Laparosopic VBG

Hello everyone, I am currently learning about WLS and I like what I am learning about the VBG procedure. It might be a good match for me. I love to exercise and I am not a binge eater but I do have problems with portion control and of course a few other bad eating habbits. From what I'm learning about VBG, I think this is just might be the tool I need to help me lose the weight that I have not been able to lose on my own. I hope that some of the questions I have about VBG can be answered hear. Can the VBG procedure be done Laparosopic or is it always an open procedure? Also, could anyone please tell me about the recovery time? How long was the hospital stay and how soon were you able to get back to work. I really appreciate any information that anyone has. Thank you Barbara

The Bookreport Verions of my WLS experience: I took 2 weeks off of work and then went back to my secretarial job fulltime. Each time I "pushed" myself to do a little more than I felt like doing I got better faster. The actual surgery (Open VBG) was relatively pain free -- I think in part because of the "On-Q" pain reliever that was placed in the incision line. I talked to the surgeon about it and he said that since they started using "On-Q" there was less muscle spasm problems -- I loved it!! Talk to your surgeon about it. I was in the hospital for 3 nights and four days. I had open surgery as that is what my surgeon recommended. It can be done lap. The other thing about the surgery is that you have to learn how/what/when to eat all over again. That takes a couple/few months to figure out. In the beginning it is difficult to eat "out" as you never know if you will be able to keep the food down or not. So... caution. Today I pretty much know what works and what doesn't. The other thing about eating early on is your brain doesn't know that you had WLS and it still wants to eat "the bad" stuff in giant portions (head hunger). It took about 1 month for food to "lose it's grip" on me. I certainly went through a period of mourning with food. But that passes; now food just "is". It's not a comfort, it's not a friend; it's a fuel; nothing more; nothing less. I would have WLS again tomorrow. The only thing I would do differently would be to research Lap-Band as it is also a restrictive surgery (i.e. not malabsorption) and is adjustable, I think that it may be "the future" surgery of choice. I would recommend talking to your surgeon about it. I have also been hearing more about DS surgery. The reasons I chose to have VBG WLW... 1. I was a volume eater (large meals; buffets, etc.) 2. I was not a snacker by rule. Just ate my 3 giant meals. 3. I was not a sweet eater by rule. (I did eat sweets; just on occassion) 4. I am planning to live a LONG time and didn't want to worry about malabsorption issues later in life. 5. This surgery is reversible incase I get a life threatening illness. 6. This surgery is less invasive. 7. I have a higher goal weight than most people. I started at 340 and will be at my goal when I reach 190. My ideal weight for my height/age is 135. 8. I went through almost 3 years or intensive counseling to deal with the domestic abuse; and self-hate issues I suffered from that got me where I was in life. Basically I came out of counseling mentally ready to live a fulfilling life. 9. My surgeon recommended this surgery; I originally wanted RNY. Okay -- so that is WHY I chose VBG specifically. I also understand that if VBG doesn't work for me that I can be converted to RNY at a later date (I think you have to wait 2 years). What I know about VBG WLS today at nearly 10 months out... 1. It is possible to sabotage your weight loss by eating high sugar foods. 2. I have to work the program EVERY day to stay successful. 3. Eating food does not bring pleasure; it is downright uncomfortable. 4. Exercising is necessary; find something you like to do and do it. 5. My continued weight loss is up to me. 6. VBG WLS is not the "easy" way out; there is nothing easy about this. 7. You must be determined and stay determined to lose weight. 8. I would chose to have this surgery again tomorrow if I had it all to do over again. 9. Nothing tastes as good as it feels to have lost weight, to move, live and breath again. 10. I am thankful for each and every "WLS" moment/triumph I experience. 11. The first 6 months the weight loss is "automatic" -- take advantage of this time period! WORK HARD to get off as MUCH weight as you can; after the first 6 months you WORK HARD and lose little weight in comparision to the first 6 months. That's my story (sorry it was so long!) Feel free to check out my profile for more information. Sharon -113#

Hi Barbara, I had lap VBG on 3/9/04. I'm 25, 5'8, weighed 475lbs and I'm now 381lbs. Originally, I was to have a lap RNY, but when I awoke from surgery I had the VBG. Apparently, my dr thought it was a safter procedure to do on my. I was bummed at first, but now I'm very satisfied. I had my surgery on a Tuesday morning and came home on Friday afternoon. Originally, I was to be out of work for 3 weeks, but ended up staying out for 5. But honestly, I could have gone back to work at 3 weeks, maybe a little sooner. I really had no pain, except for my drain site. I was able to get around by myself, but couldn't lay in my bed for about a week and a half. Honestly, it was all very bearable and the best thing I've ever done. Good Luck