I'm so sorry you are going through all that. Somebody needs to stop him from doing that procedure. I have been drinking the protein powder as well, even with the revision, because I can only eat about 2 tablespoons of food. What a cheap date!!!!   I'm afraid that without that powder I would not get enough protein. A hamburger minus the bun would feed me for 4 meals. Anyway what protein powder are you using? I have been using the whey chocolate. Even though it is good I am REALLY sick of choc.  Anybody have any different idea's that are tasty. My husband usually makes me a double in the morning and I sip it all day. If I win lotto I'll send you the money for the revision. I know how awful you feel and the frustration not to mention how snotty they are at the office.   Hang in there.  Tammey

hello im new to obesityhelp my name is jessica im 32, i just found a dr now im waiting for the insurance approvle, im not sure which surgery i want , if i may ask which one did you go with and why?

I had VBG surgery i***** by Dr. Joseph Cullen who was a physician in Dr. Mason's clinic.  I had ok results at first but over the years it has deteriorated.  I have serious issues with foods, one day I will eat something that digests fine, and the next I will eat the same thing and be sick as a dog.  I am finding more and more things undigested (such as spinach in bowel material).  I also have thrown up regularly and have serious erosion of my teeth. 

I had absolutely NO followup after about 6 months out and even after contacting Dr. Cullen about two years ago, was told that the VBG is no longer done there and if I wanted any followup it would need to be at another hospital. 

Needless to say, I feel that many of my issues with malnutrition and digestive problems (including having my gallbladder out and then a further stay in the hospital with more gallstones and acute pancreatitis) have caused other severe health problems like exacerbation of arthritis and Fibromyalgia.  I am also now having issues with Thrombocytopenia and Fatty Liver.  

I think it is very insentitive for web sites to say that one of the complications is related to us eating high calorie foods such as ice cream when sometimes those are the only things we can digest without throwing up. 

I do not feel I have had adequate care or followup for this procedure and that it has caused serious problems to my body.  I am hoping to get some resolution soon.  I am being seen in the same digestive disease clinic at UIHC in July and I am going to be persistant that some type of post operative evaluation or testing be done since I am over 15 years post op and things have gotten worse to the point where I am unable to work and am permanently disabled.

It is nice to know that another person has had similar problems with the same surgery from the same hospital and set of doctors, including the one who originally came up with VBG surgery but went on to be quoted as saying "Bariatric surgery still does not have sufficient data from enough patients with any procedure to say which operation is best. I am concerned about the goals of surgeons and patients and their level of interest in what really goes on inside the body after alterations of the anatomy. I am concerned about the focus on the superficial and results from the first year with a lack of concern about how life will be affected when patients are 10 and 20 years older." from http://obesitysurgery-info.com/masonpromvgb.htm

Good for you. I wish you the best of luck. I was really afraid of having the revision done, but it is the best thing ever. I commend you on looking at all the different options available to you!!! Good luck, keep us posted.  Tammey

I had pretty much the same experience. I had a revision done on the 26th  of April by Dr. Tishler in Hartford CT. I feel GREAT. Word needs to get out to stay away from the VBG. It is a poor surgical choice. My doc explained to me why  bascially the VBG was stopped in the mid 90's. Good luck to you.  Tammey