I had VBG in Nov. 2001 and I have maintained within 12 lbs of my goal weight.  I am at 159 lbs right now. Maybe a little over my  "ideal" weight but I consider myself a success. I am a loose size 12 completely within "normal"  for a 44 year old mother of 4.  I regained some weight when I started working at night and my activity level plummeted. Now that I'm back to working days, I'm hoping to drop a few pounds, but if I don't it won't make me feel like a failure. I eat right most of the time. I do allow myself a treat now and then, mostly milk shakes or ice cream from the ice cream parlor. But the key here is moderation. I would never ever eat these things on a daily basis.  I think the most important rule I have followed is that I do not consume liquid calories. If I'm drinking it, it is calorie free (well, except for my occassional milk shake treat). People do not realize how many calories they consume by drinking soft drinks, sweet tea, flavored coffee,  beer, wine etc.   I use my surgery as the tool that it is meant to be. My goal was to be healthy and  to feel good about me and I have succeeded. I don't miss being able to eat fast food hamburgers and I'm glad they get stuck in my band and make me sick......keeps me from eating them!  The only food that I miss is a nice juicy steak....just can't keep those down. I've tried probably 20 times over the last 6 years and have been unable to eat even a bite or two without having to vomit. So, I avoid steak and instead have grilled salmon which agrees with me nicely.  Don't let the naysayers get you down. IMO, most of those are people who had no intention of using their surgery as a tool, and simply found a way around it. Any surgeon worth is price will tell potential patients before hand that this surgery is a tool that can be destroyed by the poor mindset of the patient.  If you know you cannot stay away from sugar and junk food, then restrictive surgery is probably not for you. If, however, you just eat too much when you eat, but basically follow a fairly decent diet, then you should succeed with VBG.

I know!  I've been trying to find out all I can about VBG, trying to decide between that and lapband, and can't get any updated info!  I've read that this is a really slow board.  I guess everyone with VBG must post on other boards.  I'm leaning towards VBG, also with Dr. Valin.  How has it gone for you?

HI Maria I was thinking the same thing. Glad I found this site. Most people do seem to have had the RNY. Bev

I had my op done i***** and ever since I have vomitted every day of my life.  Within the first two months of surgery I had to have my stomach dilated and there after over the years another 7 times.  When I first started having problems I tried telling my doctor how sick I would get but he always insisted that I was eating too much.  I could eat one cracker a day and yet keep vomittng but to him it was too much food.  I stopped going to him and tried for years to get help from another doctor with no success.  Finally after staying away from the original doctor for 7 years I went back.  He performed endoscopy on me but just before he did as I was lying on the table he introduced me to his new associate.  He told him that I stopped coming to him for some reason and because I got fat again I came back.  Well I almost walked out of the hospital right there,  I told him that if he read his records he would know that I did not gain any weight back I just never lost all my weight.  Now Im hoping to find out the truth, hes telling me that my intestents are kinked and solids do not pass thru thats why Im getting sick and everything has to be reversed, but will that help my vomitting at this point. Lori

Don't worry so much.  ANY surgery can fail if YOU let it.  I am 6 years post-op VBG.  I was told the same thing you were and heard all the stories that VBG never works.  I can tell you IT DOES WORK IF YOU LET IT WORK.  I have lost and maintained over 125 pounds.  For over 4 years I stayed about the same weight. I lost and gained the same 10 pounds.  My surgeon told me that a small regain is normal but to quickly get back on track and not let it get out of hand. Suddenly I have found myself losing weight again. Your surgery is a tool.  Treat it as such and it will be there with you.   VBG is the way to go IN MY OPINION.  Good luck to you. Gwen E Photo Team Leader