VBG revision
Hi!
I had a VBG in 1988 at age 20. I was 5'10" and weighed over 250lbs. and it was the best thing I ever did. I watched 75lbs. melt off my body in 6 months then plateaued. I did Jenny Craig and lost 20 more lbs. I didn't exercise at all. Of course, as per usual with VBG, certain foods and large pills would get "stuck" from time to time and I'd have to purge.
By 1994 I was back up to about 180lbs., then started walking 2 miles a day and drinking fruit smoothies and by late 1995 was down to 140lbs. I was also in an emotionally abusive relationship and didn't eat much for a few years. At one point in early 1998, I actually got down to 121lbs. which I LOVED but even I recognized it was "too thin" and unsustainable.
I then gained back to a healthy 140lbs. where I stayed without effort, and could eat anything I wanted. Until 2006. With no change in diet or activity level, I suddenly gained 25lbs. and nothing I did enabled me to lose them.
I am now 41 years old and have gained 50lbs since December (it is now 7/09) and am at a shocking and depressing 210lbs. despite cutting down portions, cutting out fried stuff, and exercising. Food no longer seems to get stuck and it's freaking me out. I take two daily "horse pills," a vitamin and an amino acid complex, that would have had me stuck for days in the past, and now they slide right through.
I am concerned that my band has broken down and don't know what to do about it. I have been unemployed and uninsured since September 2007 so I can't afford to consult a bariatric surgeon. Has anyone else had experience with band breakdown and/or stubborn weight gain that, even with herculean effort, refuses to budge?
I appreciate any information anyone has to share, especially if there are any surgeons online who might be able to advise. Thanks so much and good health to all!
I had a VBG in 1988 at age 20. I was 5'10" and weighed over 250lbs. and it was the best thing I ever did. I watched 75lbs. melt off my body in 6 months then plateaued. I did Jenny Craig and lost 20 more lbs. I didn't exercise at all. Of course, as per usual with VBG, certain foods and large pills would get "stuck" from time to time and I'd have to purge.
By 1994 I was back up to about 180lbs., then started walking 2 miles a day and drinking fruit smoothies and by late 1995 was down to 140lbs. I was also in an emotionally abusive relationship and didn't eat much for a few years. At one point in early 1998, I actually got down to 121lbs. which I LOVED but even I recognized it was "too thin" and unsustainable.
I then gained back to a healthy 140lbs. where I stayed without effort, and could eat anything I wanted. Until 2006. With no change in diet or activity level, I suddenly gained 25lbs. and nothing I did enabled me to lose them.
I am now 41 years old and have gained 50lbs since December (it is now 7/09) and am at a shocking and depressing 210lbs. despite cutting down portions, cutting out fried stuff, and exercising. Food no longer seems to get stuck and it's freaking me out. I take two daily "horse pills," a vitamin and an amino acid complex, that would have had me stuck for days in the past, and now they slide right through.
I am concerned that my band has broken down and don't know what to do about it. I have been unemployed and uninsured since September 2007 so I can't afford to consult a bariatric surgeon. Has anyone else had experience with band breakdown and/or stubborn weight gain that, even with herculean effort, refuses to budge?
I appreciate any information anyone has to share, especially if there are any surgeons online who might be able to advise. Thanks so much and good health to all!
Hey Sylacauga! I am a Bham nurse now in Atlanta.
My understanding is that a revision is a 2nd surgery. It can reverse the first surgery (like take out staples from VBG) or modify/change your first surgery into another.
I also had a VBG w/silastic ring ,back in 1986 (Dr Laws @ Carraway). I never lost much from 280 to 230.
I am now on an educated search for a revision to a DS. It is hard to find a doctor who will do this revision after an open procedure. Most doctors are offering RNY only. Other doc's do everything laproscopically and won't operate on a previous open surgery patient. I have researched Atlanta, TN, SC etc without much success in finding an MD experienced at this.
If anyone has any surgeon names that revise open VBG to DS, please post them, or send them my way.
Good Luck and let me know if I can offer you any info.
Thanks
My understanding is that a revision is a 2nd surgery. It can reverse the first surgery (like take out staples from VBG) or modify/change your first surgery into another.
I also had a VBG w/silastic ring ,back in 1986 (Dr Laws @ Carraway). I never lost much from 280 to 230.
I am now on an educated search for a revision to a DS. It is hard to find a doctor who will do this revision after an open procedure. Most doctors are offering RNY only. Other doc's do everything laproscopically and won't operate on a previous open surgery patient. I have researched Atlanta, TN, SC etc without much success in finding an MD experienced at this.
If anyone has any surgeon names that revise open VBG to DS, please post them, or send them my way.
Good Luck and let me know if I can offer you any info.
Thanks
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