I HAD VBG Back IN 1987...Lessons Learned

Laura I really don't know much about the RNY WLS. The reasons I wasn't too keen on it are because there are more serious complications that you can experience from it even years down the road. Also I am concerned about the side effects of it not absorbing all your nutrients. I know alot of people like it because it is more drastic. I know with the lapband there are issues too. Fluids are easily ingested so you could still drink lots of shakes, ice cream,etc. Let's face it with any WLS you have to personally take some responsilbility for changing the behaviours that made you obese. When you look at the revision board there are many people who have gained back weight or not been successful no matter if they have had VBG LAPBAND, RNY, or DS. Personally, in Canada nost provinces will not pay for the LapBand (I have to pay $16000) so they go the route of VBG or RNY because it's covered by our provincial plans. All I can suggest is you research, research and research what surgery you are most comfortable with and then pick the most competent surgeon to perform it. I don't believe the LapBand is a magic cure. I just want a second chance to lose all my weight again and this time do more on my behalf to succeed. Donna A.

I love the way your answered this. You are so right. There are ups and downs with both. I was told by my surgeon that you can't revise the VBG to the Lapband, because it doesn't work. He didn't go into detail about it, and I didn't ask him why, because I had already decided to do the RNY. I have many friends who went this route and don't regret it. When I had my VBG, I can honestly say I followed the rules, but the staples still pulled apart. Even my husband says he's puzzled. I don't remember throwing up or eating too much. But I have a friend who had hers done the same day I did (right after me) and hers is still intact and working fine (and she NEVER follows the rules). Go figure. You have to do what is best for you. It's a lifetime decision, so you're the one that has to live with it. Nobdy can tell you either way.

My surgeon told me that the long term results for the VBG are not very good. The majority of people regain weight. He said that there is proof that alot of times the staples start separating on their own after the first couple of years even if we don't overeat. In that case we then start to become hungrier and the whole cycle begins. I have met or talked to other people who have gone from VBG to Lapband and they have been successful. Some for over 2 yrs. I also have recently met people who have had RNY (and no previous surgery) and they are very happy with their results. For myself, I like the fact that the LapBand is the least invasive and does not cause malabsorption issues. Also some RNY patients have to deal with terrible smelly gas and bowel movements including diahrea and I don't want to. I think the LapBand and RNY are both effective for WLS and you just have to hope you have the least amount or no complications or side effects and do your best to follow the rules for which ever one you choose to gain maximum optimal results. Good luck with the RNY, do you have a date yet? Donna A.

No date yet. My surgeon required me to get profession counseling before he would agree to do a revision. I just finished that part up, and went to see him on 3/23. Still waiting on insurance approval. Once we get that, then they will schedule my surgery. Please pray that I am approved! Thanks!

Hi Laura, My name is Unique and I would like to get the lap band as well. I have started the process and my surgeon said the same thing. She recommended the RYN. The reason for it was, women loss weight, but because we are more of junkfood eaters she recommeds the RYN. Men eat moe food then we do I do like junk food but if I want to lose the weight then I just wont have it. Besides you have to work with any of the surgerys. There will be things that you cant do. If you feel strongly that you can do it, get it. The band is has less risk and this is what I feel comfortable with. You have to go with what you feel comfortable with. Why is your doctor saying these things and please feel free to ask any question you want. Good Luck! Unique

Laura ; Hi I have had the lap-band done in o4 and it hasn't work for me I have lost only 50lbs Now my Dr. is turning me over to his partner. to have RNY done. I also went by the book but my problem is exercise. I don't know if you have heard of Fibromyallgia but it keeps me from doing alot of things. And I'm 52 and when you reach a certain age it is even harder to lose. I just started looking on the revised board to see how many people have done other things and there storys. Best of luck Marilyn

I had VBG in 1991. It sure was different then. I had to travel 6 hours from home and no followup care. I developed a bleeding ulcer and the band starting working its way through the pouch. I had to have it removed bits at a time with many endoscopies. I did lose some weight, but I slowly regained it without the banding. I want to have the Lap Band, but I'm concerned with the "history" of a bleeding ulcer and I'm concerned they can't do it laprascopically. I really don't want them to cut me open. I can't get in to the surgeon till April 24. Do you know what the recovery time is with the open surgery? I so want to have the lap surgery and not knowing if I'm a candidate for any of it is really making me anxious. I don't want to get my hopes up too much if I'm not a candidate for any kind of wls. Good Luck to you! Janet

Hi Janet Sorry you have had such a bad time of it. I'm afraid you really won't know if your a candidate for the Lap until you see the surgeon. He will probably send you for barium stomach xrays and do a gastroscope to look down your stomach. If you are able to have the Lap done open I was told I will be in the hospital for 2 or 3 nights and not as long to convalesce as the stomach stapling. I have my surgery scheduled on April 18, so check back and I will tell you how it went. Donna A.

Thanks Donna. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Janet

Donna, wow I should have checked out this mb a long time ago. I have been pursuing conversion to RNY for the last 5 years but have really gotten serious about it this year. The past few months I've been poked and prodded more than in my whole life and I still don't have a surgery date. My VBG surgeon emphatically told me that his staple line will not, ever break. It is there for life...three rows, SECURE. Period. The band, however, in the office he showed me the actual Goretex band and he stretched it in front of my eyes and I was shocked. He also said the stomach is so elastic that it would be very easy to stretch the pouch with overeating and sodas so the elasticity factor and Goretex have to be protected. I thought I did, but...no. I never ate to the point of terrible pain or needing to throw up. Still did throw up over the years if food wasn't well chewed and got stuck. But I did slowly add back the d*mned sodas and I bet that is the worst of my problem combined with poor food choices. The VBG cured my volume eating problem, no doubt. People are amazed that I weigh as much as I do (at 245 I have regained all but 10# of my original loss)when they watch me eat. My surgeon would have done the RNY at the time but I had too many friends and family talk me out of it. This time around, I haven't told anybody but my husband and kids and co-workers. I see the surgeon again on the 18th and hope he'll submit to the insurance company this time instead of more tests and waiting. Like you, I had pretty much no aftercare and a very loose interpretation of dietary instructions. I understand that this surgeon has changed that now and he has a support group, too. He no longer does the VBG, I'm told. Post-op problems I had: bouts of SEVERE stomach pain. Bend-you-over, break-out-in-a-cold-sweat, stabbing, burning, spiking up into your neck stomach pain. (believe me, no heart trouble!) Also am more hungry than before the surgery. If they know about this in advance, why don't they tell you? I thought I had really researched WLS before my VBG but afterwards found out so many more things. So far I have shelled out big money on the dietician consult, the psych eval and countless new dietary products to begin using to get ready for RNY and feel that I have yet to prove to the new surgeon I'd be a good candidate for him. It is so hard waiting and wondering. Glad to know you are out here to be able to come and 'visit' with. Molly