Preference for surgery ????

I had my consult today and the surgeon said I could have either the VBG or the Rouxen-Y. I haven't been able to get to a support group so I am wondering who has had what and if one is better than the other. I have one in my head but I'm thinking maybe someone has had the other that might change my mind. Looking for some insight please !!!!!!!

Hi Joan, I had Roux en Y surgery on 6-2-03. I initially had it done laproscopically, but ended up having an open incision to remove my spleen (it was bleeding during surgery). I am very pleased with this surgery and the results, being down 100 pounds in 6 months almost! I do not know much about the VBG so I can not offer you any insight on that. Where are you having surgery? I think if you do the research and talk with your surgeon about the success of both surgeries, it might help you decide. I had surgery at Froedtert in Milwaukee, and they only do the RNY surgery. Best wishes in your decision, and if you have any specific questions about the surgery, please just ask. Take care, Traci

We discussed both and Dr Chua told me it was my decision as both were OK for me. I will be having surgery at St Francis and am scared but really looking forward to it. Dr Chua said to think about it and call his office and let them know what I want

Hi Joan, I had an open rny last May 19th. I did alot of research and kept coming up with the same thoughts.....I felt better figuring that with an open surgery, the doc would have a "birds eye view" of what was going on. I didn't like the stories I read about banding etc. I am very happy I chose this type. I am 6.5 mos. out and feel great. Other than learning the typical lessons about over eating, I have not had one problem. I had my surgery at St. Lukes with Dr. Parmod Kumar. I was blessed, truly blessed. I was in and out of the hospital in 3 days. I adore Dr. Kumar. He is a great surgeon. I never doubted him for a minute. That, in itself, made me very comfortable. E-mail other patients of Dr. Chua's from the forum to see what they did and how they handled it post op. Everyone is different. The most important things is, no matter which type you choose, make sure you do exactly what the doc tells you. And start your walking a.s.a.p. Don't give up on that. You have to be careful while in the hospital too. Make sure the staff doesn't give you the wrong foods. That happened to me. They gave me pureed foods right away. I only had liquids my first day. I didn't eat much of the stuff they gave me, because I was afraid to, but luckily, the little bit I did eat didn't hurt me. As soon as I got home, I went right back to the liquids. A nurse also tried to give me a huge pill to swallow. I caught that and pointed out to her that I was not supposed to have them. They exchanged it for liquid. Best wishes in what ever you decide to do. I hear Dr. Chua is a great surgeon. Melissa Z

Joan: I had the VBG done about 6 years ago in Milwaukee by Dr. Namdari. I just had a revision done to the RNY in August of this year. I would strongly encourage you to have the RNY. The VBG failed for me and I have read that it fails often. What happens is the banding starts to close shut and the staples eventually give away and you no longer have the pouch. With the RNY your pouch is surgically created without staples. The chances of the pouch not staying shut is very minimal. The stomach is also separated from the old one, unlike the VBG. The main thing that I have found is the best thing about the RNY compared to the VBG is that with the VBG you can "cheat" and eat high sugar foods. The RNY does not allow that and makes you very sick when you do it. The diet is about the same and the ideas behind it are the same, but the RNY is by far the better choice in my opinion. I would be happy to answer anymore questions you may have. Please feel free to email me.

Joan- 3 months ago, I had Lap RNY done in Madison, and I've lost 100 lbs. I did have some complications, but nothing that wasn't corrected without surgery. I feel awesome, and I am beginning to be able to eat solid foods again. I don't know a whole lot about VBG, but from what my surgeons say, and from what I have read in many places all over, RNY is considered to be the "gold standard" for bariatric procedures. Despite the complications I had (which coincindentally seem to be higher with a laporoscopic approach versus open), I would have the procedure done twice again, if I had to. One thing to keep in mind is that the surgery is only a tool. I'm sure that you've heard that from a million people a million times, but if you don't follow the rules, it doesn't work. Regardless of the type of bariatric surgery you choose to have, I wish you rapid weight loss, a speedy recovery, and luck with your new health!