LapBand after past VBG

I would love to hear feedback from anyone who previously had VBG that later no longer worked and proceeded to have Lap Band surgery. I'm at the point of scheduling Lap Band after stretching out my stomach stapling after several years. HELP!! SassyGal

Hi SassyGal, I am seeking a revision from a VBG to a Distal RNY. I would love a DS but no-one in Oklahoma does them. Anyway, I also belong to the Yahoo revision support group and there are a couple that have had the band over the RNY-Proximal and I hate to say this but I don't think they have had much success and a couple are researching to have another revision. I will post the link for you to join and talk to them. Another note when I started I asked about doing that and I was told by 2 doctors that they would not do a band over a prior VBG, but every doctor is different. ANyway, I wish you the best of luck!! [email protected] Well, I thought it would come out as a link. Sorry. Robin

Robin Hi, I read your profile, it is like looking into a mirror. I am in the same boat as you. But I finally got approved because I took out a different insurance. my date is march 3. I had a VBG in 2001 and now the same as you weight gain and suture line rupture. What do you do for a living. I saw the scrubs. I am a nurse. Patty email me if you would like to vent. My husband is the same as yours. [email protected]

I had a VBG in 1999. I only lost about 60 lbs. I went to my DR last year and he had me do the barium swallow test. After doing the test he said it was fine. I have now been going to ditician(DR Orders) before he would do any kind of sugrey.How do you know if your stomach is stretched? Did you have a scope done? Sorry about all the questions,but I am very nervous about going to my Dr March 14,2006. I hope he will do the lap band if my stomach is stretched. Any Advice!!!! I hope wverything goes well with you!!!

Hi Laura For more info read my post on the VBG Forum Board. I went to my surgeon Dr. Cobourn a few weeks ago to see about getting a LapBand. He sent me for a barium stomach xrays and then he did the endoscopy. I was really nervous about the scope down my throat but they gave me something to relax me and I felt like I was asleep because I remember nothing. (I think it was done intervenously.) When I went back to see the Dr. he said my stomach was pretty much stretched out normal. There was no staple line and what he finds is that after the first 2 or 3 yrs. the staples don't stay tight together and we start to overeat. I still can't digest some food but over the yrs. I started eating more and more till now. I'm having to have the band done open surgery because of the previous stapling surgery instead of lap. The doc said the surgery will be a bit more challenging but there should be no problems due to the previous VBG. I'm having the surgery on April 18th. Feel free to ask me anything else and make sure you read my post about my history under the VBG Forum, it was a few days ago. SassyGal