Question:
Has anyone had a sucessful vbg surgery, only sucessful need answer

Hi my name is tricia , I am having my vbg surgery on june 27th, I was wondering if anyone has had a sucessful vbg surgery, I have heard lots about the rny surgery, but find the after effects more critical then with the vbg, wich is why I chose this one, has anyone else chose this surgery and are you doing well? thank you. tricia    — Tricia B. (posted on June 3, 2001)

June 3, 2001
I had the open vbg Nov 14/00 and the only complication I've had is my gallbladder developed stones. That took another open surgery to remove, but I've healed well. I was 270 lbs when I had surgery and I am now 169 lbs. That's a loss of 101 lbs or 88% of my excess weight. My surgeon sees no reason why I shouldn't hit my goal of 155 lbs or lower. I also personally know several long term successes who have maintained goal wt for over a decade. One is 12 years, one is 14 years, and the other is 16 years post op. They all excercise..watch what they eat..do not graze...don't overeat..and eat slowly. I also know several vbg'ers who have regained or are regaining due to self admitted persistence to eating junk food, grazing, overeating, and not excercising. I drink alot of water everyday.....80-100ozs....and I do a variety of physical things like walking/jogging, deep water running, cardio workouts, and weights. This is only because I get bored with only one kind of excercise. I too was concerned with the complications of rny.....granted we too have our own complications like stapleline disruption or band slippage.......but I also know that nothing lasts forever and sooner or later needs fixing....a replaced hip for example, or a pacemaker.....<p> the rny has their own unique complications and I urge you NOT to listen to the negativity that comes from this list in regards to our success outcome....Stick to the plan...do what you must...seek help in overcoming the emotional aspect of eating and do not put the things into your house that got you to the surgeon in the first place. Same thing when you go out to eat...choose wisely. I plan on doing this for life. HUGS to you and much luck on your upcoming surgery! <p> A friend,
   — Jo C.

June 3, 2001
Tricia, I had my VBG on 5/31/00. So, I'm just over a year post op. I have had a very good outcome. I'm down 130 pounds from a starting weight of 314. My BMI has gone from 46 to 26. I'm within 10 pounds of not being "overweight" by the BMI calculation. I haven't had any complications at all, and I have only thrown up about 4 times in the last year. I have a friend here on this site who had a distal RNY one day before me. We were approimately the same size / height when we started. We have stayed within 10 pounds of each other the entire year and at one year post op we are still within 10 pounds of each other. So, you can lose just as fast with a VBG as an RNY. With all surgeries though, the real test is down the road. They all require hard work and dedication. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
   — BethVBG

June 3, 2001
I had open vbg 11/1/00. I'm down 80 pounds and counting. I could be less but I have given in to the sugar demon and have been eating vanilla wafers. I am working hard to avoid the sugar. I have not regained any weight, but my loss has slowed drastically. Other than the cookies which I know are bad, I don't eat any bread products. No pasta, no bread, no tortillas, no rice, no potatoes, no pizza. I do eat ground meat, cheese and ham for protein. I have only had 3 instances of vomiting. Twice from beef that was too tough and once from chicken I didn't chew well enough. I have had several instances of having something "stuck" for a few minutes. This caused a very uncomfortable feeling in my chest and a feeling like I needed to burp. {Which I couldn't). Usually when this happens I start walking and doing something physical and in a few minutes it goes on through. Sometimes I wonder if I'd done the RNY that I might have the dumping sensation and therefore avoid sugar. At the time I made the choice I wasn't willing to completely forego the sugar. But now I know I can do without a lot of foods that I thought I couldn't live without. Such as cokes. I haven't had a coke since Oct 24, 2000. I haven't died yet! Another reason I chose the VBG was because of the vitamin absorbtion. I chew 2 Flinstones Complete daily. That's all my surgeon said I would need. I have had hair loss and am still losting some hair, but I think it is slowing down and I see new growth. Yes, I would do this again in a heartbeat. I love wearing a size 12. And being called "skinny"! Good luck to you!
   — marciejayne

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