about the VBG

Why is this surgery so rare these days? I'm really comfortable with my surgeon, and this is the only WLS that he will perform.

Hi Floretta, I think it's more rare b/c it's failure rate is higher than RNY. I live in Atlanta and I am having a really hard time finding a doc in the area that will do VBG! I am not comfortable w/ RNY but that is all anyone wants to do. I may have to travel several hours to have surgery. I just don't understand it!! Karen

I just had VBG about 3 weeks ago. Dr. Rupp was the surgeon that I saw. He does both the Rny and VBG. He told me VBG would work just as well as RNY for ME because I am a volume eater vs. a sweet eater. If I were a sweet eater he would have recommened the RNY to keep me from the sweets. Because I generally do not have a sweet tooth he said VBG could be just as successful and less risky in the long run. We also discussed what would be the best surgery later in life (60-70's). Hope this helps! Sharon