I'm 35. 4' 10 1/2"  I started at 240.  I have PCOS and was borderline diabetic along with depression and sleep apnea.  I don't know what MGB stands for? is it major gastric bypass?

I had the VSG on 11/12/2008.  I am currently 178 lbs.  The VSG is suppose to be less invasive with less issues of malabsorption.  I chose it for those reasons even though there are less studies of people sustaining weight loss since it's considered a relatively new procedure.  Does your insurance cover it?  Mine did not but they would cover a gastric bypass.  You should start going to support groups to listen to what people have to say about their after surgery lives.  I was surprised about what I hadn't read that people talked about or came to know first hand.  The support groups before my surgery were quite helpful.  Sometimes you people don't always say what issues they have come up against until you are sitting there for an hour and someone else mentions it then everyone starts discussing their experience of it.

I didn't like the idea of all the vitamins and supplements that had to be taken on a daily basis or the bloodwork that needs to be done every three months or so with the gastric bypass. 

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have had surgery.  Lots of things we don't think about happening that you are surprised about later.  You have consider what your life is like right now.  What are your habits right now because it's a major learning curve.  Everyone is different but there are some basics that go across the board.  Examples, say goodbye to gum chewing because accidentally swallowing can land you in the ER; no more carbonated drinks ever; no more non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications which are often used to help ease menstrual cramping whether a period occurs or not.  I've also been told that salads are a waste of time for me to eat which I loved salads.  I would take my salad dry so none of the calorie increased salad dressings were involved.  

Now one positive of the VSG is that you don't get the cravings because a portion of the stomach is removed which has a hormone that induces those cravings.  However, it's important to have some schedule of eating as you may not notice that you need to eat until it's been to long.  Go to the other boards of with the surgery types and read more up on what people are saying. 

Good luck with your choice.  You can pm me in time.  Best Wishes, Corina

I too have PCOS.  I had the VSG almost 3 months ago.  I had a period immediately Thanksgiving and Christmas but January I missed.  I was hopeful to have it start being regular but it could be due to stress that I have endured from the surgery.  I have an inflamed stomach and my bowels won't move unless I force them too and even that takes several days.  The inflamed stomach was most likely pre-existing in my mind but the bowel movements was something new to me.  I chose the VSG because it was less invasive the issue is that it is non-reversible. There is no turning back.  I went through a major buyer's remorse stage but now I'm just okay with it.  My reasons for doing the surgery was that I had heard that it would help my diabetes, depression, and gave me hope of having children someday.  The getting thinner was a plus which has kept me sane since I've been in so much pain (stomach & intestines) since the surgery.  It's my comfort. I have heard you can upgrade to other surgeries but it's my thought you wouldn't need to.  I suppose it depends where your BMI is.  I have read that the higher BMI use the VSG then go to gastric bypass if needed.  I was 240 now I'm 178.  It feels good to be able to move around more easily. I'm 35.  I haven't ever been told I've been going through menopause but my mother didn't go through it until she was 52.  I've read studies that show that you can gauge your menopause on when your mother has gone through it.  Not sure if any of this helps.  Best wishes, Corina

Hi
I am new.......I had surgery 10/7/08. I have lost 20 lbs. but I am getting discouraged. I have the realize band and I have had 4 fills and am at 6.5cc. I still have not felt "full" yet. I know I can't eat as much as I used to but I am just getting frustrated. I have been exercising but not as regular as I could. I have a very busy job where I am on my feet all day.....I guess I wondered what everyone's rate of loss is and what you eat on a daily basis. I try real hard to not snack in between meals but I can't just eat 2-3 1/2 c. meals a day. Any advice, stories..........I am 5'5'' and started at 243lbs. Any advice or success stories would be aprreciated...........

I had a severe case of PCOS with no peroids...I would recomend the GB. The GB  has given me a new life...and a peroid every month since. I consider it a miracle.

Thank you for your post of your problems that you had no clue what was the cause.  I would have hated not to know why I had so many of the same symptoms you have had.  I'm seriously considering RNY surgery, and you've given me another reason to go for it now when I'm in my 30s.  I really think it is the only solution for long term health. 

I have gone through the same fertility problems and the same responses from doctors.  I self-diagnosed when I was in my early 20s, and the first time I mentioned it to a doctor, she agreed with me as if she had told me that I had PCOS a long time ago.  Doctors still don't understand and can be very insensitive and very blaming of us like we do it on purpose.   Good luck on your journey.