Mini Gastric Bypass

Has anyone heard of this?  I have a friend who got it in like 2000 down in Virginia.. but she doesn't even really know the difference between what she had and the regualr bypass.  I don't see anyone that does it here in NY and I don't know anyone else who has had it.  It's one thing to read articles.. its another to talk to someone who has had it.

Any help here?

Thanks,
Madelin

 Yes, i have heard of it.  Cannot explain the difference but there r a limited # of doc who do it.  It is done in Las Vegas, Fla., and used to be done in  Michigan.  The clinics are all inter-related by this one doc who "teaches" the technique.  U can go online and find a bunch of info on it.   I looked it up and started the process for having it done but was # 1..turned down by the doc in Fla., and #2..didn't like the doc in Las Vegas who seemed particularly arrogant to me.  By further research on WLS, i found the VSG and that's what i had (vertical sleeve gastrectomy).  However, i have a friend in Michigan who DID have the mini-gastric bypass (when they were still doing it there) and is quite satisfied with it.

First of your quote in your signature is my favorite quote!.

Thanks for the information.  I had the lapband almost 2 years ago (Nov 1) and I've not much success with it and I'm thinking of alternatives.  I started looking into the VSG as well .. trying find a doctor in NY and see if my insurance will cover it.  Especially reading up on the VSG surgery and how affective it seems to be.  With all the research I did before getting the lapband one thing no one ever told me was how easy it was to "cheat" on it.  Drink while you eat and you can eat just fine - sometimes like I've never had surgery.  I think VSG will eliminate that problem as most of the stomach is GONE and not there to hold the food.  How do you like the VSG so far? 

 Yes, my favorite quote, too and thank you...*s*.

I LOVE my sleeve.  I had my surgery about 4 1/2 mths ago and it's the best thing i  have ever done.
It has the advantage of the Lap Band in that you have the restriction factor without the constant "adjustments".  It seemed favorable to me over the RNY because they do not touch your intestines and so there is never any problem with malabsorption.  I have lost weight just as fast as someone with an RNY (was to the surgeon today for my check-up and have lost 65% of my weight in 4.5 mths ...60 pounds) but must tell u that i have followed ALL the "rules" from my doc and nutritionist.

You CAN  cheat with a VSG..by eating high caloric foods or high carb foods (actually, the same thing, i guess) and thus slow your weight loss.  Eating large amounts of food is much harder (at least it is for me). Depending on the particular food, right now, i can eat about 2 - 2.5 oz of food before i get full.  With some things like yogurt or soup, which goes down more smoothly, i can eat more.

I know there must be some surgeons in NY who do the VSG.  it is relatively new so finding one is not as easy as one who does the Band or the RNY.  Basically, it's the first part of the DS without the rest of the surgery.  But, i would search for one.  I think it is certainly worth it.  There is a VSG forum on this site.  Take a look at it.  There are a number of people who have had revisions from the Band to a VSG. 

I hope this gave you some info and helps.  

I had the mini, but now have a RNY. Long story.

In the mini bypass the intestines are not cut, they are looped and joined to the new pouch. That is the difference.

Yes my SIL in had it done 6 years ago. His stomach was 'stapled' but not separated and no intestines were bypassed. He had continual problems for nearly 3 years, developed a lot of scar tissue.  He did lose aboutg 100 pounds and then gained back about 30.  He had it revised to an open RNY. He's done very well since then.  Part of the problem was certainly that he had a general surgeon do the procedure and was given not real pre-op or post-op direction or support, and the surgeon simply didn't do a particularly good job.

Ann

Wow!  Thank you so much for all the information!  I really appreciate it.

The mini is not performed all that often any more.  It is a relatively dangerous surgery and is championed by Robert Rutledge in Las Vegas.  I have a friend who had one and nearly died of malnutrition.  She had her surgery revised to a gastric sleeve (after a long fight to even retrieve her medical records from the original surgeon) and now she is at a healthier weight and will live.  I would not recommend that surgery to anyone.  There are much better options available.

Linda

I had the Mini-RY Gastric Bypass performed by Dr. Osvaldo Anez (Obesity Surgery Center). My Surgery was performed at Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax VA., which is a Center of Excellence. My Dr., Dr. Anez has done over 4,000 of these procedures and is known Nationally as one of the very best. If you want to know more specifically about this procedure, please go to his website www.obesitysurgerycenter.net. There is a lot of good information available to you there that explains the procedure better then I could. In short, the mini refers to the size of the incision. My incision is only 3 inches.My new stomach is still attached to the old one it is stapled off (a smaller stomach pouch.) A portion of intestine is bypassed  but not removed so there is less for food absorbtion. Please read the more detailed explination on the web site.

I am very pleased that I chose Dr. Anez and this particular procedure! I am now maintaining my 100 lb. weightloss and goal! I had no complications whatsoever. My success is due to several factors, the skill of my surgeon and his very knowledgable team consisting of his physicians assistant Tiffany and his nutritionist Sally. I have followed their instructions to a T and most importantly I have embraced a new attitude about diet and exercise and I am faithful about going to 2 support groups monthly. I have buddied up with other GBP friends and we exercise and support one another. There are so many resources available these days to prople who do the research and ask questions!  Good luck to you!!
McLean