It was way too early when I wrote this and got the band material's name wrong. It isn't goretex, of course, it is Tyvek. It was rather surprising that Dr. Schrock used something that you could mail a package in but what the hey.

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

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

I'm curious what you learned about ulcers? I have VBG in 1991 and developed a bleeding ulcer when a local dr gave me medicine that was too harsh for my pouch. Janet