Hi Vicki, I have just read read your questions and Staci's responses. I cannot add one thing to her response because she has given you some "great" insight into the weight loss world. She has a marvelous attitude and her habit of rewarding herself with things other than food rewards is terrific advise. Vicki, I just had to write and hope this will help in your decision to have your WLS. First off, I am a 64 old grqndmother. I had my VBG 11 months ago. Since that time, I have lost 92 pounds which does not sound like much when you read what the RYN's have lost in that amount of time. However, the life and self-esteem that i have gained is worth its' weight in gold. Although, I have had some MINOR complications along the way , I would do it all over again because of the "new" life I have gained. It took me almost 3 years to decide to go through with the surgery; however, when two of my doctors told me I would be in a wheel chair and nursing home in two years and probably gone in 5, I decided I didn't have anything left to lose at that point. Since my surgery, I have been able to throw away my walker and cane. My perscribed medications have gone from 14 a day down to 3 a day. I now go to water aroebics 3 times a week, a back and ab strengthening class once a week. I can now walk through a store without having to look for the nearest place to sit down. I can go up and down stairs. I can tie my shoes, take a bath and the list goes on.... To add a bit of humor to this list of things and probably one of the best things about having the surgery being able to "wipe my butt" and know I am not going to find tracks in my underwear. In closing, I had no choice but the VGB due to a variety of medical conditions; but, again, I would do it again in a heartbeat...only a couple of years earlier when I was first talked to about it. So, my comment to you is think about it, talk about to everyone you get a chance too....especially your doctors and people who have had the surgery and remember that "You are your own best friend". Know that the final decision is yours and yours alone. Remember why you want/need the surgery and you will be a success. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or comments. Good Luck, Vicki!!! Hugs and Granny Eileen

Hi Vicki I agree that there tends to be less positive feedback with the VBG I had it done in 2001 and my Dr just agreed to do a revision..don't know when yet. I had a VBG done for a few reasons, the whole process from consult to surgery was I think 6 months...I wanted to get in fast, didn't want to wait for the 2 years that seems to be the norm for RNY. VBG also tends to be much easier to reverse if you have problems, there is no issues with malabsorbtion, nothing is cut out, re routed etc. I had it open so it was still invasive but no dumping issues etc. I think that any surgery is what you make of it, are you wanting a VBG only because it is faster to get in? If so, you may want to take the time to wait for another procedure so that you are happy with it and not have to go for more surgery later on. It takes a huge amount of courage to undergo what we do, it sure as hell is not the "easy way out" and it often means totally reinventing ourselves..not meaning we turn into different people, we just let out that buff, sexy, confident, healthy, happy person with the six pack abs that just happens to be burried under 6 inches of fat or so! Research all your options, be honest with yourself, you know what works best for you...I am the kind of person *****sponds well to the negative response ie.French fries get stuck as well do carrots, stuck stuff has to come up, things coming up hurt like hell...that means this chick doesn't eat those things!! My willpower...not too great! Anyhow, I hope this helps a bit...I have a profile under my maiden name...Stacey Blum..I am in Canada...it may help as well...good luck in whatever you decide

Very well said. I second everything this person just said. Keep a food diary. You'd be surprised at what you eat that you're not suppose to. Granted that it could be hormonal changes and such, but nip it in the bud. It could be that you'll identify one itty bitty change that you need to make that will turn things around again.

I had a VBG and lost 90 lbs the first six months. Now I personally think 90 lbs is a very good success and must have been doing something right. I started out six weeks on baby food. Once I progressed to solid foods, I had a very difficult time keeping certain foods down. Things like tuna and chicken, because they were dry meats. It hurt so bad that the only relief was to let it come up. I tried chewing them more, but still, I could never get them down. I had to quit eating them. But it was too late, because my staple line ruptured, and my doc says it's because of the vomiting. So try not to vomit if you can help it. I have now gained about 60 lbs back and am waiting on insurance approval for a revision to the RNY. Like the guy says in the previous post, try out some different healthy foods, and chew, chew, chew. If it were me, I would start from the basics with soft food (maybe even baby food), then work your way back up to solids, only adding a little at a time until you can learn what you can eat. As for the exercise, not only is it healthy for you in so many ways, but it also helped me digest the harder-to-digest foods. I guess the movement made stuff go down a little easier. From what I have learned, some people do well with one type of surgery, and others do well with another type of surgery. I've known lots of people that have done very well with the VBG and is still keeping the weight off. They weren't even as concientious about what they ate as I was. Then there are those, like me, who didn't do well with the VBG and had to have a revision. I find it very hard to believe that they were all at fault. None of the surgeries are cure-alls. They are only tools. Since the VBG is what you have, then you're going to have to learn how to use your tool.

I forgot to say...my doc said only weigh once a month on the same day. Don't let it all be a numbers thing where you stress day to day about 1 up one down. That stress IS bad for you. The girls in my group say to make sure it is 3 days after your monthly visitor so water retention won't be invloved. MKJ