Un-doing VBG?

Anyone know what it takes to un-do an old VBG?  I had mine done about 17 years ago, and never got much in the way of positive results.  My intake is severely restricted, I'm able to eat very little, and yet don't lose weight.  Frankly, I'm tired of it.  I can't go on diets because I can't eat enough, and yet I'm still at 295 pounds.  At this point, my tiny little stomach is doing me more harm than good.

Is this something that can be done laparascopically, or would they have to open me up all over again?  What is the recovery time, and what are the chances of getting insurance approval?  I'm not really interested in a revision, as I believe that changing my anatomy is not going to do anything for the metabolic problems that make it impossible for me to lose weight.  And, can anyone direct me to a doctor who will actually believe me?  I'm tired of having doctors tell me that I just need to try harder, or try a different diet, or do different exercises.  I've done that for 40 years, and have tried them all more times than I can count.

Sorry for the rant.

There is no way to completely undo a VBG as even if many of the staples separate they are scattered all over and tons of scar adhesions cause them to embed deeply.  I suggest going to a bariatric specialist who can assess you with tests such as an endoscopy and gastroscope, etc. to see what is possible.

You might want to look into DS as a revision. It uses malabsorbtion as well as restricting intake, so even though you eat the same as you do now you would only absorb about half of the calories.

I chose it because I've had metabolic issues since my teens - PCOS and type II diabetes which make it very hard to lose weight, no matter how little you eat. My diabetes is now cured, so poor insulin reactions aren't a problem - it made losing weight more like for a 'normal' person - not totally easy, but doable.

I'll check it out.  I never heard of the procedure before discovering this site.  But restricting my caloric intake would cause some pretty serious problems for me, as I'm not taking in enough as it is.  (And, yet, not losing weight.)

It just doesn't make sense to me how I can burn up more calories than I take in, but still not lose weight.  I just wish I could find a doctor that could explain that to me.

Hi, You need to find a Doc that specializes in revision WLS.  I'm not aware of any in your area since I'm from California.  I had a VBG too and it was very hard to find a Surgeon willing to do my revision.  If I can help in anyway........just ask. 
Terri

Thanks for all the support.  I've been giving this matter some deep thought, and I'm not really wanting any kind of a revision at this point in time.  I've gone through 50 years of trying one diet without success, only to have people tell me to try another diet, and another, and another, or one exercise program after another.  Or one doctor after another.  I just can't go through that with surgeries.

I'm happy to see that others have found success going this route, and wish everyone good luck who is doing it.  I've just come to the conclusion that I need to find out why I have this problem to begin with, before I consider possible treatments.

I'm an old-timer VBG, too. I might offer you this word of warning about simply "deconstructing" your VBG:

your body's metabolism has adjusted itself to the living off the amount of calories you've been giving it for the last 17 years. You've essentially been in starvation mode. If you begin to eat like a normal person, now, your body is going to hold onto every single calorie you hand it ... preparing for the next time you encounter a period of "starvation."

I'm in the same boat. I can eat more normally than I could 22 years ago when I was newly post-op with my VBG. And I've been gaining steadily ever since.

You might want to consider the DS. It will give you the mal-absorptive element that your whacked-out metabolism will need to shed the pounds, and will allow you to eat pretty damned normally ... especially when compared to the way you've been eating over the last 17 years. I know, I've been living with a pouch for the last 22 years. Sucks, don't it?

Give the DS a good, long look. Of particular interest on the DS board may be the "Food and Fitness" posts. It'll give you an idea how folks living with the DS eat, day-to-day. Keep in mind that at least some of the folks posting, there, are at goal and maintaining - there food intake will be much greater than someone still losing. But even the maintenance folks will give you a good look at what a future with a DS will hold.

I'm in the process of preparing for a VBG to DS revision. I am looking SO forward to being able to eat steak, again, without ending up in the bathroom hanging over the toilet to dislodge it from my tiny little opening.

good luck to you. I encourage you to visit the DS board and start asking questions! I've been reading and researching for about four months, now. If you think I can be any help to you, feel free to PM me.

Kathy

edited to correct typos, etc.

I am 14 days post op from a revision from a VBG (20 years old) to the DS. I was also tired of the hanging over a toilet and low caloric intake and still weighing 345 lbs. I had a open surgery whi*****luded a hernia repair. I spent 6 days in the hospital due to some cardiac problems. My post op appt is tomorrow. So far it is a little rough but I am determined to make this work. I was sick of the way things were. to me the DS was the only option that made sense. I encourage you to continue to ask questions, do the research, find a good revision surgeon that will work with you. It is major surgery so take your time deciding. For me I had the opportunity and the insurance. I felt i had to accept this opportunity. Your decision is one you and only you will have to live with. I will pray you are led in the right way.
Mz JOJO
I  my DS (by faith right now)

i suggest dr schauer at the cleveland clinic. he did my revision from vbg to rny and i couldnt be happier read my profile if u like i sorta had the same issues that u do. i 2 thought they could just take the staples out but in my situation because i had the staples and i had a ring around my tummy to that that my stomache sorta grew around the band and that if they cut the band my stomache would still stay that way and not correxct my problem. sooo glad i had it done dr schauer is the best i went from a size 24 to a size 2 i have never felt better or looked better in my life email me if i can help u further..