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Hi I am new to the obesity help website, I am going to have my first apt with a doctor here in Canada on August 24th and I read he does the vbg, what does that mean? Is it better/worse then others, please help if you can Thanks Sherri [email protected]

Hi, My name is Erica and I had the VBG on April 16, 2004. I have had no complications (knock on wood) and have lost 47 pounds and many inches so far. The VBG is considered a restrictive WLS, not a malabsorbtion. So you still have to take vitamins, but your body absorbs all the calories you eat. Now each surgeon's after program is different. So how much you eat and how many times a day is different for each. I myself can only have calories 2 times a day, but I have a list of foods that are considerd "anytime" foods. I wasn't a sweet eater, but I don't need to worry about "dumbing," it isn't something that happens with the VBG. If you have anymore questions feel free to email me. I am satisfied with my choice. Please get as much UNBIAS information as possible. All the surgeries are "tools" but each has their pros and cons, and you have to decide what you are willing to change, risk, and gain. Good Luck, Take Care, Erica VBG -47

Hi Sherri... I must tell you that you do need to do some research on vbg because the first thing Dr Abawi will ask you is what you know about it. I am afraid that he will send you to do some research prior to getting the ball rolling if you do not do your homework prior to seeing him. I know that the whole waiting game is painfull so I would hate to see you have to wait longer.

Hi Sherri, I don't know that VBG is "better or worse" than any other surgery. It is my personal opinion that one should choose the surgery that is right for them. I can tell you why I choose VBG over RNY. 1 -- It is reversible. 2 -- It is less invasive. 3 -- There is no malabsorption. 4 -- I am not a "sweet" eater by rule. 5 -- I was a volume eater. 6 -- I went to counseling for 2.75 years and worked really hard on my "self-hate/self-esteem/domestic abuse/depression" issues. 7 -- My surgeon recommended this surgery because of the above. To be honest -- Had #4 & #6 not been a fact in my life my surgeon probably would not have recommended VBG for me. It was because he felt I could be successful with either VBG or RNY that I chose VBG. I am "fairly" young; 37 -- I liked the idea of having the surgery reversed if something different comes along. According to my surgeon they are making great advances in understanding obesity. If in 10-15 years they come up with "the pacemaker" or some other highly effective choice I have the option to have this surgery reversed and change to the other. Granted my insurance my not cover that -- but I would consider it as a "self-pay". Since having VBG I have come across a different surgery that I never research but sounds interesting -- I understand it is more in the "testing" phase here in the US -- I don't know about Canada -- but it is called something like... Doudonel Switch -- I had come across someone's profile (can't remember who) here at OH that the woman had RNY and the man had DS -- The RNY woman was very depressed about how little she could eat compared to the DS guy who could even drink with meals. So I guess I am saying check out the DS surgery as well. Please bear in mind that this is all just my personal opinion. Other than that... Sharon -109 Open VBG 10.28.03 5' 2" / age 37 start 340# today 231# goal 190# (hoping for less!)