Question:
Has anyone had Gastoplasty instead of the bypass?

I had to have gastroplasty instead of the bypass due to small intestine complications. Is it just as successful? I am scared I won't lose weight. Please read my last posting in my profile for all the informations and complications. I would love to hear from everyone! Thanks.    — nvgirl (posted on July 28, 2001)

July 28, 2001
Linda, welcome to the group of Vertical Banded Gastroplasty! This can be a very successful weight loss surgery; it can also fail. Like with all of the surgeries, you will have to take an active role in making that success happen. I had my VBG on 5/31/00. I started at 314 pounds and I had lost 100 pounds by New Year's Day. As of today, I'm down 136 pounds. My original goal was to weigh less than my husband, however, I only have 2 more pounds to go to get to that one and I can already wear all of his clothes, including his 34 inch waist Wranglers. I think I will adjust my goal downward another 10 or 15 pounds with an eye toward weighing what I did in junior high school! There is a yahoogroups email list for VBGer's you might want to join. Good luck girl, and by the way, I looked at your profile and you are BEAUTIFUL!!
   — BethVBG

July 28, 2001
One of our local fellas had your experience. Badly installed mesh from a hernia years before & his intestines were just all stuck. Same choice or VBG. So, after his hopes, being a large fella, he was so depressed & crushed....... But I will tell you this. At 2 years post-op, he has followed the program exactly as if he had gotten the magic ring. He takes 60g of protein supps a day, avoids milk & sugar like the plague and eats six 1-oz meals a day. He has lost all his weight, is maintaining without vomiting or "suffering" or dieting, his color & hair and all are GREAT. You'd never know he woke up with a broken heart. He just made it his focus to treat himself as if he was GOING to get the prize and to date, he HAS. Happily ever after!
   — vitalady