For those considering the VSG---

Oh Blue...She gained it all back, and now has to feel crummy? Yikes! I think for all types of WLS or Non-op, we gotta be diligent, and keep our heads on correctly, get counseling if needed, whatever it takes...Sometimes when I see the term "stomach stapling" it turns out to be like a VGB...Hmmm....

Well...I know she did not have any bands anywhere...she had staples (which accumulated a lot of scar tissue and she had a lot of problems with the staples) and I know she had strictures that required hospital visits  which required a tube down her throat (traumatises her to this day lol).  She also has the intestinal bypass. Im not sure why ppl say its diff than the RNY of  nowadays   Since gaining back her weight, which occured within 5 years of her WLS, she has become a chronic dieter, binger, obsessive weigher, fad dieter, it sometimes drives me nuts!  She did tell me that back in the day when she had her WLS, there was not very much dietary support for her, nor were there many support groups.  She still has crappy eating habits, she will starve herself to lose weight. There is no on between for her. No happy medium. You are very right when you say that not only do we have to keep our heads on straight, but to also get counselling.  "Obesity is a symptom of an underlying emotional issue".....how do you feel about this statement?

Hi again Blue, Hey we are havin our own (not so private) conversation here eh?   I did mean VBG...Oppps :)  I've read some posts saying the VBG isn't done much anymore, but thats not true here (Sac, CA.).  I was trying to find a in network doc to do the VSG, and came across a surgeon who does the VBG along with the standard others, but not VSG. Your friend's does sound like the RNY, I wonder what her medical records say?

As for that statement, how do I feel about it? Hmmm, I think from all the research/posts I've read, WLS patients I've talked to, its such a combo of things.  For some it can be straight up underlying emotional issues, for others a whole slew of things like stress, abuse, heredity, havin babies ect...How do you feel about it?

Ah!  I just noticed that you wrote VGB and not VBG!  K, when I read up on VGB, it seems so similar to the RNY...what is the difference between the two?

Well, having babies would make the most well adjusted of us gain weight, yes, lol!   I tend to think that yes, obesity is a symptom of  emotional issues. I do include stresses, abuse, lonliness, depression, low self esteem,  voids of any kind in a person's life. Food comforts us and we often use food to fill whatever void we have in our lives. I didnt have a prom date, but I did have my trusty bucket of KFC and my tv remote!  How many of us have drowned our sorrows in a bucket of ice cream? No need for bowls even...spoon and bucket, lol.  So yes, i believe that obesity is a symptom.  Hmmm..we should take a poll on this maybe? I would be curious to hear others' responses. People would have to get really honest with themselves before answering the question though. I know I had to.   I wont rule out genes though. I have fat in the exact same places as my mother! Same body type. But then again...it was her that fed me, taught me her habits...so  I also have 2 older sisters that are and have always been stick thin!!! *****es.

Thats ok Blue...I have an identical twin who is not obese! Go figure!

I have been ease dropping on your guy's conversation.  I haven't been very informed about the duodenal switch.  I do remember that my surgeon does the procedure but he had only done one compared to about a thousand of the Lap-Band, so I went with that.  He had a good point saying that there always has to be a first and second...and so on, but I wasn't so desperate about my weight to think it justisfied the risk.  Now I wonder if I would have been happier with it.  There is so much adjusting, and trying to figure out what works, with the Lap-Band. I thought I had a good idea of what to expect after the LB surgery, but I didn't and there's no way you could, because the experience varies so much person to person. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, so could you please tell me what procedure you had and rate your sucess on it? I chose not to have the RNY because I didn't like the idea of having my insides rerouted, the risks, and the dumping.  When I was younger raising four kids alone with no family to help, I had a lot of IBS and dumping and the pain was horrible.  I couldn't deliberately do that to myself.  It would have been completely crazy!!!! asit is, since I had the Lap-Band I have IBS about three times a week with a fair amount of pain.  I don't know why; I hope to be able to figure it out.  Anyone with the Lap- band start to have IBS pain? Well, I hope you write back, I'm interested in your take on things.