Anybody out there???????? No VBGers???

Jaded1968
on 2/17/08 10:25 am
10 years from now, when there is another "new and improved surgery", we will wonder where all of the R&Y and lap band folks went.  I am a VGBer myself-23 years Post Op. I am 39 years old and had my surgery at 17. I have had ups and downs and, right now, I am way down. My story is long but is probably worth the read to VGBers.  Please know, I am not downing these surgeries. I don't think I would be alive today had I not had mine. I have not gained a lot of weight back either so I am not on a "my surgery didn't work" kick...I DO firmly believe that the surgeries are being performed on folks who probably do not need them and who do not truly  understand the complications that can arise. You can tell me all day long that I might get a stricture or a blood clot...but until it happens, I didn't get it. I have had people in the past say that I took the "easy way out"...rest assured, there is nothing easy about this.  All I am saying is be informed, ask questions and know that you may well be facing some serious challenges and/ or complications in your future. I am happy to talk to anyone about my experiences and I have a very open mind about individual situations.  I just think it is taken too lightly lately these days and yes, I think that is frightening.
Jaded1968
on 2/18/08 11:17 am
Sorry...how about VBGers, not VGBers....my bad! Still learning all the abbreviations! 
chell1957
on 6/9/08 12:00 am - Woodbury, NJ
Hi. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I read the digest more then coming to the site. I would love to hear from you more. I may have the issue with the civilian insurance fixed and may still be able to use it instead of the V.A. but none the less I am interested in what you have to say and your experience. I, like you, U can tell me something but until I experience it, its makes all the difference. LOL, U R so correct in this. I applaud you, 23 years is GREAT! From my point of view you are a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be tapped. Please feel free to en part your knowledge upon me. Michelle a.k.a.  chell1957
chell1957
on 3/16/08 5:49 am - Woodbury, NJ
Wow...I find all this interesting and a bit over whelming. I have Veterans Medical Benefits which I am considering using for WLS. I originally wanted the Lap Band since it is the lest invasive and FDA approved. But I was told ( at least so far) that the VGB is the procedure of choice preferred over Lap Band. What I want to know is why they like this surgery over the Lap Band. As U can tell I am still in the research stage. I am waiting on my referral to be scheduled for the 1st class. perhaps then they can explain why VGB or VBG (?) is better then Lap band.
 
http://verticalsleevetalk.com/private.php
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_lightweights/


 
                            
KCameron
on 6/25/08 2:52 am - Radcliff, KY

I am new to this website, but thought I would give my input regarding VBG surgery. I had mine done in March 1996. My surgeon felt it was the safe surgery instead of RNY. There were less possibilities for complications. I originally lost 105 lbs and have kept 65 lbs off for about 9 years. I developed horrible reflux a couple of years ago. I gradually have become unable to tolerate any kind of "normal" diet. I cannot tolerate but a handful of foods, mostly dairy, no meats of any kind. Even a scrambled egg makes me ill for hours and then I usually end up throwing up then. I had an endoscopy 13 months ago and other than some un-digested food in my pouch, he found everything intact. He dilated the banding, and it improved somewhat for a couple of months. I had another endoscopy yesterday and the food from 12 hours prior, including liquid was still there, undigested basically. He believes my pouch is the problem, and I have gastroparesis which basically means the stomach has quit working. Due to this, he believes conversion to another type of wls will not fix it. He is suggesting total reversal. I am terrified of gaining to where I was at 279lbs, (I am 5'2")but also cannot continue to live like this. I feel virtually bulemic from throwing up. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I wish now that I had done gastric bypass initially, and he feels since it also has a pouch conversion isn't feasible.

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