NEED ADVICE on revisional surgery for Vertical Banded Gastroplasty done in 1990. Thanks

Hello. I am so happy I found this website. I would like to hear from anyone who has had a bariatric revision from Vertical Banded Gastroplasty to another type of WLS. I am in the beginning stages of considering a revision surgery. Update: I started working on my profile. Thanks for all who have replied. Your words of encouragement are appreciated and comforting to me. Here is my info:

March 1990- Weighed 232lbs at 5'3"

March 1990- Have open vertical banded gastroplasty surgery done.

September 1990- Lose 80lbs

April 1993- Got married 

September 93- Have a son gaining 60lbs

August 94- Have daughter gaining 40lbs

February 2008- Weight at 260lbs and can't get below that. Stuck.

I'm pretty sure my pouch has stretched as I can eat normal portions. Struggle to lose a pound or two. My metabolism is very slow.

I now have severe obstructive sleep apnea.

High Triglicerides

Ulcertive Colitis.

I am 42 and want my health back.

If you have any input at all from all perspective...patient or doctor etc...I would greatly appreciate 
it.

I am in northern delaware.

Thanks !

You might want to try posting this on the Revisions board.  They would be better suited to replying.  Also, this board doesn't get much traffic, so you won't get a lot of people seeing it.  Good luck in your journey! Kathy

I too am a VBGer (1985) and recently found this site while researching some problems I am having. If you go to "Forums" and then "More Forums" there is a VBG section that does have some posts about folks who have had revisions as well.  I hope that is the answer for you. It sounds like you have really struggled. Please keep me posted and know I am here if there is anything I can do. Hugs, Mary Anne

Hi there!    First let me say that I am having my VBG with sleeve on March 18th.  I am anxiously awaiting the day.   I have found a great team of doctors in Vienna, Virginia.  They know their stuff!!!!  I only wish my daughter 2 yrs ago could have met up with this group.  She had a RNY done in Baltimore and even though she has done well, she could have done probably better with this group and their many options on surgery.   I can give you the number to the group if you would like to check it out and see what revision could be done for you.   I weigh 217 and am 5'1.   I feel this is the right surgery for me.  I am anxious and yes a little nervous.   Deep down though I know it is "right".  I have read so many postings and actually got myself all worked up at the right surgery after reading posts on the VSG sites.  I am having the VBG with sleeve gastrectomy.  The band is going to be set at 50 verses the normal at 40 or 60.  I chose this size due to it being the size of a nickle verses a dime and hopefully food will go through much easier.   I eat very fast and take HUGE bites so this is going to be difficult for me to change.   I think with me having to take my time to eat, maybe my family will learn to slow down.   You don't realize just how much or fast you eat until you pay such close attention.   I am trying to work on that now, so that in 4 weeks from today, I won't have it so rough.   I do worry at that and trying to get all the protein and fluids in.   I am not a big drinker on any given day and to know that I will need LOTS bothers me.   I hope to find great support on here now that I know I am not alone.   Like I said, I visited the VSG site and they all tell me to avoid the VBG site and surgery.........yikes!!!!   Please keep in touch........I live in Southern Maryland---

I had a VBG in 1999.  I lost 136 pounds and slowly began regaining the weight.  I finally got up the guts (hehe) to check into revision.  I am 12 days out from my surgery, and so far so good!!  I'm not sorry at all!!  I can't wait to get my life & health back!!  If you'd like to chat, or need a "buddy" feel free to PM me!!

I had a VBG 9/21/05 and a revision to RNY 3/6/08 due to complications. I am back home and just started my full liquids today.  

I had my VBG in 1998. Lost about 80 lbs, never got to goal and then in 2004 started gaining. I had my first appointment today with the surgeon's office and I'm up almost 50 lbs. from my weight loss.  I also had 2 kids in the year in between. I have a packet of tests I have to schedule to take i.e. Upper GI, u/s of gall bladder, chest x-ray, sleep apnea. Dr said that if I have medical complications like a staple line disruption I should have no problems getting insurance approval... Hopefully I'm back on my journey for the final time.

I had  a VBG done 10 years ago and lost 130lbs and gained 110lbs back..... 6 months ago i had a revision done to a RNY so far i'm done 97lbs and feel great! I did have complications due to the fact i had a open vbg and had a tummy tuck and then had a open revision so the Doc had to cut thru alot of thick tissue i could've had it done lap but they noticed i had gallstones so my gall bladder had to be removed that saved me from having another surgery a couples months down the road ..let me tell you it's so weird to not puke after eating meat i did that 10 years of my life i'm still hesitant to try different meats cause i'm scared it will get stuck.i have never eaten so much steak in my life i forgot what it tasted like until i had this revision done  my kids find it weird that i don't run to the washroom anymore during dinner ....I love my Revision and would go thru it all over again regardless the pain. Best Luck to ya ! Lyne

Lyne, I also had a vbg 12 years ago, and lost 105 lbs. but gained 40 back. I never got to goal as I am 5'2" and only got to 170.  I have developed several problems and now have to decide on reversal, or revision to rny. I also have the meat problem, so I am low on protein. Are you really able to eat meat and not run  to the bathroom? I just can't imagine. Reading some on here, it sounds like people have to constantly worry about their protein. Is getting it in and taking all the supplements hard? Thanks. Kim C

Hey there neighbor!  I'm not too far away from you in northern Maryland!

I had a VBG i***** (worst mistake I ever made) and got revised to the DS in Feb. of 2007.  I have lost 140 pounds and I'm at goal!! YIPPPEE!!

I highly recommed the DS but be sure to pick a revision that will work best for you.  Do your homework.  My Dr. Vanguri was WONDERFUL and I'm very pleased with my results!  I have heard that Michael Switzer (sp?) at Johns Hopkins is good also.