat obesity, weight reduction or dietary control. This exclusion includes bariatric surgery and gastric restrictive procedures and any complications arising from bariatric surgery and gastric restrictiveprocedures"

I'm crushed.  Without help from insurance I don't think we could afford it.  We're in the process of digging ourselves out of debt so our credit isn't all that fabulous.

I could literally just cry and cry.  Here I had thought I had found the answer to my prayers only to have it taken from me.

I can't even come up with a titles for this post.  I'm not really sure it needs one.  I'll give you a little background info.


I'm 25, the mother of two sweet pre-schoolers and the wife to a hard working husband.  As far back as can remember, I've always been "bigger" than everyone.  Oh how I wish that meant that I was taller.    I was little growing up.  I can remember when it all started too.  And I in no way blame my parents on this but it started when they divorced.  I was raised by a work-aholic father who didn't spend much time at home to cook healthy meals.  My sister graduated high school when I was in the 5th grade so she moved out and went to college and it was just me and dad.


Over the time span of middle school, I transformed.  I grew up and got pretty I guess you can say.  In high school, I was still bigger than my friends.  I was a size 14 and wore a L or sometimes XL.  I could still wear American Eagle petite jeans, I top the height charts at a whopping 5'1", and I was sad that I wasn't a 2 or 0 like my friends but I was active.  I was on the Drumline in marching band and played percussion in the symphonic band.  I hated running but living in Alabama during football season with band practice was a serious workout.  I stayed the same weight all through out high school.


Then I moved to college.  I moved 4 hours away from my comfort zone.  I moved to Knoxville, TN to begin my freshman year at the University of Tennessee.  I was alone.  I spent a lot of time in my dorm room.  I developed new friendships and and still best friends with those two today.  I didn't drink much or party but instead I ate.  I remember living off of pizza rolls and fast food and cafeteria food.  I remember buying my first size 16 denim skirt.  I didn't think anything of it.


Being away from my comfort zone got to me.  For the first time since I was in school I failed.  I was an A-B student in high school and now I was getting F's.  Needless to say, I wasn't allowed to return to UT.  But I was okay with that because at the time I had reconnected with my now Husband who lived in Alabama.


In 2005, we started dating.  In 2006 I was pregnant with our child who was born in 2007.  I gained 60 lbs.  By the time I got pregnant, I was about an 18-20.  I don't know how much I weighed exactly.  I never looked at the scale for the most part.  I just saw it creep up but I was pregnant.  Our son was born in June of 2007 and shortly after, and I like 4 months later, I find out that I am again pregnant with our second child.  That was when I saw the scale tip past 200 for the first time.  I gained 25 more lbs with our daughter who was born in 2008.


I know that I lost some of that weight because I was able to fit back, albeit tightly, into my prepregnancy jeans from our son.


I lost some weight in 2010 but only pretty much due to depression due to the fact that my husband and I were separated and I couldn't function enough to take care of myself and my children so I focused on them.  I didn't lose much but that 2 month separation was killer.


Here I am 2011 weighing in at 254 pounds.  I can wear, depending on the manufacturer, a size 20 or 22 jean and a XL-XXL shirt.  My BMI is 48-49.  That's 1-2 away from "super obese".  Right now, I am classified as "morbidly obese".  That stings.


My family is my reason for change.  My two children are my life and I want to spend as long as I can with them.  I have a history of Heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol  and diabetes in my blood line.


I've tried diets and going to the gym but nothing really helps.


I'm looking at my options for Weight Loss Surgery, or WLS.


This is my story.  This blog is my place to cry, fret and stress over the process of getting approved to start a better life style for not only myself but my family.