HAD REVISION FROM VBG/87 TO LAPBAND/06

I had the VBG back in 1987, in Toronto with Dr. Dietel.  I went from 260 lbs. down to 113 lbs. and with a lot of work was able to maintain for a few years afterwards.  But alas by 2006, I was weighing in at 251 lbs.   I still would get pain if I ate too much but would then go and throw it up and be ready to eat more.  I felt like a big fat failure!   I definitely had stretched out my pouch though luckily I never experienced any  other problems. Anyways I finally went to a consult with a surgeon who does Lapband surgery that my family doctor told me about.  I brought in all my medical notes pertaining to my VBG and after going for some tests my doctor told me I was an excellent candidate.  He also made me realize that I wasn't to blame for my staples separating because over the years it was shown that the success rate was low for those with VBG.  The surgery is no longer performed at all in Canada (as far as I know) because the staples separating was very common after the first year or two. Anyways I am now almost 18 mths. since being banded and I am feeling great!  Down from 251 day of surgery to 133 now and only 8 lbs. left to reach my goal of 125.  The reason I went with lapband which cost me $16,000 was because I knew the aftercare included fills to help me keep restriction.  Another bonus is that since being banded I cannot vomit at the drop of a hat which is great.  Mind you the odd time I get major pain from eating too much or something I can't digest I would love to throw up but since I can't it keeps me from getting back into unhealthy eating patterns. I hope that the surgeons have altered the VBG procedure so those having it now are more successful and you are also fortunate because back when I had mine 20 yrs. ago there was no support out there, you were basically on your own. Best wishes,  

Donna, Thank you for posting your story.  I was recently banded and haven't had my first fill yet, so it's inspiring to know that you went through the same ordeal and have been so succussful.

I had the same eating patterns of eating until I was stuck...making myself throw up, and going back to food.  This will definitely be a lifestyle change, as I've been doing it for so long. Thank you for the encouragement that we 'past VBGr's' have some hope with a band. Cathy

 

Hi Cathy,

My surgeon has done several revisions from VBG to Lapband with no problems.  Mind you I seem to be one of the strange ones who can't vomit afterwards (but I am not complaining.)  Keep in mind too that sometimes it takes awhile to find your sweet spot which is the right amount of restriction.  It took me 5 fills over 4 months to first get to my sweet spot.  Everyone is different but basically I had to diet until then.  Also remember that the band is slower weight loss but I am sooo thrilled with it and feel it was well worth the $16,000 I had to pay. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing! 

 

Hi Cathy can you answer this question?  My understanding is that when I had the VBG not only was the pouch made smaller with stapling but the surgeon put a small trap (?) at the opening from the esophagus to the stoma - did you have that too to slow down the food ?  If so I wonder if it is still there and what it is made of exactly.

I also had VBG in 1987, just before my 17th birthday.  I initially lost some weight, but didn't keep it off long.  For years I felt that if major surgery didn't help me lose weight, nothing would.  I guess I had given up. I recently decided to see about Lap-band after talking to a friend, and I am having an endoscopy next week to see what's what in my stomach.  I'm really getting excited about the possibilities, and I'm glad to read how well the Lap-Band is working for you! Thanks for sharing! Michele

Michelle let us know how you make out with your endoscopy!

I am constantly amazed by the wide spectrum of personal experiences I've found on this site. I was banded on 3/26/07 and am really wishing I'd gone with RNY bypass to begin with. After being banded for 8 months, I'm only down 41 pounds and I've already had 5 fills...I'm currently at 3.5 cc's in a 4 cc band and still have very little restriction. I've heard other people say the 4cc band will hold WAY more than that, but I'm afraid of erosion and slippage. My original lapband surgeon was very conservative with fills, and I decided to change bariatric doctors in October. I am now under the care of Dr. Scott Steinberg at Dekalb Medical Center and I am hoping we will be able to convert to RNY bypass in 2008.

Unless you are at proper restriction there is no way the band will work.  Before you proceed further with a possible revision I strongly advice getting a higher fill level.  Erosion and slippage are actually very rare and at this point you need to get restriction.  Is the doctor you are under the care of now a lapband doctor?  Have they done any testing to make sure your band actually has 3.5 cc's in it and there is no leaks?  Again I know many others who have the smaller band like you and have had to go to almost highest level to reach their sweet spot. 

 

Best wishes,

My surgeon does a modified VBG.  Instead of using  staples, he literally cut out 3/4 of my stomach.  It's basically a VSG (i.e., a "sleeve") with a permanent band for restriction.  I realize I'm still a newbie (not quite 5 months out) but I do believe this will provide long-term benefits without the complications you seem to have had. In my short amount of time, I've lost 109 lbs and gone from size 54 pants down to 38s.  --Eric

Hey Eric that is awesome!