New here.

Thanks for all the replies!  It's really nice that everyone is so welcoming. The V-bloc is the 5-year study that the FDA expanded a couple months ago to include 300 participants (originally it included 230). I'm not very good at explaining things, so I'll copy and paste from the empower study website the basics "VBLOC Therapy is delivered through laparoscopically implanted leads to intermittently block vagal nerve trunks. High frequency, low energy electrical impulses are delivered by an implantable system to block the messages conveyed through the vagal nerves."  Basically, I have a clear plastic thing near my ribs with 2 wires attached to the vagal nerves.  3 weeks after my surgery, once my wounds are healed,  I'll get a belt that has an on/off switch.  I keep the belt on during the day, and only turn it off when it's time for a meal, so I'll feel "hungry" again.  If I need to take it off to take a shower, go swimming, etc, you just set it aside.  Also, when you sleep you charge the battery pack.  I know that I didn't only eat when I was hungry before, so I'm prepared to work on making a lot of behavioral changes as well.  There is a slight chance that you can be in the placebo group (meaning the device is turned off but neither you or the doctors/researchers are aware) but after 1 year everyone will get the treatment. My surgery did have a slight complication.  The surgeon didn't like where the device was placed, so they had to unattach it and move it to a different spot.  It extended the surgery time a bit which scared my family and boyfriend and I was extremely nauseous from the anesthesia (they put me on 4 anti-nausea meds) but I'm definitely feeling better.  That's a bit about the study. most people still haven't even heard of it.  I hope it works for myself and also for other people in the future.

Welcome! I had my RNY with Dr. Maher two years ago. They are a fantastic group and you are in good hands. As Lauren said, we discussed this study at one of the support group meetings with Jill and it sounded very interesting. I've worked in clinical research with medical devices for 20 years (yikes!), so was intrigued by the study details. It's nice to see long term follow-up required for these programs, because that's the best way to see the results beyond the immediate future. Most of the clinical trials I am involved with at work require 5 year follow-up at a minimum. You are in good hands at MCV and I'm glad you found the VA board. Keep coming back!

Erin welcome to the VA Board and hope we see alot of you around here an keep us posted on your procedure sounds kinda interesting.

Welcome Erin!  Glad you're here.  Your surgery definitely sounds interesting and going in a whole new direction for WLS.  I can't wait to hear how it goes for you - I'd never even heard of such a thing :) Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Sarah

Hi Erin, Welcome to our little corner of the world. Congrats on your surgery. I just saw this on one of the news shows the other morning. I think it was GMA. They described it as like a pacemaker does for the heart. Keep coming and joining our fun!

Hey Erin! Sisters getting healthy together. I am so proud of us! I love you!