Question:
The surgeon I am going to does VBG
and I am getting feedback on other sites that itis NOT the procedure to use. I would appreciate anyone responding who has had VBG already and who can give the pros and/or cons regarding this procedure. — Jeane L. (posted on October 19, 2002)
October 19, 2002
I had an open VBG on Sept. 24th and am down 30 pounds so far. I went with
the VBG because this procedure allows your digestive system to stay in
tact, making it a somewhat less evasive surgery. It works by reducing the
amount of food you can eat rather than your body's ability to obsorb food.
On the negative side, with a VBG you usually do not experience
"dumping syndrome" so you can still eat sugar and may not lose
weight as quickly as with the RNY. Your best bet is to research each
procedure thoroughly and discuss them with your doctor. Each one could work
great depending on you and your individual needs.
— Cheryl B.
October 19, 2002
I had VBG 02/06/02 and I am now 24 lbs. away from my personal goal. The
going has been slower than some. I was a light weight to begin with and it
is true that you don't get dumping with the VBG, so your on your own with
the sweets. But I chose the VBG because it does nothing with the intestines
causing malabsorbtion (which can lead to permanent problems with hair loss
and vitamin deficiencies, which there are ways to combat this, but I didn't
feel I could take that on)AND because the stomach is left in tact and not
separated which means that if I need to have the 'old' stomach looked into
for any reason, they will be able to. With the Roux en Y, the 'old'
stomach cannot be scoped. Since I'm young, a light weight, and I know
myself pretty good, I figured the VBG would be a good choice for me. It
doesn't mean it's right for you or that the Roux en Y is bad. I had
relatively mild complications. I have a ventral hernia from the open
incision and I have a problem with lower intestinal gas that is just the
most foul stuff known to man (namely, my husband). But that's is usually
only if I have indulged in something high in starch, like rice or potatoes,
etc. AKA:not on the diet plan anyways. Other than that, things have been
hunky dory. Good luck.
— Carolynn J.
October 19, 2002
My surgeon specializes in revising VBGs to RNYs. He says 80% of VBGs fail
because its hard to eat good nutritious food but junk food goes down easy
plus theres no malabsorbtion. I encourage you to look into the Lap Band if
you dont want a RNY or other surgery. I wish you and all VBGs the best. My
comments come from hearing the sad failure stories at our support group
meetings.
— bob-haller
October 19, 2002
Hi Jeane, I hate to be on the down side. I had a VBG in '93 at 235 and went
down to 170. I eventually regained it all back within about 5 years and now
weigh 250. I did not receive good teaching or aftercare. As Bob said it
was hard to get good nutritious food down (at least for me). Maybe the
surgery is better now. I am in the process of trying to get a revision to
an RNY. I have been researching for over a year. Physically, I'm not sure
what went wrong. I had an EGD (a scope) done and I have 2 openings into my
stomach, I also now havae GERD and a hiatal hernia. Also I had chronic
erosive gastritis which has been treated with medication. Maybe I am an
exception. I must admit that now I am doing this with the right attitude of
wanting to be healthy and not of just looking good. Please research and
good luck with your decision.
— Kathy B.
October 20, 2002
To learn what the post-VBG lifestyle entails and what you'll need to do to
succeed with it in the long term, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vbg.
To hear from many people who've tried with the VBG and are now seeking the
RNY or the BPD/DS surgeries in order to achieve their weight-loss goals, go
to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Revision and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS-Revision. Good luck.
— Kay B.
October 20, 2002
Hi, definitely go to the yahoo group for vbg. They are very supportive and
will be honest about anything you ask. I am so grateful I found them. I had
no idea how many folks here are seemingly anti-VBG until recently. I
support anyone who chooses whichever surgery suits them the best. I chose
VBG(originaly was going to do the RNY) because of the absorption issue but
other issues as well. Perhaps I am losing slower than an RNY patient from
the same day, but I know I can succeed if I put my mind to it. This tool
will help me.<br>Regardless of what you decide, I wish you the very
best! Make sure you do all your research and get answers to all of your
question.
— Helenjean P.
October 22, 2002
Whoever said that people on this site are anti-VBG is just giving their
opinion. I am not anti-VBG, but I can relay my experience with VBG. I had
it done in 92 when I was 18. I am now scheduled for a revision to the RNY.
My staples have disrupted from my previous surgery and I have a
diaphoretic hernia. I am not blaming all my problems on VBG. I did well
for about 5 years. There are 2 downsides to VBG (in my opinion)...1. the
band they put at the top of the stomach is too small. If you eat a bite
that is too big, it will get stuck causing you to throw up. 2. It doesn't
keep you from making the wrong choices as with the RNY and "dumping
syndrom". I was able to learn to re eat and make wrong choices like
soda. Remember, obesity is a disease like alcholism. You can say you will
never go back, but you can be 100% sure. I swore I would never get over
200# again. I am 290#. Just research wisely and make sure that whatever
choice you make, you can make it successful. Good luck to you. Stephanie
Teal
— Stephanie T.
October 23, 2002
I had the VBG done on April 10, 2002 and as of last week I have lost a
total of 91 pounds. I look at this surgery as a tool, not a cure all. You
do have to watch what you eat. It does take some work on my part to stay
away from sweets and sodas, which I have been doing pretty good so far. It
is easy to revert back to your old eating habits, but you have to have will
power and determination. Good luck with your choice.
— CAROL C.
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