I don't often visit the VBG message board, but I was very surprised to find so much negativity about this type of surgery! I read so many posts about the VBG being only good for 5 years, that people with VBG's usually have revisions, etc.  I don't get it! I had it done more than 4 years ago and have kept off the weight with little problem. I know far more people with the RNY who've had revisions than the VBG, and maybe because the RNY is more popular. But I wonder where the accountibility is for the surgery? I still stick with the same rules I was taught at the beginning of this journey, I exercise, I eat right, I eat until I'm full and stop, I drink my fluids, etc.  I guess I went into this surgery thinking that everything else I tried didn't work because I didn't stick with it. This surgery was going to change my life for the rest of my life. And I was going to follow the program for the rest of my life.  I want to know for anyone who isn't having long term success, where do you think you went wrong or changed for the better? I want to learn these things and I want to be aware. I swear I don't judge anyone, but educating myself is something I like to do, as well as share with others contemplating surgery.  Can you help me understand? Thanks!

I had  a VBG done 10 years ago and lost 130lbs and gained 110lbs back..... 6 months ago i had a revision done to a RNY so far i'm done 97lbs and feel great! I did have complications due to the fact i had a open vbg and had a tummy tuck and then had a open revision so the Doc had to cut thru alot of thick tissue i could've had it done lap but they noticed i had gallstones so my gall bladder had to be removed that saved me from having another surgery a couples months down the road ..let me tell you it's so weird to not puke after eating meat i did that 10 years of my life i'm still hesitant to try different meats cause i'm scared it will get stuck.i have never eaten so much steak in my life i forgot what it tasted like until i had this revision done  my kids find it weird that i don't run to the washroom anymore during dinner ....I love my Revision and would go thru it all over again regardless the pain. Best Luck to ya ! Lyne

I am a VSG patient who just HAPPENED to peek in here out of curiosity.  I can tell you that what you have is NOT a VSG.  In the VSG there IS no, "remaining portion of the stomach" for the, "gastric pouch" to, "communicate" with.  There is no, "gastric pouch."  What we have is the remnant of a stomach.  The REST of the stomach is completely removed so there is no way POSSIBLE for the contents of the gastric pouch to, "communicate" with it.  It certainly SOUNDS like you had an unethical surgeon that sold you a bill of goods.  At MY surgeon's hospital the VBG was the CHEAPEST surgical option while the RNY was the most EXPENSIVE.   I would do what I can to find out FOR CERTAIN what it is that you HAVE.  Get a second opinion.  Get a THIRD.  Then, get a LAWYER and a revision.  If I were YOU, I would seriously CONSIDER getting a revision to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  It has been shown to be as effective as the RNY without the side effects.  The ADDED benefit of the surgery is that it REMOVES the portion of the stomach that CREATES the hunger hormone.  Most patients experience significant if not complete cessation of hunger after the surgery.  There are a number of additional health benefits but they are too numerous to mention in a short post.  Do some research.  You can start by visiting my profile page and viewing my post on my blog there called  Surgical Comparisons.   You can find it here :  http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/uzone,blog/action ,comments/blog_id,143782/blog_post_id,146413/  or at my profile :  http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/.  Look for it in the March archives if you can't find it on the profile page. 

Do your own research on these procedures.  Ask for advice but remember that most of the people on these boards are just PATIENTS like you and me.  SOME would like to CLAIM that they are weight loss "EXPERTS" but I have SEEN some of the self proclaimed "EXPERTS" express opinions that are quite unhealthy if they were to actually be followed.  ANYONE who would DELIBERATELY eat to cause themselves to have diarrhea is essentially practicing Bulimia.  They risk malnutrition just so that they can have the pleasure of eating the foods that they like to eat.  This is NOT a healthy eating behavior.  Remember, YOU are ultimately responsible for your own health.  Trust your PHYSICIAN above the YAHOOS on this board and that INCLUDES ME!  DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH and if what your PHYSICIAN says does not make sense according to what you KNOW is right, FIND a NEW Doctor.  Not ALL doctors are going to be current regarding to what is important to YOU.  If your Doctor will not support YOU then you need to find one that WILL.

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles.  I hope that things work out well for you in the long run.  If it turns out that you WERE sold a bill of goods and you do get a settlement or win a lawsuit against this surgeon, at least you will not be restricted by the insurance companies as to which surgical procedure you can CHOOSE.  This is most often the reason WHY most people end up with the RNY instead of the VSG or the DS.  The insurance companies PREFER the RNY because it does not have the label of "Experimental Procedure" placed on it by the US medical profession.  Both the VSG and the DS have been performed OUTSIDE of the US for YEARS and have been PROVEN to work WELL with the DS having a close to 90% success rate and the VSG having close to an 80% success rate.  The good thing about the VSG is that it is EASILY converted to the DS if it is required LATER but it is often NOT NEEDED for the initial stages for MOST PATIENTS. 

I wish you well, Hugh

I am scheduled for a VBG on May 9th.  I selected this procedure because of convenience (no going back for fills all the time) and low risk (nothing rerouted).

It does concern me that this board is so empty, though!

I'm surprised this surgery is still being done!  I had VBG in 1992 and gain all the weight plus added co morbids.   I am currently seeking a revision and Kaiser my insurance is sending me to UCLA for a consult.  Good luck, I was told that the VBG is only good for 5 years and thats exactly how long mine lasted.  Sorry for this input. Terri