Why so negative about the VBG?

I don't often visit the VBG message board, but I was very surprised to find so much negativity about this type of surgery! I read so many posts about the VBG being only good for 5 years, that people with VBG's usually have revisions, etc.  I don't get it! I had it done more than 4 years ago and have kept off the weight with little problem. I know far more people with the RNY who've had revisions than the VBG, and maybe because the RNY is more popular. But I wonder where the accountibility is for the surgery? I still stick with the same rules I was taught at the beginning of this journey, I exercise, I eat right, I eat until I'm full and stop, I drink my fluids, etc.  I guess I went into this surgery thinking that everything else I tried didn't work because I didn't stick with it. This surgery was going to change my life for the rest of my life. And I was going to follow the program for the rest of my life.  I want to know for anyone who isn't having long term success, where do you think you went wrong or changed for the better? I want to learn these things and I want to be aware. I swear I don't judge anyone, but educating myself is something I like to do, as well as share with others contemplating surgery.  Can you help me understand? Thanks!

I think there's a lot of misinformation about the current VBG process.  In the old days, they'd staple your stomach and send you home.  The staples would come out and you'd be back where you started.  Now, the stomach is cut and stapled, then banded, so no chance of it going back to the way it was.  I constantly find myself explaining that to people who don't understand.  As with any surgery, it's only as good as YOU want it to be.  Any surgery will work if you follow the rules, and any surgery will fail if you don't follow the rules.  I know this doesn't explain from my personal experience why it may fail, since I haven't failed.  But I hope it conveys my opinion of why people THINK VBG has a high failure rate.  Keep up the good work! Kathy

I agree. The misinformation far outweighs the current. I speak for my doctor every month for his informational seminars and i mentioned it to him. He also said that there have been so many advancements in it as well. But with any surgery, people have found a way to "trick" their bodies and eating habits and are able to eat more and eat the foods that should be very limited (soda, ice cream, etc) especially the highest calorie ones. With any surgery, it only works as well and as long as we make it!  Thanks!

For me, I had the VBG 21 years ago at the age of 15.  My experiece with it was terrible.  Again, it was 21 years ago though.  I'm sure much has changed since 1987.  I personally hated having the VBG and think it was the biggest mistake I ever made.  I was too young to understand what I was getting myself into.  I became highly addicted to carbs as I couldn't manage to keep meat down and certain fruits and veggies, or else it would get "stuck."  I threw up on a regular basis for 21 years.  I became a grazer, pretty much, and gained all of my weight back plus another 100 pounds on top of that.  I'm sure the procedure has changed, but for me, it was a terrible experience.  Back in April, I had a revision to the DS and I'm doing great.  No more throwing up or foods getting stuck, etc.  I'm very happy.  I hope the best for you and much success! Take care,  Stephanie 

I was very happy with my weight loss with my VBG, until it went wrong. I ended up with a gastric  outlet obstruction and a  huge hital hernia. I had to have a revision to RNY,  I had my VBG 9/2005. I followed all the rules. I guess it doesn't matter the type of surgery there are risks with all of them. Katrina

I had VBG in May 2000.  I followed all my "rules" to the T~  however, about 6 weeks in i started to vomit.  A LOT!  After a few days, i was unable to keep anything down, including water.  I would swallow and it would literally pop back out.  WIERD.  After this went on until i was completely dehydrated, my surgeon agreed to see me.  A scope revealed that i had blown ALL of my staples, including the "ring" of staples.  the mesh band used in my surgery had come up and was blocking off the opening,....hence, everything coming back up.  There was no where for it to go!  I was on IV's for 2 weeks, then released from the hospital with strict orders...NOTHING but clear liquids.  This lasted almost 5 months.  My surgeon quit returning my calls.  I eventually wiened myself back onto foods.  Living with pain for 8 years was quite the bummer, so i finallly went for an endoscopy that revealed the mesh was still partially floating in my stomach.  It was causing a lot of pain every time i ate.  A large hiatal hernia was there.  My revision (correction) was to RNY and repair of the hernia.  I wouldn't have chosen to ever have a revision for weight loss reasons.  Mine was to repair the damage caused by my original surgery.  So...tha's my story.  I don't have anything AGAINST VBG, just almost killed me.  Things mess up...  it was out of my hands, and apparently out of my original surgeon's hands! 

Just by the anatomy of a VBG it's bound to be a failure.  You can debate and say a certain WLS is better for you than another just because you feel "safer" with it, but when the truth and facts show that it isn't, research some more.  Don't put all your faith in one doctor's opinion.  I gave my VBG 15 years and it worked great for 4 but then the surgical passage area closed with scare tissue, something the body does naturally when there is a hole in it that doesn't belong.  And yes you will vomit and feel sic****il you get a revision (surgery) since this is the only cure.  Not to mention the fistula your body may create because there is no longer a passage way for the food to pass out of the stomach.  Yes you will still vomit and feel pain by this new hole in your stomach.  Have you really done your research???  Very few doctors will do such quackery anymore........think twice, the statistics are there, VBG is not good.  My revision doc has showed me the rings, bands, etc. he has taken out from revising these surgeries.  It is not any better today then it was 15 years ago.  I could have lived with the weight regain side effect but the pain, vomitting and erosion in your stomach is worth the time and $$$ to research some more to get it right the 1st time........concerned!!
Terri

 I could go into pages of reasons and proof that would prove your comments wrong, as well as documented medical history of the VBG vs. other weightloss surgery, but it is obvious you are angry because the tool didn't work for you. So, because it didn't work for you, OBVIOUSLY it is the worst thing on earth.  At almost 4 1/2 years out, I'm not having a single problem that you did, I feel great and have kept my weight off with little effort.  I'm not going to reply anymore to this, since your mind is made up, but I suggest you do more homework on this rather than discrediting something with baseless information.

say anything you want...I just want anyone that reads this to know what the facts are with the VBG.  I am glad you have been OK so far and I hope it continues.  Did you ever wonder why this site is like a ghost town????  Come on, you can't be that thick.  Glad you will not be replying.  I hope the best for you and anyone else with this surgery.
Terri

Hi Lois

    I just wanted to say... 4 years makes a big difference in weight loss surgery...I was told by my surgeon and other's too.. He said that after 2002 The Surgery was drastically improved...You had your Surgery in 2004!!! It was much better then for sure!

The other person had her surgery done in 2000 No? I had my surgery done in 1992.. Talk about trying to keep food down! I had many similar problems as the other lady did. Oh Not just me!! Many folks did.. Like over 80% of the people who had the surgery. Three of the surgeons told us this at the class's we must attend.

Yes I was one of the Blessed ones.. I only gained 40 pounds back.. I weighed close to 400 pounds too before me surgery. I now weigh 244... 17 years later.. My staple line line ruptured years ago..I found out..

But I still followed the program to a T. Not drinking with meals, and not drinking 1 hour before meals and 1 hour after meals. I think that is why I did not regain all my lost weight back. We were never told about protein back then...or anything that is being told to us these days...And there is so much support now too!! No support back in the 80's and 90's...

Oh and I would do it all over again! I am so happy I kept off so much weight.

I am really glad you are doing well. Keep up the great job..Alizka