NEone here ever have a VBG Converted to RNY?

Hello everyone,

I am new here and I am looking for information on the conversion of the vertical to the RNY.  If anyone here has any info on it at all it would be great.  I had the VBG in 2000.  Starting weight was 429.  got down to 300 or so and bounced between 315-323 now.  When i had my surgery the first time I want the RNY but my surgeon at the time felt it would be better to have the VBG.  I wish i would have waited and gotten a second opinion.  I am planning to see a doc at the health east clinic this time.  I am gonna have to see if he is willing to do the conversion and if my INS company will cover a conversion.  So please any and all info anyone has would be great. 

Thanks I look forward to chatting with people here.

Amy

For a revision, definitely check out the revision board here on OH and also visit the Duodenal Switch ("DS") board! I think you'll like the long-term results of the DS better over the RNY, especially as a revision patient.

Look at Drs. Buchwald and Ikrammudin at the U of M Fairview.

Best wishes.

Also, one of the bariatric nurses with PNC's program has been through exactly what you described, VBG to RNY.   Just last November, in fact.  I'm not entirely comfortable handing out her name, but if you call PNC, they may be able to refer you to her.

Hey Amy, WELCOME...!!  I had a VBG in 1998 and revised to a RNY on 2005.  I went through ST Paul surgeons..  We are here to help..  Go and read my profile that should explain it all.  Good luck with everything..!

Hi Amy!  I had the VBG in 1985, and a revision/repair in 1987.  I'll say that you did much better than I did!  I started the process at 299 and was at 317.5 for my revision last year to a modified DS at the University of Minnesota Fairview with Dr Buckwald.  Because of my TWO surgeries on my stomach, I couldn't find a doctor in the WORLD that would do a complete revision to a DS - they ALL said they could do a revision to an RNY . . . so if that's what you want done, that's the easiest.  BUT, Dr Buckwald, a pioneer in WLS, realized that that the BEST surgery for me was the duodenal switch . . . . despite the fact that he couldn't do a complete revision.  I still have my VBG stomach, just as it's been for 25+ years, but I have the DS intestinal configuration.  I have lost 125 lbs in 10 months!  Don't sell the power of the DS short!  Check out the duodenal switch forum.  You're in the backyard of a world-class DS surgeon - people fly here to have him do revisions!  Dr Ikrammudin is an excellent surgeon, but does not have a lot of DS revision experience (if any) from a VBG.  See Dr Buckwald . . . he does all the major weightloss surgeries and give you the biggest multitude of choices.