A gastric sleeve is where they make your stomach into a vertical sleeve. There is no bypass of intestines.  The pyloric valve is kept to regulate food flow to the intestines.   I am one of the people who had a revision from an MGB to a gastric sleeve.  Dr. Rutledge bypassed way too much intestine for my needed weight loss. I had my MGB in Nov. of 2006, and  my revision in Nov. of 2007.  I lost way too much weight with it and ended up down to 90 lbs.  When my new surgeon did my revision, he told me that MORE than 6 feet had been bypassed, and what I had was the equivalent of a DS!  I never considered the DS because it was too drastic for me and the amount of weight I wanted to lose (80-85 lbs.). My new surgeon re-hooked up all my intestines and moved my pyloric valve with it, to the base of my stomach sleeve.  The sleeve portion I had with the MGB was larger than a standard gastric sleeve, so he made my sleeve smaller, in an effort to help me not to regain too much.   So far, I am having success.  I've gained 21 lbs. since my revision to the sleeve and it is slowing down as I approach my goal weight. When I had my MGB, I was told that Dr. R. is using a 6 foot bypass as a standard starting point to consider due to the fact that so many earlier patients who had less have been coming back for revisions to have more bypassed.  In my case, as a lightweight, I feel he made a huge error in judgment when choosing a 6 foot bypass for me.  I lost 112 lbs. at my most, and that was with eating 3,500 to 4,000 calories a day to try not to lose ground as I waited for my revision. For anyone considering the MGB, especially if you need to lose 100 lbs. or less, I would caution you to get a commitment from Dr. R. the length of bypass he will do.  I would have done better, probably, with only a 3 foot bypass.  Yes, there are people out there who have had a 6 foot bypass and only lost 32 lbs. But, I would have rather had to work to get the last 20 lbs. off, than to have  my life threatened with malnourishment and a BMI of 15.8 and need a revision to save my life. My insurance did not cover MGB.  It does not cover any WLS,  But my revision was covered for the most part.  Although, they called the night before the surgery and said they would not automatically cover it, but would wait to see what was done with me after my surgery and then decide.  This whole experience has taken a huge emotional toll on me.  From going from elation at the original weight loss, to dread as I started losing too much, to anger as Dr. R. essentially brushed me off, in person and long distance, and would not cooperate with releasing my medical records until I reported him to the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners.  To now, I feel relief that I actually did not die and I can look forward to getting back to a healthy weight and get back to living life. If anyone wants additional information on my story, you can check out my profile or contact me here at OH.

Dr. David Hargroder in Joplin, Missouri does the mgb.  Can you take out a loan, get the surgery then have your insurance pay you back?  Check your retirement.  I am borrowing from it and paying back into it.  Mutual funds, stocks, sell something.  Just ideas. Jo

Hi Van and other MGBers, I am Barbara. I had the MGB in November 2005 and I have lost 147 pounds. Life is great now. I do worry about weight gain and such, and would like to hear more from those who have gained weight back.... Barbara

There are other sources as well. www.mgbhelp.com www.clos.net Both sites give detailed explanations of all the WLS choices as well as the mini gastric bypass so that you can make an informed decision.  Research, research and research again.  Ask alot of questions.  Find one that works for you. MGB worked for me.

Hi Van, I am Jo in Arkansas and due to have the mgb in March with Dr. Hargroder in Joplin.  I am on the clos.net site chat board and this one and a yahoo one but there is the least traffic on this OH site. I am excited but nervous about the surgery.  Your progress sounds great.   blessings, Jo