What is Dr. Hornbostle philosophy on Gastric Sleeve

I've been told today that my choice of doctors, Dr. Scott of Columbia, Mo. philosophy on VGS is only if your are mega super morbidly obese and then in a 2 stage operation eventually getting a RNY. I was wondering about the doc from Sedalia and his philosophy, anyone know?

Bob I had VGS with Dr. Scott and I just saw him in March for my 1 year anniversary. Dr. Scott told me at that time that he saw no reason what so ever for me to have the stage 2 surgery. As a matter of FACT (from his own mouth) Dr. Scott said that alot of people that have VGS never do return for the 2 part of the surgery cause it is not needed. Dr. Scott is the first doctor in Missouri that started the VGS. He has done extensive studies on this sugery. And to date I have had no problems what so ever with the VGS. I hope this info help you out and please feel free to email me if you have any questions what so ever!!! God Bless Mel

I attended one of Dr. Hornbostle's seminars and he touched on the VGS, but didn't spend much time on it. I can't say what his thoughts on that is, but he spent most of his time talking about the lapband and RNY. I don't know if this helps any, but I hope that you get the answer that you are looking for. Layla

Dear Bob: This is Dr. Hornbostel. I have been doing laparoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for weight control since 2004, and have had about 60 patients opt for this rather than RNY or sleeve. This was, as Dr. Scott has pointed out, first devised by surgeons in Pittsburgh and New York as a "bailout" procedure for super-obese patients whose abdominal wall or liver precluded safe construction of a complete bypass. What I noted, as did surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic in Jacksonville, FL (Dr. Raul Ramirez's group), is that many patients have such good weight loss with the sleeve, that they refuse the second stage procedure. Our only concern medically is that this operation is so new, that no one knows how DURABLE the weight loss will be (in other words, will the weight start creeping back up after, say, 5 years?). However, even if it does, the patient is still an excellent candidate for completion bypass by laparoscopy! If you are truly interested in sleeve gastroplasty, I would encourage you to attend a free information seminar and ask questions! Best wishes, Phillip M. Hornbostel, M.D.

Wow!!! How cool is that, the actual doctor replies to your question! Thanks Dr. Hornbostle! I'm actually from Sedalia and thought I could have several places to go to recuperate until driving home. Be seeing you, Bob.