Converting from LapBand to RNY Bypass???

Hello all, After what I thought was much deliberation and research (over 2 years worth)...I decided to go with lap-band surgery on 3/26/07. I have since been regretting this decision...not because of BPing, or vomiting or slippage, but because I really want to lose much more weight than I believe the band will allow for me.  So, my question is - has anyone here actually converted from AGLB to RNY bypass/DS/VGB? I am specifically interested in knowing how long you had to wait after getting the band before you were allowed to convert to bypass.

Hi Z, Hey, go on the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, and there are several on that board who have done just that.  For one reason or another, they had the band removed, and the VSG procedure done.  Hope this helps!  Hugs to you!

I'm a lap band to RNY revision and couldn't be more happy I don't know if your insurance will cover a revision just because you're a "slow loser". My revision was covered because I had a slipped band with some erotion I would start things if you're really positive you want a revsion by calling your insurance company and finding out if they will cover a revision based on the facts you stated here. Good luck with your revision quest.

Hi Jane, Thanks for the support and OMG.......band erosion AND slippage after only 3 years??? Now, I'm really wishing I had chosen RNY to begin with.

In the nicest way possible, I want to say that I hope you don't end up wishing you had chosen the DS to begin with.  Ya might wanna go over to the DS board and talk to all the folks over there who have revised from both the band and the RNY to the DS..  The statistics are the best, and It might save an extra surgery for you, ya never know!  good luck!

I'm preop, but want to get a DS.  They love new folks like us to come over to their board and ask questions.  We've got several that have revised from the band and from RNY as well.  They DS has the statistically strongest numbers in long term weight loss and is definitely worth looking into.  Good luck to you.

My mom had the forerunner of the VSG back in the early 70's and the side effect was WEIGHTLOSS.  She had most of her stomach removed due to severe ulcers and back then surgery was the treatment.  Mom was over 200lbs, dieted all the time only to regain.  She hasn't regained in over 30 years now and has very few problems although she has to take something for constipation (sometimes) or TUMS (sometimes).  She's now 66 and healthy as a horse, doctors can't believe she's not on any medications!!  The VSG is restrictive and doesn't change your colon, just the removal of a large part of your stomach which is also done in the RNY and DS.  Actually the VSG is the first part of the DS.  After removal of most of the stomach, the stretchy part, what's left resembles a banana in shape.  RNY patients tend to run risks of ulcers in the tiny pouch.  Also they still have the other part of the stomach left in. VSG doesn't.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am going back to my doctor on January 4th for a post-fill update and will discuss the possibilities of converting from band to RNY. I've checked his website, and it looks like he only performs lap-band, RNY bypass, and the Fobi pouch procedures. I don't see anything about DS or VGB on his website, but I will ask him to make sure.

DS surgeons in GEORGIA

Conyers

Donald Maynard, MD
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Donna Edwards
Phone: 770-602-1292
Surgical Associates of Metro Atlanta, LLC
1309 Milstead Ave.
Conyers, Ga 30013
http://www.samabariatrics.com

Marietta

* Dennis C. Smith, Jr., MD, FACS (photo)
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 770-919-7050
Fax: 770-919-7051
Advanced Obesity Surgery, LLC
780 Canton Road, Suite 320
Marietta, GA 30060
www.advancedobesitysurgery.com

VSG and VGB are two different procedures! VSG is where the stretched out part of the stomach is removed leaving a banana shaped 'tube' behind.  Many have been very sucessful with it!