VGB versus VSG

Hi to all Iam new to the VGB forum because I usually post in the DS forum and I am in need of info and help I want to get WLS but I cant make up my mind if I want to get a malabsorptive type of surgery (DS) versus a purely restrictive surgery(VSG) For those who may not know about the VSG it is like an updated form of VGB. It is a restrictive WLS but the procedure is done differently. Originally it was done as the first part to the DS for those who may need to lose some weight before doing the "switch" (DSers language) I know that the VGB works very similar to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) so can you tell me how has the VGB been working for you My goal is to lose about 110lbs. Currently I weight 278lbs and Iam 5'10" I wish to be around 165-170lbs nice and curvy What I really want to know is have you been successful losing weight and if so how much and how long? Did you have any complications or any revisions? and what are your feelings about having a restrictive WLS without the malabsorptive component is it worth the risk of going under anesthesia? Hope to hear from you guys soon I need to learn from you thanks sherese

Hi Sherese, I will be 4 years post op vbg in July. I lost 113 lbs and got within 25 lbs of goal before I started regaining. I have gained back 60 lbs, much to my dismay. But I have to say that I still don`t regret the vbg. I started eating sweets and not exercising. Very bad. It crept up on me before I knew it. I have stayed the same weight for severl months now and have lost 3 lbs last I weighed. I am starting to get back on track. I like not being able to eat as much as before wls. If I stay off sugar, I do great. It is so easy to let old habits creep back in. But I am optimistic that I will get it off again. I have to. I got rid of all my larger clothes!

hi Janna thanks for your reply. My whole problem is sweets but if I get the surgery I will commit my self to wean my self off of the deadly sweets. i hope you start to lose lots of weight again Sherese

Actually, the lap-band is the updated form of VGB...the VBG was an update of the old stomach staple (which the VSG is a very close cousin to), and the AGB is the next generation of restrictive-only procedures. Nancy 394/275/180

I had VBG last August and I have lost 105 pounds so far. I'd be further down the road but I've been in Anchorage for the last two weeks so I had to eat out every meal and did not get in my 2mile walk each day like I usually do. My weight pretty much stayed the same while I was gone. I don't regret my surgery for a minute and am glad I had a purely restrictive procedure. Good luck with your decision. Natalie 281/176/125

From my own experience, I would suggest going ahead with the DS instead of the VBG. Apparently a lot seems to have changed with the VBG since I had mine in 1989. I had many complications and couldn't keep meat or vegetables down for over 15 years. In the end I had to have my entire stomach removed and a 60 cm RNY bypass. In the 80's when the VBG was the rage, a lot was not known about it. I have spoken to many people that have suffered over the last 20 years due to the VBG. Many had similar problems to mine, some had the surgery reversed, many had it revised, some died and there are some that are still suffering from the afteraffects of the VBG. It is touted as not causing malabsorption, however I have found through myself and others that in many cases it is because fibrous foods aren't tolerated. Do your research! Check out some of the yahoo groups, like the revision or gone wrong group. There is also a group for VBGers. Make sure that you look at all aspects of both surgeries and make sure that you don't only see the good stuff. Complications can happen with any surgery. I admit that my complications were extreme, however if I were to start all over again and had the resources available that there are today, my decision probably would have been different. Remember every body is different and will react differently to the different surgeries. Once you decide what you think is best, make sure that you pick a surgeon that has a lot of experience and ask them if they do revisions. It is not needed by everyone, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Make sure they have a good follow-up program in place and possibly a support group. From experience I can tell you that living for over 15 years throwing up all the time and thinking it was my fault and I was all alone was sheer h***! I have now dedicated my life to helping those with surgeries that have gone bad. Good luck in whatever choice you make. Feel free to check out my profile, it outlines my journey in detail. Michelle Mack Minnesota

Michelle, I was lurking when I came across this post..and had to check out your profile. I'm left speechless. How are you doing today, now I mean. I'm so sorry that you have gone through so much but through it all it seems it has made you stronger. God bless you and hope you're doing well.

I am happy with my choice to have VBG. I had surgery in 10/03 and have lost roughly 130#. One of the main reasons that I chose this surgery was I did not want to have to deal with malaborption issues later in life. If I don't exercise and don'****ch what I eat I will sit at the same weight. This is good news for me. That means that I am not gaining. When I stay on track with exercise and healthy eating I lose weight. In the beginning I pretty much up everything I ate. My surgeon did not put any of us on a puree diet. We went right to soft foods. Until I learned the capacity of my new pouch and the signals that I had ate enough I a lot. Unless I overeat I do not anymore. Today I can eat just about anything that I want. Any vegetables, bread, rice, etc. The only thing that I have not tried is steak. I have ate a couple of bites though and been fine. For me this was the right surgery. Granted I would probably be at my ideal weight had I chose RNY... but I am willing to work at this and take it slow if necessary. It has been a very rewarding experience for me. Good luck as you make your decision. Best Regards, Sharon Chute -130# Open VBG 10.28.03 340 start 210 now 170-190 goal

TODAY I am 4 years post-op open VBG. I have lost over 115 pounds. I did have about 15 pounds of regain which is normal according to my surgeon. I realized I was gaining and put on the brakes. I increased my water intake and STOPPED EATING SWEETS. The pounds came back off. We can learn to eat around our pouches so it is important to weigh weekly. When you see the scales go up more than 4 pounds in a couple weeks you will know it is time to re-adjust your eating patterns. It is possible to keep the weight off. VBG is a tool and it is up to us to keep it well maintained.

My biggest problem is sweets. How did you do! Sherese